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Rhaetian Railway (RhB) – Prototype and H0m Model Railroading

Small-series models: Why?

      All companies named here are only mentioned as examples; these examples do not attempt to be complete. Mentioning (or not mentioning) a company is not meant as a valuation. If you are interested in these models, you will probably visit the respective companies' websites anyway or try other ways to obtain information about their program.

      There is no doubt that Bemo and D+R, the two large-series manufacturers of RhB (and other narrow gauge railways) models, make excellent models. Nevertheless, there are numerous other companies that make models of RhB rolling stock. Often, these companies are not very widely known among RhB enthusiasts (which is why I try to give a complete overview on my manufacturer pages). These models are usually made in small series, sometimes only made to order, and, let us be honest, they often sell for prices that reach or even exceed the limit for many of us “average citizens.”

      Is that really necessary? Do we need these super-detailed and super-expensive models?

      The answer, as you may have guessed, is a clear “Yes and No.” You can operate a large RhB layout with large-series models only and be happy with these for the rest of your life. Small-series manufacturers become interesting for you if you

1. look for special cars or cars in special versions,
2. look for rolling stock from very early eras, or
3. if you look for cars and locomotives that are detailed to a degree that cannot be achieved in large-series production.

      Let us look at examples from these categories:

1. Special cars

      A typical example of this category is the flat car for transport of standard-gauge vehicles Ua 8302 that was made by HRF. This car was not made by any other manufacturer, if you wanted to use it on your layout, there was only this one model (which is out of production since 2005). These 35 g metal and plastic cost more than a Bemo Ge 4/4 III.

      Another example (that also fits into category 2.) is the famous “ambulance car” Dk 3503 which is made by Bayard, and only by Bayard.

      This list could be continued …

2. Rolling stock from early eras

      Until some years ago, this market was a domain of small-series manufacturers. Meanwhile, however, Bemo has found that the “early RhB” has many friends and has started to make this early epoch available to a wider circle of model railroaders with the beautiful model of G 2/2+2/2 “Albula.” Suitable passenger cars are also available. I am sure that the company did not regret this courageous decision.

      If, however, you are looking for early rolling stock from the Bernina-Bahn or the classic blue-grey railcars of the Chur-Arosa-Bahn, you will find the former at Wabu and the latter at either Bayard or Motreno. Cars with “LD” inscription, i.e., from the only six years (1889–1895) when the “RhB” was still the “Landquart-Davos-Bahn,” are not found in the large-series manufacturers' program, but Motreno or Pirovino can help you here.

3. Rolling stock with an extremely high degree of detail

      In a limited edition, Bemo made the steam snow plough Xrot d 9213. This model appeared in the “Exclusive Metal Collection” series; it was sold then (2001) here in Switzerland for about CHF 1000.– to 1200.–.
      I studied this Xrot carefully: It is really a beautiful model.

      Nevertheless, there are RhB model railroaders that pay twice this sum for the Ferro-Suisse model of this engine in the second-hand market and that are happy if they manage to find this model at all – it was made in a small series in 1989. Do these model railroaders and collectors simply have too much money to spend?
      Surely not – but they know exactly what they are spending their money for (in the case of this particular model, you could also say “how they invest their money”).

      The Ferro-Suisse Xrot has no digital interface, but you can, e.g., open the hatches on the sides of this model and you find beneath the superbly detailed inner driving gear. There are model railroaders who think that this is more important – and they are willing to pay for it.
      Compare the two-axle passenger cars from Bemo with those made by a small-series manufacturer: In the small-series model, the luggage rack is really a filigree metal net, and even the coat-hangers and the lamps on the platforms are there. You have to decide for yourself whether this is worth several times the price of the large-series model …
      By the way: I find it astonishing that a phenomenon that is well known in the world of H0 large-series manufacturers is also found in H0m small-series models: Multiple versions of the same car. The C 2012 in the version since 1999, i.e., after restoration by the Club 1889, is available from Motreno, Pirovino, and Wabu.

      Can we draw some sort of conclusion from what was said above? If at all, then perhaps only the fact that our hobby has so many different aspects and offers so many possibilities that everybody can find his personal way to pursue it: The friend of beautiful and fine detail, the historically minded railroad enthusiast with a penchant for early epochs, and the “modern railway” enthusiast who loves container cars and locomotives in commercial colour schemes can all find their fulfilment.
      The price of small-series models that I mentioned initially should also be seen as a relative factor: A Chur-Arosa motorcoach may be expensive, but it can stand all for itself on a layout or a diorama. A prototypical full-length Glacier-Express pulled by a Ge 4/4 III made with large-series models costs, after all, about the same.

Copyright © 2001–2008 and responsible for contents: Christoph Ozdoba.
First version September 6, 2001, last edited February 17, 2008.

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