Theme regional layout

Zweisimmen

Scale regional layout

H0m and H0

Company regional layout

MOB and BLS

Era regional layout

Current

Number of modules regional layout

± 35 H0m and 20 H0

Model group.

A few decades ago, all members helped build the RhB layouts of the VSZ. Cees Roeleveld found this to be monotonous and so he began a club in his area, together with Ruud, using the MOB and BLS as an example.
Besides landscapes and stations, scale model items were also built, for example, the stations at Weissenbach, Zweisimmen, Chamby (with museum depot Blonay) and Chateau d’Oex. There are also scale models of the La Tine Gallery and the Flendruz viaduct.

The modular layout contains both normal gauge and narrow gauge with a theme of BLS and MOB, with, of course, some relations to the SBB. Central point in the layout is the reconstructed railway station of Zweisimmen, where BLS and MOB meet. Further down the line you can find a museum station based on the museum line Blonay-Chamby. We created a free interpretation of the station Blonay, where the museum line connects to the net of the MOB. In contrast to the real situation we also have normal gauge in the museum. In the narrow gauge part of the museum we use both H0m and H0e rail.

We use digital train controls, with a preference for pantographs in the raised position.
Henk and Simon are responsible for all electronics and automation.
The majority of the landscaping was done by Johan. Structural work/lighting/presentation is done by Frans.
Our handymen are Joran, Jac, Bob, Arnold, Gerard, Rob, Johan, Cees, Ludo and……

Every Saturday members of the modeling team join in Broek op Langedijk.
Information about general activities in the region and about the modeling team are available from Rob van Egmond, email: Region Northwest Netherlands.
See the menu on the left hand side for more information about the modeling activities in North Holland.
Rob van Egmond, regional coordinator.

A bit of history

Around 1900 standard gauge, now the BLS, reached Zweisimmen from Spiez.
From 1900 to 1905 the MOB (Montreux Oberland Bernoise) trajectory was opened in sections between Montreux and Zweisimmen, as an electric railway.
Branch lines Montbovon – Bulle and Zweisimmen – Lenk were also built in this period. The MOB uses narrow gauge with a maximum incline without cogwheels. The climb from Montreux, with various loops to gain altitude, is an absolute delight to experience.
There are 18 tunnels, 62 bridges and 2 avalanche galleries over an expanse of 62,5 kilometres.

The Golden Pass Panoramic
Step onto the Brunig Bahn golden panorama carriage at Lucerne. This narrow gauge cogwheel railway will take you to Interlaken, where you change over to the standard gauge of the BLS to go past the Thunersee towards Spiez and then in a southerly direction to ascend to Zweisimmen. There you will change back to a narrow gauge railway, into another golden coloured panorama carriage, but this time it is from the MOB. They are working on a system which will allow the carriages to change gauge without the passengers having to get out. There will only be a locomotive changeover required.

From Zweisimmen, the line climbs via a turn tunnel, to a pass and thereafter over a plateau past various well-known places. You can change over to the Gruyère/Bulle line at Montbovon. At Chamby you can visit the (narrow gauge) railway museum, Blonay. Hereafter, the descent to Montreux begins. An exquisite view on all sides of the nearing lake, as well as views of the French Alps across Lac Leman. Finally, you can take the narrow gauge train (60 cm, with cogwheel) in Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye. This is a highly recommended trip. Of course you could always complete your journey on the standard gauge.

Special activities

Open days.

A couple of times a year we open our doors to the general public.
Saturday 25-nov-2015 was one of such moments which happened to be the day the MOB also opened their re-designed station of Chateau d'Oex. See also the facebook site of the MOB. We celebrated this in a modest way on our model layout with the Locomotive "Chateau d'Oex" in the station Chateau d'Oex.

Also there was a meeting at Chamby of both motorcars typ Fze 6/6 2001 en 2002 of the MOB, see picture below.