Weissenbachtalbahn (H0e /H0)

[Uli]

Hi folks,

Just discovered this forum recently and would like to introduce mayself and say hello.

I am German, but live in Ireland for almost 20 years (same old story: met a girl, my English was better than her German and so I ended up in county Kildare... now also being married to her). 

I developed the interest in trains and models thereof at an age of about four years - and I was from the start mainly interested in narrow gauge. At first, I focused on Swiss (especially Rhaetian Railways), later on German and Austrian and other European regions. 

After a LGB loop in the garden as a child, a first small H0m RhB-themed layout in the early 90s, I started building H0e dioramas and then joined FREMO in Germany around 2000, where I built several H0e modules. After I decided to hop over the channel to Ireland, I sold the FREMO modules to other members – where they are in use to this day.

Now when I moved here, I had no permanent job, money was tight and I was not sure if it that trip would really work out after all. But I had a good bit of spare time for the first months. So I started to build a few new H0e modules/ segments, including a small station. Because space was limited and to keep the investment lean, I kept these segments as small as possible, measuring 90x26cm each, and used stuff I already owned.

So fast forward to 2026, that small layout has slightly grown to about 14 segments, in a G-form, approximately 4.5 x 3 meters including another station where narrow and normal gauge lines meet. That station is permanently set up – the rest of segments are only added from time to time.

I do not intend to replicate any actual original line, but rather want to catch the impression of these narrow gauge railways. The original set up is for German (west) DB railways – but I change to operate German DR (east), Austrian ÖBB or undefined “Private Enterprise” stock.

I attach the track-plan at its current maximum set up and a few pictures of the H0-H0e station.

I hope you enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers

Uli

[Mick]

Incredible layout, if there wasn't the photo with the edge of the board I'd have believed this to be photos of an actual railway! Looks absolutely perfect!

[Flying Snail]

Willkommen Uli. Frau Snail ended up in a similar situation. Her excellent English left her stuck in Dublin with me.

I agree with Mick - your layout looks very realistic!!!

[Galteemore]

That’s an incredible layout. Very well done!!

[derek]

Absolutely great work @Uli.  Beautiful layout. Do you mind me asking you where you got the flowering shrubs? (The green bushes with what looks like white flowers). They really look the part, along with the trees

[Brendan8056]

I can only add my praise to your superb modelling. The blending of buildings and backscene is so convincing.

[MikeO]

Uli a brilliant layout in design, concept and workmanship. With the two stations at either end  and the fiddleyard in the middle there is plenty of operational potential.