BetaNuSigmaPhi posted:Just to inform you, if you are a really extreme European train modeler, that there are many ways to model and to run European trains in O gauge (3-rail ''coarse'' scale) and in O scale (real scale in Continental Europe 1:45). Here are the possible options which can be combined on your European layout:
1. tinplate and vintage toy trains (Hachette, Paya, Merkur, Hornby, etc.) [seen in toy museums]
2. low budget train models from the 1980ies (Lima, Rivarossi) [look in old catalogs]
3. downloaded STL files, probably re-scaled, 3D printed and assembled train models, examples...
a. Swedish electric locomotive https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2274141
b. Russian electric locomotive https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:567332
c. Dutch freight car https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1609559
d. German electric locomotive https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2004062
4. high quality train models (Lenz, Kiss, Demko, MTH) [visit their web sites]
5. design yourself in 3D CAD (I use OpenSCAD www.openscad.org) the bodyshell of your preferred model of exported or license-built U.S./Canadian diesel locomotives, such as ALCo, GM-EMD, GE, MLW, etc., which have operated or still are operating on the European continent. For the motorization just use ready robust mechanism from MTH (RailKing or Premier). In other words: you can play European model railroading with American motive power. Here is a list of possibilities for your inspiration...
a. hood diesels and switchers
ALCO RSD-1 (Russia)
ALCO DL-532B/RS-8 (Greece)
ALCo DL-535S (Spain)
ALCo DL-543 (Greece)
ALCo RSC-3 (Portugal)
GE UM-10B (Spain & Greece)
GM GL-12CU (Spain)
GM G-16 (Spain, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, etc.)
GM G-22U (Slovenia)
MLW MX-620 (Portugal)
MLW MX-626 (Serbia)
MLW MX-627 (Greece)
MLW MX-636 (Greece)
b. heavy end-cab diesels
ALCo DL-500A (Spain)
ALCo DL-500C (Spain & Greece)
ALCo DL-500S (Spain)
GM ME class 1501-1531 EMD 16-645E3B (Denmark)
GM NOHAB (originally in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, later also other regions)
GM J-16CW (Spain)
GM J-16CW-AC (Spain)
GM MZ-1 / JT-26CW (Denmark & Spain)
GM J-26CW-SS/HEP (Spain)
MLW MXS-627 (Portugal)
Probably there are much more examples, but I got tired to list them down. Any way, to conclude, you don't need always to buy ready-to-run and off-the-shelf models to run European trains and certainly you don't need always Alpine nor Central European theme. Mediterranean or Scandinavian does it just fine.
The Great Northern TMY was painted for a movie shot in Sweden by Danish director Lars Trier many years ago. It was run for many years after in that colour. I dont know if it still running. There was another Loco a Swedish T43 painted in GN colours for the same film and its still running in those colours.
