1:48 SBB shunting tractor Te I

[Bernhard]

Hello modeling friends

I would like to show you here briefly my very first model, which I started over 35 years ago: a shunting tractor Te I of the SBB (Swiss Federal Railways). After half of the construction time I left the project for many years because of other priorities. In 2003, I accidentally found the parts again in a box, and finally finished building the model.

[Bernhard]

The Prototype

The shunting tractors Te I with the numbers 44 to 60 were built between 1941 and 1956 by the companies SLM Tuchschmid and MFO (Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon).

Performance	90 kW
Lenght	5'620 mm
Weight	13 t
Speed	msx. 60 km/h

[Bernhard]

The model

As a basis I used a detailed construction guide, which was published in a model railroad magazine at the time. I built the model with the simplest means: a fretsaw, a simple box column drill, a set of key files and a soldering iron.
Various parts such as wheels, buffers, couplers and the pantograph were purchased.
Of course, motor is built in.
The model was painted by a professional paint store. I did not want to disfigure the model at the end with a thick paint shower from a spray can.

[Bernhard]

The frame

[Bernhard]

The floor with railings

[Bernhard]

The cabin

[Bernhard]

The roof

[Bernhard]

And here are two photos of the state before the painting.

[Bernhard]

And here the finished model.

[Bernhard]

Bernhard

[Hauk]

Very crisp metalwork, and that paintshop really did your model justice.

My only gripe would be the rather crude pantograph, but I guess that is not your handiwork?

[Bernhard]

Thanks Hauk. I actually bought the pantograph at that time. Today, of course, I would build it myself and more prototypically.

Bernhard

[Hydrostat]

Disgustingly well done for a very first model ... 

Cheers,
Volker

[Bill Gill]

Oh great, Not that I could come close to that level even now, but you built it 35 years ago as your first model.
Are you thinking of maybe replacing the pantograph with one you will build? It looks good.

[Bernhard]

Thanks Volker and Bill. I will leave the model in the condition I built it then. I will not replace the pantograph, because then I would have to do some work in other places, e.g. on the interior.

Bernhard