Concept

Originally when I started with the Dombås themed layout I was just focused on what I was experiencing during my summer visits. It wasn't until later when I got more interested into operations and I described that first at operations 1997. There were also various limitations to model this as the number of Norwegian models at that time were still limited.

In recent times the number of new models and models that are correct for various different eras make it very interesting to look at other time periods. I started to look for pictures that showed what was running in the 1980's. This page shows some of that inspiration and attempts to recreate this on the layout.


May 1988

In May 1988 Horst Lüdicke visited Dombås and I found two images that were very inspirational. I want to thank Horst for the permission I got to use these pictures. The pictures below are these two images from May 1988 and my attempt to recreate them on my layout.

This picture show train 44 (Trondheim-Oslo) on the right and train 354 (from Åndalsnes) on the left. An El16 was placed in the train, the train arrived with El17.2227. To the far right a mellow design El13 can be seen with a freight conductor car of the type BFV1. This arrived with freight train 5281.

El17
El17.2227- May 1988, photo by Horst Lüdicke
El17
Similar scene at Dombås layout.
Dombas in May 1988
Dombås, May 1988, photo by Horst Lüdicke
El17
Recreation of a May 1988 scene on the Dombås layout

The locomotives in May 1988 were the Di3.624, El17.2227 and El12.2212. The details of the El13 and BFV1 are unknown. The El17 and El16 could be represented wit the same number, with Roco and NMJ Superline models. I used a different Di3 as I don't have a 624 in the collection yet. Philotrain made the BFV1 and Hobbytrade the mellom design El13.

June 25, 1996

In 1996 the Di3 was still the king on the Rauma banen. It is early evening and train 353 is leaving for Åndalsnes, one of the coaches in the rear come in on train 403 to Trondheim. The consist also includes a Gbs freight car for express freight/mail. The first coach car is a 'salong vogn'.

Dombas in May 1988
Di3.633 departs with train 353
El17
Recreation of the 1988 scene on the Dombås layout

The Di3.633 in ny design is not in my collection so I replaced it with the my Di3.622. The Gbs and the rest of the coaches are from NMJ. A 'salong vogn' has been announced by NMJ but is not available yet.

August 8, 1999

1999 was the last year I made a visit to Dombås. From an modelling era perspective this is actually outside my area but it was still a very interesting time. This picture shows the weekly Sunday train 411 to Trondheim that exchanged the locomotives that were running on the Rauma banen, this week is were the Di8.720 and Di3.620.

Dombas in August 1999
Di8.720 and Di3.620 are running train 411 to Trondheim
El17
Recreation of the 1999 scene on the Dombås layout

The locomotives in 1999 were the Di3.620 and Di8.720. I don't have the exact numbers in my collection, I used the NMJ Di8.710 and my Heljan Di3.622.

Last update: March 21, 2020