Just a couple of days into the new year it was time for the 8:th Värnamo Moduldagar (Värnamo Module Days), this time for the first time as a FREMO meeting. As usual the meeting had one americaN and one H0-RE arrangement. The modestly sized americaN arrangement provided the operators with interesting operations and we had an enjoyable couple of days at Libanongården in Värnamo in the south of Sweden. Layout and traffic general Erik Kuiper had, with the assistance of passenger traffic director P-O Lönn, created a very interesting operation concept with only six assignments per day.

The main line was going from East (Clarion Yard) to west (Pinehill). From Pinehill a branch line wound its way up into the mountains to Five Feet Creek. Along the main line you found the small town Emey Falls with several rail served freight customers. There were also two junctions where cars had to be interchanged. This provided the opportunity to use more car types than only the ones that were served by the modeled customers.

The branch line provided rail service to Dalton Town and Five Feet Creek, and to two mines, Five Feet Mine and Dalton Tipple. The mines were serviced by a daily coal train, exchanging empty cars with loaded, half the train at each site. This was not a trivial task, especially considering that the local turn normally disturbed the operation.

Every day four passenger trains, three locals and a coal train was run. All trains included some switching, yes also the passenger trains. Due to the low traffic intensity no dispatcher was used and it was up to the crews to ensure that the line was free. A call board was used to distribute the assignments.

A couple of days with great fun proved that also a modestly sized layout can provide great satisfaction.

Welcome to Värnamo next January.

PS: The whole floor was carpeted, soft and nice

A short video is available at YouTube