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Schweiz / Nidwalden - Vierwaldstättersee
seen from Stanserhorn
gesehen vom Stanserhorn
Lake Lucerne (German: Vierwaldstättersee, literally "Lake of the four forested settlements" (in English usually translated as forest cantons), French: lac des Quatre-Cantons, Italian: lago dei Quattro Cantoni) is a lake in central Switzerland and the fourth largest in the country.
Geography
The lake has a complicated shape, with several sharp bends and four arms. It starts in the south–north bound Reuss Valley between steep cliffs above the Urnersee from Flüelen towards Brunnen to the north before it makes a sharp bend to the west where it continues into the Gersauer Becken. Here is also the deepest point of the lake with 214 m (702 ft). Even further west of it is the Buochser Bucht, but the lake sharply turns north again through the narrow opening between the Unter Nas (lower nose) of the Bürgenstock to the west and the Ober Nas (upper nose) of the Rigi to the east to reach the Vitznauer Bucht. In front of Vitznau below the Rigi the lake turns sharply west again to reach the center of a four-arm cross, called the Chrütztrichter (Cross Funnel). Here converge the Vitznauer Bucht with the Küssnachtersee from the north, the Luzernersee from the west, and the Horwer Bucht and the Stanser Trichter to the south, which is to be found right below the northeast side of the Pilatus and the west side of the Bürgenstock. At the very narrow pass between the east dropper of the Pilatus (called Lopper) and Stansstad the lake reaches its southwestern arm at Alpnachstad on the steep southern foothills of the Pilatus, the Alpnachersee. The lake drains its water into the Reuss in Lucerne from its arm called Luzernersee (which literally translates as Lake of Lucerne).
The entire lake has a total area of 114 km² (44 sq mi) at an elevation of 434 m (1,424 ft) a.s.l., and a maximum depth of 214 m (702 ft). Its volume is 11.8 km³. Much of the shoreline rises steeply into mountains up to 1,500 m above the lake, resulting in many picturesque views including those of the mountains Rigi and Pilatus.
The Reuss enters the lake at Flüelen, in the part called Urnersee (Lake of Uri, in the canton of Uri) and exits at Lucerne. The lake also receives the Muota at Brunnen, the Engelberger Aa at Buochs, and the Sarner Aa at Alpnachstad.
It is possible to circumnavigate the lake by train and road, though the railway route circumvents the lake even on the north side of the Rigi via Arth-Goldau. Since 1980, the A2 motorway leads through the Seelisberg Tunnel in order to reach the route to the Gotthard Pass in just half an hour in Altdorf, Uri right south of the beginning of the lake in Flüelen.
Steamers and other passenger boats ply between the different villages and towns on the lake. It is a popular tourist destination, both for native Swiss and foreigners, and there are many hotels and resorts along the shores. In addition, the meadow of the Rütli, traditional site of the founding of the Swiss Confederation, is on the Urnersee shore. A 35 km commemorative walkway, the Swiss Path, was built around the Lake of Uri to celebrate the country's 700th anniversary in 1991.
Archaeologists surveying the lake-bed (during the construction of a pipeline) from 2019 to 2021 found the remains of a Bronze Age village with artifacts dating to around 1000 BC. Later, the new findings indicated that the area was settled 2,000 years earlier than historians previously thought.
Lake Lucerne borders on the three original Swiss cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden (which today is divided into the cantons of Obwalden and Nidwalden), as well as the canton of Lucerne, thus the name Vierwaldstättersee (lit.: Lake of the Four Forested Settlements). Many of the oldest communities of Switzerland are along the shore, including Küssnacht, Weggis, Vitznau, Gersau, Brunnen, Altdorf, Buochs, and Treib.
Lake Lucerne is singularly irregular and appears to lie in four different valleys, all related to the conformation of the adjoining mountains. The central portion of the lake lies in two parallel valleys whose direction is from west to east, the one lying north, the other south of the ridge of the Bürgenstock. These are connected through a narrow strait, scarcely one kilometre wide, between the two rocky promontories called respectively Unter Nas and Ober Nas (Lower and Upper Nose). It is not unlikely that the southern of these two divisions of the lake—called Buochser Bucht—formerly extended to the west over the isthmus whereon stands the town of Stans, thus forming an island of the Bürgenstock. The west end of the main branch of the lake, whence a comparatively shallow bay extends to the town of Lucerne, is intersected obliquely by a deep trench whose south-west end is occupied by the branch called Alpnachersee, while the north-east branch forms the long arm of Küssnacht, Küssnachtersee. These both lie in the direct line of a valley that stretches with scarcely a break in between the Uri Alps and the Emmental Alps. At the eastern end of the Gersauer Becken, where the containing walls of the lake-valley are directed from east to west, it is joined at an acute angle by the arm of Uri, or the Urnersee, lying in the northern prolongation of the deep cleft that gives a passage to the Reuss, between the Uri Alps and the Glarus Alps.
The Urnersee occupies the northernmost and deep portion of the great cleft of the Reuss Valley, which has cut through the Alpine ranges from the St Gotthard Pass to the neighbourhood of Schwyz. From its eastern shore the mountains rise in almost bare walls of rock to a height of from 3,000 to 4,000 ft (910 to 1,220 m) above the water. The two highest summits are the Fronalpstock and the Rophaien (2078 m). Between them the steep glen or ravine of the Riemenstaldener Tal descends to Sisikon, the only village with Flüelen right on the shore on that side of the Urnersee. On the opposite or western shore, the mountains attain still greater dimensions. The Niederbauen Chulm is succeeded by the Oberbauenstock, and farther south, above the ridge of the Scharti, appear the snowy peaks of the Gitschen and the Uri Rotstock (2,928 m). In the centre opens the Reuss Valley, backed by the rugged summits of the Urner and Glarner Alps.
The breadth of these various sections of the lake is very variable, but is usually between one and two miles (3 km). The lake's surface, whose mean height above the sea is 434 metres, is the lowest point of the cantons of Uri, Obwalden and Nidwalden. Originally the lake was susceptible to variations in level and flooding along its shoreline. Between 1859 and 1860, the introduction of a needle dam in the Reuss in the city of Lucerne, just upstream from the Spreuerbrücke, allowed the lake level to be stabilised.
The culminating point of the lake's drainage basin, as well as Central Switzerland, is the Dammastock at 3,630 metres above sea level.
Name
The name of Vierwaldstättersee is first used in the 16th century. Before the 16th century, the entire lake was known as Luzerner See "Lake Lucerne", as remains the English (and partly Italian, as Lago di Lucerna) usage. The (three) "Waldstätte(n)" (lit.: "forested sites/settlements", in English usually translated as forest cantons[6]) since the 14th century were the confederate allies of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. The notion of "Four Waldstätten" (Vier Waldstätten), with the addition of the canton of Lucerne, is first recorded in the 1450s, in an addition to the "Silver Book" of Egloff Etterlin of Lucerne.
The nine different parts of the lake have individual designations:
Urnersee ("Lake of Uri"): The first part of the lake, at the mouth of the Reuss between Flüelen and Brunnen.
Gersauer Becken ("Basin of Gersau") next to Gersau below the Rigi massif is the deepest part of the lake.
Buochser Bucht ("Bay of Buochs"): The bay of Bouchs, where the Engelberger Aa enters the lake.
Vitznauer Bucht ("Bay of Vitznau"): The part between the Bürgenstock and Rigi.
Alpnachersee ("Lake of Alpnach"): the almost separate, southern arm below the southern mountainside of Pilatus near Alpnach.
Stanser Trichter ("Funnel of Stans"): The part north of the Pilatus, west of Bürgenstock, and in front of Hergiswil and Stansstad.
Küssnachtersee ("Lake of Küssnacht"): The most northern arm, west of the Rigi with Küssnacht SZ at its northern end.
Chrütztrichter ("Cross Funnel"): The meeting point of Stanser Trichter, Luzernersee, Küssnachtersee, and Vitznauer Bucht.
Luzernersee ("Lake of Lucerne"): in German usage now limited to the bay at Lucerne as far as Meggenhorn, with its effluence of the Reuss.
Navigation
The lake is navigable, and has formed an important part of Switzerland's transport system for many centuries, and at least since the opening of the first track across the Gotthard Pass in 1230. This trade grew with the opening of a new mail coach road across the pass in 1830. This road had its northern terminus at Flüelen at the extreme eastern end of the lake, and the lake provided the only practical onward link to Lucerne, and hence the cities of northern Switzerland and beyond.
Whilst the development of Switzerland's road and rail networks has relieved the lake of much of its through traffic, it continues to be used by a considerable number of vessels, both private and public. Much of this usage is tourist or leisure oriented, but the lake continues to provide practical public and cargo transport links between the smaller lakeside communities.
Passenger boats of the Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV) provide services on the lake, including many run by historic paddle steamers. The SGV serves 32 places along the shore of the lake, with interchange to both main line and mountain railways at various points. Under separate management, the Autofähre Beckenried-Gersau provides a car ferry service between Beckenried, on the south bank of the lake, and Gersau on the north.
Cargo barges, to a local design known as Nauen, are still used on the lake. Some have been converted for use as party boats. Other barges are used by the gravel dredging industry that operates on the lake, using large dredgers to obtain sand and gravel for use in the construction industry.
Cultural references
Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata derives its name from an 1832 description of the first movement by poet and music critic Ludwig Rellstab, who compared it to moonlight shining upon Lake Lucerne.
Gioacchino Rossini uses this in his William Tell Overture Section A: Sunrise over the Alps.
Rowing
Lake Lucerne has twice been used as a venue for the European Rowing Championships: in 1908 and then in 1926. The nearby Rotsee has since 1933 been used for rowing regattas instead.
Tourism
On the way south, the English discovered the mountains of central Switzerland. Several spa and bathing resorts such as Weggis or Gersau were created. In 1871, the very first rack railway in Europe, the Vitznau-Rigi Railway, was opened. In 1889 the steepest cog railway in the world was built from Alpnachstad to Mount Pilatus. Mark Twain described an ascent to the Rigi, which led to the blossoming of Swiss tourism in the United States in the 19th century. One of the largest steamship fleets in Europe operates with five steamships on Lake Lucerne.
In the area surrounding the lake and on terraces at medium height (for example Morschach and Seelisberg) there are numerous places for tourists. The Rigi, Pilatus, the Bürgenstock, the Stanserhorn, the Buochserhorn, and the two legends, the Urirotstock and the Fronalpstock are attractive panoramic mountains near Lake Lucerne. Most of them can be reached by mountain railways, some of which have their valley station near boat stations on the lake.
There are numerous locations on the lake that are important in Swiss cultural and tourism history: Rütli, Tellsplatte, Tell Chapel, Carving Tower of Stansstad, Neu-Habsburg, Schillerstein, Treib, Astrid Chapel (Küssnacht) and Meggenhorn Castle.
Watersports
Different sports are possible in some separate areas due to the water and wind conditions. The lake is accessible from boat and yacht harbors, to lake resorts and pools (e.g. the Lido pool in Lucerne, built in 1929 by Arnold Berger). Therefore, the lake can be easily accessible from both shores. The See-Club Luzern was founded in 1881, which is now Switzerland's largest rowing club, as well as the Reuss Luzern rowing club (Ruderclub Reuss Luzern) in 1904. The Lucerne Yacht Club (Yachtclub Luzern) has existed since 1941 and has been running since 1966 a boathouse and buoy field on Churchill-Quai in Lucerne.
The Brunnen water sports club (Wassersportclub Brunnen), founded in 1958, held on Lake Lucerne in the first years of its existence international motorboat races and water ski championships. In 1965 the association chose a new name for the club: Lake Lucerne Water Sports Club (Wassersport-Club Vierwaldstättersee). The Central Switzerland Motorboat Club (Motorbootclub Zentralschweiz) was established in 1980 and the Hergiswil Water Sports Club (Wassersportclub Hergiswil) in 1986. SchweizMobil has created a canoe tour across Lake Lucerne between Brunnen and Gersau. Due to the wind in the Reuss Valley, the southern part of Lake Uri between the campground at Gruonbachstrand in Flüelen and Isleten is a center of windsurfing.
Diving
There are about ten places where you can dive without a boat in Lake Lucerne. The water is rather chilly all year round and therefore mostly very clear. In Lake Uri, at Sisikon, one can dive to a fragmented steep vertical wall, at the northern portal of the Schieferneggtunnel. The Lediwrack Bruno lies in front of Brunnen at a depth of 15 meters. Other well-known diving spots are in front of Vitznau, Weggis, Gersau and Hergiswil.
(Wikipedia)
The Stanserhorn is a mountain in Switzerland, located in the canton of Nidwalden near to the border with Obwalden, with the peak at 1,898 metres (6,227 ft) above sea level.
It is a popular tourist destination, which can be reached from the adjacent town of Stans by a funicular railway and cable car, or via walking routes from Stans or Dallenwil.
History
The first public transport route to the peak was started in 1891 and completed in 1893, a three section funicular railway. The builders were the business partners Franz Josef Bucher-Durrer and Josef Durrer-Gasser.
The first section started from Stans town, through the low pastures above the town and over three level crossings, to an intermediate station at Kälti (also sometimes spelt Chälti). The second section continued through forest to another intermediate station at Bluematt (also sometimes spelt Blumatt), then the third section crossed the high pastures and the exposed slope leading up to the summit station and hotel. This third section included a 160 metres (520 ft) long tunnel and a number of avalanche protection walls; the final section of it was carried on a stone embankment. Each section was electrically powered (making it one of the world's first electrically powered mountain railways), with the complete trip to the summit taking 45 minutes.
The railway ran a tourist service until 1970, when on the night of the 2/3 October the funicular cable was struck by lightning. This started a fire which destroyed the summit hotel and the driving engine for the third section in its basement. As a result of this, and also the imminent expiry of the concession, the second funicular section stopped operating in 1974. Part of the driving engine of this section can be seen today outside the summit buildings, while parts of two cars can still be seen at the former Bluematt station.
A new cable car was built to replace the two upper funicular sections, which started operation in May 1975. The first funicular section continued in operation, as it does to this day.
In 2001 a revolving restaurant was built at the summit station, and in 2003 an outside observation deck was added.
In 2010 construction work started on a new cable car to replace the 1975 installation. This was to be a new design, the world's first "CabriO" double deck open top cable car, built by Garaventa. Carrying 60 passengers per cabin with room for 30 on the open deck, passengers are able to observe the mountain scenery as well as the cable and engineering installations during the six-minute journey. While this new cable car was being built, the first funicular section and its original wooden cars were renovated. The final run of the former cable car was on 23 October 2011;[8] the renovated funicular and new "CabriO" were opened on 29 June 2012.
Visiting
he funicular railway and cable car normally run daily from mid-April to mid-November.
The journey to the top starts in Stans town at the original 1893 bottom station (450 metres (1,480 ft) elevation), close to Stans railway station on the Luzern-Engelberg line. The journey, on the original wooden funicular wagons, takes 9 minutes to the Kälti intermediate station (714 metres (2,343 ft) altitude). From here the "CabriO" cable car takes 61⁄4 minutes to the summit station (1,850 metres (6,070 ft) altitude). The cable car closely follows the route of the original second and third stage funiculars, and the remains of the track and the Bluematt station can still be seen.
The summit buildings include a self-service restaurant, three meeting/dining rooms, a souvenir shop, and a sun terrace and observation deck.
From the summit buildings, a round trip walk is available around the summit (30 minutes), or to the peak at 1,898 metres (6,227 ft) altitude. From the peak, on a clear day, as well as the mountains around there are views as far as Alsace and the Black Forest in Germany. Ten lakes in total are visible: the Zugersee, Wichelsee, Vierwaldstättersee, Sempachersee, Sarnersee, Hallwilersee, Gerzensee, Bannalpsee, Baldeggersee and Alpnachersee.
A variety of hiking trail routes are available down to Bluematt-Kälti-Stans, Ahornhütte-Büren, Wiesenberg-Dallenwil, or Wirzweli-Wolfenschiessen. The routes to/from the summit are closed in winter or in bad weather.
(Wikipedia)
Der Vierwaldstättersee (französisch Lac des Quatre-Cantons; italienisch Lago dei Quattro Cantoni, Lago di Lucerna; rätoromanisch Lai dals Quatter Chantuns) ist ein von Bergen der Voralpen umgebener Alpenrandsee in der Zentralschweiz. Er liegt auf dem Gebiet der Kantone Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden (d. h. Nid- und Obwalden) und Luzern. Die grössten Orte am Ufer sind Luzern, Küssnacht, Horw und Brunnen. Der See ist 114 km² gross, liegt auf einer Höhe von 433 m ü. M. und ist 214 m tief. Da es sich um einen charakteristischen Zungenbeckensee mit mehreren Zweigbecken handelt, ist die Uferlänge im Bezug zur Seefläche mit etwa 150 km relativ gross.
Name
Seinen Namen hat der Vierwaldstättersee von den vier an ihn angrenzenden Waldstätten (heutige Kantone). Bis ins 16. Jahrhundert wurde die Bezeichnung Luzerner See verwendet.
Entstehung
Der Vierwaldstättersee entstand in den Eiszeiten, u. a. der letzten Eiszeit, durch Erosion des Reussgletschers. Der See bildete sich als Gletscherrandsee am Ende der Eiszeit vor rund 12'000 Jahren. Im Gletschergarten Luzern zeigt eine Dokumentation die Geschichte der Alpen, der Eiszeiten und der Gletscher in den Zentralalpen.
Geographie
Zufluss
Die Hauptzuflüsse des Vierwaldstättersees sind die Reuss mit der Einmündung bei Flüelen und Seedorf, die Engelberger Aa bei Buochs, die Sarner Aa bei Alpnachstad und die Muota bei Brunnen. Die Reuss fliesst mit einem starken Gefälle aus dem Gotthardmassiv und führt grosse Mengen Geschiebe mit sich, so dass sich das Reussdelta im Laufe der Zeit um 10 km nach Norden in den Urnersee hinein erweitert hat.
Im Urnersee im Bereich des Reussdeltas zwischen Flüelen und Seedorf wurde von 2001 bis 2005 mit dem Ausbruchmaterial des Umfahrungstunnels Flüelen und des Gotthard-Basistunnels der Seegrund teilweise wieder aufgeschüttet. Es entstanden Flachwasserzonen, die durch den Kiesabbau verschwunden waren, und einige neue Inseln: die Neptuninseln und die Inselgruppe Lorelei. Einige der Inseln sind Vogelschutzgebiet. Im Naturschutzgebiet erlaubt der Reussdeltaturm die Beobachtung der Fauna.
Kleinere in den Vierwaldstättersee einmündende Gewässer sind der Gruonbach, der Isitaler Bach, der Riemenstaldnerbach, der Cholbach von Emmetten, der Lielibach bei Beckenried, der Teuffibach, der Melbach, die Kleine Schliere bei Alpnachstad, zehn Bäche am Ostabhang des Pilatus (darunter Mülibach, Steinibach bei Horw, Widenbach, Fridbach, Feldbach und Steinibach bei Hergiswil) und der Würzenbach in Luzern.
Gliederung
Der Vierwaldstättersee besteht aus mehreren Seebecken und Buchten:
Der Urnersee erstreckt sich von der Einmündung der Reuss bei Seedorf 11 km in nördlicher Richtung bis nach Brunnen
Der Gersauer See (auch Gersauer Becken oder Gersauerbecken) führt 14 km von Ost nach West von Brunnen nach Ennetbürgen, wo die Engelberger Aa in den See mündet. In der Mitte zwischen Beckenried und Gersau erreicht der See mit 214 m Tiefe seine tiefste Stelle.
Der Chrüztrichter (Kreuztrichter) bildet im Westen des Weggiser Beckens das eigentliche Zentrum des nördlichen Seeteils. Von ihm zweigen vier Hauptarme (Trichter) ab:
Das Weggiserbecken (östlicher Arm des Kreuztrichters) liegt südlich von Weggis und verläuft von Ost nach West. Es führt zwischen Hertenstein im Norden und dem Bürgenstock im Süden hin zur Seemitte. Es wird auch Vitznauerbecken genannt.
Der Stanser Trichter (südwestlicher Arm des Kreuztrichters). Im Südwesten davon liegen
die Horwerbucht und
der Alpnachersee, der zwischen Acheregg und Stansstad durch eine nur 100 Meter breite Engstelle, über die eine Brücke führt, vom restlichen See abgetrennt wird und am Südfuss des Pilatus liegt.
der Küssnachtersee (nordöstlicher Arm aus dem Kreuztrichter) zweigt zwischen Hertenstein und Meggenhorn in nordöstlicher Richtung nach Küssnacht, am Nordrand des Rigimassivs gelegen, ab.
der relativ kurze Luzernersee (auch Luzerner Bucht) ist zugleich nordwestlicher Arm des Kreuztrichters und Schlussteil des Sees. Er verläuft nach Nordwesten nach Luzern.
Abfluss
In Luzern verlässt die Reuss den See, kontrolliert mit einem Regulierwehr, und fliesst durch das Mittelland zur Aare.
Strömungen
Durch das verhältnismässig warme Wasser der Reuss und den Föhn, der das Wasser ständig umschichtet, ist der Urnersee am Grund wärmer und leichter als das Wasser im Gersauer Becken. Durch diesen Temperaturunterschied strömen jeden Frühling gewaltige Wassermassen vom Gersauer Becken in die Tiefen des Urnersees. Ähnliche Tiefenwasserströmungen bestehen auch vom Alpnachersee in das Gersauer Becken.
Wasserqualität und Temperaturen
Das Wasser bleibt durchschnittlich dreieinhalb Jahre im Seebecken und hat Trinkwasserqualität. Die Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt für Limnologie der Eawag überwacht die Wasserqualität. Im Sommer erreicht der See eine Temperatur von 22 °C. 1929 und 1963 froren der Alpnachersee und die Luzerner Bucht zu. Aus dem 17. und 19. Jahrhundert sind Vereisungen des ganzen Vierwaldstättersees dokumentiert. 1684 und 1685 konnte das Gersauer Becken auf dem Eis überquert werden.
Klima und Vegetation
Das Klima rund um den föhnbegünstigten und von Bergen geschützten Vierwaldstättersee ist im Vergleich zu anderen Regionen der deutschsprachigen Schweiz relativ mild; die Vegetation gleicht zum Teil derjenigen des Kantons Tessin. Die mittlere Tageshöchst-/-tiefsttemperatur beträgt in Luzern 2,6 °C (Januar) und 23,5 °C (Juli). In Altdorf südlich des Sees liegen die Werte bei 3,9 °C (Januar) und 23,0 °C im Juli (Klimamittel der Jahre 1961–1990). An den Seeufern wachsen Hanfpalmen, Feigen, Yuccas, Zypressen, Opuntien, Edelkastanien und andere südländische Pflanzenarten.
Die Edelkastanien wurden bis ins 19. Jahrhundert wirtschaftlich als Nahrungsmittel genutzt. Mit der Verbreitung der Kartoffel nahm die Bedeutung der Kastanie jedoch ab. Noch heute findet in Greppen regelmässig ein Kastanienmarkt, die sogenannte Chestene-Chilbi statt. An den Marktständen werden Kastanienprodukte und regionale Spezialitäten angeboten.
Naturgefahren
Hochwasser in Luzern August 2005
Nach dem Erdbeben vom 18. September 1601 entstanden Tsunamis im Vierwaldstättersee mit vermutlich bis zu 4 Meter hohen Flutwellen. Ein weiteres solches Ereignis soll im Jahr 1687 stattgefunden haben. Auch vom Genfersee ist ein Binnentsunami-Ereignis aus dem Jahr 563 bekannt, und vom Lauerzersee aus dem Jahr 1806.
Die Folgen der allgemeinen Erderwärmung in den Alpen werden auch für den Vierwaldstättersee und seine Umgebung diskutiert. Das Hochwasser 2005 mit diversen Muren und Erdrutschen könnte als Warnsymptom verstanden werden.
Seit 1861 wird der Wasserspiegel des Vierwaldstättersees durch die Reusswehranlage in Luzern etwa zwei bis drei Meter über dem natürlichen mittleren Wasserstand gehalten.
Verkehr
Schifffahrt
Auf dem See verkehren die Schiffe der Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV) zu den zahlreichen Schiffstationen. Bis zum Bau der Axenstrasse in den Jahren 1863 bis 1865 war der Wasserweg die einzige aus dem Norden mögliche Verbindung zum Kanton Uri, zum Gotthardpass und damit auch der einzige Weg von den Städten im Nordwesten Europas nach Mailand und zu den italienischen Häfen am Mittelmeer. Das gilt auch für die Pilgerwege des Mittelalters nach Rom. Noch heute verkehren auf dieser Strecke die grossen Raddampfer der SGV Stadt Luzern (das Flaggschiff der SGV) Uri, Unterwalden, Gallia und Schiller.
Autofähre Beckenried–Gersau
Zwischen Beckenried und Gersau verkehrt die Autofähre Beckenried–Gersau. Auf dem See fahren ausserdem Lastschiffe privater Transportunternehmen.
Beim Zusammenstoss des Nauens Schwalmis mit dem Motorschiff Schwalbe vor Horw starben am 12. Oktober 1944 zwanzig Gäste einer 33-köpfigen Hochzeitsgesellschaft aus der Region Entlebuch. Die Unfallursache konnte nicht restlos geklärt werden. Es war das bislang grösste Unglück der Schweiz mit einem motorisierten Schiff.
Strasse und Schiene
Seit dem Bau der Gotthardstrasse, der Gotthardbahn (Eröffnung 1882), der Gotthardautobahn (1982) und der Eisenbahnschnellfahrstrecken von AlpTransit (NEAT) zum Gotthard-Basistunnel (2016) tangieren grosse internationale Verkehrswege die Gegend um den Vierwaldstättersee. In Flüelen wechselten vor dem Bau der Eisenbahn die Reisenden von den Bergpässen vom Maultier oder der Postkutsche auf das Schiff. Am östlichen Ufer führt die Axenstrasse mit vielen Tunnels und Galerien von Flüelen über Sisikon nach Brunnen. Sie ist Bestandteil der A4. Die Bahnlinie führt mehrheitlich unterirdisch von Flüelen nach Brunnen. Auf dem Weg nach Küssnacht erinnern alte, restaurierte Hotelbauten an die Zeit des frühen Tourismus im 19. Jahrhundert.
Zwischen Hergiswil und Stansstad führen Strassenbrücken (Kantonsstrasse und Autobahn A2) und eine Eisenbahnbrücke der Luzern-Stans-Engelberg-Bahn bei der Lopper-Halbinsel über eine Landenge im See.
Der 1991 auf alten Verkehrswegen angelegte Wanderweg mit der Bezeichnung Weg der Schweiz führt rund um den südlichsten Teil des Sees, den Urnersee.
Luftverkehr
Zwischen Buochs und Ennetbürgen bei Stans liegt der Flugplatz Buochs, der früher fast nur von der Schweizer Armee und den Pilatus-Flugzeugwerken benutzt wurde. Heute steht der Flugplatz dem zivilen Flugverkehr offen. Der Militärflugplatz Alpnach wird von der Schweizer Armee als Helikopterbasis genutzt.
Hängegleiter und Gleitschirme nutzen bei geeignetem Wetter die Thermik der Felswände über den steilen Ufern des Sees. Die beliebtesten Fluggebiete für Gleitschirme um den Vierwaldstättersee sind der Pilatus, die Rigi, das Gebiet von Emmetten, das Stanserhorn und das ganze Engelbergertal. Beim Fliegen sind die Kontrollzonen der Flugplätze Alpnach, Buochs und Emmen zu beachten.
Geschichte
Zu den frühesten menschlichen Spuren am See gehörten die neolithischen Seeufersiedlungen aus dem 5. bis 4. Jahrtausend v. Chr. bei Stansstad-Kehrsiten. Zahlreiche Ortsnamen weisen auf eine keltische, später gallorömische Besiedlung hin. In Alpnach fand sich eine römische Villa. Spätestens im 7. Jahrhundert liessen sich Alemannen nieder.
Am Ausfluss der Reuss entstand im 12. und 13. Jahrhundert die Stadt Luzern, rund um den See die Länderorte Uri, Schwyz und Unterwalden. Diese erlangten die Hoheit über das sie verbindende Gewässer bis hin zur Seemitte, sieht man von der Fläche in der Verlängerung des Bürgenbergs bis vor Hertenstein ab. Diese gelangte 1378 zusammen mit dessen Nordflanke an Luzern. Dennoch kam es bis 1967 – zwischen Nidwalden und Luzern – zu Auseinandersetzungen um Fischereirechte und Grenzstreitigkeiten. Da es extrem schwierig war, Strassen um den See zu bauen, war das Gewässer zugleich eine Hauptverkehrsader.
Kirchlich bildete der Raum vom Hochmittelalter bis 1821 das Dekanat Luzern bzw. das Vierwaldstätterkapitel im Bistum Konstanz. Danach wurde der Raum auf die Bistümer Chur und Basel aufgeteilt. Über den See oder an ihm entlang führten früher Pilgerwege nach Rom. Auch der westwärts nach Santiago de Compostela führende Jakobsweg führt von Einsiedeln nach Brunnen. Von hier führt er weiter westlich mit dem Schiff nach Luzern oder über den Alpnachersee nach Süden zum Brünigpass.
Im Gegensatz zum offenen See, auf dem frei gefischt werden durfte, gehörten die Uferstreifen zur Gemeinmarch der Siedlungsgenossen. Nur ihre Fischer durften dort ausfahren. Daneben bestanden herrschaftliche Rechte wie die Fischämter von St. Leodegar in Luzern. Aus derlei Organisationsformen gingen etwa 1465 die Luzerner Rohrgesellen oder 1607 die St.-Niklausen-Bruderschaft von Stansstad hervor. Auch hier konnten Fischereirechte zu heftigen Auseinandersetzungen führen, wie 1655 zwischen Luzern und Nidwalden. Statuten für den Fischmarkt finden sich in Luzern schon im ältesten Ratsbüchlein (um 1318).
Nach der Helvetik wurde die Fischerei in allen Orten zu einem Hoheitsrecht der Kantone. 1890 schlossen sich die Kantone zum Fischereikonkordat Vierwaldstättersee zusammen. Noch Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts beschäftigten 27 Betriebe rund 40 Vollzeitarbeitskräfte.
Der regionale Markt mit Luzern als Mittelpunkt und der Verkehr über den Gotthard führten zum Aufbau eines Transportwesens. In Flüelen wurde 1313 ein Reichszoll erwähnt, Anfang des 14. Jahrhunderts sind in Luzern Lagerhäuser bezeugt, ähnlich wie in anderen Orten.
Im 17. Jahrhundert bestanden in Alpnach fünf Fahrrechte, in Brunnen arbeiteten 60 Schiffsleute. 1687 kam es zum Abschluss eines Schifffahrtsvertrags, der bis ins 19. Jahrhundert Bestand hatte. 1837 begann die Dampfschifffahrt, 1870 entstand die Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees. Sie verdrängte die lokalen Schifffahrtsgenossenschaften. Ab 1859 entstand im Einzugsgebiet des Sees ein Eisenbahn-, Bergbahn- und Strassennetz, was den Tourismus stark anwachsen liess und eine entsprechende Infrastruktur hervorbrachte. Ab Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts wurde die Sand- und Kiesgewinnung zu einem expandierenden Industriezweig.
1859–1860 wurde mit dem Bau des Luzerner Nadelwehrs die Basis für eine Regulierung des Wasserpegels gelegt. Zugleich belasteten Kiesabbau, das Wachstum der Orte und der unkontrollierte Häuserbau, dazu Gewässerverschmutzung und Wassersport den See. Daher entstand 1916 das Hydrobiologische Laboratorium (1960 in die ETH Zürich integriert), das im Bereich des Gewässerschutzes tätig wurde und bis heute die Kantone berät. 1953 wurde der Gewässerschutz in der Bundesverfassung verankert, aber erst das revidierte Gewässerschutzgesetz von 1971 ermöglichte es schliesslich die Sanierung des Sees bis 1987 voranzutreiben. Bereits ab 1980 versorgten sich Luzern, Bürgenstock sowie Küssnacht, Horw und Weggis mit Trinkwasser aus dem See. 1973 setzten die Uferkantone einen Landschaftsschutzplan in Kraft, dessen Umsetzung der 1984 gegründete Landschaftsschutzverband Vierwaldstättersee vorantreibt.
Kulturelle und historische Eigenheiten des Seegebietes sind der Kommunalismus, die eigenständige Rezeption der italienischen Renaissance und des Barock oder der Einfluss der Gegenreformation, aber auch die Kleinräumigkeit des lokalen Brauchtums und der Mundarten.
Tourismus
Fremdenverkehr
Auf dem Weg in den Süden entdeckten Engländer die Bergwelt der Innerschweiz. Es entstanden mehrere Kur- und Badeorte wie Weggis oder Gersau. 1871 eröffnete man die allererste Zahnradbahn Europas, die Vitznau-Rigi-Bahn. 1889 baute man von Alpnachstad auf den Pilatus die heute immer noch steilste Zahnradbahn der Welt. Einen Aufstieg auf die Rigi beschrieb Mark Twain, was in den USA des 19. Jahrhunderts zum Aufblühen des Schweizer Tourismus führte. Auf dem Vierwaldstättersee verkehrt mit fünf Dampfschiffen eine der grössten Dampfschiffflotten Europas.
In der Umgebung des Sees und auf Terrassen in mittlerer Höhe (wie z. B. Morschach und Seelisberg) liegen zahlreiche Tourismusorte. Attraktive Aussichtsberge nahe am Vierwaldstättersee sind die Rigi, der Pilatus, der Bürgenstock, das Stanserhorn, das Buochserhorn, die beiden Mythen, der Uri Rotstock und der Fronalpstock. Die meisten davon sind mit Bergbahnen erreichbar, die teilweise ihre Talstation in der Nähe von Schiffstationen am See haben.
Am See befinden sich zahlreiche Örtlichkeiten mit Bedeutung in der Schweizer Kultur- und Tourismusgeschichte: Rütli, Tellsplatte, Tellskapelle, Schnitzturm von Stansstad, Neu-Habsburg, Schillerstein, Treib, Astrid-Kapelle (Küssnacht) und Schloss Meggenhorn.
Wassersport
In den einzelnen Seebereichen sind wegen den Wasser- und den Windverhältnissen verschiedene Sportarten möglich.Von Boots- und Yachthäfen, See- und Strandbädern (z. B. das 1929 von Arnold Berger gebaute Strandbad Lido in Luzern) und von andern Uferabschnitten aus ist der See zugänglich. 1881 wurde der See-Club Luzern gegründet, der heute der grösste Ruderclub der Schweiz ist, 1904 der Ruderclub Reuss Luzern. Seit 1941 besteht der Yachtclub Luzern, der am Churchill-Quai in Luzern seit 1966 ein Bootshaus und ein Bojenfeld betreibt. Der im Jahr 1958 gebildete Wassersportclub Brunnen führte in den ersten Jahren seines Bestehens auf dem Vierwaldstättersee internationale Motorbootrennen und Wasserskimeisterschaften durch. 1965 wählte der Verein den neuen Namen Wassersport-Club Vierwaldstättersee. 1980 entstand der Motorbootclub Zentralschweiz, 1986 der Wassersportclub Hergiswil. SchweizMobil hat eine Kanutour über den Vierwaldstättersee zwischen Brunnen und Gersau beschrieben. Der südliche Teil des Urnersees zwischen dem Campingplatz am Gruonbachstrand in Flüelen und Isleten ist wegen des Windes im Reusstal ein Zentrum des Windsurfens.
Tauchsport
Es gibt etwa zehn Plätze, an denen man ohne Boot im Vierwaldstättersee tauchen kann. Das Wasser ist ganzjährig eher kühl und deshalb meist sehr klar. Die zerklüftete Steilwand bei Sisikon, am nördlichen Portal des Schieferneggtunnels, kann man seit einem Erdrutsch und dem Verschütten eines Parkplatzes, der auch als Einstieg genutzt wurde, nicht mehr von Land aus betauchen. Vor Brunnen liegt das Lediwrack Bruno auf 15 Meter Tiefe. Weiter bekannte Tauchplätze liegen vor Vitznau, Weggis, Gersau und Hergiswil.
Wirtschaft
In mehreren Gemeinden am Vierwaldstättersee befinden sich an den leicht zugänglichen Bergflanken im Uferbereich seit Jahrhunderten Steinbrüche, die teilweise noch heute genutzt werden. Das Gestein gelangt auf dem Seeweg kostengünstig zu Verbrauchern oder Bahnhöfen. Die auffälligen Eingriffe in die Naturlandschaft stiessen schon früh auf Kritik seitens der Landschaftschutzorganisationen. 1930 wies ein Bericht auf die Zunahme der Grossanlagen hin: «Zwei Steinbrüche [liegen] im Urner See zwischen Seedorf und Isleten, vier zwischen Beckenried und Treib, einer in der Matt unter dem Bürgenstock, einer zwischen Kehrsiten und Stansstad, fünf im Alpnachersee, einer am Lopperberg zwischen Stansstad und Hergiswil, einer bei Greppen, einer zwischen Vitznau und Gersau, zwei zwischen Gersau und Brunnen». Bei Kehrsiten am Bürgenstock baut die Holcim in einem Schotterwerk harten Kieselkalk ab, der auch in den Brüchen Schwibogen und Rotzloch gewonnen wird, während vier andere Nidwaldner Steinbrüche im Uferbereich aufgelassen sind. Der Landschaftschutzverband Vierwaldstättersee begleitet die Entwicklung einzelner Steinbruchprojekte.
Seit 1891 baut das Unternehmen Arnold & Co. Sand- und Kieswerk AG bei Flüelen mit Schwimmbaggern Kies aus dem Schwemmfächer vor dem Delta der Reuss ab, wofür sie dem Kanton Uri Konzessionsgebühren entrichtet. Heute sind nur noch der vierte und fünfte Schwimmbagger aus den 1950er und 1960er Jahren in umgebautem Zustand im Einsatz. Die Flotte der Arnold + Co. AG umfasst etwa fünfzehn Nauen. Zwischen 2001 und 2005 legte das Unternehmen im Urnersee mit Schutt aus dem NEAT-Stollen Amsteg und der Umfahrung Flüelen sechs Inseln an.
Auch bei Beckenried und anderen Stellen wird vor den Flussmündungen Kies abgebaut.
Mitte April 1957 wurde ein Telefonkabel von Spissenegg nach Stansstad im See verlegt. Die Teilverkabelung des Vierwaldstättersees hatte zwei Gründe: Die damalige Bezirkskabelanlage war durch den Bau des neuen Autobahnabschnittes Horw-Stans erheblich gefährdet. Der Schutz der Kabel hätte aber zu kostspieligen Sicherungsmassnahmen geführt. Da die Seekabellegung in diesem Fall preiswerter und der Bedarf an zusätzlichen Leitungen gross war, bewilligte die Telefondirektion in Bern das Projekt.
100 Jahre zuvor, 1854, wurde exakt auf dieser Strecke das erste, in den Telegrafenwerkstätten in Bern eigens hergestellte Seetelefonkabel verlegt. Es diente zur Verbindung der anschliessenden oberirdischen Telegrafenlinien Luzern-Brünig-Interlaken.
Belastung mit Munition
Zwischen 1918 und 1967 entsorgten Schweizer Munitionsfabriken ihre Produktionsabfälle im Vierwaldstätter-, Brienzer- sowie Thunersee. Die Gesamtmenge, welche in bis zu 200 Metern Tiefe im Vierwaldstättersee versenkt wurde, wird auf 3'300 Tonnen geschätzt, 2'800 Tonnen im Urnersee sowie 500 Tonnen im Gersauer Becken.
Namensverwandtschaften
Der Jacobiweiher im Stadtwald von Frankfurt am Main wird im Volksmund seiner Form wegen Vierwaldstättersee genannt.
Auch ein künstlicher See im Zoo Berlin wird aus dem gleichen Grund Vierwaldstättersee genannt.
(Wikipedia)
Das Stanserhorn ist ein 1897 m ü. M. hoher Berg im Schweizer Kanton Nidwalden, der Hausberg von Stans und liegt in den Urner Alpen an der Grenze zum Kanton Obwalden.
Geographie
Das Stanserhorn liegt zwischen den Ortschaften Stans, Ennetmoos, Kerns, Dallenwil und Oberdorf, südlich des Vierwaldstättersees und somit (gemäss SOIUSA) in den Unterwaldner Voralpen. An der Südostflanke des Stanserhorns liegt auf einer Höhe von 1226 m ü. M. der kleine Ferienort Wirzweli.
Die Rundsicht reicht von den nahen Alpengipfeln bis hin zu den Vogesen im Elsass (Frankreich) und zum Feldberg im Schwarzwald (Deutschland). Dazwischen sind zehn grössere Seen auszumachen: Zugersee, Wichelsee, Vierwaldstättersee, Sempachersee, Sarnersee, Hallwilersee, Gerzensee, Bannalpsee, Baldeggersee und Alpnachersee.
Erschliessung
Die beiden Bergbahnpioniere Franz Josef Bucher-Durrer und Josef Durrer-Gasser begannen im Juni 1891 mit dem Bau der Stanserhorn-Bahn, die wegen der grossen Streckenlänge von knapp 4 km in drei getrennten Standseilbahn-Sektionen von Stans über Kälti und Alp Blumatt auf den Gipfel führte. Die Bahn wurde am 23. August 1893 eröffnet, gleichzeitig mit dem ebenfalls neu errichteten Hotel Stanserhorn Kulm. 1895 wurde auf dem Gipfel ein elektrischer Scheinwerfer mit der «Kraft von 22'000 Normalkerzen» installiert, um damit auf das Stanserhorn als Attraktion aufmerksam zu machen. Durch einen Kurzschluss in der Station Blumatt wurde am 2. Oktober 1970 ein Brand ausgelöst, wodurch der Antrieb der 3. Sektion, das Hotel und das Scheinwerferaggregat zerstört wurden. Anstatt des Hotels wird seitdem ein Restaurant auf dem Gipfel betrieben.
Nachdem 1974 der Betrieb der Standseilbahn eingestellt worden war, wurde 1975 die Luftseilbahn Kälti–Stanserhorn eröffnet, die nun zusammen mit der ursprünglichen 1. Sektion den Berg erschloss. Seit 2012 kann man mit der doppelstöckigen «CabriO-Bahn» auf das Stanserhorn fahren. Das offene Oberdeck der Seilbahnkabine kann während der Fahrt über eine Wendeltreppe erreicht werden, die Kabine fasst 60 Personen, das Oberdeck davon 30.
Als Touristenattraktion wurde 2001 das Drehrestaurant Rondorama eröffnet. Von der sich im Innern des Gebäudes drehenden Plattform hat man eine Rundsicht auf die umliegenden Berge und Seen. Ein Murmeltiergehege und ein ausgeschilderter Gipfelrundgang von rund 30 Minuten ergänzen das Angebot auf dem Stanserhorn, das auch als 5-Sterne-Berg und Faulenzer-Berg vermarktet wird. Auf der Route vom Stanserhorn zur Wirzweli befindet sich der Geo-Weg (Bergwanderung im Schwierigkeitsgrad T2 gemäss SAC-Wanderskala), der gemeinsam durch die Organisationen Nidwaldner Wanderwege, Pro Natura und WWF Unterwalden realisiert wurde.
Das Stanserhorn wird von Drachenfliegern und Gleitschirmpiloten benutzt, es gilt als Hausberg des grössten und ältesten noch aktiven Drachenfliegerclubs der Schweiz, des Deltaclubs Stans. An sonnigen Tagen – vor allem an den Wochenenden – finden von April bis Oktober jeweils um die Mittagszeit viele Starts statt.
(Wikipedia)
Bron Burrell and Katrina Kerridge-Reynolds tackle the rally stage at Race Retro 2020 in Puffy, the Austin Maxi 1750 endurance rally car. Report in Classic and Competition Car. Read online at www.classicandcompetitioncar.com #rally #raceretro #motorsport #austin #maxi
The Hinode satellite observing our sun captured images of the moon traversing the face of the sun during a solar eclipse this week.
On Wednesday, July 22, 2009, a total eclipse of the Sun was visible from within a narrow corridor that traverses half of Earth. The path of the Moon's umbral shadow began in India and crossed through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. After leaving mainland Asia, the path crossed Japan's Ryukyu Islands and curved southeast through the Pacific Ocean where the maximum duration of totality reached 6 minutes and 39 seconds. A partial eclipse is seen within the much broader path of the Moon's penumbral shadow, which includes most of eastern Asia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Ocean.
Image credit: NASA/JAXA
I reccomend viewing this at maximum size.
Nothing compares to direct sunlight as lighting. Some new views of engine/jump-pack and view of open cockpit.
Ok, so I updated it a little. I left the legs as they were, although I also consider the upper part a tad simplistic. There is a lot of poseability with this model, lots of hidden joints.
I replaced the lame sword/lance/spinny thing with a scimitar shaped heavy sword, that looks much more impressive than the previous version.
oh, and also added an antenna and yellow blocky things that are supposed to be sensors.
"7 Days of Shooting" "Week #35 - Seating" "Minimal Sunday"
Taken at The Regency, Laguna Woods, California. © 2014 All Rights Reserved.
My images are not to be used, copied, edited, or blogged without my explicit permission.
Please!! NO Glittery Awards or Large Graphics...Buddy Icons are OK. Thank You!
Have a comfortable creative Sunday, my Flickr friends! Thanks for coming over for a visit!
Vasabron is a bridge over Norrström in central Stockholm, Sweden connecting Norrmalm to Gamla stan, the old city. The bridge is, unintelligibly, named after King Gustav Vasa (1496–1560), perhaps because of the vicinity to the statue of the king in front of the House of Knights. From Vasabron a much smaller bridge, Strömsborgsbron, connects to the islet Strömsborg.
The bridge was begun in 1872 to be completed six years later. It stretched 208 metres over seven arches with a maximum span of 32 metres. End grain wood blocks on a concrete foundation formed the roadway while the pavements were made of asphalt. For the construction cast steel was used for the first time and the bridge was innovative for its time using underwater cast concrete.
Wikipedia
Nikon D800E, nikkor 24/3,5 PC-E
in those cold days the only thing you can do is put heating at maximum :))
Strobist:
1 monolight with wide reflector in a boom 45° above the subject set at 1:5
1 monolight with a 70X70cm softbox right of camera (about 90° to the subject) set at 1,3:5
1 monolight with a 70X70cm softbox left of camera (about 90° to the subject) at 1,3:5
1 nikon speedlight sb800 with red gel below the camera (about 45° to the subjec) set at 8:1 through a translucent umbrella
triggered with elinchrom el-skyport
A morning view at Sanjay Gandhi National Park Mumbai. Also known as the 'lungs of Mumbai', because this is the only place in the city with the maximum amount of greenery and consequently, a lot of fresh air.
This gothic maxi really is a bit of a stunner, being made of multiple layers of black and pink tulle, and several tiers. This might be the last photo for the day, but I’ll probably bring it out again on Halloween.
The Vernon C. Bain Center (VCBC) is an 800-bed barge housing inmates from medium- to maximum-security in 16 dormitories and 100 cells (opened 1992).
Kraftwerk / Minimum- Maximum
(live album)
Titelliste:
Die Mensch-Maschine 7:55
Planet Der Visionen 4:45
Tour De France Étape 1 4:22
Chrono 1:29
Tour De France Étape 2 4:48
Vitamin 6:41
Tour De France 6:18
Autobahn 8:51
Das Model 3:41
Neonlicht 5:58
Radioaktivität 7:42
Trans Europa Express 3:21
Abzug 1:40
Metall Auf Metall 4:28
Nummern 4:27
Computerwelt 2:55
Heimcomputer 5:54
Taschenrechner 2:58
Dentaku 3:15
Die Roboter 7:23
Elektro Kardiogramm 4:41
Aéro Dynamik 7:13
Music Non Stop 9:54
Besetzung:
Ralf Hütter – vocals, software synthesizers, sequencing
Henning Schmitz – software synthesizers, sequencing, sound engineer (album mix)
Fritz Hilpert – software synthesizers, sequencing, sound engineer (album mix)
Florian Schneider – supplementary vocals, software synthesizers, sequencing
Kling Klang Produkt 2005
ex CD-Colllection MTP
+++ DISCLAIMER +++
Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based on historical facts. BEWARE!
Some background:
Following good performance from the pioneering diesel-hydraulic locomotive the DB Class V 80, the Deutsche Bundesbahn planned in 1953 to build several types of new diesel locomotive, primarily to replace steam powered locomotives.These were: V 60, and V 65, both shunters, the V 65.2, also for shunting as well as light freight trains, the heavy DB Class V 200, for express passenger trains, and the universal V 160 for both freight and passenger work on the main network.
The new V 160 class was a central piece in this line-up, because it would replace important steam-powered engines such as the BR 03, BR 23, BR 38.10 (former Prussian P 8 class), BR 39 (ex P 10), BR 50, BR 57 (ex G 10) and BR 78 (ex T 18). Steam heating for passenger coaches was necessary, and a top speed of 120 km/h was specified. Initially, a 1,600 hp powerplant, consisting of two engines of the same type as in the light V 80 was planned, the first newly developed diesel locomotive built for main line service by the Deutsche Bundesbahn (but only built in 10 examples). This dual engine arrangement had already been successfully introduced in the heavy V 200, which was initially powered by two 1,000 hp diesel engines. However, it was soon realized, that, if a single, high-powered engine could be used, weight, complexity and therefore maintenance and other costs would be considerably reduced. The V 160’s design was modified accordingly and a single MTU V16 four-stroke diesel engine was chosen. Both two-axle bogies were powered via drive shafts from a two speed hydraulic drive from Voith, which offered a compromise between the requested high speed for light passenger trains and the alternative reduced second gear with lower top speed, but much higher torque, for freight train service. Gears could only be switched when the locomotive was standing still, though.
In the spring of 1956, V 160 development began at Krupp. Welded steel components along with other lightweight materials were used to keep the axle load well below 20t, so that the V 160 could be safely operated on secondary lines. However, in the main production series of locomotives, some of the lighter weight welded construction was abandoned in favor of less expensively produced components - leading to an increase in axle weight from ~18.5 to ~20t, which was still acceptable but lowered overall production costs. This was furthermore not regarded as a major problem since the DB perspectively started to abandon branch lines, switching to more economical diesel multiple units or giving them up altogether towards the Seventies.
The first V 160 unit was delivered on 6 August 1960, with eight more following by 1962 from both Krupp and Henschel. These prototype units, due to their rounded, “busty” front end, were later to become unusual amongst the entire V 160 family and earned them the nickname “Lollo” (in allusion to Gina Lollobrigida). A final prototype V 160 010, the tenth, was manufactured by Henschel in 1963 and the first to feature the serial locomotives’ angled front end, which was inspired by the design of the super-heavy V 320 Henschel prototype.
Despite the single main engine, the V 160 was still a complex locomotive. In addition to the main engine, the V 160 featured a small, independent auxiliary diesel engine, driving a generator providing the 110 V electrical supply for lighting as well as driving an electric air compressor for the brakes. The steam heating apparatus, sourced from Hagenuk and powered by fuel oil, took up one end of the locomotive, between the engine and drivers cabin. It had the capacity to satisfactorily heat 10 coaches when the outside temperature was -10°C. For passenger train service, most V 160 locomotives were also equipped for push-pull operation, as well as for multiple working, controlled via a 36 pin control cable and respective sockets on the locomotives front ends.
The prototypes performed well, and volume production began, numbers V 160 011 to V 160 224 being built between 1964 and 1968 by Krupp, Henschel, KHD, Krauss-Maffei and MaK. The first V 160/216 locomotives entered service on the Hamburg to Lübeck line, working push-pull double decked passenger trains, replacing the BR 38.10 and BR 78 steam engines. The engines were also used on freight workings as well. On push-pull passenger working, the locomotives were sometimes found in the middle of the train - which facilitated easier separation of carriages en route.
By the time the 156th example was under completion, the Deutsche Bundesbahn changed its numbering system. From then on, the V 160 class were re-designated as Class (Baureihe = BR) 216, with the individual unit numbering continuing as before. Over the next decade, because of changing requirements – mostly in terms of increased power, speed as well as the requirement for electrical passenger heating – a number of related classes sprang up, the BR 210, 215, 217, 218 and 219. Although some were a little longer and carried additional components (e.g. an auxiliary jet engine), all of them were essentially based on the original V 160 and more than 800 machines of all types were eventually built.
Since the 1990s, the Bundesbahn’s BR 216 locomotives scope of work started to shift more on freight than on passenger trains because of the lack of steam-heated passenger stock. From 2000 onwards, the Deutsche Bahn AG’s BR 216 fleet was phased out, with the last locomotive being decommissioned in 2004.
Several locomotives were sold to private operators like rail construction companies and remained in frequent use, and some retired BR 216s were re-built and offered for sale, too. The first in the series of rebuilt Class 216s was called type “DH 1504” and created in 1998 by the firm 'On Rail'. Despite only little external changes, the result was an almost completely new locomotive, only the transmission, bogies and frame were saved from the original locomotive. The original V16 diesel engine with 1,370 kW (1.900 hp), was replaced with a lighter but more powerful 1500 kW (2,085 hp) V12 four-stroke diesel engine, also from MTU. On customer demand, a new electric Webasto heating system could be installed instead of the original steam heating system, making the DH 1504 capable of operating modern passenger trains, and for this purpose the units were also fitted for multiple working as well as for remote control operation (e.g. for shunting). Another option was additional ballast, so that the axle load could be kept at 20 tons for better traction. Otherwise, 18 t axle load was standard for the revamped DH 1504.
Since 1998, 6 of these locomotives were re-built for private operators in Germany. By late 2019, three DH 1504 locomotives were in the use of the Osthannoversche Eisenbahnen (OHE), two work for the Niederrheinische Verkehrsbetriebe (NIAG) and one for the Mindener Kreisbahnen (MKB). However, the biggest sales success for OnRail’s modernized BR 216 was the export to Poland, where the PKP (Polskie Koleje Państwowe, Polish State Railways). After its privatization in 2001, the PKP was looking for a low-cost replacement for its last ST-43 Class diesel electric freight locomotives of Romanian origin, which dated back to the 1960ies. Twenty DH 1504 locomotives for mixed duties were built by OnRail between 2001 and 2005 and entered PKP service as Class SU-29 (spalinowa uniwersalna = mixed-traffic diesel locomotive with hydraulic transmission and multiple-unit control). Their initial primary field of duty was the cross-border freight traffic on the east-west relation on the PKP “Polskie line Kolejowe”, the so-called “Niederschlesische Gütermagistrale”. Since 2005, this route had been expanded, electrified and became double-railed, so that the SU-29s gradually took over more and more passenger train duties on non-electrified major lines. The SU-29 machines are expected to remain in PKP service beyond 2030.
General characteristics:
Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) standard gauge
UIC axle arrangement: B´B´
Overall length: 16,800 mm (52 ft 57⁄8 in)
Pivot distance: 8,600 mm
Bogie distance: 2,800 mm
Wheel diameter (when new): 1000 mm
Fuel supply: 3,800 l
Service weight: 80 t
Engine:
MTU 4000R20 V12diesel engine with 1500 kW (2,085 hp) at 1,800 RPM
Gearbox:
Voith L821rs 2-speed gearbox
Performance:
Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph) or 80 km/h (50 mph)
Torque: 235,2 kN
The kit and its assembly:
Well, this is a rather unusual what-if “build”, since this not a model kit as such but rather the conversion of a readymade H0 gauge model railway locomotive for the “Back into service” group build at whatifmodelers.com in late 2019.
The inspiration was not original, though: some time ago I stumbled across a gift set from the former East-German manufacturer Piko, apparently for the Polish market. It contained a set of double deck passenger wagons, and a (highly simplified, toy-like) German BR 216 in PKP markings. It was called SU-29 and carried a very crude and garish green livery with yellow front ends – inspired by real world PKP diesel locomotives, but… wrong. I found this so bizarre that it stuck in my mind. When I dug a little further, my surprise even grew when I found out that there were other national adaptations of this simple Piko BR 216 (e .g. for Denmark) and that Piko’s competitor Roco offered a similar BR 215 in PKP colors, too! This time, the fictional locomotive was designated SU-47 (which cannot be since this would indicate a locomotive with electric power transmission – poor job!), and it also wore a bright green livery with yellow front markings. Bizarre… And the PKP does NOT operate any BR 216 at all?!
However, with the GB topic in mind, I decided to create my own interpretation of this interesting topic – apparently, there’s a market for whiffy model locomotives? The basis became a 2nd hand Märklin 3075 (a BR 216 in the original red DB livery), not a big investment since this is a very common item.
In order to easy painting, the locomotive was disassembled into its major sections and the body stripped of any paint in a one-week bath in oven cleaner foam, a very mild and effective method.
The heavy metal chassis was not modified, it just received a visual update (see below).
The upper body underwent some cosmetic surgery, though, but nothing dramatic or structural, since the DH 1504 described above only differs in minor external details from the original BR 216. I decided to modify the front ends, especially the lights: Locomotives in PKP service tend to have VERY large lamps, and I tried to incorporate this characteristic feature through masks that were added over the original light conductors, scratched from styrene tube material.
In the course of this facial surgery, the molded handles at the lower front corners were lost. They were later replaced with three-dimensional silver wire, mounted into small holes that were drilled into the hull at the appropriate positions. Fiddly stuff, but I think the effort was worth it.
The original vent grills between the lower lamps were sanded away and covers for the multiple working cable adapters on the front ends added – scratched with small styrene profile bits.
For a cleaner, modern look, I removed the original decorative aluminum profile frame around the upper row of cooling louvers. The roof was modified, too: beyond the bigger headlight fairing, the exhaust for the auxiliary diesel engine was removed, as well as the chimney for the old steam heating system. The diesel engine’s exhaust pipes were lengthened (inspired by similar devices carried by DB BR 218), so that the fumes would be deviated away from the locomotive’s hull and the following wagons. Horns and a blade antenna for each driver’s cabin were added, too.
Painting and markings:
Both Piko and Roco V 160s in PKP markings look garish – righteously, though, since PKP locomotives used to carry for many years very striking colors, primarily a dark green body with a light green/teal contrast area on the flanks and yellow quick recognition front markings. However, I did not find any of the two model designs convincing, since they rather looked like a simple toy (Piko) or just wrong (Roco, with a surreal grass green contrast tone instead of the pale teal).
I rather went for something inspired by real world locomotives, like the PKP’s SU- and SP-45s. The basic design is an upper body with a dark green base (Humbrol 76, Uniform Green) and a pale green-grey area around the upper row of louvres (an individual mix of Humbrol 96 and 78). The kink under the front windows was used for waterline reference, the front section under the windows (in the dark green base) was painted in bright yellow (Humbrol 69) as a high-viz contrast, a typical feature of PKP locomotives. The chassis received a grey-green frame (somewhat visually stretching the locomotive) with bright red (Humbrol 19) headstocks, a nice color contrast to the green body and the yellow bib.
Silver 1.5mm decal stripes (TL Modellbau) were used to create a thin cheatline along and around the whole lower section. At some time I considered another cheatline between the light and dark green, but eventually ignored this idea because it would have looked too retro. The locomotive’s roof became medium grey (Revell 47).
The running gear and the tanks between the bogies were painted in very dark grey (Humbrol 67, similar to the original DB livery in RAL 7021) and weathered with a light black ink wash, some thinned Burnt Umbra (simulating dust and rust) plus some light dry-brushing with dark grey that emphasized the surface details. This used look was also taken to the upper body of the locomotive with watercolours (Grey, Black and some Sienna and Burnt Umbra) for a more natural look of daily service – rather subtle, and I emphasized the louvres, esp. on the light background, where they tended to disappear.
Individual markings consist of single decal letters in silver and white in various sizes (also TL Modellbau) for the locomotive’s registration code as well as of H0 scale catenary warnings from Nothaft Hobbybedarf, plus some generic stencils from various model decal sheets (incl. Cyrillic stencils from an 1:72 MiG-21 decal sheet…).
For a uniform finish I gave the locomotive an overall coat of matt acrylic varnish from the rattle can – it still has a slightly sheen finish and matches well the look of Märklin’s standard rolling stock.
A different kind of what-if project, but this has not been my first H0 scale locomotive conversion. The fictional PKP SU-29 looks a bit weird, with the garish paint scheme and the oversized headlights, but this strangeness makes this model IMHO quite convincing. The model is fully functional, even the light works well in the enlarged headlight fairings. Maybe I’ll sell it, since I do not have the appropriate model railway set at hand to effectively use it (which is also the reason for the rather limited scope of pictures of the finished item). And I am curious what people might be willing to pay for such a unique, fictional item?
+++ DISCLAIMER +++
Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based on historical facts. BEWARE!
Some background:
After World War I, the German aircraft industry had several problems. German airlines were forbidden to operate multi engine aircraft and during a period all manufacturing of aircraft in Germany was banned. By 1921, some of the restrictions was lifted, civilian aircraft could be made after approval of an international control commission if they fulfilled certain requirements. To bypass these rules and to be able to make whatever aircraft they wanted several aircraft manufacturers moved abroad. In 1921, Carl Bücker handled the purchase of a reconnaissance aircraft from Caspar-Werke in Travemünde. Because they expected problems due to the rules in the peace treaty regarding the export of German fighter aircraft, Bücker explored the possibility to smuggle the parts out of Germany and assemble the aircraft in Sweden.
To make the purchase easier, Ernst Heinkel and Bücker started Svenska Aero in Lidingö in 1921. The contract on the aircraft was transferred from Caspar to Svenska Aero. Heinkel and some German assembly workers temporarily moved to Lidingö to assemble the aircraft. During 1922 to 1923, the company moved into a former shipyard in Skärsätra on Lidingö since the company had received additional orders from the navy's air force. The parts for those aircraft were made in Sweden by Svenska Aero but assembled by TDS. In 1928, the navy ordered four J 4 (Heinkel HD 19) as a fighter with pontoons. That delivery came to be the last licens- built aircraft by Svenska Aero. In the mid-1920s, Svenska Aero created their own design department to be able to make their own aircraft models. Sven Blomberg, earlier employed by Heinkel Flugzeugwerke, was hired as head of design. In 1930, he was joined by Anders Johan Andersson from Messerschmitt. Despite that, Svenska Aero designed and made several different models on their own.
One of them was the model SA-16, a direct response to the Swedish Air Force and Navy’s interest in the new dive bomber tactics, which had become popular in Germany since the mid-Thirties and had spawned several specialized aircraft, the Junkers Ju 87 being the best-known type. The Flygvapnet (Swedish Air Force) had already conducted dive bombing trials with Hawker Hart (B 4) biplanes, but only with mixed results. Diving towards the target simplified the bomb's trajectory and allowed the pilot to keep visual contact throughout the bomb run. This allowed attacks on point targets and ships, which were difficult to attack with conventional level bombers, even en masse. While accuracy was increased through bombing runs at almost vertical dive, the aircraft were not suited for this kind of operations – structurally, and through the way the bombs were dropped.
Therefore, Svenska Aero was tasked to develop an indigenous dedicated dive bomber, primarily intended to attack ships, and with a secondary role as reconnaissance aircraft – a mission profile quite similar to American ship-based “SB” aircraft of the time. Having learnt from the tests with the Hawker Harts, the SA-16 was a very robust monoplane, resulting in an almost archaic look. It was a single-engine all-metal cantilever monoplane with a fixed undercarriage and carried a two-person crew. The main construction material was duralumin, and the external coverings were made of duralumin sheeting, bolts and parts that were required to take heavy stress were made of steel. The wings were of so-called “double-wing” construction, which gave the SA-16 considerable advantage on take-off; even at a shallow angle, large lift forces were created through the airfoil, reducing take-off and landing runs. Retractable perforated air brakes were mounted under the wings’ leading edges. The fully closed “greenhouse cabin” offered space for a crew of two in tandem, with the pilot in front and a navigator/radio operator/observer/gunner behind. To provide the rear-facing machine gun with an increased field of fire, the stabilizers were of limited span but deeper to compensate for the loss of surface, what resulted in unusual proportions. As a side benefit, the short stabilizers had, compared with a wider standard layout, increased structural integrity. Power came from an air-cooled Bristol Mercury XII nine-cylinder radial engine with 880 hp (660 kW), built by Nohab in Sweden.
Internal armament consisted of two fixed forward-firing 8 mm (0.315 in) Flygplanskulspruta Ksp m/22F (M1919 Browning AN/M2) machine guns in the wings outside of the propeller disc. A third machine gun of the same type was available in the rear cockpit on a flexible mount as defensive weapon. A total of 700 kg (1,500 lb) of bombs could be carried externally. On the fuselage centerline, a swing arm could hold bombs of up to 500 kg (1.100 lb) caliber and deploy them outside of the propeller arc when released in a, additional racks under the outer wings could hold bombs of up to 250 kg (550 lb) caliber each or clusters of smaller bombs, e. g. four 50 (110 lb) or six 12 kg (26 ½ lb) bombs.
Flight testing of the first SA-16 prototype began on 14 August 1936. The aircraft could take off in 250 m (820 ft) and climb to 1,875 m (6,152 ft) in eight minutes with a 250 kg (550 lb) bomb load, and its cruising speed was 250 km/h (160 mph). This was less than expected, and pilots also complained that navigation and powerplant instruments were cluttered and not easy to read, especially in combat. To withstand strong forces during a dive, heavy plating, along with brackets riveted to the frame and longeron, was added to the fuselage. Despite this, pilots praised the aircraft's handling qualities and strong airframe. These problems were quickly resolved, but subsequent testing and progress still fell short of the designers’ hopes. With some refinements the machine's speed was increased to 274 km/h (170 mph) at ground level and 319 km/h 319 km/h (198 mph, 172 kn) at 3,650 m (11,980 ft), while maintaining its good handling ability.
Since the Swedish Air Force was in dire need for a dive bomber, the SA-16 was accepted into service as the B 9 – even though it was clear that it was only a stopgap solution on the way to a more capable light bomber with dive attack capabilities. This eventually became the Saab 17, which was initiated in 1938 as a request from the Flygvapnet to replace its fleet of dive bombers of American origin, the B 5 (Northrop A-17), the B 6 (Seversky A8V1) and the obsolete Fokker S 6 (C.Ve) sesquiplane, after the deal with Fokker to procure the two-engine twin-boom G.I as a standardized type failed due to the German invasion of the Netherlands. The B 9 dive bomber would subsequently be replaced by the more modern and capable B 17 in the long run, too, which made its first flight on 18 May 1940 and was introduced to frontline units in March 1942. Until then, 93 SA-16s had been produced between 1937 and 1939. When the B 17 became available, the slow B 9 was quickly retired from the attack role. Plans to upgrade the aircraft with a stronger 14 cylinder engine (a Piaggio P.XIbis R.C.40D with 790 kW/1,060 hp) were not carried out, as it was felt that the design lacked further development potential in an offensive role.
Because the airframes were still young and had a lot of service life ahead of them, most SA-16s were from 1941 on relegated to patrol and reconnaissance missions along the Swedish coastlines, observing ship and aircraft traffic in the Baltic Sea and undertaking rescue missions with droppable life rafts. For long-range missions, the forked ventral swing arm was replaced with a fixed plumbed pylon for an external 682 liters (150 Imp. gal.) auxiliary tank that more than doubled the aircraft’s internal fuel capacity of 582 liters, giving it an endurance of around 8 hours. In many cases, the machine guns on these aircraft were removed to save weight. In this configuration the SA-16 was re-designated S 9 (“S” for Spaning) and the machines served in their naval observation and SAR role well into the Fifties, when the last SA-16s were retired.
General characteristics:
Crew: two, pilot and observer
Length: 9,58 m (31 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 10,67 m (34 ft 11 in)
Height: 3,82 m (12 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 30.2 m² (325 sq ft)
Empty weight: 2,905 kg (6,404 lb)
Gross weight: 4,245 kg (9,359 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4,853 kg (10,700 lb)
Powerplant:
1× Bristol Mercury XII nine-cylinder radial engine with 880 hp (660 kW),
driving a three-bladed variable pitch metal propeller
u>Performance:
Maximum speed: 319 km/h (198 mph, 172 kn) at 3,650 m (11,980 ft)
274 km/h (170 mph; 148 kn) at sea level
299 km/h (186 mph; 161 kn) at 2,000 m (6,600 ft)
308 km/h (191 mph; 166 kn) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
Stall speed: 110 km/h (68 mph, 59 kn)
Range: 1,260 km (780 mi, 680 nmi)
Service ceiling: 7,300 m (24,000 ft)
Time to altitude: 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in 4 minutes 45 seconds
4,000 m (13,000 ft) in 15 minutes 10 seconds
Armament:
2× fixed 8 mm (0.315 in) Flygplanskulspruta Ksp m/22F (M1919 Browning AN/M2) machine guns
in the wings outside of the propeller disc (with 600 RPG), plus
1× 8 mm (0.315 in) Ksp m/22F machine gun on a flexible mount in the rear cockpit with 800 rounds
Ventral and underwing hardpoints for a total external bomb load of 700 kg (1,500 lb)
The kit and its assembly:
This purely fictional Swedish dive bomber was inspired by reading about Flygvapnet‘s pre-WWII trials with dive bombing tactics and the unsuited aircraft fleet for this task. When I found a Hasegawa SOC Seagull floatplane in The Stash™ and looks at the aircraft’s profile, I thought that it could be converted into a two-seat monoplane – what would require massive changes, though.
However, I liked the SOC’s boxy and rustic look, esp. the fuselage, and from this starting point other ingredients/donors were integrated. Work started with the tail. Originally, I wanted to retain the SOCs fin and stabilizer, but eventually found them oversized for a land-based airplane. In the scrap box I found a leftover fin from an Academy P-47, and it turned out to be a very good, smaller alternative, with the benefit that it visually lengthened the rear fuselage. The stabilizers were replaced with leftover parts from a NOVO Supermarine Attacker – an unlikely choice, but their size was good, they blended well into the overall lines of the aircraft, and they helped to stabilize the fin donor. Blending these new parts into to SOC’s hull required massive PSR, though.
The wings were also not an easy choice, and initially I planned the aircraft with a retractable landing gear. I eventually settled on the outer wings (just outside of the gullwing kink) from an MPM Ju 87 B, because of their shape and the archaic “double wings” that would complement the SOC’s rustic fuselage. However, at this point I refrained from the retractable landing gear and instead went for a fixed spatted alternative, left over from an Airfix Hs 123, which would round up the aircraft’s somewhat vintage look. Because the wheels were missing, I inserted two Matchbox MiG-21 wheels (which were left over in the spares bin from two different kits, though). The tail wheel came from an Academy Fw 190.
Cowling and engine inside (thankfully a 9-cylinder radial that could pose as a Mercury) were taken OOB, just the original two-blade propeller was replaced with a more appropriate three-blade alternative, IIRC from a Hobby Boss Grumman F4F. The cockpit was taken OOB, and I also used the two pilot figures from the kit. The rear crew member just had the head re-positioned to look sideways, and had to have the legs chopped off because there’s hardly and space under the desk with the radio set he’s sitting at.
The ventral 500 kg bomb came from a Matchbox Ju 87, the bomb arms are Fw 189 landing gear parts. Additional underwing pylons came from an Intech P-51, outfitted with 50 kg bombs of uncertain origin (they look as if coming from an old Hasegawa kit). The protruding machine gun barrel fairings on the wings were scratched from styrene rod material, with small holes drilled into them.
A real Frankenstein creation, but it does not look bad or implausible!
Painting and markings:
I gave the B 9 a camouflage that was carried by some Flygvapnet aircraft in the late Thirties, primarily by fighters imported from the United States but also some bombers like the B 3 (Ju 86). The IMHO quite attractive scheme consists on the upper surfaces of greenish-yellow zinc chromate primer (Humbrol 81, FS 33481), on top of which a dense net of fine dark green wriggles (supposed to be FS 34079, but I rather used Humbrol 163, RAF Dark Green, because it is more subdued) was manually applied with a thin brush, so that the primer would still shine through, resulting in a mottled camouflage.
On the real aircraft, this was sealed with a protective clear lacquer to which 5% of the dark green had been added, and I copied this procedure on the model, too, using semi-gloss acrylic varnish with a bit of Revell 46 added. The camouflage was wrapped around the wings’ leading edges and the spatted landing gear was painted with the upper camouflage, too.
The undersides were painted with Humbrol 87 (Steel Grey), to come close to the original blue-grey tone, which is supposed to be FS 35190 on this type of camouflage. The tone is quite dark, almost like RAF PRU Blue.
The interior was painted – using a Saab J 21 cockpit as benchmark – in a dark greenish grey (RAL 7009).
The model received the usual light black ink washing and some post-panel shading on the lower surfaces, because this effect would hardly be recognizable on the highly fragmented upper surface.
The markings are reflecting Flygvapnet’s m/37 regulations, from the direct pre-WWII era when the roundels had turned from black on white to yellow on blue but still lacked the yellow edge around the roundel for more contrast. F6 Västgöta flygflottilj was chosen because it was a dive bomber unit in the late Thirties, and the individual aircraft code (consisting of large white two-digit numbers) was added with the fin and the front of the fuselage. “27” would indicate an aircraft of the unit’s 2nd division, which normally had blue as a standardized color code, incorporated through the blue bands on the spats and the small "2nd div." tag on the rudder (from a contemporary F8 Swedish Gladiator).
Roundels and codes came from an SBS Models sheet, even though they belong to various aircraft types. Everything was finally sealed with matt acrylic varnish.
A class 390 Pendolino approaches Abington in glorious weather with my 70-300mm lens at its maximum. 11/3/14
I went for a rainy day walk on Hindley Street, when I had half a day off. I saw so much of Adelaide that I never saw before. I love this city.