Since August, we have been delivering our 52 and 52.80 series models. Since the entry regulations in China still do not allow a final inspection at the factory, every single model is thoroughly checked at our facility. But what does such a final inspection at Spur 1 Austria actually look like?

In the first step, the model is unpacked, subjected to an initial visual inspection and provided with the latest software. After that, hardware updates are performed on both the locomotive and the tender to ensure operational reliability. These updates result from the experience of the first delivered models and are installed in all our models before they leave our company. After this update, the models are extensively test driven on our test track and all functions are checked. The next step is the final visual inspection, where the locomotive is checked down to the smallest detail and visual defects are removed. Last but not least, the model is inspected for fingerprints or other impurities, cleaned and finally packed ready for shipping.

It is very important to us that no model leaves our premises that does not meet our standards. However, if something is overlooked or damaged during shipping, we ask our customers to understand that we are only human. This whole process is of course very time consuming and we apologize if someone had to wait longer than normal for their model.

"But it's worth the wait..." is probably the phrase we have heard and read most often in recent weeks. We are really proud that our customers are so satisfied with their models that they "just have to tell us". One particular customer and now good friend has allowed us to quote his meaningful words. It is Mr. Günther Oberbreyer from the ÖGEG Railway Museum in Ampflwang, who has himself driven this class, has been involved in the restoration of various 52s and knows the machines like the back of his hand.

"The impression is perfect! The model reproduces the real machine so uncannily accurately, as I have rarely experienced before with a model."

We can hardly imagine greater praise. Anyone who wants to recall the original can do so at any time at the Railway Museum in Ampflwang. ÖGEG owns 11 class 52 locomotives, including five old 52s and six Reko 52.80s from the former DDR. Thereby, the 52 8134-0, which we have also realized as a model, is currently being worked over in order to be operational again in the foreseeable future. A good opportunity for a visit to ÖGEG is the weekend when the Autumn Steam Days take place on October 1 and 2. You will find all the information you need at www.oegeg.at .

Great emphasis was placed on outstanding detailing in our model. Each of the variants built was reproduced as faithfully as possible to the original. Mr. Weidelich of www.spur1info.com recently expressed his enthusiasm in a detailed report on his website and captured it in over 70 photos of the 52.3316. Many thanks for this great and absolutely worth reading report!

For the 24 variants of the models, we created elaborate detailing, painting, and lettering templates over several months in order to reproduce every detail on the engine as best as possible. Even in the smallest details, all locomotives and tenders differ. Often there are only small differences in the piping, the mechanisms for opening the flaps or the details of the various lamps. Even the compressed air connections are adapted to the original on each model and barely legible information and serial numbers corresponding to the original are recorded on many plates. Even the engraved numbers on the wheel tires correspond to those of a real class 52. The linkage is partially fastened with replicated castle nuts, which are held in position by small cotter pins true to the original. We also worked hard on the sound and created 13 different and model-appropriate sound files for the different models. We could go on for a long time philosophizing about the many details of the models that we ourselves are so enthusiastic about. But that would undoubtedly go beyond the scope of this newsletter.

Fortunately, there are dedicated journalists like Mr. Pernsteiner, who captures such things on video, among other things. He recently published a very detailed video about our 52 9900-3 that is well worth watching. In the video, the coal dust variant of our 52 is shown in detail. Many thanks for this nice video!

We are currently photographing all variants as well as possible and presenting them on our social media channels. From now on, all pictures can also be viewed collectively in a gallery on our website. The still missing variants will be added bit by bit in the coming days and weeks. In the gallery, all friends of gauge 0 can also get an idea of the machines, as we of course try to include all possible details in this scale as well.

Some model variants are already out of stock and other models are only partially available. We expect a small additional delivery in December. On our website you can see which variants are still available. If your desired model is not yet in stock, we will inform you immediately.

Spur 1 Austria Gravita

Many of you have certainly already seen, read or heard that we were able to present a surprise at the Gauge 1 meeting in Speyer. With the Voith Gravita 10bb, we have for the first time included an absolutely modern model in our range. The presented hand sample was able to attract a lot of attention at the Speyer show and has been the talk of the town ever since. We are currently working intensively on the electronics of the locomotive, which is why the sample has not yet been presented on a larger scale. But that will change next month. In October, there will be a detailed report on www.spur1info.com, in which Mr. Weidelich will take a closer look at the model. Already available on Youtube is a short report by Mr. Pernsteiner, who filmed the model in Speyer. A larger video report on the model is already planned and will certainly be implemented shortly.

In November, a special highlight awaits us: Our first cover picture in the Modellbahn Kurier. Mr. Zinngrebe photographed the model on his new beautiful diorama and wrote a 6-page report about the model. You should definitely not miss this magazine release.

The Gravita comes with us in 15 different variants. Among them are 3 versions of the Deutsche Bahn AG and 12 colorful variants of various private railroads from Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. Delivery of the models is already planned for the 2nd quarter of 2023. The pre-order price of € 1,990 (NEM) and € 2,140 (FS) is still valid until October 9, 2022. The 0 gauge version is also already available for pre-order.

Gauge 1 Rumor Mill

At this point, we would like to clear up two rumors that are currently doing the rounds again and mainly concern one of our competitors from Germany. We keep hearing the same questions and would like to answer them in this way.

"The Spur 1 Austria class 52 is produced in the MBW factory. Is that right?"

No - the models are produced in an independent Chinese company. It is true that models from other manufacturers are also produced there. Among them is also the mentioned competitor from Germany. However, it is important to understand that these producers are service providers in China that produce for many manufacturers. Some of these production companies also approach manufacturers like us directly in order to gain us as customers. Such overlaps exist with almost all production companies - hardly any produce for only one manufacturer. In any case, the companies in China are not owned by or subordinate to any European manufacturer. These are normal business relationships, as is common in the economy. We continue to support this because it allows our production facilities to achieve sufficient capacity utilization to be financially stable and to gain a lot of experience to produce even better models in the future.

"Spur 1 Austria has taken over the former Gravita project from MBW. Is this true?"

Also NO: When we started this project, we didn't even know about the failed attempt to produce a Gravita in gauge 1. We were only recently made aware of it. In any case, we can say with certainty that there are no connections between the projects. We submitted our own complete documentation on the locomotive to the manufacturer and did not rely on any third-party data. To this day, we don't even know if there was or is any other data at all. We don't want anything like that either. The class 52 in particular currently shows once again that we have completely different requirements for our models and pay attention to different details than many of our competitors. This means that we would not be able to do anything with a project that had already been started and would have to start from scratch again. So why all the trouble?

But enough of the long words. We hope you enjoyed this update and we look forward to presenting you with a fireworks display of news for our two gauges in October.

Your team from
Spur 1 Austria