Exciting new prototype photos

I've put off building the station house (depot) at Grimstad for many years now. Both due to it's complexety, but also due to the elusive back side of the building. I've found several photos for the three other sides, but the back side has not appeared in a single photo - until now. Recently I joined a Facebook-group where people living in Grimstad share photos and stories from their home town. There I posted a question regarding the missing wall, and after a couple of days I received these two photos from a gentleman named Odd Johnsen. I've waisted no time, so now I've contacted a guy with a laser to help me out with the model. I'm very excited about this!

This photo is from 1916.

I think this photo is even older. Perhaps not long after the line opened in 1907? Notice the curved mouldings round the main entrance - a nice detail!

Changes in concept... and a new loco

The real Grimstad Line was closed down in 1961, but already in 1959/60 there were talks with private interest to take over the line from the Norwegian State railways (NSB). Sadly this never happened. But in my world everything is possible, so I've fast-forwarded my model clock a little bit, and now it's suddenly 1965 in my loft, and the railway is now on private hands as it was in the start from 1907-1912. And it's yet again called Grimstad-Frolandsbanen (GFB). This opens up a lot of possibilities for me with regards to rolling stock, so until I get enough correct pre 1961 NSB equipment, this will be the story.

This opens for use of this lovely steamer from HobbyTrade, which was owned by the Danish State Railways (DSB). Pure coincidence this loco was in real life taken out of service in Denmark in 1965. So the story goes that it was sold to GFB where it found good use.

I will modify the loco so it looks more norwegian with a different lighting arrangement, and with black paint on the smoke stack. It will also get it's own GFB number.