Kramikfabrik.

kf0

 

This is cramique (pronounce KRAMIK) (kf1). It is a Belgian specialty, a kind of bun with raisin and nib sugar. I like it with chocolate spread, but jam is fine too.  Salted butter gives a surprising contrast.

kf1 

 

Around Christmas, you can find “cougnou” in southern Belgium. It’s almost the same, but shaped like a Christ Child. (kf2) 

kf2 

 

You dip slices in a cup of coffee or hot chocolate (mind the overdose!), it’s cosy and comforting.

The factory.

One might think that those delights are made by a baker, but they aren’t: they are baked by the “nutons”, who are the Walloon equivalent of the elves or the leprechauns (in Flanders they say “kabouters”).

They do so in an underground factory (kf3), with the help of a fire-breathing dragon (kf4). The model is sold as a night light on a well-known Chinese website.

 kf3

 

 kf4

 

 

In order to be efficient, the dragon is fed on hot chili peppers.

Photo kf5 shows an interesting view on the factory courtyard. One can see nutons at work, a part of the rolling stock, a pallet of goods ready for shipment, and even a local Lady walking her ladybug.

kf5

 

The village.

(kf6) In the foreground, the tram stop; behind, the busy marketplace surrounded by the nuton’s houses.

 

(kf7) Another sight on the village; the treehouse.

 

 

Pictures 8 to 11 show something very special and moving: the young girl lives in the pink house with her parents. The young man leaves his parent’s blue house; he crosses the bridge to go and ask the young girl for her hand in marriage. He brings a load of cramique as gift for his future parents-in-law.

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

We can assume that everything is going to be all right and that the wedding is really going to happen, because we can see the florists already on their way (kf12).

  

The houses are laser-cut, we bought them in a souvenir shop in Romania. www.odaiabunicii.ro

Rolling stock.

There are eight different vehicles; some are of 3D-printed shells, from traindiy.com, some of Matchbox-like toy cars. The tram was a static model by Atlas Collections, and the turtle is, well, a turtle, by Schleich. All are built on the Kato 11-109 chassis.

The vehicle on photos kf 13 and 14 is the personal draisine of the directress; she is accompanying a very important customer.

   

 

 

In fact, each one of these vehicles comes with a story, and I would like to keep some for shows; so please come and visit us, and I will tell you them! (pictures kf 15 to 20)

kf15 

  

kf16 

 

  

kf17 

 

  

kf18 

 

 

kf19

  

 kf20

 Flying stock!

There is also some air traffic (kf21).

 

A significant part of the production is exported by air. That is the job of the Fire Eagle (Schleich – kf22).

 

 Surely, he looks a little fierce, but he is a very kind bird: look how gently he protects his little passengers! (kf23)

 

kf24: chili peppers are imported by plane (Collection Avions Tintin)

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Both those flying objects really fly! There is a very slow electric motor hidden somewhere on top of the layout, that makes them move.

Some technical data.

Kf26: This is a layout intended for shows exclusively. It must turn flawlessly, to let me talk with the visitors. So, no turnouts, no switching, no problems! It measures 120 cm x 60.

kf26

 

The track is Peco SL-300.

It is fed by an old Fleischmann power supply and a Gaugemaster Model W.

Two vehicles can roll at the same time. An Arduino, informed by light-dependent resistors (kf25) hidden in the track, keeps safe distance. Those components react when they sense a change in the light, for instance when a vehicle passing over them gives them shadow. It is a very reliable solution.

kf25

 

 

Legend of the plan (kf27).

 

1: underground part of the factory

2: visible part

3: courtyard

4: pink house

5: blue house

6: marketplace

7: houses

8: tram stop

9: tree house

 

Projects.

We have a few invitations for 2026, and the first one is Ontraxs in the Netherlands, in march. We will also be at MOBEXPO in Belgium, in April; in Walferdange (L) and Railexpo (Dreux, F) in November. See you there!