Thursday, December 31, 2015

Barcoola lives and other things

Hi All

Well its the end of another year!  For a final fling, I have set up Barcoola, and started giving it the once over, fixing bits and pieces, make sure its fully operational etc.
Barcoola has been stored since its last exhibition, Thus Barcoola has for-filled its purpose as a test bed, however for someone like Jon, he loved just operating Barcoola.
Barcoola has been rebuilt a number of times and only two boards remain from the original configuration,
It is time Barcoola was sold on to a worthy candidate, I have a bloke that was interested in it awhile ago, mate, if you can email me, we can start from there!

So some Barcoola stats:
Short configuration.
26ft long.
32 points, 100 metres of track.

long config,
38 ft long.
35 points 140 metres of track

Featured in Continental Modeler three times.
Featured in AMRM once, (original version)

Attended Adelaide Exhibition once,
Sydney exhibition twice.
Melbourne exhibition multiple times.




Here is the full track diagram,


On other things, the Brother has finally moved into his new penthouse apartment.
Which means that I finally have my space back.
This part of the house was chocka block!  taken from the layout room.
Chewy managed a photo bomb!
The brothers Dogs will stay with me, so be it!

The library is set up, I find it really hard to do research when you cant get at things.  Thus putting the library in a spare room is the best option Roger and Shelley and Les will no doubt enjoy the new library location, at the do drop inn!


This now means that have a Study - Drawing - Working room, I think is very important, setting up a working bench in the layout room for me just does not work, adds to the clutter etc.

Finally I can finish painting the rest of the house!

So for 2016, I hope to build another layout, I have had fun creating stacks of different versions of proposed layouts, now its time to get serious, I think I have settled on a location just need to work out the details and plan it for success.
It might be a radical departure from Alice Springs, so standby!

See you all in the new year.

Scott

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Alice Springs current status and what is in store for 2016

Hi All

Just to give you an update on Alice Springs and whats in store for 2016.

Doug has convinced me to extend Heavitree Gap, more to the size it should be, this will also make the entrance to the layout more impressive.  Even better Dave has offered to help me with the rock work.






the extension of Heavitree Gap should cover this area of the board.



the point in the middle of the level crossing will be moved to the north so that the crossing can be completed, and the signals installed.



New Backdrops to be constructed, and installed all around the outside of the layout for home operation.



My Westrail L class locomotives have arrived, Haskell and Southern Rail Models (its the middle unit)



I have one more proposed layout to set out, For me right now its alot of fun to set things out, I wish I had accomplished this with Alice Springs, I might have saved alot of time and work getting to the final version.

Enjoy Scott