2017 in review and whats in store for 2018 for the Barcoola site

Hi All

Here is a quick video about what happened in 2017 and whats in store for 2018

Enjoy, Scott

Top 10 things that make Australian Model Railways what they are today

Hi All

I usually do a round up of the year, Aussie modeling wise, but this year I decided to do something a little different. So here is my top 10 things that make Australian Model railways what they are today.

Sorry about my ugly mug.

Scott

A list of Australian outline HO scale models produced in 2017

Hi All

I thought that I would list out the HO scale models that were produced this year for the Australian Modelling public. This means that they are new products not re-runs or repaints.

Austrains

VR J concrete wagon.

Auscision.

Car carrying wagons, NSW VIC SA

SCT Fuel gins

NQYY

CP guards van

NSW V class double deck interurban EMU sets

NCOF coil steel wagons.

Bergs Hobbies.

NSW S sets double deck suburban EMUs

Haskell - Weskie models.

1720 class locomotive.

On Track Models

PTC V/line sprinter DMUs

SDS models

SAR SOC AN AOQF Ore wagons.

Railex, Brambles 40ft containers.

NSW ARX NGUX Cement wagons.

NSW S open wagons.

NSW JHG Guards van.

VR FX bulk flour wagons.

VQFX with rails flat wagons

RQTY container flat wagons.

Southern Rail Models

XGAY grain hoppers.

10 class steam engine

So it's nineteen new HO Scale models for this year.

It's interesting to note that it's seems that SDS models is the most prolific for this year, with eight new models this year.  well done SDS!

I feel a little sorry for Auscision, they are a fair few models short this year.  However they did do a number of reruns.

Below is an extract From their February 2017 post.

As of today, these models didn't make it in 2017.

Current Projects

48/830 Class

As mentioned above we have been having a little trouble obtaining workers for the production line - this project is currently our biggest project ever! We need as much production capability as possible to finish the many different versions, liveries, and road numbers for each model. Our factory advises 3rd Quarter 2017 for delivery and are trying their best to pull this in. Because we now have a little bit of extra time up our sleeves Auscision is going to offer everyone that has pre-ordered 48/830 Class models the opportunity to add factory fitted DC/DCC ESU Sound to their models for an additional $100.00. We will be sending out letters to everyone that has 48/830 Class models on order and offering this as a once only chance to add it to your model. It will be important that you read the conditions outlined in the letter as you will only have one chance at adding sound to your order, and once the cut-off date has passed you will no longer be able to add sound to models on your order. Letters will go out in April - please wait until you receive this letter before requesting the sound option. 

442 Class

The 442 Class is now expected 3rd Quarter 2017. This has unfortunately been pushed back a little as outlined above.

RUB Cars

RUB Car painted samples are also expected soon with production now expected around 3rd Quarter 2017.

Fishbelly Underframe Wagons

The factory is currently working on painted samples which we should receive soon. Production is expected late in 2017.

XGAY Hopper

We are still waiting on tooling samples for the XGAY hopper. A few modifications had to be made so it has pushed it back a little. Delivery now expected 3rd Quarter 2017. 

Tangara

Due to the above complex projects 48/830 & 442 Classes the Tangara has been pushed back until late 2017. Once again we appreciate everyone’s patience with this project. It is definitely still coming and will be a great model when it arrives. 

Let's see what 2018 has in store for us.

Enjoy, Scott 

Proposed small layout Andoom QLD Comalco Rio Tinto Buxite mining railway.

Hi All

While giving some thought to other small layouts to go with my airline transport concept.
The current foot print established and to fit in my current train room is, an L shaped layout, 17ft by 14" wide and a 8ft by 7" visible staging area.

One such concept is Andoom QLD, Andoom is the mine end of the Weipa based Comalco now Rio Tintos Bauxite hauling mining railway.

I found some videos on youtube, that might be of interest.
The first video is a promo of the operation in the mid to late 1970s, all in original livery.

This is more current operations with R.1005 and R.1006

There are good images and lots of modeling info on the Comalco railway operations in Weipa at:
David Heads railpage with shots of trains around 1983.
Toad Montgomerys page around 1995.

So here is an image of the loader.

View Larger Map   |   Get Directions

here is a close up of the loader, from David heads site.

here is an image of the mine road over the line and the heavy equipment roll on roll off end loading siding.

View Larger Map   |   Get Directions

Just down the road there is this smaller bridge.  I find that a bridge is a perfect visual block for a short yard.

View Larger Map   |   Get Directions

An example of the bridge construction.

Operations at Andoom are fairly simple, a indexing arm issued to position empty cars under the loader, the entire train is loaded by the indexing arm.  When a empty train arrives, it positions the empty rake for the indexing arm, cuts off and pushes the loaded rake clear, up the dead end, throws the switch back to the mainline and runs around the empty rake and the loader.

From David Heads webpage there is a track diagram of Andoom.

While the indexing arm is a great feature, I am not sure it needs to be modeled working.  Faithfully modeling the railway operations this way would require two rakes of wagons, thus double the  amount of rolling stock.  however you, could model it with the Autojacks being repaired, and introduce a more traditional loading pattern.

Having said that, here is a video of the "auto jacks" in action.

However there is another operational feature, the transportation of mining equipment from Andoom to Lorim Point, this seems to happen on a fairly regular basis.  Now this would be interesting if you added the ore operations as well.

Here are some other pictures of haul packs around the mine.

Here is some pictures of the two basic wagons types, from Toads page.

To keep the air up, some wagons are fitted with compressors and high capacity main reservoirs,

Another interesting feature is that you could model different eras, without the need to change the rolling stock, as the same ore wagons have been in operation since it started.

R.1001, to R.1003, in the blue.

R.1001, to R.1003, in the Orange.

R.1001, R.1004 in the yellow.

R.1005 and R.1006 in the yellow.

Time has not changed much around Andoom so you could easily get away with a quick era change.

Modelling points:
Triangles are not used for loading or dumping thus saves valuable modeling realestate.

One or two locomotives is all you need to model this operation.

Bridge just east of Andoom could be kit bashed from sections of the BLMA bridge.

Ore wagons could be kit bashed from an Auscision Coal hopper.  By removing the centre cell.

Locomotives,  R.1001 and R.1002.
Both Haskell and SRM make a model of the GT26C, however Haskell offer an undecorated model, and the Haskell model is 80 AUD cheaper, than the SRM.
You will also need a C class body, and Austrains has had this model in production for a long time, so you should be able to find this on Ebay no dramas.
R.1003 from a Kato model.  Retired model but you can still get them on Ebay no dramas.
R.1004, this again will be a kit bashing job, and an Auscision N class is a good start, again retired model at this time, but I am sure you can snaffle one, I published a post awhile back how to kit-bash one using an N class, parts from an SD50 - SD60 and the long hood from a On Track Models 82 class long hood, you can view that here.
R.1005 and R.1006, I have not contemplated it but it would be a fairly heavy kit bash of an On Track Models 82 class, noted this model is also listed as retired, but they are contemplating a re-run.

Anyhow, I hope this gives you a little inspiration to look at modeling a small slice of Northern Queensland.

Scott

Proposed future layout Kanandah NSW

Hi All

With Murray River Bridge on the home straight, my thoughts have turned to the next big layout.

Concept: Kanandah NSW, AN Broken Hill line.
This is based around the west end of Broken Hill, from Gypsum Street overpass to half way through Kanandah, the first SAR built crossing loop west of Broken Hill.
Named Kanandah in 1974, serves a multiple functions,and there are two industrial "branches"
1. An Oil branch with Mobil, Shell, BP and Caltex all served.
2. Sheep and Cattle sidings.
3. AN and SRA used this location for locomotive fueling.

Silverton Tramways: South mine.
Thanks to SDS releasing the AOQF we can now effectively model Broken Hills South Mine.
The load out has some great trackage, and operationally its very labour intensive.
rakes of wagons have to be shuffled between the yard and the mine.

The layout would use the fiddle yard I built for Murray River Bridge, and would have the same foot print as Murray River bridge with the addition of three more boards for the South Mine.

In the layout room this would still be walk in, and also allow the aircraft delivered layout set up without any interference.

Here is an image from lionel Noble Kanandah is highlighted in yellow.  The train is heading east.

here is a proposed track plan of Kanandah and the South Mine.

Click on the link for the operational instructions for Kanandah and track diagram, on Lionels site.

here is a view of the Mobil depot.

Here is a shadow view of the proposed model area.

I find it challenging designing layouts to fit a location without smothering it with track and making it easy to access.

operationally you could have three crews working this layout.

AN crews, moving wagons back and forth between Kanandah industrial sidings.

AN crews working mainline trains and the SRA locomotives for fueling.

STC crews working between Broken Hill yard and the south mine.

Thanks to SDS this is now a modelling contender.

here is some video footage in the PN era

Enjoy Scott.

Great SAR information and images at http://www.lionelnoble.com

Hi All

I have been doing some research on future layouts and I stumbled onto this website.

http://www.lionelnoble.com

Lots of great northern region images and information, especially Peterbourgh.  

Anyway check it out, very inspirational.

Proposed new layout for transportation by airline Eudunda South Australia

Hi All

Please see the video and the pictures of a proposed new layout which should be small enough to fit into two hard cases and be transported anywhere.

This is Eudunda, on the old Morgan line.

Should be interesting.

Scott

Murray River Bridge how the pylons were built and how I faded my AHGX wagons.

Hi All

please see below a video on how I built the pylons for Murray river Bridge, and how I weathered the AHGXs.

Enjoy

Scott

Broadford Model Railway Layout by Iain Hunter from the UK

Hi All

Its interesting when modelling Australia is an attractive option for modelers all over the world.

here is some video footage of Broadford at a recent exhibition in the UK.

starts at 11:40

Starts at 40:04

Enjoy

Scott

AHGXs weathered and running on Murray River Bridge

Hi All

Well I have managed to weather thirty odd AHGXs for my southline grain train.
I got them back together last night, and made a quick video of them being hauled by three 930s.

These are all brush painted, with two washes each, one for the fade and the other for road grime.

I am quite happy with the results.

Enjoy Scott

Fading away (working on weathering AN AHGXs)

This afternoon I got going fading the green AN AHGXs I also experimented with some of the ultra modern AHGXs I have not done all of them, to vary the level of fade.

Anyway step one is compete, fade out, then bring back with darker colours, add grime etc.

I find that if I wait overnight I can then use a cotton bud dipped in mineral turpentine to clean up, any bits of yellow that have an overwash of green.

I plonked a untouched AHGX to show you the difference.

Enjoy Scott

Murray River Bridge is featured in the Murray Valley Standard news

Hi All

It's sort of fitting that my new layout Murray River Bridge has been featured in the Murray Valley Standard news.

Check out the link.

http://www.murrayvalleystandard.com.au/story/4967206/model-bridge-inspires-train-enthusiasts-video/?cs=1527#slide=2

Things for the future.

With Murray River Bridge structurally accomplished, I have more scenery work to do, including the wharf area, and lots of Southline rolling stock to weather.  This should keep me busy for the next little while, including working on:

1.       Even spread of lighting on the layout, there are still some dark spots.

2.       Small CCTV cameras hanging of the back drop so controls can be placed in the front of the layout.

3.       Remote point control for the fiddle yard, I have had problems in the past with operators unable to decipher a panel or macros, so the jury is still out with this, we shall see.

4.       Maybe even a roster of the trains, which comes up electronically on an Ipad so that the public knows what’s next.

However there are some things in the pipeline that I have been thinking about.

1.        A portable layout that can be transported by aircraft, IE would be considered excess luggage.  I am not talking about a layout in a suit case, or one of those freak show gimmicks, more that someone would be surprised that it was transported as luggage.  The layout would have to be light but also strong enough to handle bag chuckers.  I have a location in mind, but would still require lots of research to get it right.

2.       Alice Springs rebuild, I know this sounds crazy but, the current version of Alice Springs is a compromise in a lot of ways to get the yard to fit within a 2ft 6inch width.  That was a mistake on my behalf, this is related to me wanting to fit more in the space and limiting the yard.  Lance Mindheim has been thinking the same with his East Rail layout and its not crazy to start again on something you are really passionate about.  Putting pen to paper, I can replicate almost exactly the yard arrangement of Alice Springs, additionally a more accurate version of Alice Springs could be added to the future home layout so that its walk in, it would make the operation sooooo much easier including the transportation.

3.        Another display only layout, I must admit, I really enjoyed building Murray River Bridge (I could have picked an easier location), and there are lots of iconic AN locations that are screaming out to be modelled.  Iconic locations can be instantly recognizable by the exhibition public (you would think wouldn’t you??), and as long as they are not too complicated, they should be relatively easy to construct.  Believe it or Murray River Bridge is a layout I proposed back in 2001, finally got around to building it in 3 months this year.  Thus I am going back through the layouts I proposed when I was a young tacker, seeing if I can actually build them.  Those that have read the blog through the years will know what they are (smiling politely).  Two concepts have come to the fore, one of which Dave and Roger are itching for, a BCR layout…(me and my big mouth!)

The new train room, I have come to the conclusion that I am in a very lucky position to have a fair amount of space, so it would be silly of me to fill it with layout, without planning for additional work.  As such I have designated space that can be used as a work area, for building layouts such as Murray River Bridge, and the mood strikes and still maintain a working layout while building.  The work area will have all areas accessible  to walk around the layout in construction.  Working from only one side is a pain in the butt.  Thus I should be able to construct any future layouts with ease, and maintaining an operational layout at the same time.

Murray river Bridge pictures of three 930s on a grain train (just for the hell of it).

Hi All

Here are a few pictures, taken with the SLR, with three 930s heading to Tailem Bend with an empty grain train.

Enjoy, Scott

Murray River Bridge new layout construction end day 30.5

Hi All

So a little bit more progress on Murray River Bridge, the trees at the western side of the river have been installed and the levy bank as been "grassed".

I put two CLs on some of SDSs new lead ore wagons, AOQFs etc.  I know its not prototypical, I think that only occurred once and that was in the Standard gauge era.  But I just wanted to give them a run.

Enjoy!

Scott

Murray River Bridge photographic research

Hi All
Well with a bit of maneuvering we were able to knock off two birds with one stone.
Glen required some help with his new assignment.  Which meant a delivery of equipment, and a back load.  (Glen you now officially owe me a favor) This also meant that we could swing past Murray River Bridge.  Most of the tribe came along as well, no doubt I got some constructive advice, from the back seat.
One of the farmers was quite chatty and a "lean to" conversation was had as to what we were doing. etc.
We also managed to do some shopping at the Orient Express, just made it on Saturday afternoon, do some more scenery material.

So all very successful couple of days.

 long flat road was not sealed in 1988 - 1989

 jumble of fencing.

enjoy

Scott