60012 Commonwealth of Australia

Just had a read through the thread. Looks great, especially the shed. Nice idea of having the little scene with the loco being held up by the crane. Look forward to seeing it progress! Peter

Yes, I had thought of that. I think that the solution may well just be what I've done, which is extend the existing loco siding, and have a small platform bit with coal loading and watering facilities there. The siding being 44cm long from the end of it to the catchpoint means I should be able to fit a running loco and the pilot in it at the same time. I have got two catch/trap points (what's the difference, if anyone knows?), shown in the zoomed-in plan in red below - I hope I have put them in the right place. The loco shown in the loco siding is a Jinty. Peter

Far out... I go away for 3 months (overseas holiday and then working on my new layout), and not only have you started one, but two layouts, and you already have track and ballast down! Looks like this one will be absolutely marvelous, consider it followed! All the best, Peter

Been ages since my last look in here, been really busy on my own layout for once (albeit my new Australian one)! Some very nice work, I'm especially impressed by the terraced houses. The viaduct's looking very nice already, will great to see it when it's done! All the best, Peter

Ah alright. I didn't know that was what the siding was for, I had assumed it was for the locos being used on the services to wait until the train was made up by the pilot. Adjusted plan (as in Post #183 with loco shed/siding removed) The good thing now, is that I have valid reason for an extension to include the loco shed/depot! Peter **EDIT** - As with the previous two plans, this plan uses a minimum radius of 200cm or ~6'6", larger than the baseboard length of 180cm (5'11" approx.) Each baseboard (the split down the middle denotes the joint between the two) is 1.8m x 0.45m, with the end board thinning to about 30cm. Overall size is 3.6m, plus 1.8m fiddle yard (not shown).

I have adjusted the plan, and by replacing one of the turnouts with a double slip, I can keep the engine shed on-scene, and better still, the new location means the loco can come straight from any of the roads (with the exception of the loco-preparation road to the back of Platform 1). Here is the revised plan: The coaches are Mk1s, and the loco in the shed is a Jinty. Peter **EDIT** I forgot to mention this, but the minimum radius is 200cm, or approximately 6'6" (longer than the baseboards by 6"!). This is the same with the next plan and the previous one.

The reason for having the loco shed on-scene is that I don't need to get another loco out of the fiddle yard when I need to use a pilot loco. I did have a look at the Minories thread (I read through the whole thing last night). This version got inspiration from HABs post on page 7 (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/60091-00-minories-track-plan-wanted/page-7), where it has the two extra sidings. I have however simplified the throat a lot by using the original Minories throat plan (the first 6 turnouts). I'll have a go at moving the engine shed around to see if I can fit it somewhere where the shunter won't need to go into the carriage sidings to get to the shed. Peter

Been a long time since my last post in this thread, and for those of you who watch my thread on Skipton, you will see why! I have been thinking a lot about Dunoon and Bonshaw, and about what I enjoy the most about building and running models, in particular my British models. I had a friend point out to me recently that I spend a lot of time focusing on my coaching stock, and getting consists accurate. So, with that in mind, I had a think about what I could do that would allow me to have a larger focus on coaches as opposed to goods stock. Reading through a book that belonged to my grandfather, titled "The Encyclopedia of Model Railways", and came across the Minories plan by C.J. Freezer. I liked the look of the plan, however to me the Minories hasn't really appealed much, possibly due to the fact that all you can do is run trains in and out, even allowing for coach movements to release the loco. So, I went into Anyrail, and had a go at making a couple of adjustments to the Minories plan. They aren't major changes, and the basic form of the Minories (station throat and first two platforms) remains unmodified, other than using P4 turnouts. The changes are the addi ion of the loco shed and siding, and the two carriage sidings at the bottom of the plan shown below. Buildings are a mix of Metcalfe (Station buildings and platform); Hornby (platform overbridge), Ratio (engine shed and water tower), and Wills (signal box). The two catch points are denoted by red lines. My thoughts for services are: Mainly passenger, mix of steam, diesel and DMU hauled. A couple of parcels services, primarily steam hauled. One or two van trains, conveying perishable goods, with a coal wagon attached on the end for the loco servicing facilities. Not sure about signalling yet either, so that will be something to look into. The plan (overall) is 3.6m long, and will most likely include a third 1.8m baseboard for the fiddle yard. This way (having 3x 1.8m baseboards), I could have the same transport case for it and Skipton. This is certainly not a definitive plan, and construction will not commence until after Skipton is complete, by which time I will probably have changed the plan at least twice! There may be one or two updates like this every so often, as I do little bits of planning for when I build this layout (whatever this layout is!), however the focus is, and will be on getting Skipton up to a suitable standard for exhibiting. Then, and only then, will I start on the P4 layout. Peter. (If my spelling or grammar is poor, I apologise. I'm typing this at 3am, and had it not been for difficulties getting to sleep, should have been asleep hours ago.)

I woke up this morning, and went out to the shed to do some more work on Skipton. However, before I started working, I couldn't resist the temptation to put some rolling stock out on the completed track. All the wagons shown are built from Steam Era Models kits. T320 is a BRM model, and the Walker, 31RM, is from Trainbuilder. I'm planning to fit the final point motor to the middle board, and then go out to Jaycar later to purchase some wiring supplies. Peter

Daylesford have a few Walkers, including 3 of the 280HP Walkers referred to above. They have the following: 7RM, a 102HP Walker acquired from Maldon a few years ago 32RM, a 153HP Walker which they have just finished the main restoration of 82RM, a 280HP Walker used for spares 85RM, a 280HP recently acquired from Mornington, yet to be transferred to Daylesford, but for restoration. 91RM, a 280HP Walker used in regular service. They also have a Walker trailer, 56MT. They also have an example of a DERM (63RM), a DERM Trailer (26MT), a Leyland (53RM), a DRC (40DRC) and a Dodge (74RM) as well. The largest collection of privately owned Railmotors in Australia (I believe). They are also an accredited museum. Peter **EDIT** A 280HP Walker, in the same livery as 31RM, is also on the cards for future acquisition. Auscision Models do one numbered as 84RM.

Thanks! Interesting to hear about the Walker's in Ireland. I had heard about another example, very similar to the VR 280HP Walker, with a center power unit and coach units on either side, but not sure if it's one of the Irish ones or another one somewhere else. Peter

Spent some more time on Skipton this evening. Just came inside then due to an injury (I dropped a drill and the drill bit hit my hand, cutting it). I managed to lay most of the track on the first scenic board, and fitted 3 of the 4 point motors. The photos below show what it looks like now (I took them just before I came inside). The only things left to do on this board are fit the fourth point motor (for the stock-siding turnout), and fit the loco road, ashpit, and cut out the hole for the turntable. 2 updates in a day is a lot, but once school holidays are over on the 18th progress will slow down again. The next planned work-day is on Monday, but I may well crack on and finish this baseboard either tomorrow or on Sunday. I'm also going to try and get the fiddle yard wired up then. Peter

Today only one of the two people helping me came around, but the day was still spent nailing the fiddle yard track down on Skipton. The first of 6 point motors for the scenic section was also fitted while he was here. Here are some photos of the completed fiddle yard. It is a 7 track yard, with 1 track for the Walker, and/or a DERM when we get one accurate for the 1955-1965 era. The tracks (from Right to Left (Operator Side to Viewing Side)) are: Walker/DERM; Spare/Railmotor 2; Railmotor Replacement; Mixed Goods 1; Grain Train 1; Grain Train 2; Mixed Goods 2. The fiddle yard board is 1.8m long, and the longest siding is 1.45m long. I am currently modifying and fitting the turnouts in the yard throat of Skipton. The first 2 have had motors fitted, and just need to have the frog wires connected, and dropper wires fitted. I am currently fitting the third turnout, and will then modify and fit the fourth. I am hoping to have the turnouts fitted, and maybe the platform road as well, by the end of tonight. At this rate, with any luck we will be running trains on Thursday. Peter

Some new rolling stock for Skipton was collected on Tuesday evening. This is my first (hopefully of many) brass model. It is of a Victorian Railways 153HP Walker, with the power unit being built by the Walker Brothers in the UK, and the passenger car unit being built by the Victorian Railways at Newport Workshops. More information on the 153HP Walkers is available here: victorianrailways.net/motive%20power/walk153/walk153.html (**EDIT** Not sure why link isn't working. Go to victorianrailways.net then to "Motive Power" then to "153 Walker" under "Railmotors") The model is built by Trainbuilder (http://trainbuilder.com/), and this specific example is of 31RM in the Victorian Railways Blue and Gold livery, with gold roof and winged logos on the side. This represents 31RM as running from about 1955 to 1960-1961, the period in which Skipton is set. This is a brilliant model. As stated earlier, it is made entirely out of brass. Some of the features included are: Working directional headlights and marker lights Fully detailed interior, including the toilet cubicle, drivers compartment, and a detailed engine in the main power unit Working interior lighting, including a capacitor so the lights stay on for about 15 seconds after the power is turned off DCC Ready (8-pin) Scale-sized chains on the baggage compartment doors Without further ado, here are some photos. Apologies for the poor quality, they were taken on an old Nokia. I need to find my camera to do this model justice! This is also a very small prototype, measuring only 10' 8" in reality. I have taken some photos of the model next to a model of a Victorian Railways Y class, Y150 (This belongs to a friend), which help to show the size comparison. The Y class is a shunter/branchline locomotive. That's all for now. I have another work-day today (Thursday, it's 1:17AM as I type), and I am hoping to have some of the track down by the end of the day. Peter

I'm planning to put in two braces per board, but I am waiting to install the point motors first (as the track positioning still hasn't been finalised due to the turntable) before I put them in. The reason for not using EM gauge is I have two other people assisting me in this project, both of whom have Victorian Railways stock which is on HO wheels which is going to be used on the layout, and it's very difficult to obtain EM wheels in the right sizes for Victorian rolling stock. The other reason for not building it to EM/18.37mm (as 18.37mm would be more realistic for 5'3" in HO scale) is that it's currently being built to a deadline (a submission for exhibiting it in August has been placed, and we will find out if we are successful then), and the extra time needed to handlay the track would put whether we would be able to finish it in time in doubt. Indeed that's the reason I'm not continuing on with Bonshaw (the BR layout) right now to exhibit - as the extra time and cost of building to P4, and converting the locos and rolling stock I have - would mean it would not be in a decent enough state to exhibit, if we are successful in our application. Peter

Spent the last couple of days with a couple of mates working on Skipton. Yesterday (02/04/17), the plan was to finish the baseboards, ready for a parcel from Hattons today. Luckily, at about 1:15, a well-awaited parcel arrived, containing the last 4 turnouts for the scenic section, 6 rolls of 3mm (1/8") cork, measuring 914x610mm (3'x2') (2 sheets per baseboard), 6 SEEP point motors for the scenic sections, and 2 Peco side-mounted motors for the fiddle yard. The contents of the parcel are shown below. By the end of the day (we worked from about midday to 11pm), we had more or less finished the baseboards, and had cork down on two of the boards. This shows the cork being weighed down to allow the glue to dry with the cork flat. Today was spent levelling out the baseboards, and loosely laying out the track. The first train was run at about 3.40pm. This shows some of the track being laid out loosely. A selection of rolling stock has also been placed on the track. The stock is a mix of mine and one of my mates. I have a video of the first 2 trains, but can't figure out how to transfer them to my laptop (old Nokia phone), so when I can figure out how to transfer them over, I will upload a video of the first train. I will get some more photos of the current track set up tomorrow and upload them in the evening. Peter I.

Done a lot in the last 19 days, however haven't had the time to post an update. So, here is a proper update, with photos! Work done includes adjusting the height of the legs, purchasing some of the track, new rolling stock, and the inspection pit being built. Firstly, I managed to cut down the first set of legs to the right height. Sadly the others weren't cut straight, but I have a mate coming with an electric sander on Sunday to help straighten them out. Here is the baseboard with the legs at the right height, shown next to an original height leg for comparison Next, I modified the first set of points for the layout. The problem is shown below - I need the extended sleepers for mounting fake point levers, so need to switch them around to the other side. I did this by cutting them off, sanding them down, and regluing them on the other side. The fixed version is here - I then cut the holes off the ends of the tiebar to make it look better. The finished turnout is shown here, next to an original one. I also built a Steam Era Models I/IA wagon kit, of a "Tommy Bent" style wagon. These were built for the Victorian Railways from 1901 to 1907, with 640 being built. This model will be fitted with brass buffers from Steam Era. This image shows the base parts (side + end x2 and chassis) These show the main model completed, minus the brake detail This shows the brass handbrake after being fitted Finally, I built the inspection pit. This was modified from a Peco pit, using brick styrene sheeting. The following show the steps I took to modify it. The start, with one side and one end completed Then, with both sides and ends completed Next, I had to make an insert for the base. The VR pits had angled sides, leading in towards a drain in the centre. This was made by scoring 4 bricks in from either side, and folding it up Next, it was fitted and glued in place Finally, a drainage hole was cut out at one end of the pit I also laid some of the track (the stuff I have, I still need 4 turnouts and some flex, turnouts for the station and flex for the fiddle yard) The side-mounted point motors were also test-fitted, and I have made a wiring assembly and switch-assembly for the two I have. The motors are shown mounted, but without the assembly. This is the end of the station, looking back towards where the fiddle yard will be. This is the fiddle yard. It's 7 tracks wide, and utilises a 3-way, 2 left hand, and 2 right hand turnouts, all medium radius code 100. This shows the point motors having been fitted Finally, this shows the storage capacity of the shortest siding. The consist shown is T class - GY (Grain wagon) - M van - P van - HD van - B van - GY - Z guards van. This is the equivelant of 5 4-wheel grain wagons (GY), a Z type guards van, and a T class. Overall it's a very long update, but shows a lot of the work I have been doing on Skipton in the last 2 and a half weeks. Peter **Edited for format**

A lot of updates in a short amount of time! Progress will likely slow down for the next week or two, at least until the track is ordered. Today, I completed (with some help from a mate, who also helped me with the second one) the final baseboard. This is the centre board, having completed the fiddle yard on Friday afternoon. I have also made the leg assemblies for the fiddle yard (these aren't in the photos as I made them after I took them.) The following photos show all 3 baseboards lined up. Sadly, the first board I built was too wide (the MDF boards were cut at the local hardware store, and apparently two (i have one spare) were wider than the other two, and having used 3, two are the same width and the third is different). This will will be cut down and fixed up so it is the same width as the other boards. The baseboard I completed first (the wide one) is at the top of the second image, and can just be seen to the far right of the first image. The fiddle yard board is the one to the left of the first image, and at the bottom of the second image, and finally, the centre board, completed today, is to the right of the first image and in the centre of the second image. My mate will probably be coming over tomorrow afternoon after school again to help with assembling the legs, and cutting them down to size (They are all around 1.2m, with a few mm of variation between them. They will all be cut down to 1.1m), and hopefully we will have the fiddle yard board and centre board completed by the end of the evening (including backscene and joining them together). Peter

Some progress to report from the weekend, and last week. A second baseboard has been constructed, this time for the fiddle yard. It still however requires the legs to be drilled and fitted, as well as the backscene fitted. I have also purchased a new locomotive for the layout, Victorian Railways T320. T320 is the same class and series (Victorian Railways T class, First Order, colloquially known as "Flat Top Ts") as T333, which can be seen in the photos in my last post. T320 was the class leader, and is modelled in as-delivered condition, so has a couple of differences to T333, which I will show in some images when the model arrives. T320 is also made by Bendigo Rail Models. I am very lucky in having 320 and 333, as of the ones made by BRM in original (1955-1957) condition, T320 and T333 are the two that are sold out. My long-term aim is to have all 6 produced in original condition by BRM (T320, T321, T325, T333, T338 and T346), however I hope to get a selection of steam locomotives and railmotors (see next paragraph) before I get more, as I am also keeping an eye on a model of T357, which was the first of the 3rd order of T class, and has a lot of visual differences when compared to the first order (among them being a cab raised above the hood). I am also planning to order a Trainbuilder 153HP Walker, number 29RM in Victorian Railways blue and gold, with gold roof, and VR winged logos. The 153HP Walkers were built by the Walker Railcar Company, in Wigan, UK, and were delivered to the VR between July 1948 and September 1953. 29RM entered traffic on the 6th of October 1952. The Walker is made by Trainbuilder, who produce high-quality brass models of Victorian prototypes. The Walker is not cheap, $1225, or 756GBP, however as they were used on most passenger services on the Skipton line from 1950 to 1972 (when the passenger services ceased), and no other model of the 153HP variant is available, it will be a very worthwhile investment. Here are the images of the new baseboard, in it's nearly completed state - I am planning to have this baseboard completed (legs and backscene fitted) by the end of the week, and have set aside time to do so. Sadly I will be away over the weekend, so will not be able to finish the final baseboard, but if I am lucky this week may see it completed too. This depends on the amount of time it takes to complete this baseboard. T320 is due to arrive sometime before Thursday, and I will post some photos when she arrives. Photos of progress on the baseboard will also be put up when it is complete (as I don't want to get too distracted!) Peter **Edited for my 11pm spelling!**

I definitely agree! Given the track costs would be twice as high for Bonshaw as they are for Skipton, I've decided that I'll only focus on Skipton for now until it is completed. The layout invite I have is for Caufield, as I have recieved the invite for a couple of years from two or three years ago when I had a layout to exhibit, but it ended up that it was on my brothers birthday so I never sent off the form. As such, me and Dad decided that this year I should fill in the form and exhibit something so they don't take me off the mailing list! hence how I came up with the idea for Skipton. Thanks, Peter

(First part of post copied from my British layout thread Dunoon and Bonshaw, P4 in the 1950s) "I have been keeping this quite for a while now, as I am aware that I have planned a number of projects and never started many of them. As I have now built the first of the baseboards, I feel it is now at a stage where I can put it online. I have been planning a new Victorian Railways layout for a while now, based on Skipton Railway Station, which was a terminus railway station south-west of Ballarat. The station closed in 1986. My model is of the station from 1955 to 1965, to enable the use of VR Branchline diesel locomotives [end quote], namely the T class (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th series), and Y class (1st and 2nd series). I also hope to obtain some brass steam locomotives to run on the layout at a later stage (as other than a mainline passenger locomotive, there are no R-T-R plastic steam locos available of VR prototypes.) This layout will be 5.4x0.6m, with 3 baseboards, each 1.8x0.6m. The first of these has been constructed today, and I hope to have the remaining two completed in the next couple of weeks. Track will be Peco code 83 with #6 electrofrog turnouts for the scenic baseboards, and Peco code 100 insulfrog for the fiddle yard. The trackplan is fairly simple, and is taken off an official Victorian Railways drawing, obtained from victorianrailways.net . The diagram I used is available here: http://www.victorianrailways.net/signaling/completedia/skipton.pdf I drew up the plan in Anyrail, and then included the basic buildings (platform, turnable and goods shed). The engine shed had (I believe) been removed by 1955. **EDIT 2: 23/04/2017** After a visit for research to Skipton (see Post #31), I realised some of the alignments were wrong. The new (Scenic section) plan is shown below. Fiddle yard remains unchanged. The thinner part off to the right of the main platform is a mound (the original platform was 200' long, as of 1950 it was 88' long). The area on the dead end siding is the stock races. The two big boxes are the grain sheds, and the smaller box is the goods shed. **EDIT 07/04/2017** The actual track layout had not been finalised until today. The current (As Built) plan is below. The original plan is shown below that. Here is the **original** Anyrail plan: **Text Removed as no longer relevant** Today, I purchased the materials for the three baseboards, and managed to complete the first of these. The board I completed is the baseboard to the far right of the trackplan. Below are some images of the construction - First, all the frame and legwork materials. From left to right are the legs, the leg bracing, and the main framework. The legs are 1200x70x45mm, the leg bracing is 1200x70x35mm (to be cut into 600x70x35), and the main framework parts are 1800x64x19mm (with 6 pieces to be left as 1800mm long, and the remainder to be cut into 564mm lengths) Next, the baseboard and backscene materials. The backscenes (seen to the back) are 1800x305x6mm, and the baseboards are 1800x600x9mm. I then built the basic framework. A cross-member will be added in the middle after track and point motors have been fitted. One of the legs can be seen getting the holes drilled in it. Then, I completed the first set of legs and bolted them to the layout. The second set of legs was then done and bolted on as well. Now that I have seen the total height, I have decided that (when I get the time) I will cut the height down to 1.1m or 1m. After that, I screwed the backscene on. Of note is the section I cut out to enable it to sit around the barrel bolt used for baseboard alignment. I then put some rolling stock on the board. In these three images, T333 is located roughly where the end of the platform will be (although it may be a little shorter). The consist of the train is - T333 - HD56 - P22 - M?? - UB18 - VKOX??? - RY?? - B?? - U??. The P van is the only completed model, as all the others either require couplers (U, B, RY, VKOX), paint (UB, M), brass details (U, B, RY, M, HD), or a roof (M). T333 is a Bendigo Rail Models example, and the rolling stock other than the VKOX open wagon are Steam Era Models kits, and the VKOX is a Powerline model. Later on, T333 comes in with a mixed train, consisting of a B van, RY wagon, UB van, and AW passenger car. The B van, UB van, and RY wagon are the same as the ones seen in the earlier 3 images. The W car is finished as 29AW. That's all for now, but I plan to spend the next two weeks finishing off the other baseboards, and then to order the cork and track. Peter **EDIT** I have also started a blog for the layout, which is available at: http://skiptonstationhoscale.blogspot.com.au/ **Edits to existing sentences shown by **insert change here** - 23/04/2017

I have been keeping this quite for a while now, as I am aware that I have planned a number of projects and never started many of them. As I have now built the first of the baseboards, I feel it is now at a stage where I can put it online. I have been planning a new Victorian Railways layout for a while now, based on Skipton Railway Station, which was a terminus railway station south-west of Ballarat. The station closed in 1986. My model is of the station from 1955 to 1965, to enable the use of VR Branchline diesel locomotives. I will start a new thread on this layout, and will include photos of the construction of the first baseboard, which I completed today. A link to the new thread will be put in my signature. I have also started a blog for this new layout, which can be seen at: http://skiptonstationhoscale.blogspot.com.au/ Dunoon and Bonshaw have not been forgotten, and once Skipton is complete (as I have recieved a layout invite for an exhibition here in Victoria for the second half of the year), I will get back to working on Bonshaw. I have been having thoughts about Bonshaw and Dunoon, and these will be posted once I have a definitive idea in my mind. Peter

Here are a couple of photos of the new additions with their trains. BR 73068 is in the background with a 9 car freight train, made up of 3 BR 16t mineral wagons, a salt wagon, two BR 8T cattle wagons, 2 BR 12T box vans, and a BR 20T brake van. In the foreground is D5339 with a 3 car passenger train made up of Mk1 coaches, 2x BSK and 1x CK to form BSK-CK-BSK. D5339 is yet to have the extra detail (bufferbeam details, screw-link coupling, snowploughs, tablet catchers and headcode disks) fitted, It will have a Class 2 headcode for Ordinary Passenger Train; Mixed Train; or breakdown train not going to clear the section; or Branch Passenger Train (where authorised). Info taken from http://www.2d53.co.uk/Headcode/headcodeC.htm Sorry for the poor quality of the images, they were taken quickly on my phone. I will get better images when I get the chance to. Plans for the next few days until I go back to school on the 31st include rebuilding the framework for Bonshaw, and hopefully getting cork down to prepare for track laying/building. Peter Edited to fix link to headcode info

New toys purchased from Hattons today! BR 26/1 D5339 in green to become D5344 73068 in BR Green to become 73078 2x BR 12T vans 2x BR 8T cattle wagons 3x BR 16T? Open wagons 1x BR 20T brake van And 3 Mk1s for a present for a mates birthday. So now I'll have an 8 wagon freight train, a 2-4 coach passenger train, and two locos to haul them! Consists will be mixed around (locos and coach/wagon order) but I'm currently thinking D5339/D5344 - Mk1 BSK - Mk1 SK - Mk1 CK - Mk1 BSK 73068/73078 - 8T CV - 8T CV - open - open - open - 12T V - 12T V - 20T BV CV is Cattle Van, V is Van, and BV is Brake Van. The passenger train can be mixed around and shortened using those four coaches and the same with the wagons in the freight train. The locos will also be mixed around, either one running either train. Peter Edit - D5344 not D5341

Thanks. The UK part involves a day trip to York, but in Manchester for the rest of it. A trip to Hattons is also on the cards to get a Heljan 26 for Bonshaw! Luckily I've only had one accident while skiing so far, and no broken bones, just some bruising which is now gone thankfully. Peter