SMR CHRIS

Hi Marty. Steady on jumping at the Early Era comment I'm sure that not every one in the UK is that worried by how early is early or Late steam re us down under colonials. Heck our trains run upside down too there's in the motherland. I had already indicated the Era that I like see quote above "Late Steam" was my term I won't narrow it down more than that as I do slip a little each way to being un prototypical with all the models on shed. From the blue Caves express set Being Mid era Steam 1929 to the candy 45 being 1980's just a little bit of era slip

Hi Brian Thanks for the nice comments At 41 years of age I missed the Australian steam age but I really do like the late Steam Era of the NSWGR when first gen Diesels were starting. I do have a nice collection of books on the Steam Era so get plenty of inspiration, also we have a monthly Mag dedicated to Australian Railway History and I have a huge number of back issues they are full of plans photos and info going way back before I was around. The little layout has been built to demonstrate to Australian modellers that you don't need a football feild to Model in O scale as is the popular way of thinking, down in Oz Bigger is better with many HO layouts at shows being 30 + foot long and you stand there waiting for ever for a train to appear so taking a que from many small British O scale layouts I decided a generic end of line branch station would be a good start then only model 1/2 of it with the sector plate to represent the station approach and rest of the yard. Re the time of the build. I Started the build with plenty of time to the Show that it was to be part of the Aus7 Modellers group Demonstration of O scale modelling a demonstration layout anyway. But a few weeks ago I got very sick and lost 3 weeks of build time being laid up, I haven't been this Crook for years. So the last week has had to be flat out in the time I have had, to get it to a presentable stage possibly gone a little overboard for a demo display but I intend to exhibit the layout as a stand alone exhibit one I finish it to the standard I want it to be. Some items have been used from one of my other layouts as I had purchased a few kits etc put them in a safe place that was too safe and only found them on Monday so no time to build but a big bonus is that if modellers see it this weekend at the show the next time they see it will have some different structures and a photo back scene that will give it a different look again. So the illness has a silver lining. I will take some photos at the show and post up with the full setup may even get a few videos on Monday of the show as Ian, Leadie69 on RM web will be down to help with the display. Also, My wife decided the curtains I had for my exhibition layouts were getting tired so she and her mum made some new ones today should look nice and fresh for the new layout.

Finally got the lighting rig into the top of the Layout frame today and what a differance it makes to the visual impact with the black framing picture style around the layout and the two colours of LED's bright white and warm White really make a differance each colour on its own is just too harsh esp the bright white ones. And all up it has cost about $25 The lighting rig is basic two panels of core flute the stuff sign's are printed on with the LED's attached with double sided tape that comes on the lights and a couple of small cable ties to stop it falling down if the tape lets go, I have seen this at shows recently with the LED's tape letting go and the owners having to make a temporary fix, so the ties are a a safety measure only. Just a few bits to do and all will be ready for the Show come the weekend. The layout is performing the roll of a demonstration display anyway this weekend, so the items that aren't done will be done for its next Exhibition appearance. The lighting rig Edit added photo of overhead lighting.

Hi Bob thanks for the kind words I'm Getting over the illness now fingers crossed it doesn't return again. Great that you got some running in with the weather like that, we had that wind and rain during the last week would have blown the trains into the next yard if you were down here. yes whilst the conventions are some times great to attend the theme was back to basics so you didn't miss much as we are well pass the basics stage. In my opinion some of the talks missed the mark or were to basic for NMRA standards or in one presenters case he waffled on for 40 minutes about his employment history, Union bashing and trucking accidents he had, had and when told 5 min to go was shocked and said I haven't got to the trains yet. The Talk was meant to be about modelling the Union Pacific in O scale but we never found out about that. Just saw 5 photos of his layout at the very end. Looked like it would have been interesting 50 car trains etc in O scale but we never found out any thing. Got a Email today saying that the Awards for the modelling comp would be sent in the post thought it a bit strange to Win a National modelling Competition and just get a bit of hand written paper saying you got 1st place attached to the model. Got some static grass growing in between appointments today and a dinner invite from Ian RMWeb Leadie69 and a very nice dinner it was too thanks Ian and Steve for the hospitality. Also got to see the new scenic's on one of Ian's micro Layouts not O scale but nice modelling link http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/96403-inglenook-with-more/?p=2021454 Glue is still wet but some more progress photos, it's amazing what you can get done with an hour of time here or there go and do something else whilst the glue dries, then a little more, it all seems to come together like magic.

Some more pics of the layout scenic's comming along. A crossing to the goods yard went in today. Also knocked up a representation of a loading bank for the front edge of the goods yard.this is Low relief in reverse on the front edge of the layout. The ash filled buffer stop also had a peice of foam shaped as a filler and then covered up with Ash. All photos show first flocking and earth base with the glue still drying will now get the Static grass out to add some depth to the base scenic's. Some of the glue is still white as it is still drying.

Thanks Simon for the kind words The Competition win was a nice surprise there were a lot of very nice models entered, I think the 72'6" passenger car was just so big in 7mm that it really stood out even with a lot of other O scale US 1/4" models in the comp, the HO models looked so small on the display tables in front of the O scale models. I'm slowly getting over the virus, it's been many years since I have been this crook. Had the odd sniffle you know the it's going to be a modelling day type to recover, but this has been major illness combine that with the spinal injury getting aggravated due to the virus side effects I'll leave those to your imagination, safe to say not good. Even when I had had major spinal Surgery to fuse my lower spine, after 1-1/2 days I was up and moving, doing physio.and walking about. For me to not get any modelling done is very unusual however this bug completely floored me esp with it returning after a first bout thinking OK it's past then getting hit again. Got a lot of stuff done yesterday so its on with today and more scenic work.

Great compact little Model Railway your building. The facia is calling out to be painted it will give the layout a deeper look if you give it a all an over cote of black or even Brunswick Green may do the trick Nice plan for the compact space and running behind the shed is a nice scenic break between the two scenes.

Thanks Dave the Green Parrot "Wally" loves playing with the trains and has to check out anything that is new.He just loves to have the sound locos running and always asks for the whistle. Also will sit there making Chuff Chuff noises Hi Martin just replied to your PM re Liverpool show give me a call if you like tomorrow in between playing the organ at services, I will be doing layout scenic's, lost lots of time over the last three weeks should have been finished by now. Re the train combo was just checking clearances with the HG's running boards and the TAM length with the curve of the point at the end of the platform. All seems good will have to get some locos out for a quick test too just to make sure I can run a Cheaky 57 class into the branch on a running in turn.

Some more photos of progress The Ash buffer stop now has had the timber weathered with aged wood wash by Mig products to be filled with Ash tomorrow. The site Forman was in tonight. Inspection under way The station platform timber and brick

Hi all its been a little while since a update After a bout of the Man Flu and loosing a week of modelling picked up an even worse virus that has knocked me about massively I Came good last weekend just in time to attend the National Model Railroaders Association ( NMRA) convention I took 2 models to enter in the modelling competition and managed to get, First place in the modelling compertion with my NSWGR 12 wheel Sleeping car. Also a bonus placing in the non Revinue rolling stock category with a 2nd place, with the shunters truck that I recently built. Then come the Monday I was hit again by the virus that has left me incapacitated so have lost another week in the layout build 3 weeks in total. But made some great progress with my wife also getting involved today with the scenic base painting. The station building is almost complete and the platform edge is taking shape. Even built a sleeper built Ash buffer stop for the end of the line. Some photos of the progress. The buffer stop under construction test fit Scenic base being painted. The Tam car in the platform road.

Hi Switcher 1 you are on to something with the single unit passenger railcars they are really quite fascinating I have a few US variants in HO scale "Doodlebugs" and an HO & O scale CPH as mentioned above. I think one of the big attractions is as a single unit they are a Complete Train in one you don't need any thing else to provide a passenger service.

I agree with you on that re the costs and know your situation re $$$ But for my 2 bobs worth, life is too Short to scratch build something that you could get a very nice RTR version of (provided funds are available) and is possibly a finer model than I could build. I would choose a prototype to scratch build that no one is likely to do RTR. Say RM No2 that was converted from a end veranda car or No38 Creamy Kate. I hope you do get to build one when you get some modelling time I'll look forward to seeing it. For the Non Ozzy modellers some photos of the Railmotor referred too. Creamy Kate RM No2 The RTR model of a CPH 1-1 CPH

Marty Re the CPH Glenn from ModelOkits has had a second run done and has them Available now if your interested give him a call.I would guess after Liverpool their wont be any left. http://modelokits.com/nswgr-cph-railmotor-waratah/

Hi Marty That's a shame re your modelling time, even when I was working I would try and make some time at least a couple of times a week. Even if it was just 15 minutes it usualy made me want to get stuck in to the modelling project which resulted in making more time. If you are a TV junkie like me do some modelling in front of the TV you will be amazed at how much you get done. I know this may be a little difficult in the share house. Congrats on all the gigs that you have booked the wedding ones would keep you busy most Saturday's, sound's like you may actualy be making a living out of it now. Have you got your Dapol Terrier Tank yet, I see they are out now, the Ozzy $ is a bit of a killer at the moment I wanted to get one but with having the C38's in waiting I have not been able to commit any more $$ to getting one I would have gone for the Blue one that is on the to be delivered list. Are you going to get a chance to get to Liverpool Exhibition this year.?? I'm doing the station building right now. Waiting for the glue to dry whilst typing this.

Marty rule 1 it's my railway.There's nothing prototypical about it anyway it's just a representation of a very generic NSW style and look station. With such small facilities the station building is a bit of over kill as is the lamp room/men's Toilet etc. As I said its my railway in force Rule 1 and I'm not going to go looking for more bits. By the way you have been quiet lately how are you going ?? Have you made a start on that small layout you have always been going to build?? I'm going to be at the NMRA convention next weekend are you going?

To get a feel what it will look like as the structures go in to the model scene I sat the station and lamp room on some scrap bits of wood and took some pics. For the point mechanisms in model form I am using these KR models brass ground throws they do repute to be working so I will see if they will work when the point motor moves the blades by connecting them up to the Tie bar May not work as will be reverse mechanical direction for the intended opperation of the throw they look nice any way

Things are starting to roll on with the build. Only trouble can't find quite a few of the kits and parts I had collected for this project. Lost 2 hours looking for a kit today Still haven't found it. Got some work done today started the Ballasting. Placed the water jib and the water tank is borrowed from my other layout one of the kits I can't find. Started the kit for the station primed the timber shell and test fitted the walls. I'm currently building the timber face of the for the platform thinking may split the timber and put in a section of brick facing right in front of the station building as a quite a few of the NSW country stations were like this The station test fit of walls and roof rafters. Station platform edge. The water tower is a stand in until I find the Waratah Kit to build the one for here I think I will make it a smaller version or build in Half relief and move it back closer to the back Scene Hopefully I'm not boring any one with the build. And thanks to all who have liked my posts. Chris Edit-- repeated the same photos, now deleted hopefully ?

It's been a little while since any progress with the new Railway build. Whilst waiting I gave the sleepers a quick paint the rail and chairs also got some attention with weathering washed Takes that plastic Peco look away. Have been waiting for some parts to arrive in the post and they did today so got back to finish the track and wiring on the end Board once done it was on to wire up the point motor switches. These are a push button switch and the switches light up when the points are set way from the normal position. So a test run was made tonight The first thing was to get the muliti meter out and check all the track Circuits no issues found everything was going to be live when the DCC was plugged in no shorts. Plugged the quick connector for the DCC system in and powered up "All Good" Next I placed my J94 on the track and it came to life with a hiss of steam. The J94 negotiated the small amount of track work and points with no issues so it was on to some other locos they all ran fine the points work nicely, having modified them to be fully DCC compatible with the blades linked to the wing rails and the Frogs powered by a Tam Valley Frog Juicer resulting in no dead sections at anytime. The points can be trailed through with a loco without a worry of shorting the DCC a big bonus with DCC and with heavy O scale locos if you are just running around a train you don't have to change the trailing point just run through it.

7 of my locos are RTR models Mostly the NSWGR Diesels plus 3 Steam the rest are scratch or kit built a lot of the NSWGR steam locos are from Ron Fox O gauge house kits.So that = 23.33% r t r of the Australian locos, of the British locos only a Bachmann J94 and IXION Hudswell Clark.are RTR the rest are kits.

Hi Anthony great meeting you today at Johns place and seeing your model railway photos of Conway Castle. I have had a quick read of your layout build will do a start to finish when I get a bit of time very interesting. Re the Krystal kote yes spot lite was the place, got it when they had a sale on. I found they have quite a few glues that are suitable for model railway use as well. Most are acid free that is a real bonus when working with model trains.

Great start there Robin hours of fun in the build and when done shunting trucks about. Re the glues as your not trying to get any tight corner's you could just try Aquadere (PVA) I have used this on the foam we get here in Australia with good results 12months after putting some track down nothing has moved or no foam degradation issues. I am currently laying track on my new project and have used this quick set version within minutes the track is stuck and using minimal amounts. Once you ballast everything will be set in stone don't forget so the first stick is not that critical any way. Good luck with your little project

Small update on the layout build only had a little bit of time this weekend so made an effort to get the Wiring to a good stage of readiness for when the final track laying parts turn up in the post. DCC bus line installed + linked to the track feeds on this board frog juicer works harness to the second board completed and made neatly so no hanging wires just a complete harness this caries 5 wires the DCC 2 wires frog power for the point on the next board 1 wire and the Aux power 2 wires for point motors and any on layout lighting or accessory. Installed a DCC in point plug. also a Aux power in point and labelled both. As I have several layouts the connection for track feed needs to be a quick plug in so I can use the DCC system from one of the other layouts Also I have tried to make sure no wires are hanging down that could get caught when in transit or if any thing is stored under the layout. Once the facia is complete will link in the point switch power wires and all done bar some more wire clips to keep it tidy. If the track bits turn up this week may get to have a first opperating session to test everything at the end of the week. Finger's crossed. Edit = attach a clear image

After a long awaited trip to Hospital for more surgical procedures on my spine, I was able to get some more work done with the Layout basics. More track down, loop track, bay track, the wiring started the first of the two points on the layout is fitted even got the Tortoise point motor fitted on the first point. Marking out for point motor actuator rod. Point fitted and bay platform track going in. Green switch is the point control switch temporary fitted this facia will have tight weave automotive carpet fitted as a place to mount the walk around throttles with Velcro in any spot also I can mount DCC loco flash cards that are laminated and Velcro backed that I have for all locos with loco # and photo, plus function numbers etc listed when a loco is on the layout the card can be place on the front of the layout facia for easy reference makes it easy for new operators and first time DCC users. Before fitting the point a Peco unit I made it fully DCC compatible unlinking the point blade rails from the frog and linking each to the correct wing rail plus I also soldered a wire link to the blades as the Peco fish plates used as a pivot point are not very good conductors when in DCC use. To power the frogs on the two points on the layout I am using a Tam Valley duel frog Juicer this is fitted to the under side of the center base board and the wire for the frog of the point on the second board will be sent via the connecting plug the Frog Juicer connects to the DCC bus and automatically sets the points frogs to the correct polarity. The duel frog juicers can also be used as a auto reverser by moving a jumper on the circuit board so I will also use one on the traverser so won't have to de power when it is turned no sound locos having to go through start up every time the traverser is moved as will all be always be live and as the first wheels cross onto the layout the table tracks will be set to the matching polarity. The other bit of modification that has been done was to open up the entry hole to the layout by an inch so all three tracks on the layout will meet a track on the traverser when in the straight position. Orignaly it was to align to one only at a time. With it set up like this trains can enter the scenic section from all three track with out having to move the sector to aline the outer tracks just a little more practical. For those interested the curve on the sector on the outer tracks will be equivalent to a Peco Point radius with a small section of straight just before the gap. Wiring is going in the droppers for the three tracks have been soldered up and terminated wiring is colour coded I have placed droppers at both ends of the board that terminate at choc blocks ready to attach to the DCC bus. Orange for the forward most rail in each section. Black for the rear most rail. Yellow for the frog wiring to frog juicer unit. Point motors Blue White Point motors will be switched by the green push switch seen on the front facia in a previous photo these will illuminate when the point is in the straight position. On this board I only need to fit the section of track between the points but that will have to wait until that point is fitted on the next board. I have pre installed the wiring and need some more of the gap masters I am using for the joints should hopefully arrive next week some time. Also I'm only using the insulated rail joiners behind the frogs all other joints I am soldering and will fit dummy scale fish plates. Until I get some more done for a update post Happy Modelling

Just a quick update with the sector plate build had a bit on so things have been moving a little slow. Paint now on and dry. Track going down and a milestone moment in any layout build with a train moving under its own power even if it was just a test across the joint of the sector plate onto the layout with a temporary section of track with jumper wires. Still lots to do. Some photos and a quick video. Link to video Until I get a bit more done to make the next instalment. Happy modelling.

Got back to do some more on the fiddle yard Sector plate this afternoon. To recap it's a fully rotating Fiddle yard at 5ft long designed to have 3 tracks on it. It rotates on a 12" ball raced "lazy Susan" bearing with a second 3" central loading bearing. Pictured below the 3" bearing about to be installed I had a few ideas on how to help assist the table alignment from pins to latch bolts. After doing some tests it was found that with the bearings the table was very free moving. I also wanted to have some way of stopping the track hight from moving when the table was loaded with engines at the far end from the entry (the tables supporting bench work is 1-1/2 foot shorter than the table) the latch bolts would have solved this but only when the bolts were in so I came up with a soloution that did both,1 hold the position, 2 keep the table tracks nice and level. I guess you could call it a "Tung and Groove" giving some friction to hold the position alined and also keeping the track hight correct no mater the weight positioning on the table and it is also possibly the most simple solution no extra moving parts. I still have a ball detent I may use for indexing without having to carefully visually look every time. The Tung and groove To stop it binding as the Tung enters the grove the edges are tapered top and bottom So the Main 12" bearing can be load rated to its 300kg + it needs some center loading provided by the mentioned 3" bearing via a centre bolt and a timber off cut as per the photo below with two nuts on the bolt to prevent them undoing when the table is rotated should the bearing bind generally the bolt and nuts shouldn't move. Just need to make 2 drop in gates to stop any stock from unwanted trips to the floor With a bit of luck I will be able to start on the track install soon, after the paint dries a job for tomorrow.