SMR CHRIS

I think this is the image that Marty was posting but it won't display on my feed so it is uploaded as a photo below and a link to the page on the railway it is from http://www.heritagetourism.com.au/the-glory-of-steam-pansy-the-camden-tram/

Looks like it's been a long time since anyone has been here with models specific to the Forest, whilst going through my collection of rolling stock I found this gem I purchased a long time ago purely due to the Forest of Dean link for that layout based in the Forest I will eventually get to building one day a few projects in front of it though. A nice livery on a 3 plank. Easter Iron Mines of Coleford Gloucestershire "Forest of Dean" It would be interesting to know what other RTR models have been done can be hard to track down Down Under. That's Australian $$ by the way End of the box in case any one wants to try tracking one down.

Hi Marty found these two and thought you may like, its NSWGR No69 front and rear views Edit Found another of No69

Top find Marty AAA+++. I had seen a similar photo of a passenger consist in Campbelltown yard and often wondered if it had been sent up the Camden line. Good detective work now when someone says a CCA would never have ran with a Rcar we can wip out the photo and not just of cars stored in a yard. If you find any more like that post them up.

Thanks Marty for the tip I have built at least 10 of these rotating sectors in HO/OO so have the drill down, there is no track on the tray in the photos just the stock to make sure it all works with the extra heft of O scale, (Load Test) since I took the photos the ends of the sides have been curved off as well just for a little extra space. Space is tight but that is the point of this layout get the maximum in the "space" that the average modeller could afford for a model railway and in O scale something not often seen in Australia with the ever shrinking homes in city's etc this layout will fit in a standard car garage or along a back room wall, the sector plate as built won't turn, but that part is for the layout being at show.etc no stock handling just turn the lot. If I was building as just a home layout against a wall I would use a sliding fiddle yard with a loco release at the end, super simple to build. When I have finished and exhibited this layout once or twice I will offer it up For Sale to make way for another project. Depending on the buyers requirements I may build that sliding fiddle yard to suit the location they intend to set the layout up in. My next planned project also needs a full rotating sector plate.

Had a little bit of time today to make a start with the sector plate for the new small layout. Orignaly it was intended for the sector plate to be 4ft or 1220mm long however after doing some measurements of the small train formations (small for Oscale) it was decided if the sector plate was a little longer it would give a bit more operational scope (now 5ft or 1524mm) luckily I had ordered several bearings at the same time from the supplier so I swaped out the 9" one with a 12" ball roller bearing as this would spread the load over a larger surface area and it also get right to the sides of the plate giving maximum stability when rotating. To mount the centre of the sector was found and a set of guide lines were drawn to the underside, also drilled some holes that line up with holes in the mounting plate for fittment of the mounting screws to the fiddle yard frame. The sector plate was set up on the table to test before fittment to the frame, wow rotates very easly Next was to load the sector plate with a average full load test, all good nice and stable if just way to free. So I will use some melamine or plastic slider plates for some resistance and I found a sprung ball detent at the hardware for positive positioning at each track. Fully loaded and still unexpectedly free rotating 3 train consists typical of NSWGR loaded on the sector plate the extra length will give more options for operating sessions, even though the layout is very simple and only has 2 points the sector act as several more and with some creative thinking can also represent not modelled parts of the station yard using a program and card system. It's a very familiar style of layout in the UK but would have been rarely seen down under esp with NSW models instead of the more familiar UK out line. Appologies for the old newspaper in the photos I was trying to keep glue and paint off the table top. Will post the rest of the Sector install when the sector meets the frame. This will show how the second small 3" bearing is used to stabilise and create a load capacity on the main bearing.

Great value the bearings I got the lot for $15 they are full ball raced and good quality made in the U.S. Not China The company is Ballarat bearings also on the e bay

Hi Budgie The birds are fairly well trained not to eat the base boards but they will always want to help hold the drill or item you are using they had to be kept away when the paint went on as we would have had paint all through the house. The birds talk and are also toilet trained so is rare to get a accidental deposit, never had on any of the layouts the birds are free flighted so can fly around as they please, It's really just like having a pair of small children around. The parrots Wally -green & Moto -red, have been to several trains shows now and if we don't take the parrots along we get asked where they are, was even asked by the organiser of the biggest Show in Sydney to make sure the parrots were there on the last day of a three day show as members of the public were bringing family back to see the parrots and this would bump the attendance. It shouldn't be to long before trains are running Ian I stopped at the Bunnings (hardware) and picked up some Cork for the underlay on the way to your place. Ian we had a great night as always thanks I didn't operate the inglenook, I was hopeing some one else was going to take on the challenge but they all shy away from actualy running a train. Leadie69's train room may be small but it has at least 4 layouts and plenty of entertainment. Most of all a big thanks for the plan, Your a wiz with the Anyrail planning software it took seconds to do what I hadn't been able to do for a week. Have to admit I even struggled with getting the board size set up, so a huge thanks again you made it look easy. The line arrives from the right under a part relief timber bridge to hide the end of the scenic area. At the rear is a bay platform / extra siding centre is the platform / arrival line, forward of this is the goods loop with goods siding off this to the left will fit 7-8 4wheel trucks, the extension of the platform line is the loco release and will fit a loco plus 2or3, 4wheel goods trucks for extra opperational interest may put a loading point for a truck at the end. The bay track will fit a rail motor several 4 wheel goods trucks or a passenger car for added operational interest.

Ok arrived home today to find the parcel post had been and I now have the Bearing plates needed for the sector plate.it is a 9" outer bearing and a 3" center bearing the idea is that you have a centre bolt that secures the whole lot together and then you can take a load up to the rateing of the outer bearing plate @340 kg should be more than enough for a 3 track O scale fiddle yard even with compensation for the load at the end of the rotating sector plate of three locos at one end whilst turning Now that modules have the basic paint work done sat them together again and place some track in the display and some models to make sure it all still looked right. The need to have a roof in the boxes is evident in the photos as the light from above casts shadow of the beams that hold the front valance. I have sourced a sheet of white corflute to form a light weight roof panel and will also reflect light from the LED strip lighting that is going to be fitted.

Got some more paint on the new layout modules in between other commitments. With the black on the facias and rear of the modules it's really starting to look how I had planned when I first drew up the concept. Was trying to get a plan of the track layout up but haven't been able to make friends with the planning software on the PC. Visiting Leadie69 from RMWeb tomorrow and will see if he can quickly put one together. Some poor iPad photos of the progress on the boards taken to night when I got home.

Thanks Bob it was just one of my thoughts for the front as have a good size roll of this carpet Automotive carpet spare. May not do will see how it looks pinned up in place before making any commitment to secure it in place. If it got too dirty could always replace as I have so much of this carpet could cover 20 layouts worth.The same goes for the black painting of the Surounds may show up any scuffs etc, will have to be careful how it is stored and transported. I choose black for a theatre look the scene being brightly lit and the black around the outside I am planning on installing some false Curtin drops at each end of the display area to hide the ends of the scene like at a theatre hiding the stage wings. I also will have it quite high for viewing by average hight people. The little people (young Modellers) can have a chair to stand on and view. Sadly no work on the layout today Doctors and work cover legal stuff. Two photos below first showing a similar style that I am intending to do a little different though The second the typical display style that I feel won't do justice to this style of layout.

Thanks for the tip Simon. A few more coats of the blue then once it's had a few days to dry will give it a go.

Had some paint mixed to paint the inside of the diorama style box (British Paints "i'm blue #283") So after cutting in the entry hole for the trains from the sector plate a first cote was rolled on. I have to say what a differance it makes from the bare plywood look. This is just for a back ground sky for a photo back drop and to seal the timber the backscene photo is on back order so may be a while so the blue will be a good stop gap measure. Also making the top removable comes in handy for painting Entry hole and first paint. The rest of the displays facias and valance will be painted in a low sheen black so the visual impact of the modelled Scene isn't lost by the surrounds or lack of. I have also been thinking of trying a automotive style black carpet along the lower front edge for two reasons 1st it will soften the front visually and 2nd with some Velcro stuck on the back of the walk around throttles you could just place any where along the front to hold not have to locate a hook or pocket sticking out from the facia. It's just a thought at the moment will look at when get a bit closer to finishing this area of the boards. And I have a roll of carpet doing nothing. Below are a few photos of short train combinations that would be suitable to run on this small layout. all the locos & rolling stock in the photos are available. Photos by The Late Weston Langford 32 class Another like the photo shared by Martin (horse & cart) 30 class Arriving to collect some wagons The wagons about to be picked up 32 class Second cote time both tops painted

Yes that the type of train, over say 2or 3 movements of trains you could leave all the wagons in the scenic section and run the loco out with just the van and after a passenger service bring back the loco and van to reform a small goods train. Re the photo interesting no end of train disc or triangle and no lamps to for end of train.

Thanks Marty You right on the money with the train options it doesn't take much research to find som interesting combos of small trains I even found a photo with a C36 - CW - EHO as a train. The other thought was to exhibit this I won't need to take too much stock, A CPH rail motor, a few loco's for variety, some goods wagons say 10 and 2 guards vans and 3 passenger cars of various types and you have a lot of combos. Especially mixed trains as you suggested. And so could get away with just one of my stock boxes as I find transporting O scale. Rolling stock and locos can take up as much room as the layout if you want good sized trains. This track layout makes you think carefully about what you need and the limits of the space also makes in theory for some interesting shunting to achieve in a minimum number of moves. Thanks Bob and Ian, I'm also looking forward to it comming together I have had the Plan and box frame design drawn up for a couple of years so though was feeling Ok during the week so why not stop at the hardware shop and pick up the required materials and get started I have orded the LED lighting and the bearing plates for the sector plate also found a sprung loaded ball style locating Assy that I am going to try as an alignment locator for the sector plate. When the parts turn up I will take some photos and post a little on the sector build Sorry no work on it today had to go to the big smoke for a family birthday at Centre Point Tower "Sydney" Trained it down to Sydney and back, also went into HobbyCo for the first time in years very disappointing just a toy train shop now Location of lunch The ever changing view revolving restaurant

It's been a little while with not much done. Today I started the foundations of a simple O scale model railway. It is A Branch Line Terminus at one end the platform with bay and runaround loop and 2 sidings at the other end with a scenic section of 2.4m and total with sector of approx 3.8m The track layout only has 2 points and will use the sector plate to represent the rest of the station yard approach and the sector plate will act as the loop points for making a runaround plus also allow acess to the bay platform. As I said basic track plan but it will demonstrate with an Australian theme that you can have a standard gauge O scale model railway that is a manageable size.. The presentation will be in the form of a theatrical display Box style with full over head valance with integral LED lighting. The valance is wider than the layout so the lighting will be on the sides of the models not over head creating a shadow on anything that is at the fron of the layout. A mistake I made with my On30 Model display. The models at the front were in shadow due to the lighting starting in the same plain as the layout front. Anyway way some photos of the initial construction of the boards from this mornings start and tonight I put some track and stock in to see what it looked like with something in the box will now have to paint. the upper box sections are removable as a assembly leaving just the layout base boards. Also you can see in the photos my little green and red helpers who like to inspect everything Work site inspection team, Wally (green). Moto (red/blue) The passenger cars are where the platform will be the, station building will be a NSWGR PC3 Version The platform road will take 3 passanger cars and have room to run around but a typical train will be just 2 and a loco for passenger service. A bay platform will be at the back for a rail motor This is site Forman Wally This end will be the yard with space for 2 or 3 wagons (4 wheelers) in the track with the loco depending on the length of loco used and still be able to run around the arrived wagons or cars in the platform track. The siding in the front of the yard should fit 7 or 8 Sector plate end of layout

Just to prove it's not all scorching sun in Australia that we have to model through here's the view from the front of my vehicle last Friday this would make any one from the top side feel right at home. Then we have this from Bob up the "New England" region of New South Wales, wonder where that name origin's came from?. We were a colonial settlement. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/97916-the-great-australian-outdoors/?p=1952351 Happy Modelling Chris

Looks like 2 years = £2 too you knew you needed two you just didn't know it at the time, don't Worry Stu your not the only one that dose it. I know someone that Pre orded the same model twice forgetting the first order and was surprised when 2 arrived in the post a year later when the model was released.

Looking good, what a difference even a light weathering makes to the model great work, it can only get even better with a bit of the weathering washes. Nice photos too.

Just Love it Simon Great to see someone else shares my view that you can't take the hobby too serious, and the future of the hobby is to get interest from the younger ones when they are most receptive . Great work with the Mavis lookalike if you put a valance over the axles box section of the chassis it would be even more convincing.

A bit of inspiration from down under. Theses skips are from the state mine Lithgow NSW

A pictures worth a thousand words And you have to do it all from photos and book referenced material as we live so far from the subject and are way to young to have ever see any of the subjects we Choose to model. Blue boxes are what we would have seen as kids if we lived in the U K and their classed as historic now From what I have been told by old Railway men the large slabs of coal (like seen in the photos), would have been left for the yard boy to pick up in a barrow and deal with, as the fireman wouldn't waste time breaking it up while working the loco unless there was no choice (it had to be used as nothing else left) and would be left on the tender footplate and then shoved out As Jonathan would know from the preserved railway locos, throwing a peice that size in the fire box will result in a hole in the fire and a hole =cold =less steam=less go, in very basic terms. Looking forward to more progress updates.

So True re the stock falling off, Simon I know of a modelers in Oz that had a wagon that would fall off every time it traversed a point on his straight layout (to the Curve side of the point) but this only happened if the wagon was in a train pushing by hand no issue so he spent lots of time putting new sprung axle boxes in it only to find the same issue keeps falling off, again only when in a train of wagons. Turned out to be the knuckle coupler was binding in the coupler box and the small amount of extra pressure would cause the wagon to climb the rail on the curve of the point. Re Parkside Yes the Parkside droopy axle boxes can be an issue for some people as the mouldings arn't usualy crisp and true and if you just put the bits together they would be stuck where you put the axle box in the w iron so care and a bit of finesse require when building or they will get stuck when they move and you end up with a "Robin reliant" I purchased very cheaply, A fellow Modellers start in o scale, a loco plus 6 wagons, when he got dissatisfied with the wagons he built falling off all due to the 3 wheeler effect I have these 6wagons in a box to rebuild one day. The item I wanted was the Loco a Y6 that he had purchased Not for me but for the kids enjoyment at show he "Toby" will have a face installed and pull the odd train through the layout when lots of little are ones around. The purists don't approve but if you take the Hobby that seriously you will never truely enjoy it. Years ago I put a Lima 33 power bogie under a rubber Toby squeaky toy that was about 7mm to the foot and would send it whizzing along the layout and the kids just loved it, But should have seen the "Death looks" from the serious rivit counters!!! You know the Ones that will tell you for an hour that those 2 wagons never would have run in the same train and the signal post should be 1/2 a foot shorter than the one you built and as they tell you this you get the feeling all they have at home are books on the subject (no models). Soap Box Time from above. I just like to Enjoy the hobby and encourage an interest form the new comers to get involved. Let the kids blow the whistle on the DCC sound locos and you will get them hooked , it's the only way the Worlds Greatest Hobby will continue. Being an old fart and Passing on with the biggest collection of trains is no good if there is no one that wants to enjoy them again when your gone. If I offended you in the above it applies to you if it didn't then congrats you enjoy the hobby and let's get some more little modeller started and why not in O as any other scale thanks to Ixion's little locos and Peco "O set track" it isn't out of this world think of it this way In the U.S. It's "Lionel O" that most start with! Got hat and coat Going out the Door fast.

Thanks Martin I could wast a lot of time building new highly detailed versions of some of the models but that dosn't realy interest me to have the most detailed model that you don't run just incase a part gets knocked off by a careless shunt or similar so a few new parts on some older robust models that run nicely is just fine by me. The BMT uses 3 point articulation system one end uses the bogies own weight bearing points to the out side edge of the bolster ie nothing under the centre mounting screw The other end uses the centre mount as a weight bearing point with a domed mount so it can roll on the pivot. It's a very simple system Re the wheel base and compensation your about right with the scale10ft wheel base however I haven't had any issues with the NSWGR K--U--RU--wagons at a scale 11.5ft , I have about 12 trucks with this wheel base none compensated they don't have any issues even on some dubious track work they stay on. Some thing to note about compensation if it is set up wrong or has a bind, it will be a worse outcome than no compensation esp if you try pushing the wagon. The compensation only allows the wheel base to articulate fixed at one end rocking at the other In model form springing only works well if you have the correct weight over the spring and the spring is light enough to compress easy plus allow droop from the resting position a bit of a balancing act esp in a small model. Some of the Comercialy avalable O scale bogies have a nice spring set up however most have way too heavy springs swapping these out with a lighter rated spring will greatly improve the bogies ability to function over any track work. But for those who see that they don't have any chance of getting a rigid model built square and true you need to go for the compensation but this is were things go wrong for most, wagon body not square then the chance of getting the 3 point compensation to be true plus alined is now more of a chalange than it would have been to build the body true and square. Something for modellers to consider, waiting to get lots of people saying that you can't do with out it but in practice I can with fine scale wheel profiles so I do what works for me. May be some differences if using S7 standards Did a count of my NSWGR 4 wheel wagons, 4 have compensation 36 don't My British 4 wheel wagons 3 have compensation 10 don't the only noticable difference is the click noise over the crossing V of points (frog)

Looking Good Jonathan A tip with the static grass removal Removal of loose grass fibres ----Try the vacuum cleaner with a old rag- stocking or sock over the end and you get two advantages -1 helps keep the grass standing as brushing will flatten or break some fibres -2 the recoverd fibres can be reused on the next application. Next thing to lookout for is, the fingers of others they see the static grass -- it goes some thing like this ---"is that static grass ?" ---before you get to say "yes" and "please don't touch" --