SMR CHRIS

No but The Shed has to fit somewhere between this and the Hunter yard section of the layout.Planning is under way for the shed and it will get priority over the Toronto Branch. As the main line will have to run past it With Toronto it only needs to have a max of 2 locos on the layout section at any one time so need a shed for the other 28 to simmer I have acquired a TT possibly Atlas ?? to see if I can use, don't know much about it a friend had it spare so he is sending it down to me to see if it can be used or modified to use?? More on that when it arives in the post if not suitable will go with a similar style to your Shed scene I would like to model at least part of a round house like many NSWGR sheds most of it was open air and a few covered tracks in a 1/4 round house section

Martin just what I was planning a minimum 8 car lenght based on End platform cars And just a little more in the yard for runaround lengths for at least 8 plus 1 the yard had 2 long sidings that if you made the loop 9 cars would allow 8 in the sidings. I have a photo somewhere with 2 L car sets as one train in the platform.30 class on 5 cars leaving the yard One of the weekly freight turns would be to pick up the empty Beer kegs regualy 2 S type open wagons loads These Kegs usually arrived in a MRC bogie covered wagon or Louver van. Local farmers would load stock into CW cattle wagons but there wasn't a stock loading race. The platform was used a stock pen was located just up the hill from the station and with the platform fencing so arranged the stock would be herded down to the platform and loaded. A local freight arrives the guards van bigger than the train LHG guards vans were regualy used as they had plenty of room for general goods. A later view of the station with a Diesel rail motor 620/720 class The platform at this stage has well established gardens and a white picket fence. I hope this is not boring anyone as I outline the workings of this very British style Australian branch line This is possibly one of the factors that draws me to want to model it

The Toronto Branch Line. Toronto is a BLT one of the most British style branch lines in the state of New South Wales Starting as a Horse drawn tram way and gradually over its life became a railway that even Hosted a Royal Tour with the Royals alighting from a Launch after motoring around Lake Maquarrie onto the Royal Train that had been positioned in the yard next to the Lake side wharf. The line was formally opened on 7th March, 1891 and closed just short of 100years service in 1990. It was approximately 4 miles in lenght. Running from the Main line junction station of Fassifern to the lake side of Toronto Literally located on the side of the lake A 30 class starts the runaround of its train. An early view Of Toronto looking towards the lake and rail yard the station is at the bottom of the cutting at the left of the photo Track plan of the final yard layout before it became just a terminating single Line platform The people of Toronto loved there Train Picnic day at Toronto Horse Drawn Toronto tram This little station and yard should make a nice layout. I have assisted a friend build a O scale Diorama of the station area only but I am planning to have the station only partly compressed and the yard also selectively compressed. The platform is around 15ft on its own at scale lenght in 7mm and was in reality capable of holding 12 to 14 passenger cars to Handel the Picnic day traffic when thousands of people would decend on this lakeside town requiring many trains to handel the loads of people. This very British style Branch will make a great model with some interesting operations at least you can fill the yard with passenger trains and be true to Prototype. More colour photos to come along with some notes on the goods and passenger traffic.

I thought it was about time I started a thread for my 7mm Modelling, and as I always seen to have several projects on the go I will try and update as I go and keep editing this first post with an index as required of the thread. An introduction SMR Chris I live in the Big land Down Under, Australia On the Central Coast of New South Wales. Railway Modeller from Birth and just hit middle age. Modelling interests are Varied and am what they call a rubber gauger but my primary interest is 7mm. I was lucky enough to to grow up with a DAD who is a very good modeller and hopefully some of that rubbed off. 7mm modelling took over as the main focus about 12 -15 years ago until then it had been just dabbling the odd Slaters or Cooper craft kit and British Rail themed. The local Australian modelling or NSWGR was very sparse, mostly dominated by corse scale or 3 rail models and the fine scale British just had the edge with product availability and still dose but the local market producers are working hard to rectify that with some nice models available and I was swayed by one of these and started modelling in both the local NSWGR and British Rail. Lots of projects going and working hard to promote that with O scale you don't need a huge space to Be a Oscale modeller. Now on to the modelling a projects is that are ongoing loco builds rolling stock and layouts, since mid year 2017 “Newcastle Station” a large terminus Station the Buildings for the layout have mostly been restored it has been a ongoing project, however the layout part reconstruction has been put on hold at the moment due to other projects and the fact that very little of the original sub structure is usable due to the conditions the intermediate owners stored it “wet” Moonan Flats small exhibition layout. I'm still adding bits to my Moonan Flats exhibition model railway and the occasional exhibition attendance with it as wel, as they say a model railway is never really finished this model railway is usually set up so new Model can be tested and the occasional shunting session, Project videos and photos follow. Current project ETS toy train style model to closer to scale model lost of modifications and aditions jump to the last page to see progress Baldwin USA built for NSWGR, 59 Class 5917. Newcastle as exhibted by its original builder Ron Fox of Fox Model Trains fame And the current condition of one of the station boards after being through several owners My small NSWGR theamed Moonan Flats Model Railway designed for exhibitions to demonstrate you don't need a huge amaout of space to model in A larger scale a video of the layout on display at an exhibition Next a quick video of a NSWGR train passing on the layout, East Maitland a Shelf style model railway designed to fit down a garage wall. The Latest model railway project (Newcastle) is a big challenge to rebuild a former exhibition model railway that has been neglected by subsequent owners and once again be able to exhibit. Moonan Flats Small exhibition layout video Live Steam 1/32 Scale Sound & Lighting in the models are another area of the hobby that I find an interest. Between my self and my Dad there are several layouts to run our Oscale models on. Like Dibley seen in the photo below with a GWR mogul at the Loco facility. The Railways sizes vary from super small for O scale Humpys Flat the back drop that wraps around the left end has a hole in it for a sector plate making a 3 track inglenook theme see build link in signature below. To a Railway that you can fit a lot more on this is Valley Yard, the yard part of what will eventually represent the rest of the main northern Lines for my representation of the Toronto a Branch of the NSWGR a unique lake side station and yard more on that project later. Down Under We also like really big British Australian Loco's Here's one under construction by my Dad form a DJH kit. For a further introduction to Down under 7mm modelling & larger Some more photos of some of my Model railways East Maitland that I am giving a scenic upgrade NSWGR 35 class on a passenger train Lake Side railway Toronto NSW Australia the yard the station is up the hill behind the photographer Lots of research has gone into this model railway and some structures are built or under construction at the moment I hope you will find some interest in what is Down Under 7mm modelling. And the many projects I will put up as they progress like this little one a conversion of a U.S. model to an Australian version. Moonan Flat compcat O scale with lots of operating potential . Track plan Mock up of the basic track layout whilst building Finished and at a Exhibition Video of train shunting on Moonan Flats as the layout was taking shape with the scenic’s Pride of the fleet 3805 it's taken a long time but it's on track now Another layout A small O scale diorama/model railway plus a ongoing scenic upgrade and some new track work on the East Maitland (photos above) Shelf with, O scale Model Railway and the planning of a Loco Shed scene for my Dad and I to display our large Collection of locos, inspired by Treads in "7mm modelling" Feel free to comment and make suggestions as I put up projects. You may have a better way of doing something than I have and if there is an easier or better way I would realy like to know. Plus some larger models will occasionally appear as the section is 7mm and above Modelling you will see some of my garden Gauge models like this NSWGR live steam C38 class live steam with RC in 1/32 scale Happy ModelOing

I like the North light roofed building for the trams. Going to be sometimg really different to the usual one or two tracks in a box file. Nice work Ian.

These are the ones, the one on the left was the one from spotlight and one on right from Riot Art & Craft I have been using the one from Riot to seal Pastel weathering on wagons with good results once dry you can go over without disturbing the last level and build up the weathering. The big Can was marked $11.95 so won't break the bank. The Crystal Kote matte I have used on large areas of scenic weathering with powers/chalk possibly not as fine as the Fixative Workable Mat but works well And yes made the Decision to start a Shed Scene thanks to inspiration from your build.

Top link Modelling with this one. Very well done.

Looks realy good Jonathan The sand base when painted black gives it a look you just can't get with traditional ballast. Those weathering powers are doing the trick if you secure them with a clear dull cote fixative you will be able to go over again and again to build up the levels of grime and dirt without changing the effect of the first cotes I have used the artists pressure pack fixative sprays designed specialy for pastel / powers etc, avalable from Spotlight shops here in OZ or Riot Art and Craft stores. Spot light was cheaper This is going to be a Great display for your loco fleet. Your inspiring me to start something for my NSWGR O scale loco fleet, May have to do a Turn Table with round house and erecting workshops as a back drop say as part of it, With 32 locos I can't have them all on the layout so a shed scene would be a great way to show them off instead of being boxed up or on a shelf when not in use. May even be able to work in a connection from the layout at some stage. Keep up the inspiring work you'll have me starting something new when I should be doing more on the layouts. Cavalcade of steam! Some of the locos lined up along part of the layout I think I should start soon and try and catch up.

Not surprising the glue is a bit slow going off with the cold snap you have going on down south. The weather on the evening news said currently 14 degrees but feels like 5 with the wind chill factor and even snow in the High Country. I would just leave it a little longer to see how it goes. Even if it was a little weak on the PVA in the mix, once it dries you will be able to go back over with a fresh mix to secure any loose material this will save a messy removal and reapply. What you have got done so far looks the part and will only get better as you, start the weathering of the rails and yard. Great progress

Looks great Ian the buildings give it a much bigger presence than you would expect possible from a box file size foot print. I think the clue you have hit on is to use the angles within to create the Illusion of a larger space. Angled track, tramway, retaining wall and the buildings finish off the visual illusion, well done be it planed that way or not. A stroke of genius the pole activated uncoupler on the rear yard track.

Looks good should look great over the large area of the shed leads Don't forget to add a few drops of detergent to break the surface tension in the glue / water mix also helps with the wicking esp when using sand. I have tried sand with good results It was Sydney River sand purchased at Bunnings and I found that it needed just a little more detergent than ordinary Stone Ballast but got a great result as a base for NSWGR yard tracks that were lightly layed, not ballasted and over grown and on part of my layout used for the base of the entire yards area close to 1200mm x600mm with some other colours of very fine dirt from "Chucks Ballast supplies" sifted over when the glue was still wet with a bit of Static Grass as well in patches to give a bit of variation. I am now sold on using fine sand as a economic scenic base. The back yard track on my O scale Diorama with sand base and static grass. Also great to know that you will be exhibiting this layout, it will help Australian modellers see you don't need miles of space to model O scale keep up with the progress looking forward to seeing this coming together.

Great to see a start on this little box file Ian It's hard to believe that it is a box file foot print looking at the photo mock up. Clever use use of the diagonal and angles to make it look bigger that it is. Look forward to the upcoming updates as you progress.

Nice work there Martin that coach realy looks the part you need to do some closeup photos and a little build story as I think more than one person on here will be interested in the build . Perfect little train for a withered branch can see it now long grass between the tracks over grown platforms with just the place the passanger alight from the carriage maintained enough so they don't miss the gap between platform and coach in the long grass. Now just have to get you building the little layout whilst you are all enthused.

As you have committed to L774 and I havn't done any more than cut out the doors I will do this version and Number L273 as I am sure at some stage we will have a running session and we will then have different versions. Even more interesting is that this one L273 has a spoked wheel set and a Disc wheel set. The use of this truck may have been more than just for shunting. The other photo of this shunter's truck is with it on a branch line goods train out of Dubbo so may have been used for fettler's supplies or station supplies, point grease, signal lamp oil etc.

A bonus photo Marty. L273 Looks like this one has no rails on the floor just the timber deck and timber load securing rails across the door posts to keep items from the center floor area also there is a photo of this truck on a branch train out of Dubbo as the leading vehicle

Found this one when looking to see if I had more S truck versions, but only other one I found, was another LCH Chassis conversion

To right Marty I think an issue of byways of steam had some photos of a S truck converted to a L shunting truck, will have to find the issue but are currently packed away I have rail with my kit to do this will probably use some thin plasticard sheet to top it But as you say would like to have a truck to get photos of details for modelling closer than a gestimate.

Hi Marty Your welcome re the photos My L774 is at about the same stage as yours your conversion have the door sides cut out and bits of plasticard and brass with the kit parts ready to make up the steps and some rail for the inside Peco code 100 was going to try this and if it looks to big will try some code 70 but only have a small amount of this may end up trying some Peco code75 I think the rails covered the floor were used for extra weight for braking assistance and they were covered over, I guess with checker plate, not sure of that but doesn't look to be wood as is thin. The LCH chassis shunter's truck will get done when I get back to it one day I have one of those plastic RTR-- LCH's that bergs did, that I got cheap as is very poorly built and needed new wheels and metal bearings the ends of these and the Middle were fitted with lots of steel and plating for the same reason extra weight.

Don't worry Marty you have moved a few times could turn up in a location totally unrelated to your train stuff.On the S truck your build of the Shunter's L truck will this help. X S truck now L774 cover truck Albury yard And this is what you can do with a LCH hopper Underframe.

Just got the BRM issue with your layout in it, looks great in print! we have a bit of a delay for the mags arrival in the Big Land Down Under. Like most things model railway related can be up to 3 months delay. But it was worth the wait to see the layout in the mag, would have liked to see the layout at the show but just a little bit of a round trip to far.

Hi Jonathan nice work with the loco service pits and the removal of the webbing between the sleepers realy makes a big difference keep up the Good work. BTW It's also good to see a younger modeller choosing O scale and not waiting until they can't see the OO models, a good choice to change scales early, with the Quality of your models a few "O" more than make up for a lot of "OO"!!! I was just looking at your photos of the fish plates set up on the tail end of your point and it looks like you have a Peco code 143 flat bottom rail point instead of a bull head ráil point the part number for example a right hand point is SL-E791 BH the BH on the part number indicates Bullhead on the Flatbottom rail points the same part number SL-E792 FB may be worth checking before you get any further in the track laying, also a give away the modern Pandrol Clips instead of the chair's and wood key's Keep up the work your making great progress and what better way to display you collection of fine O scale models you should aim to exhibit this layout when finished it will be something unusual in Australia. Regards Chris

That's what I originally did a solid bar and pin but the gap between the cars needs to be at what is required by your smallest curve the gap was ok on my layout then when visiting another layout found it was to small to negotiated the curves So what I need is some thing that is sprung so have tried a sprung bar and pin arrangement like I use between my loco's and tenders no big gaps but will put out on curves as required. This works fine but the first one you couple is easy, ok then you to try and manipulate the second coupling and then the third it becomes quite difficult as you form this long snake of a train The main issue is the corridor connections are only just above the buffer beam and this leaves no room for easy connection of dropping the pin in the bar, I tried the pin going up and was not effective as not enough lenght avalable for the pin to ensure it would stay coupled. The next problem is that like you, I don't have room for a big layout at home so my layout is in a garage about 35 K's from home and I dont leave the stock on the layout so need a quick coupling soloution or would spend all day coupling stock when I just wanted to run some trains. That's why I am looking at the Dingham type "put car on he track and just roll up and couple", to uncouple just roll over a magnet and it un links and with the springing being similar to a 3 link it will be nice and close at the corridors and still pull out when rounding corners hopfully a fix for all the issues fingers crossed.

Martin you are spot on re the Kadee slack due to the spring's. A little of my experance and the coupler's in use now In just a 5 car train of coaches it becomes very annoying (catching and bumping as you said) about an inch of extension in just 5 cars! Not realy acceptable? I am in the process of changing to some other style of coupling and am considering the Dinghams that Paul from Aus7 tried as most of the car sets have corridor's and at least I can adjust the spring tension on the hook just like can be done with a 3 link coupler spring to be as Required to stop the expressive extension on take up. Going to end up being a big job but I will be much more satisfied when the cars don't clunk and bang down the line Just some of the cars sets in the 3 rear yard tracks that need doing I have tried the San Juan coupler's and found them just a little light construction wise when when longer heavier trains are involved but I have them between a set of LCH hoppers however the trip pins don't work with the traditional track level uncoupler magnets due to the hight of the coupler when set to NSWGR specification I trimed them off and use a shunter's twissel stick to uncouple. What I use on my current build wagons and locos are the Procraft coupler and have also been retro fitting I am very happy with these, as for it's spring it is at the rear "compresses" only when pushed in but solid on the pull, but is not intended for this more as a centring action (see photo) but not a good option for between the corridor connections. They should be in most cases in car sets a permanent link and pin arrangement anyway. So the Dinghams go part way there. These also accept fitting of a transition link without to much work This is a good photo for reference re transition coupler NSWGR S truck with transition knuckle and link coupler hight to buffer line etc. I have tried mounting forward of the locking pin also when requiring extra lenght in the link as with this one used standard links also not scale ones. sorry about the poor quality photo cropped out a general photo. Martin, Hope this gives you another option that is also a very operational one and will couple to other brand coupler's no problem in my experance.

The SHG looks great Martin look forward to seeing it in March For any modellers in OZ esp Sydney region see this link for details of the Sydney O scale forum in March. You may even see Marty's models on display no pressure Martin. http://aus7.org/forum/march-2015-forum/

Martin you have done good. Those steps look right on the money now, I was never realy sure about the steps before and somehow even when I found the photos overlooked them until today! When I posted it up for you and it was plain as day, if I do another BHG or SHG I will do what you have done as looks so much better. Congrats on the speed of progress today also. I have to say the size of the S/BHG is just right for branch line modelling I find when shunting the small yard on the layout the "Long"LHG about the length of 3 S trucks often restrict's move movement and gets in the way. This is about the best I can do for the hand rails and door handles, hope this helps.