SMR CHRIS

Big Thanks to Ray mw for the detective work. Great for Marty he can number his model as per the photo and know it is right. The Orignal kit "FOX models" was very old so I guess the Orignal masters may have got past there use by date I actualy have the Orignal Fox models "display model" given to me directly by Ron Fox the one on the right in the photo post with the 2 models and the mouldings are much crisper. The new kit may be close as in the images for the BHG (on Oaust site) the castings are quite different to the orignal ones Martin and I have the roof goes the full length before it went between end panels. The Chassis is different too and has slots to allow the step brackets to do what Marty is doing now and is very much crisper than previous. The Owner at Oaust models ( Peter ) is great to deal with I regualy order detail parts via his web site but if you need anything else Peter will talk with you over the phone or you can order over the phone details on the Oaust web site. I prefer the North yard wheel when ordering from Oaust but have I have started using the Big river model wheels avalable from Waratah/ ModelOKits that Martin mentioned before. See the photo below of the new model note the sole bar slots Great work on the rework of the steps Marty what can I say a just in time post with the photo and comments on the difference your rework's will produce a more correct model.

One thing I did notice when looking back for the photos is that the Oaust foot or running board brackets are not correct as supplied, I built my chassis the same as you have, now looking at it with the photo, the steps are wrong the top running board should be at the same level as the soul bar of the Chassis some thing no one would notice until side by side with a photo. Photo of my 2 vans The one on the left is the Oaust and the one on the right is the FOX models to compare same kit I belive just a decade apart in production whilst the Oaust steps look nice. After looking for the photo in the last post I now see the error I won't be going and changing now but the next one will do correctly. I have a few more photos saved of Orignal LHG, SHG & BHG versions if you need or just do a google image search. Need to get some correct bogies for the FOX SHG Orignal LHG in near to Orignal condition.

Marty I found this image via a Google image search some time ago when I started building my Kit. may be of interest SHG 22576. ?? May be the number hard to work out the last number could be 1 5 6 ?? As not that great image quality hope it helps

Hi Marty great to see your models progressing so well. I like the car side that you have what parts did you use? To piece it together. It is interesting that we get more interest on RM web with non British Modelling than we do on the Australian O scale modelling forum that's why I stopped posting much on it and removed most of my modelling photos as a member made some comments that they didn't appreciate the idea that we I should encourage actual modelling when I thought "Wrongly" in there opinion that is what the forum was for encouraging actual modelling. One of the best things about RMWeb is I havn't found any one yet that wants to keep modelling a secret hobby they all are just interested in modelling and will look at any scale or prototype even if it's not what the have chosen to model and provide encouragement, suggestions, new ideas plus the people on here are all very positive. Hopefully I will see you in March with a lot of models to display As if you. Me and my dad and Chris sim didn't put models on display there would have be nothing to see 4 or 5 out of 50 people attending displaying models is not that great a ratio. So Marty keep up the pace with the building and lets see if we can put on a top display of models, I better get my finger out and finish my SHG its body is painted the decals are on one side I managed to loose the the ones for the other side and I need to put the canvas on the roof before I fit the roof detail. I have some interior parts for my SHG that came from a slaters LMS kit that I left the interior out of so I could fit in the SHG. Once again the models look great I look forward to seeing them, you have made great progress in the last few Months keep it up.

Hi John very nice modelling, I like the wide space you have covered with the stabling yard and sheds. I will keep a lookout for updates as you continue the build. Nice work with the loco's and stock.

Hi Marty A guess at the name Hartley Vale or Little Hartley, as the location of your prototype is in a similar location a valley or two across and link to your name.?? Will be good to see you at the forum it's been a while since you have been able to attend. See you Saturday.

Hi very nice use of space in the APA You have got the hight variation just right between the levels Wish I was in the UK so I could see it at the show Nice work

Micro layout builders we are a creative lot. We see a layout possibility in the strangest things and turn them into reality Looking forward to seeing how it turns out

Just found this and Re the advice regarding the brake ratchet and took another look at the wagon and saw something to also add to the next time list, on the wagon end that opens when used as a tipple, their should be a pivot ring both sides of the bar that runs across the top of that end, supplied as two small plastic circles in the kit. You could easily make up some brackets to add and weather them before carefully fitting in place. Great job with the painting and weathering. I will look for the next wagon build you chronicle on these pages. Happy Modelling Chris

Just great we need more young people to get interested in the hobby, as a life long hobby interest, it starts with your first train / trainset and being able to touch and play trains with out fear of damaging dads prized fine scale models. my dad did this for me and it has always been a grounding interest in my life that has continued from childhood to my late 30's I learned quickly the value of things and when wanting to add to the train collection I learned that every thing has a price and chores around the house had a value to that price to add a new mainline wagon cost $5 that was 2 weeks chores or new J72 was several more weeks Our hobby needs new younger members. Hear in Australia at train shows etc it is unusual to see young people behind layouts so I encourage all the oldies to help get the young train set players into railway modelers as this is the only way the hobby can continue to become stronger. At a recent NMRA modelers convention hear in Australia I displayed my on30 module the sole young person at the event came over to the layout and asked some question about my dcc sound so I handed him the throttle he was amazed and after a few moments he had mastered the opperations and I left him with the layout only to have several concerrned gray hairs come rushing to tell me that some kid was running my trains. So you are to be awarded in starting your son with such a great layout that both of you can enjoy and it looks like you are having some fun to whilst building too. Happy modeling