TTRAK_Andrew

     Thank you for the input folks!! I had a suspicion that the Graham Farish coaches were not accurate to a GWR prototype. It is good to know that they are passable for a `generic' GWR branch for exhibition display . Here in Auz there is not a high density of GWR prototype intensive modellers attending exhibitions and so they will do, although a Dapol B Set might be considered if more coaching stock is required. The layout project is still a year or two away as I have a current Australian N scale prototype modular layout I am displaying.
https://ttrakandrew.wordpress.com/2018/10/27/curdies-gully-single-track-t-trak-modules-progress/

     The Fairford branch certainly inspires me as it favours a modular approach with two stations, one at each end with exits through road over bridges to fiddle-yards, and separated by a stretch of "ruralilty" and lots of cameos and Oxford Diecast delights.

http://www.fairfordbranch.co.uk/Plans.htm

Alvescot and Lechlade would allow that.

Thanks again. Andrew G. of Auz.

 Hello Folks, I'm reviewing my existing collection of N Gauge rollingstock in thoughts of future modelling projects. I have two older Graham Farish 57ft suburban coaches. A full coach, and a half brake, as in the attached photo taken from Ebay. While these coaches are described as suburban, would they be out of place on a rural branchline? Suggestions of other N Gauge coaches suited to rural branches, eg the Fairford Branch, would be welcome. Thanks in advance.

Hello All,

             Here is a `one I made earlier' contribution to the Cakebox Challenge, mainly as a possible inspiration to others. It is a 124X125mm SideTrack module and has been posted elsewhere in RMWEB.

The fuller story can be found at:

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=26139.0

Hi Andrew,

Just wondering -what did you use for N gauge corrugated iron? IT looks good.  Its often  modelled as very rusty and weathered,  but I've also seen many examples of buildings where it is still the uniform pale silver gray as you have it, with no sign of rust so its nice to see an example of that. Maybe the local climate has an affect on how it ages. I guess in  dry inland areas it might stand up better?

 

I don't know much about Shepparton, was it a gold rush town?

 

(Warning - the following has nothing to do with scratchbuilt buildings, so if it disappears, I understand, especially if Shepparton turns out to NOT be involved in our gold rush antics!)

 

As an aside, its always intriguing  to read about some of these regional Australian areas during the gold rush. History is all taken up with the American goldrush version - all that "miner 49'er and his darling Clamentine" stuff and so on, but theres little known about what went on  down here. Cities like Ballarat sprung up pretty much overnight, built on the back of huge riches  -  and massive commercial and public buildings then went up due to the strength of the immense wealth of gold  found. At one point in the 1890's the biggest stock market in the world was located in one of these provincial Australian cities - I can't remember which one - Charters Towers in Queensland, or one of the Victorian towns. All built by gold.

 

How do I know all this? you are possibly wondering. Well, back in the 70's this kind of thing was what we learned at school here in Australia - all gold rushes and bushrangers and explorers.

Learning was such fun back then!  For instance, we all knew who Dirk Hartog was, and Captain Moonlight, and the exploring bloke  who was doing exploring stuff (I forget his name right now) who got killed by aborigines who  speared him  in the back, and  - we got to see the artists impression of the the exploring bloke getting speared in the back in our textlbooks.. . . No one teaches these things any more here, let alone handing out textbooks with blokes getting speared in the back  to 8 year olds - , which means that sadly, the rmweb forum of 40 years from now will be barren when it comes to Australian history and violence.

 

But back then, it wasn't just schools pumping this information into us, our national broadcaster had a series on the gold rush called 'Rush" which was unmissable to all us 10 year odds in 1974, which meant it was such a joyous chance to revisit it  when it was resurrected and comically re-voiced as the pretty funny  'The Olden Days" by a comedy show back in the 90's.

Apologies for delay in answering. Corrugated iron is Evergreen scribed styrene, 0.030" spacing. Shepparton (Victoria) is a regional centre based on fruit and dairy (irrigation etc), I doubt about gold in its history unless you think of the colour of peaches! This entry gives a bit of history and knowledge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepparton. Good to hear that Australian history 'got a guernsey' in British schools. I also I enjoyed "Rush", it coincided with our household getting colour TV.

Attached is an update photo of the building and it's module.