Tassie Tex

Yes, I agree with Edwardian on his buildings, he never followed the ready to plonk or built from a kit. I like many others on RM who followed his works took a lesson from this that it doesn't have to be perfect, to be perfect. Keep it simple was the way he built his railway's and it always paid off. He will be missed, but he will be remembered.

Best conversion I've seen, I might use yours as the prototype (if I may),as I have one sitting on my workbench. I even thought about the red buffer beams, although they look the part, but red was only used on self propelled motive power. Then again it may have been converted to use a pneumatic or a hydraulic gearbox as propulsion. Who knows? Still looks the bee's knees. TX

Morning Kevin. I, like all on this thread are also gob smacked by your layout. Pure art knitted with great photography and what you see in your minds eye shared with us. Accredit well due to you sir. Also your new avatar, it actually looks like you're looking at the photo's and or script from the top corner, overseeing it all as it were. Will continue to drawl, TX

zserfvbnjkio;.bvfre3wasdfghjmnbvghj,.​ ​That's what happens when grand daughter left alone, great to see the re-use of former layout buildings. ​Following with interest, Tx. ​

Morning all, night watchman here at 14:00 hours, my time. Great news about Matthew Jock, wishing him a quick recovery and the same to you as well, the pain time will pass sooner than you think. To all those suffering loss of loved ones believe me grieving is the best cure, a good shoulder to cry on is very beneficial. Lucky for me my prescription medications only ever cost me $6.00 AUD, 2.75 GBP through our pharmaceutical benefits scheme. Otherwise I would be up for hundreds each month. We also have a cap, once I reach $600 in the year my medications are free. (not bad for backward country) Don't worry about the vet fees for small animals, they cost no more than children, now horses are by no means the cheapest "pet" to take care of as some on here would know. $$$$$$$$very deep pockets. Agree with colonoscopies, have one every two years and hemoriod removal would have to be the closest thing to childbirth. Still haven't been feeling to flash with this flu, cough to hard and I pass out momentarily which is a little scary. Internet service is bl*#dy atrocious in this part of the world again that's a ripe old PITA. Enjoy your day and what ever makes you feel better take more of it. Until later, up ya kilt, Tex

Morning all from a all seasons day in Tasmania. Some very cheerful news from some about young ones with difficulties in life, it puts a smile on my face at the resilience of young ones who adapt to their disabilities without complaint or grievance. Makes some of us sound like whinging old men, we don't realise just how lucky our youth was at times. To all suffering illness let us never give up, there's still a lot work to do before the umpire blows the whistle and calls game over. Ohmisterporter, my doc has also taken me of "Seritide" and has replaced it with "Symbicort rapihaler". It's a lot stronger dosage and seems to last a little longer than Seritide. Two puffs morning and evening, I'm on a ventilator four to five times a day as well but have found that I don't need Asmol as often through the day. Ask your doc, it may not be recommended for asthma suffers? ("sometimes I think we are secretly being used as Guiney Pigs, ha ha" ) I've not posted the last couple of days as I like others have had sleepless nights and to be honest the energy's to do much at all. Just unable to shack this blasted flu. My internet service is also lagging again with the DNS server dropping in and out like a burlesque barmaids boobs. Love all the photos that have been posted, some very good photographers on RM. Pity we only have one model railway show a year on the Island and it was held a month earlier this year so I've missed it. The other problem been most of the clubs are two or more hours drive from me. Shall pop in again later for a catch up read, until then, up ya kilt, Tex.

Good morning all from the Isle of possibility's. Thankyou to all for your friendly, supportive click button replies, it really does brighten up your day especially if you don't get out much like myself. What made the start even brighter was reading Jocks post. Great to hear from you on ER as well Jock, again all the best for Matt, you and your family. To all those in recovery mode "no pain ,no gain, it only makes you stronger". Back on the subject "Dish Washers", I received an email this morning from SMEG offering me a free, "yes free" trial of one of their machines for a trail period of three months? "Who on ER'S works for SMEG?", or was it just pure coincidence? Also I hope to pick up where I left off on our railways, there's only the one left of my little series that is still left and quit interesting over on the west coast. A little more research required in the mean time before I post. Just a hint. Back later in the day, Tex.

Morning all from what was a purler of a day at the bottom of the world. Congrates to Andy on 10 years. Good to read Archie is on the mend. Dom I love your photography, very crisp clear piccie's. Dishwashers, never owned one never will, surprisingly a lot of towns are not connected to mains water. We have been on tank water (rain) for several years, I feel it is quicker buy hand and uses less of that precious water. In agreeance with all on news from Jock. Seen my favourite doctor yesterday, he advised me that my specialist said if I gave up smoking he would consider a full lung transplant. I told him they can save that for one who deserves them. There are more people who have never smoked that are more deserving. My daughter Kirsty unfortunately never received that chance with her asthma, they and others with lung disorders who have never smoked deserve it more I think. It would make me feel selfish to have one, then have some poor soul pass away because one was no longer available. Ave a good day and I'll try to catch up more in the morrow, up ya kilt Tex.

4.8 magnitude quake 180km east of main land Australia and 35km deep in the Southern Ocean, scientists say no threat!

Evening all from a cold very wet Tassie. Seems like there's rain across the board today, typical weather down here, we can have four seasons in one day a lot like Wales so I've been told. Congrates Richard on the news, yes, you know you're getting old when they start coming along. Welcome back Mal and G'day I'm Tex. Been keeping an eye out for news from Jock, Hope Matthews OP went without complications, as we all are of course. Busy day about the house, of to the doctors again tomorrow morning so I'll have an early night. So good evening and goodnight, Tex.

Was going to stay up for a little this evening, but my drugs have kicked in so I'm of to bed. Hope you all have a great day were ever you maybe on this small planet. Goodnight all, Tex.

May you have many more, a bit of both actually. Tex.

Morning one and all on this gorgeous sunny day in North Eastern Tasmania. IMO when your crook (unwell) on a sunny day and you look at the beautiful fields of life that surround you, the cattle, sheep, one horse and the trees in blossom with green pasture, it makes one feel much better and appreciate the gift of life. Thankyou to all on you comments about my illness, there is a little more to than just the ( man flu ). Four years ago I had a heart attack followed by a server case of shingles which affected the left side of my head and damaging many of the nerves to my face. My GP at the time had put me on various pain killers, some of which I still take to combat my head aches. We had to up the dose to give me some relief, as I wasn't coping with the pain. What happened next was in affect a drug overdose and had renal failure. I was admitted to hospital, they had to give me in the end two full blood transfusions which left me with no amune system. My emphysema has worsened and now even a common cold knocks me down on your knees. Your questions on flu and pneumonia, antiviral shots, yes in Australia any person over the age of 50 can have one shot free per year (if they wish to) from your GP. Persons with any lung, viral disorders or long term illnesses get a shot each year as part of their on going treatment. They can even jump the queue when they become ill to receive urgent treatment, this is so the hospital system is not over run by most types of influenza patients leaving hospital beds free ( "not to many of those I can tell ya") for the more serious. Thanks again to all for the topic, it is interesting how it varies from country to country. "Jock", I and IMO all of the RMwebbers would agree with iL Dottore on you grandsons diagnosis. We have some very talented medicos out there today and I'm sure he has one of them if not more to get him up and running. I mean look at us two, why are we still here, should've been dead years ago. Those magical hands of modern medicine. Jock from what I know of you it'll be in his blood to fight the fight and come out bright. My thoughts are with you and your family. "Happy Hippo", I was tempted to ask if anyone had or knew some one if they had a GWR auto coach they would like to sell, then thought this might not be the site for it, "say la ve". "Dom" smashing photos, I have brought a near new Pentax but I don't have the battery charger for it, "misplaced" so photos from this end from me will have to wait. Speaking of Jock, we have a Pomeranian x Chihuahua some thing called Jock. At our last residence we had a fenced yard with two gates, he would always manage to escape the compounds by either jumping over or digging under the fences. Wondering the streets. Here we have the typical post and wire rural fence that every modeller try's to replicate on his layout. This was going to a problem for us!. We had him on his restraint lead tied to his dog box and only released under strict supervision for exercise. A plan was drawn up for a dog escape proof yard. Two nights ago the children forgot to put him back at his box. When I awoke the following morning I seen his lead but no Jock?. I found him asleep at the back of his box, all safe and sound. He hasn't been tired up since through the day and he has not run off since? Here's the question? Has the challenge of escape been taken away, or is it that he now can see what's on the other side of the fence, his curiosity has been taken away and now content with what he see's? Any theories are welcome. Well I am feeling a bit brighter today, home alone as the boss has gone to Launceston (second only city! "big town" on the Island) and young ones at school. So must think about getting some dinner ready as I've not cooked for the last four evenings due to health. My thoughts to all unwell or other wise, hope it becomes brighter for you too. I'll sign off for now as its afternoon smoko time and have a read a little later this evening. Until then, up ya kilt, Tex.

Morning all, sorry for the absence once more have been hit by the man flu "oh no, not the man flu", yes and us men know how debilitating it is. My good GP has prescribed some powerful anti-biotic that I wish worked a little faster but guess now I'm whinging. Apart from sorting house out I have been busy with my youngest step daughter putting an electric fence around the property. She has had her own horse "Bella" for some time now but we have never had the acreage for her. So, several hundred dollars later she now has a horse in her own back yard with a grin from ear to ear. Then I get our car registration fees, more expense. On a good note of expenses I received my Airfix GWR auto coach in the mail this week, have been after one for some time now but they hard to find on flea bay here in Australia. Good to read those with illness recovering and other challenges in life coped with in the end. Will peruse through a little later tonight, until then enjoy your day. Tex.

Morning all, well evening here. Just a quick catch up read tonight, I hate moving house, we seem to have more of what we don't need, or use than I thought. Maybe its a smaller house!. Jock, I'm sure things will turn for the better for you and the family soon. Its one of Bondi Tram on slippery rails moment that turns calmness and order into havoc and mayhem. Never give up said the frog while strangling a stork by the throat. My thoughts to all, till the morrow good night. Up ya kilt, Tex.

Morning all from the dot under Australia that never appears on world maps? Thankyou all for the welcome back, if you never had internet restrictions I can not explain just how reliant we have become on this modern phenomena of the world wide web. It wasn't long ago I said "what do I need a mobile phone for!", "internet, I'd never use It!" I tell my teenage step children back in my day we never had it!, but we survived, you lot would die without ya phones and WiFi. It seems to me that the older we get the more we have to eat humble pie, at least with a new born in the house it taste's a little sweeter. Mrs T and I are still busy un packing, sorting, rearranging the new home so I've not much free time as yet to post much just yet. Oh that's another thing, with the house we now have that has three teenagers upset at the moment. No television reception as the aerial must be a souvenir from the Luftwaffe from the African campaign and is now kaput. More expense. Anyway good to be back and to be more involved in discussion soon. Up ya kilt till later, regards Tex. PS. I missed the ashes test! Who ended up winning?

Hey hey hey, good morning all where ever you maybe. Well its evening here 19:36pm as I start typing. Jock you must have read my mind or had a hunch not hearing from me. I have gone through some of the last pages and I see that I have missed some sad news with others ailments, illnesses etc. Since my last instalment a lot has happened here down under. Mrs T and I are know the proud grand parents of our first grand child Sharlette. Born 25 June on the same day I had a lung function test for my emphysema, Im down to 14% lung capacity. Yes I still have that filthy habit of the cigarettes, Dr says he won't give me oxygen tank until I give them up! We have also moved house since from the sea side back to the country and I love it, no neighbours lush green rolling pasture with cattle and sheep all surrounded by heavily wooded bush. Its an old timber clad farm house on five acres, no stairs to climb and on level ground, large combustion wood heater in the living area, huge country kitchen and a very large bathroom with real claw foot bath and twin shower cove. With my illness getting worse I just couldn't handle the stairs and the step sloping grounds of the house we were in. Finally I have that RAILWAY ROOM . 6m X 3.6m, don't think Im going to use it all but it would be nice. I managed to paint most of my code 100 track and purches timber for the base boards just before we decided to move. So, as you see I've been a busy budgie and look forward to chatting with you all again soon. Regard, up ya kilt Tex.

After he finished?

Its an unfortunate situation in many country's like here in Taz for example, that our local produce prices are driven up by supply and demand. Most of what is produced or grown here is targeted at the export market, so we have a top quality product that the average house holder is unable to afford. Sometimes we have no choice but to buy cheap imported product that's in reach of a tight budget. Then we are told we should buy locally produced products to increase the employment for our state and support local industry. We are a funny bunch here in Australia that many of our products on shop shelves carry an Australian made logo on it, this now gives us a choice compared to an import of the same product. Product weight and cost are then compared by the consumer, Aussie made now sells more than the imported because they (the manufacturers) have to be competitive. It works well even though at times the home grown my be a little more expensive. Tex.

Morning and "struth", miss a day here and there's a lot of catch up reading to be had. I had not rated them all as you would be going from one page to another seeing what post. Step daughter ' Cassie' and mum arrived back home late last evening, still not the best with test result's to be clarified by her local GP. The poor girl is only 22 and to be insulin dependant for any young person can be a drain on them, it is quite a scary thing when their sugar levels drop so quick. To all those with diabetes you have my sincere support. What plaques my mind is that I lost my natural daughter to asthma, she was 19, so it just goes to show you don't have to be old to have your life to be taken away. Looking on a brighter side with Jock back on the front line and Andrew C looking like you are about to redeem yourself with the job aspect of things. Sounds like some of you have a lot political promises coming your way with an election on the horizon also. All a waste of good money if you ask me, but I wish I was in the printing business for all their propaganda leaflets.$$$$$. Just a quick one today the Bellerive to Sorell Line. This line was very short lived on the eastern side of Hobart and the River Derwent. The line was open in 1892, closed in 1926. It was run by the Tasmanian Main Line Railways,(TMLR) later TGR but never connected to a main line, A BLT at both ends with only one stop midway at Cambridge. Bellerive was the starting point for the passenger and goods terminal for ferry traffic to and from Hobart across the River Derwent, Sorell being the terminus 14 miles (22.4 km) to the east. The line also comprised of a 165m sandstone tunnel and a 300m timber bridge across Barilla Bay at Shark point just north west of Sorell. Local produce grown in this area with vegetables, cereal, flour, sheep and cattle being sold at the once largest market in Tasmania. Most of the rolling stock was ex TMLR stock condemned by them for main line use, having a continuous chain brake with link and pin couplings. Some sections of the old rail bed are now roads, cycle, walkways with other parts now on private land, The Bellerive side of the tunnel is owned (halfway) by the University of Tasmania,(UTAS) the Sorell half is in private hands. The bridge has long gone with abutments at the western shore of Barilla Bay and the256m stone cause way at Shark point remain. Closed due to upkeep and lack of patronage for the line after 34 years service. Loco's used were a Dubbs & Co 4-4-2T 1892-1898 and a CC class Beyer Peacock 1898- 1926. Well have a great day, will catch up later this evening. Time for piccie's cheers, Tex. map Original site of Bellerive Station and goods yard. The green shed was the carriage shed and the pier was longer. Walking trails Bellerive end of tunnel, owned by UTAS. The Sorell end, on private land. Inside. (This was guided tour Cutting to bridge. This gate is at Cambridge, its the original station gate, the house in the back ground was the station but its been heavily modified. Halfway mark. Site showing approximation of timber bridge, Bellerive side. Cause way Shark Point, Sorell side. Sorell carriage shed, now owned by the council. Street sign for Dubbs & Co, the building in the back ground is the old railway station , now private residence. Re-positioned starting signal, I think they put around the wrong way? as its at the departure, train starting end of the station. Dubbs & Co 4-4-2T, sorry about the size, at Bellerive. CC class 2-6-0 Types of coach and wagons used. Photos courtesy of Frank Stamford Photography. Bellerive Cricket Ground, home of Tasmanian cricket.

All most midnight here so I'll see if I can get some sleep, night all. Tex.

The banking on the viaduct, like a motorcyclist leaning into the curve.

The one I purchased years ago now, the grate was cast and made in England, very simular to the one you have and with the tile surrounds made about the same period. The mantle piece was made here in Tasmania, I was living in South Australia then. The hearth was the front step of the old church of England in my home town, that was a solid slab of slate, 5'x2'x3.5". Good thing I had a concrete floor to support it all and yes, we did use it, lovely. Tex.

Top photo Dom, interesting that camber on the viaduct, often missed overlooked in our modelling world.

If you ever would like to see a top DVD, its The Castle by Road Show Entertainment. Its about a guy who does not wish to sell his home, (acquired acquisition of his castle, his home) to an airport development corporation, along with his neighbour's its taken to the High Court of Australia. Its Australian made, hilariously funny and he doesn't mind living next to an International Airport. Its based on a true story. Thankyou gentlemen for your support, fingers crossed all will turn out OK. Tex. You must laugh tho at those who buy a house near one and then complain about the noise.