tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85210672284455337372024-03-13T22:45:13.435+11:00Armchair Modeller Down UnderThinking about model railways and model railway layoutsBrad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-57604824711729738342023-11-13T11:05:00.000+11:002023-11-13T11:05:00.245+11:00An inspirational weekend<p>It has been a while since my last post which heralded quite a dramatic event for me. Initially, I was on sick leave but then decided to take my long service leave. Part of the reason for that was trying to make sense of everything that had happened since it was such a huge shock and the mental impact was greater than I expected. All good now. </p><p>Anyway, the last few months has allowed me to do some travel here in Australia, mainly to Sydney, Melbourne, and one trip to North Queensland. I also managed a short trip to Wellington, New Zealand.<br /></p><p>I was in North Queensland late October and it was sugar cane harvesting time. I didn't have too much spare time looking for cane trains but there were plenty of full cane wagons ready for collection and transport to the local mills. I was really impressed with the extent of the cane railway system.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzjVauTPXZsN_AfHgm_5DQNSBB-PF9GRgbyxaeiQUB7Jl-27UmBaezy7ZBtRAfPlr3lFdCAppIf_q8SMl17VtNgwYwi_1Kw3hupK8tHqxYdipLZ1f5kjpIFfAlQHuETEYnH0Gq-CxGuPJ18yIYqWu12hr9y3ls7PirJdLUD_5pg0m-W1i3pxqi0AfyDW8/s4000/Cane%20railway%20wagons_171023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzjVauTPXZsN_AfHgm_5DQNSBB-PF9GRgbyxaeiQUB7Jl-27UmBaezy7ZBtRAfPlr3lFdCAppIf_q8SMl17VtNgwYwi_1Kw3hupK8tHqxYdipLZ1f5kjpIFfAlQHuETEYnH0Gq-CxGuPJ18yIYqWu12hr9y3ls7PirJdLUD_5pg0m-W1i3pxqi0AfyDW8/s320/Cane%20railway%20wagons_171023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I also visited the model railway exhibitions in Adelaide in June and Melbourne in August. Unfortunately, no reports were forthcoming as blogging wasn't high on my agenda.</p><p>I thought it was about time to get back into the blog, especially after two inspirational events over the most recent weekend. On Saturday I operated on a large NSW-themed layout and then on the Sunday I attended ScaleACT 2023.</p><p>The first experience was my first operating session on SJ's Kangaroo Valley Railway in its new home just outside of Canberra. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TC5yJPhuqufqRjIaSlAcmBEJhRmK7ymwTSINUFAGCRXGDi67C0AHJ_K4zpdRxfCGANO3J3_n1tDh3puW7adk3O6U1m9fbS_W485SoBH86EQYUEUhSYSVGSavn1aHqggHV2rTJMg3AvlmNrM0skgE75GdLgiwVx15b_D91EvkrnbU_Ia1uvlWLygRA1Gl/s4000/KVR_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TC5yJPhuqufqRjIaSlAcmBEJhRmK7ymwTSINUFAGCRXGDi67C0AHJ_K4zpdRxfCGANO3J3_n1tDh3puW7adk3O6U1m9fbS_W485SoBH86EQYUEUhSYSVGSavn1aHqggHV2rTJMg3AvlmNrM0skgE75GdLgiwVx15b_D91EvkrnbU_Ia1uvlWLygRA1Gl/s320/KVR_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p>We didn't run a timetabled session like they usually do but rather did a sequential set of train movements using a simple instructional card system. This enabled new people like myself to get a feel for the layout and where everything was located. I ran the suburban electric services for my first couple of train movements (see photo below) before moving onto other passenger train operations.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF1KOS4QkHHWRgFIZkaGa6NzTzeR2A5O7wd6PsGw4nnyz3S-vkyvJ_tYK_BrzsxVRJ-409GancPPw7C5WdOjeXaJ04oX5PuCyK9KOIYvgsihYk0oNF4bNpQyDRdTVQzPpyqu1dDpHp_RexOlQQiKApHBFFy4Xabt8aMsBMhPFgWRQW6F6z1ozqI7jZpWE/s4000/KVR_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF1KOS4QkHHWRgFIZkaGa6NzTzeR2A5O7wd6PsGw4nnyz3S-vkyvJ_tYK_BrzsxVRJ-409GancPPw7C5WdOjeXaJ04oX5PuCyK9KOIYvgsihYk0oNF4bNpQyDRdTVQzPpyqu1dDpHp_RexOlQQiKApHBFFy4Xabt8aMsBMhPFgWRQW6F6z1ozqI7jZpWE/s320/KVR_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>It was a very interesting session and the nine operators on the day all had a great time. Many thanks SJ.</p><p>On Sunday I went to the annual ScaleACT plastic kit show from the <a href="https://www.actsms.asn.au/home" target="_blank">ACT Scale Model Society</a>. This year it was held in a new venue - Thoroughbred Park in Canberra. This is a great venue for this type of show. There were over 700 entrants into the model judging display which I understand was the largest number ever for ScaleACT. Check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuZaHjQlDcg" target="_blank">this video summary</a> of the models on display. </p><p>In addition, ScaleACT did some live streaming via Facebook for the first time. I went to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rV8X8cxXkE" target="_blank">the Clayton Ockerby session</a> which was very informative. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@workbenchhobbies4316" target="_blank">Clayton has his own Youtube channel</a> which is worth checking out. I find military modellers offer some interesting model painting techniques that we can apply to the model railway hobby.<br /></p><p>There were several traders selling model kits, tools, paints, and accessories. Burfitt Tools and Kerroby were there, as well as SMS paints (all familiar to the model railway scene). There was also a second hand stall which was very popular. </p><p>I spent more time than I expected talking with different people (had a good chat with Clayton later in the day - top bloke!) which I guess is similar to my experience at model train exhibitions!</p><p>Anyway, there was one model on display (a helicopter lettered for the Ukraine airforce) that I really loved. The two photos below show you what I mean.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_jznhxaH-OZxcTNDwZcAF37yDTbqtqgPvVLBGBcKLHSXqVt7fPcCPeWRDL1p04H-61KFdD62ZBfQe89tieacGfp_5syRMEAafDVb97-Fcpctj6bGVWyr4tEzzkgRTJJakqANv4fSXV0qVr25cL-TH-SFdHZmlJ0hETfSU2HaNvNNGkOkEYaSk8141eWg/s4000/ScaleACT_1923_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_jznhxaH-OZxcTNDwZcAF37yDTbqtqgPvVLBGBcKLHSXqVt7fPcCPeWRDL1p04H-61KFdD62ZBfQe89tieacGfp_5syRMEAafDVb97-Fcpctj6bGVWyr4tEzzkgRTJJakqANv4fSXV0qVr25cL-TH-SFdHZmlJ0hETfSU2HaNvNNGkOkEYaSk8141eWg/s320/ScaleACT_1923_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdjihFmTwf2bNDDEOsdOkm7FOQ125NfdCfyBH6QSxgDkOGr6aMotMusiUkDdol6qLha6p4pM1YMaeCkuiRxAm2exRi3QbbrrKVVrxIbpZfAISAFRbFRI6ImTzZif5c-X7OsQz2QYUO3KoRZg67DJvD70_bCrzX9rmQ-5SoHZkYl3nlqbC9t4bibBi_-80/s4000/ScaleACT_1923_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdjihFmTwf2bNDDEOsdOkm7FOQ125NfdCfyBH6QSxgDkOGr6aMotMusiUkDdol6qLha6p4pM1YMaeCkuiRxAm2exRi3QbbrrKVVrxIbpZfAISAFRbFRI6ImTzZif5c-X7OsQz2QYUO3KoRZg67DJvD70_bCrzX9rmQ-5SoHZkYl3nlqbC9t4bibBi_-80/s320/ScaleACT_1923_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>So, the weekend was very inspirational and I hope this energises me into getting back into my layout and moving the layout forward.<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-75417744618646327052023-02-27T17:55:00.003+11:002023-02-27T21:49:45.493+11:00My early 2023 update and unforseen twist<p>It has been quite a while since my last blog post for varying reasons. The good was a trip overseas last September-October which ended with a visit to the <a href="https://www.keymodelworld.com/article/great-electric-train-show-layout-line-2022" target="_blank">Great Electric Train Show</a> in Milton Keynes on 9th October 2022. I had planned on publishing some photos with a couple of blog posts after that but family and work commitments got in the way. And then it seemed the timing had passed.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzbE5EyB_Xxe5VJrWn2Yezg-8QwcvZXVhhrQpC6BK_qiPJmwg4N2O8LHTl3rbGv5SesUjnihM-DIxOioWDaWQjrcYpI9__ZGhL1lZFXMFI2AsEp49tR95TTvLO1_HADtgfeN3cnXu1WFN4L0vm_5NPtlfOlUtk815fXTfBt3TcgCBmcijVl7BDe5HVA/s500/Tony%20Wright%20book.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="380" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzbE5EyB_Xxe5VJrWn2Yezg-8QwcvZXVhhrQpC6BK_qiPJmwg4N2O8LHTl3rbGv5SesUjnihM-DIxOioWDaWQjrcYpI9__ZGhL1lZFXMFI2AsEp49tR95TTvLO1_HADtgfeN3cnXu1WFN4L0vm_5NPtlfOlUtk815fXTfBt3TcgCBmcijVl7BDe5HVA/s320/Tony%20Wright%20book.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I also had a wonderful visit to the home of legendary British modeller and author, Tony Wright. I must say this was a real highlight seeing "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2ilfHYqKZQ" target="_blank">Little Bytham</a>" in person. Tony was a most accommodating host and he and his wife made me feel most welcome. I also bought <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Modelling-East-Coast-British-Railways/dp/178500316X" target="_blank">Tony's book</a> about the building of this exceptional layout which is both informative and captivating. Again, I was slow to get the photos from my phone to the computer, albeit it takes me several goes to get the actual transfer to work! </p><p></p><p></p><p>I had lots of plans and intentions for 2023, starting with some long service leave in March and possibly additional leave mid-year. I am still working on my US layout and had plans to accelerate things in 2023. There are several upcoming model railway exhibitions I was planning on attending: <a href="https://www.nsrma.com.au/" target="_blank">Forestville</a> (4-5 March), <a href="https://cmrci.info/expo/" target="_blank">Canberra</a> (26-27 March), <a href="https://www.trainandhobbyshow.com.au/main/" target="_blank">Sandown</a> (11-13 March), and the <a href="https://www.austnarrowgaugeconvention.com/" target="_blank">Australian Narrow Gauge Convention</a> over the Easter weekend in April, and the <a href="https://www.eppingmodelrailway.org.au/exhibition/" target="_blank">Epping Club's exhibition</a> at Rosehill (6-7 May). And then there was possible travel in the second half of the year. However, these plans are in disarray for the moment.<br /></p><p>Alas, I ended up with a heart attack. Fortunately, the attack itself wasn't too bad but the discovery of blocked arteries was a real shock. I spent all last week in hospital and had my first two stents put in last Friday. Got a couple more to go in the coming weeks. At age 61 who never smoked, was never overweight, and had a reasonably healthy diet (but not enough exercise), I have been rocked to my core.</p><p>Amazingly, I am back home but instructed not to do <u>anything</u> (well, I can type a bit as long as I can keep my concentration) for at least two weeks and then to take further direction from my cardiologist. The next couple of stents can't go in for a few weeks apparantly. Funnily enough, you'd think that having permission to do nothing would be a good thing, but it's not: just leads to more thinking and worrying!<br /></p><p>I am lucky to have an engrossing hobby and friends in model railways that will help move my mind into more positive thoughts and activities. Thanks to LF, DL, DM, JP, and a couple of other people who helped ease my mind over the past week. Thanks also to MD who shared his story with me, and my local NMRA club members.<br /></p><p>I hope to get to the Canberra Exhibition but this will depend on the date for the next "procedure". And I'd like to think, at the very least, I'll be all set to go to the Epping Club's exhibition in May.</p><p>My 2023 is now a lot different to what I was looking forward to at the start of the year. But at least I am able to pen this blog post and hope to pen a whole lot more (plus modelling) throughout 2023.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-55911045254810224572022-08-30T20:52:00.002+10:002022-08-31T19:59:37.623+10:00Caulfield Model Railway Exhibition 2022<p>I have a belated report on the AMRA Caulfield Model Railway Exhibition from the weekend of 20-21 August. It was so good to be back after all the Covid-19 cancellations of the two previous years. The layouts on show had something to offer everyone, so let's get started with the layouts that caught my eye over the two days of the event. Click on the photos to expand.<br /></p><p><i>Maryborough</i> (HO scale) was clearly the standout Australian prototype layout. I've seen the layout before but it is truly a masterpiece. The station building, as you can see, is an amazing structure. The layout was constructed by the members of AMRA (Victoria Branch) to represent the station and surrounds from the post WWII era until 1962. The layout featured a wide range of locomotives and rolling stock over the weekend and no matter what was running, I enjoyed every minute of this layout.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyABqBf5liI9PFUvHHfnziQfwkN1nKZ7e_Zt83UgthwcU7t458S8yW4B129sLo-MSIpmB74Me0rQ9fOCTaxkQat98q9Xi6C-QdAYzICGeXQdGuRDzHLjS-GP_2N3-3ByXIvgX0NZUz9hU_apWLBo7_QPJ_W9CPjp3a_qQgl6_Tf9s1BCzb8wkOYoj7tw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Maryborough_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyABqBf5liI9PFUvHHfnziQfwkN1nKZ7e_Zt83UgthwcU7t458S8yW4B129sLo-MSIpmB74Me0rQ9fOCTaxkQat98q9Xi6C-QdAYzICGeXQdGuRDzHLjS-GP_2N3-3ByXIvgX0NZUz9hU_apWLBo7_QPJ_W9CPjp3a_qQgl6_Tf9s1BCzb8wkOYoj7tw/s320/Caulfield_2022_Maryborough_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMx_TLD_3xXPcoCcWDgdXe3vZuLHeIyHY44mS-E8MoJCO7iz3i-tVDTJrF95dJmLxCQQgQWCJF88kPbtqJszlB9nqLeQkuCBjpDYOEvAxfI7egxudYXibW7gvyJebbxY3seTz2CztOkcOxokh9EXX4xdS_IH4Yb-Ej4NKwFp5JNpsLxhYaBiWx4MlNw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Maryborough_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMx_TLD_3xXPcoCcWDgdXe3vZuLHeIyHY44mS-E8MoJCO7iz3i-tVDTJrF95dJmLxCQQgQWCJF88kPbtqJszlB9nqLeQkuCBjpDYOEvAxfI7egxudYXibW7gvyJebbxY3seTz2CztOkcOxokh9EXX4xdS_IH4Yb-Ej4NKwFp5JNpsLxhYaBiWx4MlNw/s320/Caulfield_2022_Maryborough_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJmqt1eu0hpm31RdTZT7VRtJw3gZxX_T64GSYaDQOQ0z0_5hcoQ6k-MCdXQbZIwP11CXRAqWZLsIFFksBtJkYFGcitBbZxtpFjpfZjnr2R42wY4ZCtZuYyq3nIRDFEIVEWdvM7flKRqVRVCE3wpX-8RPVZocX0cjmnIb83Mx3EUbI02_oxrswlzU1GA/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Maryborough_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJmqt1eu0hpm31RdTZT7VRtJw3gZxX_T64GSYaDQOQ0z0_5hcoQ6k-MCdXQbZIwP11CXRAqWZLsIFFksBtJkYFGcitBbZxtpFjpfZjnr2R42wY4ZCtZuYyq3nIRDFEIVEWdvM7flKRqVRVCE3wpX-8RPVZocX0cjmnIb83Mx3EUbI02_oxrswlzU1GA/s320/Caulfield_2022_Maryborough_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Another Australian layout from AMRA (Victoria Branch) was the HO scale <i>Murri</i> layout. Murri is a generic southeastern Australian prototype layout with trains running from the early 20th century to moden day. The station area is a busy scene with plenty of through running, passenger trains, and yard workings.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6gq_TzgQK1Qbcvff6MYQyCZAf2xM0S09jd0lVbrp1C14RjpK806T9n9o0BxzgtdOYezjNjmR6xhwUZGW6F2jz2maV1swAarFgDdd0tb8csvXQUIF5vGvAVTm66x4snc37RCX6xIx1leBc2d_wlSox2j4lZEYKQYZ_NcQFX7Y2IAzuUZnI_H_mOyTsw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Murri_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6gq_TzgQK1Qbcvff6MYQyCZAf2xM0S09jd0lVbrp1C14RjpK806T9n9o0BxzgtdOYezjNjmR6xhwUZGW6F2jz2maV1swAarFgDdd0tb8csvXQUIF5vGvAVTm66x4snc37RCX6xIx1leBc2d_wlSox2j4lZEYKQYZ_NcQFX7Y2IAzuUZnI_H_mOyTsw/s320/Caulfield_2022_Murri_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i>Borderline</i> (HO scale) was an HO scale generic Australian layout based on a fictional location on the border of Victoria and South Australia. As such, you can see plenty of interstate action on this layout.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-64_aXnBVApoSPdTrlbaLv4zyAnUCXBQts1Qh6fZTF4nK1PeMZHsetkWgwMUHg3y8a_0mxxOKVMHkumyGU5M7VabKeXftsu-fsjAJQQOhmYtz9htF3BbMSx9JwYpXpI09rpubDeQPI-nkUO14XZVW6MsubtqDtgmx5s1HJjutCei_e1Wcj3-rUSMVw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Borderline_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-64_aXnBVApoSPdTrlbaLv4zyAnUCXBQts1Qh6fZTF4nK1PeMZHsetkWgwMUHg3y8a_0mxxOKVMHkumyGU5M7VabKeXftsu-fsjAJQQOhmYtz9htF3BbMSx9JwYpXpI09rpubDeQPI-nkUO14XZVW6MsubtqDtgmx5s1HJjutCei_e1Wcj3-rUSMVw/s320/Caulfield_2022_Borderline_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i>The Peterborough Line</i> (HO scale) has two signature scenes: the Light River Bridge (at Hamley Bridge) and Gumbowie. Both of these iconic scenes are no longer around on the prototype but it is good to see them represented in model form with this layout.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsOlzUC8d8E6UkA-xKYnwHZw-T49ddTT-ekc3-oJLKCriJxO7S4YROdqRe9z0X2K292fhbjV6E33Ofot_40hdtl_cugxNOwt2Y10f_YsDnpGFIBSL3xaL0MOF7xr9Fbf8QvNbfm897varQRiBfN7fjqEskR88dJb6nZvzC9XEH0LkKYfl_PLbOwEphw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Peterborough_Line_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsOlzUC8d8E6UkA-xKYnwHZw-T49ddTT-ekc3-oJLKCriJxO7S4YROdqRe9z0X2K292fhbjV6E33Ofot_40hdtl_cugxNOwt2Y10f_YsDnpGFIBSL3xaL0MOF7xr9Fbf8QvNbfm897varQRiBfN7fjqEskR88dJb6nZvzC9XEH0LkKYfl_PLbOwEphw/s320/Caulfield_2022_Peterborough_Line_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i>Tallarook</i> (HO scale) was another great Australian prototype layout, based on the Victorian main northeast line. Tallarook is the junction of the Mansfield and Alexandra branch lines. The layout featured some superb scenery (especially the trees) as well as a good variety of trains.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2ySYkR8SXsjaOH5coeI_6DiEbfl0VAayvdi6aecSdIkJzJcd-fUl1aPWlNxs8-oOVnqrfc-bCBLif_j_V3o62Uuyl_5jhdjLHTBnXieVhbVA3aqgOgfGvF7d-NLokY_qUv3Bzh09qW0p6UvkgI3HtLrlp7cH6qdP3djwOKom3lVhPcbip3PGvgrtuQ/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Tallarook_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2ySYkR8SXsjaOH5coeI_6DiEbfl0VAayvdi6aecSdIkJzJcd-fUl1aPWlNxs8-oOVnqrfc-bCBLif_j_V3o62Uuyl_5jhdjLHTBnXieVhbVA3aqgOgfGvF7d-NLokY_qUv3Bzh09qW0p6UvkgI3HtLrlp7cH6qdP3djwOKom3lVhPcbip3PGvgrtuQ/s320/Caulfield_2022_Tallarook_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27RwxTDk1GH4auI-Ju4lLnOv4tQ-MWNpxadHpxsUMoBI6OKIpTj6KcTUcIPkr6kB2pN2WZvIn2gh2KyQNEL2FcDsL9PhftTBbZUv1x5JJIKpsPK0_n6wmRPDk7Cb1Y_z3pC5xeWkINqE3nON8U2sJ2ZYzhpmDd30i7VYfIJn-_OuDMIk7-O_jbEDm9g/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Tallarook_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27RwxTDk1GH4auI-Ju4lLnOv4tQ-MWNpxadHpxsUMoBI6OKIpTj6KcTUcIPkr6kB2pN2WZvIn2gh2KyQNEL2FcDsL9PhftTBbZUv1x5JJIKpsPK0_n6wmRPDk7Cb1Y_z3pC5xeWkINqE3nON8U2sJ2ZYzhpmDd30i7VYfIJn-_OuDMIk7-O_jbEDm9g/s320/Caulfield_2022_Tallarook_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfj4fx-POv_aPELo-zqAKqglidUJBiSk-qS5jGJ7m4E_z06XX3tfzKmVSKrNPb5-2u6x0AiHEGNKXVZJi0Ra91rLpE3u_1GmqCKBlRNaw2P8qwTT8HN1laxRHeFlkJuodjq2L-aOjCF0nBsJfMLV_w91BHIgw1wl8cvPZdOKELFIY_NSut-sY_Rbptw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Tallarook_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfj4fx-POv_aPELo-zqAKqglidUJBiSk-qS5jGJ7m4E_z06XX3tfzKmVSKrNPb5-2u6x0AiHEGNKXVZJi0Ra91rLpE3u_1GmqCKBlRNaw2P8qwTT8HN1laxRHeFlkJuodjq2L-aOjCF0nBsJfMLV_w91BHIgw1wl8cvPZdOKELFIY_NSut-sY_Rbptw/s320/Caulfield_2022_Tallarook_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ_yjkU718g5SnbWXSO4-TcG5eA0Tf4MiuTP_XIK_bSvS5azgxJkxQ0pfAzgsi37GcShV7uY4-fB4HGthlgxNf88uEZxbSHc2eolmQ1flLpfn9j8iPxURlGQv3gZD9YlNVWdhLI_Y5lp5XhXRjBsNf7QGgB2xHrqUDj9PAUpBo9sJaz8bM4sZfiitQQ/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Tallarook_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ_yjkU718g5SnbWXSO4-TcG5eA0Tf4MiuTP_XIK_bSvS5azgxJkxQ0pfAzgsi37GcShV7uY4-fB4HGthlgxNf88uEZxbSHc2eolmQ1flLpfn9j8iPxURlGQv3gZD9YlNVWdhLI_Y5lp5XhXRjBsNf7QGgB2xHrqUDj9PAUpBo9sJaz8bM4sZfiitQQ/s320/Caulfield_2022_Tallarook_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEVU1l9kyGZOhmpxwOe_6xTLce8ydjiI3Nzycfa-eEm6_o1rmjuXV4ky9xZhCRMCApCYSyiThKiG92BP_2ypqBmWJ39K2EYBRpdrj404Qq-PtoION1Q7kiekiQp_woiwb4-tvLey5SjiAnZoblNcyKTIQCnC5UjTz4s2mzy8G0abGkqxm3FoR0DJRoQ/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Tallarook_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEVU1l9kyGZOhmpxwOe_6xTLce8ydjiI3Nzycfa-eEm6_o1rmjuXV4ky9xZhCRMCApCYSyiThKiG92BP_2ypqBmWJ39K2EYBRpdrj404Qq-PtoION1Q7kiekiQp_woiwb4-tvLey5SjiAnZoblNcyKTIQCnC5UjTz4s2mzy8G0abGkqxm3FoR0DJRoQ/s320/Caulfield_2022_Tallarook_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Epping Model Railway Club made the journey south to Melbourne with their exhibition layout, <i>Binalong</i> (HO scale). Binalong is in New South Wales on the Main South between Sydney and Melbourne. As such, it sees plenty of train action.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuH1W68XesH1-DyjwOWRPqQSix5WfbLAK9FkDX_CJ7vGLmEKhFYnkLfkOHXamwFOCg6pzGvmEaYi4qsZmERe3-lE6Z-QJneYnbJqOGL7aWc5vsJPI6ttPZ9qyoMFlXSdoB3tJiVTjhZYsY0N-JHGLTwqrWd5O3xgdSetPmWhlWQdzSh_ndCwe55vpWg/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Binalong_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuH1W68XesH1-DyjwOWRPqQSix5WfbLAK9FkDX_CJ7vGLmEKhFYnkLfkOHXamwFOCg6pzGvmEaYi4qsZmERe3-lE6Z-QJneYnbJqOGL7aWc5vsJPI6ttPZ9qyoMFlXSdoB3tJiVTjhZYsY0N-JHGLTwqrWd5O3xgdSetPmWhlWQdzSh_ndCwe55vpWg/s320/Caulfield_2022_Binalong_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Turning to a Victorian-themed N scale layout, Billabong Flat was a lovely little layout featuring a rural terminus staion and reail yard. The compact size of the layout (1.6m x 0.6m) demonstrated how much fun you can have with N scale in such a small amount of space. I had a good chat with the layout owner who impressed upon me how far Australian N scale modelling had come over the years. Might be a good reason to attend the <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/n-scale-conventions-australia/conventions/2022-nsw" target="_blank">Australian N Scale Convention in Goulburn</a> in October!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU6bYK7ifJr8DXOse5YlWZ2XRCjdLDsKagjyjA6JruXC3QPsCTZACMgZcGZIROh7SCY2xL-ZaPgRtazJZMfK_vl-cR86UohlCw4AnGBUBeDcHi2xSl2nINFBTqPSMBIqlBBIgefcPnMAYfqQAK5f4X9k0iSiNEUQkVVOi2qLjV2NBofoUTYdokh4AJw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Billabong%20Flat_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU6bYK7ifJr8DXOse5YlWZ2XRCjdLDsKagjyjA6JruXC3QPsCTZACMgZcGZIROh7SCY2xL-ZaPgRtazJZMfK_vl-cR86UohlCw4AnGBUBeDcHi2xSl2nINFBTqPSMBIqlBBIgefcPnMAYfqQAK5f4X9k0iSiNEUQkVVOi2qLjV2NBofoUTYdokh4AJw/s320/Caulfield_2022_Billabong%20Flat_1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CGGu3uNGZdrBw1CsDY8_PRbhj6FRBjggqAhObWGo-RKtHY7Ax41ifO5AU97MZxBiY9WXkmSOhyzuKmuIAdBEm29ofGsjqMZ2pEc2YnlsOtOzl3QfoNpb2wT5_mL--ssweCq2Q0IFtNzoDJE9pzihgFCqT_2R37TH0jdyVaQ9tQEl4Zl4HDBZjqoEPQ/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Billabong%20Flat_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CGGu3uNGZdrBw1CsDY8_PRbhj6FRBjggqAhObWGo-RKtHY7Ax41ifO5AU97MZxBiY9WXkmSOhyzuKmuIAdBEm29ofGsjqMZ2pEc2YnlsOtOzl3QfoNpb2wT5_mL--ssweCq2Q0IFtNzoDJE9pzihgFCqT_2R37TH0jdyVaQ9tQEl4Zl4HDBZjqoEPQ/s320/Caulfield_2022_Billabong%20Flat_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ7_N8jJRmy3tEgFVlV3zca-p7U4rtmHtraIcAKSDuvoYcyCWephWU6YbHaR0YoO35rJOm_9x3GWNiEhDMMiaNjz87CFLfCyR1BENrQHLPuz_miTnTemY9ZmFit-nEZYOH6VtKWte_TAK5ELLtMWtyKS-pXiVaEZ-pjREwCs9AOiXlp5Ev-SeqIEIvw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Billabong%20Flat_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ7_N8jJRmy3tEgFVlV3zca-p7U4rtmHtraIcAKSDuvoYcyCWephWU6YbHaR0YoO35rJOm_9x3GWNiEhDMMiaNjz87CFLfCyR1BENrQHLPuz_miTnTemY9ZmFit-nEZYOH6VtKWte_TAK5ELLtMWtyKS-pXiVaEZ-pjREwCs9AOiXlp5Ev-SeqIEIvw/s320/Caulfield_2022_Billabong%20Flat_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>A layout showing good potential was <i>Skipton</i> (Victorian, HO scale). The layout was originally built in 2017 by a group of high school students and is based on the prototype station of the same name. It is a terminus station with turntable and a run-around siding. Actually, if I was to model a Victorian place myself, Skipton would be high on my list.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotBMogBwz-RSB4VVCCpLX59GD8wZ-v0gd4xRuxHPL-RI_D00wyTlh9LZxCYdpjDfsMhTH0G66UsbsT-DwXQMpvpS9iYgIDDOtH8-tW4ljfIU5Few45awgkfZaulZ7Hx3i19X4YGKsKfx9V4KNsYCDt_wYS1LgPNFt0jEtM7OENfK_JyFnblpajIWWAg/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Skipton_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotBMogBwz-RSB4VVCCpLX59GD8wZ-v0gd4xRuxHPL-RI_D00wyTlh9LZxCYdpjDfsMhTH0G66UsbsT-DwXQMpvpS9iYgIDDOtH8-tW4ljfIU5Few45awgkfZaulZ7Hx3i19X4YGKsKfx9V4KNsYCDt_wYS1LgPNFt0jEtM7OENfK_JyFnblpajIWWAg/s320/Caulfield_2022_Skipton_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Electric Car Sheds</i> (NSW, HO scale) showcases electric rail transport and suburban coaching stock based on a typical Sydney electric train maintenance depot. You can see a wonderful variety of electric traction on show with this layout.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij62YDWbZhZm_ye9Iquyf1PQdRC74o_YNvvT6hgMqyqFJWVPxF2ns0jNEQ9xXmW98eN7_f50OusdikJD2pAD0tTnNPG-vqMuJ4uq_3ZPMInebIRF8FMFVHJIg42oEwocx5sLUtI6TfEXrAyp0WFGK59o4IBkqqtRw2p8Pls9r7FwdFYsZkDM2L2T79iA/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Electric%20car%20sheds_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij62YDWbZhZm_ye9Iquyf1PQdRC74o_YNvvT6hgMqyqFJWVPxF2ns0jNEQ9xXmW98eN7_f50OusdikJD2pAD0tTnNPG-vqMuJ4uq_3ZPMInebIRF8FMFVHJIg42oEwocx5sLUtI6TfEXrAyp0WFGK59o4IBkqqtRw2p8Pls9r7FwdFYsZkDM2L2T79iA/s320/Caulfield_2022_Electric%20car%20sheds_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLoRvgd8Ot54l2pP8l5CCB2y_lnmueC3aJ7SLk5byDFdRpfSvTR9uTHZzRZMSjxjeCggbUQBwLgUsonpuWtEm_YpOXrxYlFUshEphY9RAEB7YzkhCJocqYwqDqXYZ92oByA1fh0wV7o6T5b3cetMyhGJ8v_JGDGyIW3FVSF7fJbhsT-8MLb85T103lg/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Electric%20car%20sheds_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLoRvgd8Ot54l2pP8l5CCB2y_lnmueC3aJ7SLk5byDFdRpfSvTR9uTHZzRZMSjxjeCggbUQBwLgUsonpuWtEm_YpOXrxYlFUshEphY9RAEB7YzkhCJocqYwqDqXYZ92oByA1fh0wV7o6T5b3cetMyhGJ8v_JGDGyIW3FVSF7fJbhsT-8MLb85T103lg/s320/Caulfield_2022_Electric%20car%20sheds_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Cheakamus Canyon</i> (HO scale) is based on the prototype in British Columbia, Canada. The layout is a scenic extravaganza and features four marvellous bridge scenes replicating actual locations on the railroad. The vertical scenery in particular is a real standout for this layout.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkz-RRBP3RN-rpTS4KfqB1MSpdJRQQG0jiGIwm-N4cRPn6MPibwr3rjQ2B1PyHz8K8QUgKD992JZ4u7K4c7raztDw1yMqgd82ucp4VmM-DzZJkiUKTEDTkQvAqWM5Vjqoyh5t69o8V7_wHvlDuU_WvLip5elF4ld1fWNMjD_C_NsOqwP-HO9XzVCVYw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Cheakamus%20Canyon_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkz-RRBP3RN-rpTS4KfqB1MSpdJRQQG0jiGIwm-N4cRPn6MPibwr3rjQ2B1PyHz8K8QUgKD992JZ4u7K4c7raztDw1yMqgd82ucp4VmM-DzZJkiUKTEDTkQvAqWM5Vjqoyh5t69o8V7_wHvlDuU_WvLip5elF4ld1fWNMjD_C_NsOqwP-HO9XzVCVYw/s320/Caulfield_2022_Cheakamus%20Canyon_1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNF0FnEaGWDierCi9SxM6GzE4TQLi8R5Oh1lzC5NR56smElR9mnBACC02xqjmG2GuCGF5_B4YO-5Amm8vFUidXqZJDY7aaFcXC_5KbBd-WXINFEJ_EkLExzrN1QO8II-gjrPR9ueAkaZWVb0nTc_x7GZsPSWOffwNIjLsiWRArwDh1TpTsKrYR8rb2Yg/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Cheakamus%20Canyon_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNF0FnEaGWDierCi9SxM6GzE4TQLi8R5Oh1lzC5NR56smElR9mnBACC02xqjmG2GuCGF5_B4YO-5Amm8vFUidXqZJDY7aaFcXC_5KbBd-WXINFEJ_EkLExzrN1QO8II-gjrPR9ueAkaZWVb0nTc_x7GZsPSWOffwNIjLsiWRArwDh1TpTsKrYR8rb2Yg/s320/Caulfield_2022_Cheakamus%20Canyon_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XwsFL4gaVFx9GLRbkAZvB9ZAT514woJLRSUalQTZlLctbhLtBitD-iVoh0t15nKs1dqOsRvQoV0egnwGjVVs53umO5g_DLAvc-8tldeXECNYoy5Fs14k6GNw_IMx8gZIddlZ22OhVtcyC3QvbyAZlGJI72vy60_eWk0Oi0EeECpi-3uU9rpyxtCubA/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Cheakamus%20Canyon_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XwsFL4gaVFx9GLRbkAZvB9ZAT514woJLRSUalQTZlLctbhLtBitD-iVoh0t15nKs1dqOsRvQoV0egnwGjVVs53umO5g_DLAvc-8tldeXECNYoy5Fs14k6GNw_IMx8gZIddlZ22OhVtcyC3QvbyAZlGJI72vy60_eWk0Oi0EeECpi-3uU9rpyxtCubA/s320/Caulfield_2022_Cheakamus%20Canyon_3.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Moving to O scale, <i>Paradise Valley</i> was a wonderful On30 layout from the Puffing Billy Modellers' Group. The layout is based on the Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook narrow gauge line in the 1950s. The layout and scenery are superb. The name Paradise Valley is the original name of Clematis station.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp3ci6PccQNl_GBQH1KHt5VtypzMYkVzvqMmu6ITjP0kZ8nffldSYL7Jof9gjeEtjomiMXzh7kq0gKMapx9JK_R1aMwFnDeYnok0TAn6XYtjULzRof9bMEmH_hSJ6EjGUoSY85y4naMdei-y7xmxUtWbAbMIoeTLMgk99L9X5uM7ihX-7GsIF9X-Zeg/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Paradise%20Valley_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp3ci6PccQNl_GBQH1KHt5VtypzMYkVzvqMmu6ITjP0kZ8nffldSYL7Jof9gjeEtjomiMXzh7kq0gKMapx9JK_R1aMwFnDeYnok0TAn6XYtjULzRof9bMEmH_hSJ6EjGUoSY85y4naMdei-y7xmxUtWbAbMIoeTLMgk99L9X5uM7ihX-7GsIF9X-Zeg/s320/Caulfield_2022_Paradise%20Valley_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkfegIu5-iSR59_b-NeeY4RF8Gbdzda8teRk_okW9HgsQYRDx3F-hb18fOjg0VjDYD-hdbLeN0LwU8VOovpayJ2OcUVtVbDpaZSjmHpCF75Z4u45gxZfF7VWiDB8vJZ5i9nGBkzTh_izVK0n9H5Lqu-olDVPfKU7YDtBAFyq34uBmqy-VziuJ54gO9w/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Paradise%20Valley_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkfegIu5-iSR59_b-NeeY4RF8Gbdzda8teRk_okW9HgsQYRDx3F-hb18fOjg0VjDYD-hdbLeN0LwU8VOovpayJ2OcUVtVbDpaZSjmHpCF75Z4u45gxZfF7VWiDB8vJZ5i9nGBkzTh_izVK0n9H5Lqu-olDVPfKU7YDtBAFyq34uBmqy-VziuJ54gO9w/s320/Caulfield_2022_Paradise%20Valley_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSDVnBMVWehWQldRmLQOZPuc-FVFWi3hCn-r8Sm7iGUjX9SB-ogrhluc5idXCI2T4v4n7-zG-Swh1NrwqSOUVgijRgtmOqdJWbvrosJK3-qbWQ1ywQHUxLDdiw8tY1sGqDhVHxnUwoR4AORl6MWsSpqoIRiS9Jvos0A1Xlv-PDHQLA_srcWuiiOPAYw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Paradise%20Valley_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSDVnBMVWehWQldRmLQOZPuc-FVFWi3hCn-r8Sm7iGUjX9SB-ogrhluc5idXCI2T4v4n7-zG-Swh1NrwqSOUVgijRgtmOqdJWbvrosJK3-qbWQ1ywQHUxLDdiw8tY1sGqDhVHxnUwoR4AORl6MWsSpqoIRiS9Jvos0A1Xlv-PDHQLA_srcWuiiOPAYw/s320/Caulfield_2022_Paradise%20Valley_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_U26PjUEG-plfFXcNdep9cO3lXl11ybo_8G3I-Lz3Z1My2tvROEavecfFEg6-wtTm_pbeyP20qtyKfjHHKainJrfy0WheFY8Y76i8utmh-0EgGqjwj6ca2p5Dv6f3LYo7s1x2FGZnsCAiCJaqxtMKEWktsducLxeMLImzt90SmVNRLKgQRfZaT134aw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Paradise%20Valley_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_U26PjUEG-plfFXcNdep9cO3lXl11ybo_8G3I-Lz3Z1My2tvROEavecfFEg6-wtTm_pbeyP20qtyKfjHHKainJrfy0WheFY8Y76i8utmh-0EgGqjwj6ca2p5Dv6f3LYo7s1x2FGZnsCAiCJaqxtMKEWktsducLxeMLImzt90SmVNRLKgQRfZaT134aw/s320/Caulfield_2022_Paradise%20Valley_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i>Black Stump</i> (On 30) was another wonderful layout based on
Victorian narrow gauge of the Otway Ranges. I'd seen this layout before
at the Ballarat Exhibition a few months ago but it is one layout you can
see several times and still admire the scenery and workmanship.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYgmU7igOkvy4Hx_f-nFDx2LoaCV1tqFLzhMlOXYa-q9kCM9aqo5fU-Y2WQn3XPgW_9tDwcHViTMLwQB44qBwbRjn0hHeb5Zv2BfTFsp05SdM6w34a0JgG5EAh9ybspTnmEbPZi-nYRLHcQRy8NPhSu7hNzR0hU5gQfM0bYiXH4xAUXB9oXXOwSth3Q/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Black%20stump_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYgmU7igOkvy4Hx_f-nFDx2LoaCV1tqFLzhMlOXYa-q9kCM9aqo5fU-Y2WQn3XPgW_9tDwcHViTMLwQB44qBwbRjn0hHeb5Zv2BfTFsp05SdM6w34a0JgG5EAh9ybspTnmEbPZi-nYRLHcQRy8NPhSu7hNzR0hU5gQfM0bYiXH4xAUXB9oXXOwSth3Q/s320/Caulfield_2022_Black%20stump_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrwORWpiuo9pT4PZ6XwmbIzpMkBYXbTcLN5aJkaJ6eRHd6MQPURdw887_IfAZvEpKWi7vv9Fz4MrlJtSKEuVligWXJIJTZD48kEBNXi9en70LOSTjW51RdPzO8dvEgmlm5nL3hAZtLnlmTgb-UbwIi_lDPBlanZWpn8ccc8cdspY4ANYLykbOA35_mQ/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Black%20stump_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrwORWpiuo9pT4PZ6XwmbIzpMkBYXbTcLN5aJkaJ6eRHd6MQPURdw887_IfAZvEpKWi7vv9Fz4MrlJtSKEuVligWXJIJTZD48kEBNXi9en70LOSTjW51RdPzO8dvEgmlm5nL3hAZtLnlmTgb-UbwIi_lDPBlanZWpn8ccc8cdspY4ANYLykbOA35_mQ/s320/Caulfield_2022_Black%20stump_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExBMj3fZtCFyy_lgs6siL0U9EzVBmh3TlanngG5UU1R9-ncMeGkk8Kg1CdFPYZy0wC_8wf2SDO2KdcWFMD9ZqouESWnYn9NrqfNiS8W_l50c7HWcL3rFQw4iHfl_HaxnUgWSfwBIo2sRvmKjdmT7rmsQFW0KTNqkAcZjTJbYeOAUdrYvAkU0gfyYHTQ/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Black%20stump_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExBMj3fZtCFyy_lgs6siL0U9EzVBmh3TlanngG5UU1R9-ncMeGkk8Kg1CdFPYZy0wC_8wf2SDO2KdcWFMD9ZqouESWnYn9NrqfNiS8W_l50c7HWcL3rFQw4iHfl_HaxnUgWSfwBIo2sRvmKjdmT7rmsQFW0KTNqkAcZjTJbYeOAUdrYvAkU0gfyYHTQ/s320/Caulfield_2022_Black%20stump_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LpPFSdbcZOPhDz59yigCj5nxqawYFMUOvjqPvLtDJiYSYeB-EfW7a05-rBjxaZTNtEJp8Sj4a4ty-7aBuvHu5fDw0iiz9Vo7VcQ7cy6MhmOMsF3zBv61CHXjrTZKUkO6d7P5JNmHFiM2Om7XbTxZ0w5TsrwwlWu7jZGxpDoBNW93CwuT9yIvOatvZA/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Black%20stump_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LpPFSdbcZOPhDz59yigCj5nxqawYFMUOvjqPvLtDJiYSYeB-EfW7a05-rBjxaZTNtEJp8Sj4a4ty-7aBuvHu5fDw0iiz9Vo7VcQ7cy6MhmOMsF3zBv61CHXjrTZKUkO6d7P5JNmHFiM2Om7XbTxZ0w5TsrwwlWu7jZGxpDoBNW93CwuT9yIvOatvZA/s320/Caulfield_2022_Black%20stump_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i>Eddington Quay</i> (O/16.5) was a 7mm narrow gauge layout based on a secluded cove on the Devon Cornwall border. Using 16.5mm trck gives a prototype gauge of 2' 3''. This is a nicely presented layout with some wonderful buildings. The steam locos (and some freight stock) were kits built from the Smallbrook Studio range.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1Hw-LPfgiI2q6c_khvrlJiq6Mdh1lSZeiCAwnBK1hnIIxHsHUwZG8nuuDfTj_fUC3DN9ICTaw38ifqSVvOOD23xkWFB1oxXMA3CP3VMLdEFpslA9cJcTLWxcEtFs7TM9nof0shqtN0wab7i0oIhF3SzaPpuzHDWYd7zCJ32Gb6TYu92cCGK44xK7pw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_EEddington%20Quay_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1Hw-LPfgiI2q6c_khvrlJiq6Mdh1lSZeiCAwnBK1hnIIxHsHUwZG8nuuDfTj_fUC3DN9ICTaw38ifqSVvOOD23xkWFB1oxXMA3CP3VMLdEFpslA9cJcTLWxcEtFs7TM9nof0shqtN0wab7i0oIhF3SzaPpuzHDWYd7zCJ32Gb6TYu92cCGK44xK7pw/s320/Caulfield_2022_EEddington%20Quay_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wyBos7BwY8diLJ6n-8TT4BcbN04UvPbLQwGJxLXMrDxB3BETtWI7Gr3K0nEdnosJvSXOKg6NGU9C0_bv8W8g95npwCYjiTqEtSA-1UVXNLWTJsDc4kkbKlgpPj1929cXmr5xgtq3bqDiXCczpJzaaJk7bSxv6FdqRTdhSSnefw8Uz12U2IZkE0ux6A/s4000/Caulfield_2022_EEddington%20Quay_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wyBos7BwY8diLJ6n-8TT4BcbN04UvPbLQwGJxLXMrDxB3BETtWI7Gr3K0nEdnosJvSXOKg6NGU9C0_bv8W8g95npwCYjiTqEtSA-1UVXNLWTJsDc4kkbKlgpPj1929cXmr5xgtq3bqDiXCczpJzaaJk7bSxv6FdqRTdhSSnefw8Uz12U2IZkE0ux6A/s320/Caulfield_2022_EEddington%20Quay_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4KkJNIk8KCYIv5CZypbk5jUXr-E-TMEJ-pqr_MSVXA0DqyuTj9ubQExwN-VdbflhYojV5QAw796Q0f7C3Tf9Ej4VybemSm6H_FBTrJD0qBw6RjIAQx8PWKhk_H1dE4H9CMqGxZU14rdDk8G5MAiU4XSI5EQ1Ge49NUGyFqbvE3vVCgSFSntKOfZsVg/s4000/Caulfield_2022_EEddington%20Quay_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4KkJNIk8KCYIv5CZypbk5jUXr-E-TMEJ-pqr_MSVXA0DqyuTj9ubQExwN-VdbflhYojV5QAw796Q0f7C3Tf9Ej4VybemSm6H_FBTrJD0qBw6RjIAQx8PWKhk_H1dE4H9CMqGxZU14rdDk8G5MAiU4XSI5EQ1Ge49NUGyFqbvE3vVCgSFSntKOfZsVg/s320/Caulfield_2022_EEddington%20Quay_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Another O scale layout was <i>Daraby</i> (British) that featured steam and diesel traction on an ened-to-end shunting layout. This layout really showed the detail and operational attributes of the larger scale.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6qMQeXlHnmZC0FDvvbohtrrfeqhAM59hwET8wrhmXmG31WiQCj1oTsW6R1Hz46pdYgKCYyPLv6o7sU0jFtuhintT5HGwkAHKXaKgqsDRQQGxzXeyOcHcaT8pPvo5b1HgZVw28WwyIVrAVp01ScQl9gRKq4dQ7DeIhzyNhLclpSHanNLGSfYj713Y2w/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Daraby_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6qMQeXlHnmZC0FDvvbohtrrfeqhAM59hwET8wrhmXmG31WiQCj1oTsW6R1Hz46pdYgKCYyPLv6o7sU0jFtuhintT5HGwkAHKXaKgqsDRQQGxzXeyOcHcaT8pPvo5b1HgZVw28WwyIVrAVp01ScQl9gRKq4dQ7DeIhzyNhLclpSHanNLGSfYj713Y2w/s320/Caulfield_2022_Daraby_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i>Allanleigh</i> (OO scale, British) was one of my favourite layouts from the exhibition. <i>Allanleigh</i> is a fictitious UK village set in the late 1960s-early 1970s period. This layout is another terminus station but with good shunting operations servicing two local industry sidings. This layout is DCC (Digitrax) and operated by smart phones over wi-fi. I enjoyed spending time at this layout and had an enjoyable chat with one of the lads on Sunday morning.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcVw6Qh_IoS-VCqUBoiQTR81HKE9OS6WppdgG-cS8eRhFrkh_URINIAMIY8-Yq_GAmmrwUoK5Wcv7iH6iuziX_jb9OivOUuMyPTyV0VaXGl8XIYRaoa5C2ZiqpSkarZv5p-S65ulv5GVEFY9ozCf2_pSG-3cE0yMthuZIWba6S_kmxN8V-SuJyxJwdA/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Allanleigh_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcVw6Qh_IoS-VCqUBoiQTR81HKE9OS6WppdgG-cS8eRhFrkh_URINIAMIY8-Yq_GAmmrwUoK5Wcv7iH6iuziX_jb9OivOUuMyPTyV0VaXGl8XIYRaoa5C2ZiqpSkarZv5p-S65ulv5GVEFY9ozCf2_pSG-3cE0yMthuZIWba6S_kmxN8V-SuJyxJwdA/s320/Caulfield_2022_Allanleigh_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>One of my other favourite layouts (and representing a new model railway interest for me) was the European-based layout <i>Neubahn</i>. The layout was built to an adapted version of European FREMO modular standards. <i>Neubahn</i> features a double track mainline with through station. The layout can be controlled by DC or DCC but the catenary (very nicely done) is not powered. The layout showcases a range of European HO scale trains from Roco, Brawa, Fleischmann, Rivarossi, REE Models, ACME, and LS Models. The buildings came from commercial European kits that looked the part with some light weathering. I really enjoyed watching the range of trains on the <i>Neubahn</i> layout with action from Austrian, Dutch, French, German (including DR), Italian and Swiss prototypes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyowaTU_v0aV3sgCchGPOP5mumuJ_9WYZCisBZAP57wwECVUJXgdQR7VWJ6V4Yco-7K-YHuBlS_iRRcPhSoEY8aNAy-cm6NmoldxrxGn4KQS-0ZhlQmQyB6arxtDs7uKnc9bvDoigz0xfl-yMVjCN4YrHtd-eIc9z_3ZxM5rCA3fOn2GOyQuR1RLyhA/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Neubahn_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyowaTU_v0aV3sgCchGPOP5mumuJ_9WYZCisBZAP57wwECVUJXgdQR7VWJ6V4Yco-7K-YHuBlS_iRRcPhSoEY8aNAy-cm6NmoldxrxGn4KQS-0ZhlQmQyB6arxtDs7uKnc9bvDoigz0xfl-yMVjCN4YrHtd-eIc9z_3ZxM5rCA3fOn2GOyQuR1RLyhA/s320/Caulfield_2022_Neubahn_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF-fvqVzszgtegBV3VuLfu2il9VlwnO1GGhHICCdZGHPqJMwgEYhA0m0-6OScRoSrI3Lb17oUDAsao-GZgqEwqVevCIBkMsi0Io9WkwNdgjDLTkiuDaQqM-txzLLxVjr_8u-Nh65XSgAmAVcdf1_Q_g1ZrlfE9diMMAZvGrJUB_g8soik_6a9UNkWPQ/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Neubahn_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF-fvqVzszgtegBV3VuLfu2il9VlwnO1GGhHICCdZGHPqJMwgEYhA0m0-6OScRoSrI3Lb17oUDAsao-GZgqEwqVevCIBkMsi0Io9WkwNdgjDLTkiuDaQqM-txzLLxVjr_8u-Nh65XSgAmAVcdf1_Q_g1ZrlfE9diMMAZvGrJUB_g8soik_6a9UNkWPQ/s320/Caulfield_2022_Neubahn_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNMoDMv4oGjqsDzHoHGwuQUTfuYER54CUftvkSH7TmdBPwV2h9aNBwz3Shdijo9iSDecRW31GJm7YgGGpmCc9kE8_bAhcb0H74Qyv3P6xvFJ9IEQUTV66BU5uci8e15fP-W1uyJdxek1xoymTINftAoWpBzs9pob90RaYvmy9zITAdLNeAS65W-y4bw/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Neubahn_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNMoDMv4oGjqsDzHoHGwuQUTfuYER54CUftvkSH7TmdBPwV2h9aNBwz3Shdijo9iSDecRW31GJm7YgGGpmCc9kE8_bAhcb0H74Qyv3P6xvFJ9IEQUTV66BU5uci8e15fP-W1uyJdxek1xoymTINftAoWpBzs9pob90RaYvmy9zITAdLNeAS65W-y4bw/s320/Caulfield_2022_Neubahn_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwmcYklXQqz3V04_xVcBoTSUb3ZobLDaS_-iOY0ImEEZFqmIE79NiCq2kP_fmzQMfkpZtyMgypw71esKbACrOtoxcRhEMAc41UPpquYse-eq2wfba7I-ygz2YQwzhJRtzH7gOOL8lz1b7kBdQLbMJ-NYvkZiwTPNAQY_wTOF5rwVpQ38gorECzKuplA/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Neubahn_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwmcYklXQqz3V04_xVcBoTSUb3ZobLDaS_-iOY0ImEEZFqmIE79NiCq2kP_fmzQMfkpZtyMgypw71esKbACrOtoxcRhEMAc41UPpquYse-eq2wfba7I-ygz2YQwzhJRtzH7gOOL8lz1b7kBdQLbMJ-NYvkZiwTPNAQY_wTOF5rwVpQ38gorECzKuplA/s320/Caulfield_2022_Neubahn_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxEhatrwFhPn9Igfd8aYcVNLh49kDoMOlnpmrEvbZM28Gq8nB2xqre6MOww4Tt-XsP6JQndx0apjddg-vvCL0bkLOyanV25NmviPvT_4UuFzMn3Bl_gdfme8OWhHyoNLv8yCQ0AHWOnPyOE5yYjtCqt__i2oBmgYhWJWq-eKJkQhw5UEEteg-YR814g/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Neubahn_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxEhatrwFhPn9Igfd8aYcVNLh49kDoMOlnpmrEvbZM28Gq8nB2xqre6MOww4Tt-XsP6JQndx0apjddg-vvCL0bkLOyanV25NmviPvT_4UuFzMn3Bl_gdfme8OWhHyoNLv8yCQ0AHWOnPyOE5yYjtCqt__i2oBmgYhWJWq-eKJkQhw5UEEteg-YR814g/s320/Caulfield_2022_Neubahn_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Making another exhibition appearance was <i>Railways of Japan</i>. I'd seen this N scale layout in Ballarat earlier in the year but the detail on this layout is such that you can always find something you'd missed from a previous viewing.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasx4lA43ELULtpbx_OjhOfVQ7_vWYPII8-bldC7cH0DfsJgydsa76-5hepptRu6z-ztC4xTcPDV9oFluxJMVh44bZJWofLLse5G2e55pvmLKMYy0V5HC-gvgkdTZApK2F5tGiLngsjp5SVuuV1T7QlBFZ4NzwqQDF5LZgJ23bcc7hU6Nm7ph7W0ls9A/s4000/Caulfield_2022_Railways%20of%20Japan_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasx4lA43ELULtpbx_OjhOfVQ7_vWYPII8-bldC7cH0DfsJgydsa76-5hepptRu6z-ztC4xTcPDV9oFluxJMVh44bZJWofLLse5G2e55pvmLKMYy0V5HC-gvgkdTZApK2F5tGiLngsjp5SVuuV1T7QlBFZ4NzwqQDF5LZgJ23bcc7hU6Nm7ph7W0ls9A/s320/Caulfield_2022_Railways%20of%20Japan_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p>The exhibition gave plenty of opportunity to spend hard-earned money with a plethora of commercial trade stands. The <i>SDS Models</i> NSW 81 class in candy livery was on sale and looked superb. The blue units should be on their way soon. <i>IDR Models</i> Victorian Railways DERM (upcoming) also looked to be popular based on the amount of interest around the trade stand. And <i>Auscision</i> had a number of display models from their upcoming HO scale and N scale models that certainly drew a good many eyeballs! <i>Casula Models</i> were also in attendance where I spent some money on several packs of KD couplers. Other stands that I noticed were <i>Eureka Models</i>, <i>Brunel Hobbies</i>, <i>Pallas Hobbies</i>, <i>Train World</i>, <i>SEM</i>, <i>Buckambool</i>, <i>On Track Models</i>, and <i>Metro Hobbies</i>. The AMRA second-hand stall did a roaring trade based on my frequent visits to check out how turnover of stock was progressing. <br /></p><p>The AMRA Victoria Branch are to be congratulated for another fine exhibition.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-49518732531446580032022-06-21T20:08:00.004+10:002022-06-21T20:09:59.080+10:00Waverley Model Railway Club's Exhibition 2022<p>OK folks - time now for the overview of the Waverley Model Railway Club's 2022 Exhibition in Melbourne held over the weekend of 11-13 June. There were some nice layouts at this exhibition so let's get into those straight away.</p><p><i>Victoria Bridge</i> (HO scale) was a terrific layout with great scenery and plenty of train action. This layout is from the Waverley Model Railway Club and featured Victorian Railways passenger and freight trains. The layout is a double track mainline, with station and yard facilities. The highlight is the bridge on one side of the layout, loosely based on the Taradale viaduct on the Melbourne to Bendigo line. Layout operation is via digital command control (DCC).</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97plKVayHFYwMdN274yexoIvRIQKwyhkQY3me1q3WFKLgi2G_yRs7RxJqjMSQzh9au_ltQwWTYyW4xxfTQ5RwIv9gfpFnEezO2WF0010kK1x6dWxx7eFpFEF9iG_GWMoVzFKhqF6oQtUdLVcirWweE8wQii79EiwZsZWvzVBjxXcQ9HelTvLu0uHS6Q/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Victoria%20Bridge_3.jpg" width="320" /> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Iu-oPvEgzNUpewqUVktR6VuBRAIsm_R_3z1Ka9br9ffTBhcZBzzIp2us3YXo6MHHUHkvNFi-YYtF7zFQDhG4q5Hq1FNEi-_qGASGzSw3nbyNvylxRImhCNoONZJFLwgOgpfRDm-E9QSvW6Ra-1moetrnFVYnc4yqmbgw66GbChVw6UMAuKEKr80yYw/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Victoria%20Bridge_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Iu-oPvEgzNUpewqUVktR6VuBRAIsm_R_3z1Ka9br9ffTBhcZBzzIp2us3YXo6MHHUHkvNFi-YYtF7zFQDhG4q5Hq1FNEi-_qGASGzSw3nbyNvylxRImhCNoONZJFLwgOgpfRDm-E9QSvW6Ra-1moetrnFVYnc4yqmbgw66GbChVw6UMAuKEKr80yYw/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Victoria%20Bridge_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5tMAcGA1WTDM89eeElBiprRTKJvLQI_Q6hggMMdHmyZxHO938UhjE5FOAayZ1O9bfIyYPRuG_X_gScf2DozOOZw0b4iBHXt_uEBLJIU3sbEJyJkrgLrog9xEb23p-ZByHqKf9jjsb0yFjDtvv8xb716rnCBAfHZNQ-Y_IlQL3Lin11zKKgu4IyXKkQ/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Victoria%20Bridge_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5tMAcGA1WTDM89eeElBiprRTKJvLQI_Q6hggMMdHmyZxHO938UhjE5FOAayZ1O9bfIyYPRuG_X_gScf2DozOOZw0b4iBHXt_uEBLJIU3sbEJyJkrgLrog9xEb23p-ZByHqKf9jjsb0yFjDtvv8xb716rnCBAfHZNQ-Y_IlQL3Lin11zKKgu4IyXKkQ/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Victoria%20Bridge_2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvGMpp6lmYxvKyFGsSxMW1AoyNVwES66aW4klIj_Zg7MVtXIzxdkTRrshWFiJcKhr1RQ7GF5I-Yo90P9ML4XIqAysJZdfZLXOu42mIkwhzRu7WsjFH-Q3fQPIl6hLo0gk5XCTiHA9WMEShWcJhRbpPy160qboHBqIu1CI92k0xsnKaA8qpEtilSZ36w/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Victoria%20Bridge_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvGMpp6lmYxvKyFGsSxMW1AoyNVwES66aW4klIj_Zg7MVtXIzxdkTRrshWFiJcKhr1RQ7GF5I-Yo90P9ML4XIqAysJZdfZLXOu42mIkwhzRu7WsjFH-Q3fQPIl6hLo0gk5XCTiHA9WMEShWcJhRbpPy160qboHBqIu1CI92k0xsnKaA8qpEtilSZ36w/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Victoria%20Bridge_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic79CcoNnOnI9gx0v3IKluiOnRI-B7GzaCmfHtCb5XvXECinT4FWKHlR473Q4uL4lLdsvJzYi9XwItMMd7nmt4lazZhJiJBYV7n80-Ib6JRYtgUgNMYjyN3htrGpjiTrm_CGCJjAxQkD5Hg7azFPYHkc_CtRQxCc8b1Rg_MJuO3QS41JVulPK6bIHTdA/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Victoria%20Bridge_6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic79CcoNnOnI9gx0v3IKluiOnRI-B7GzaCmfHtCb5XvXECinT4FWKHlR473Q4uL4lLdsvJzYi9XwItMMd7nmt4lazZhJiJBYV7n80-Ib6JRYtgUgNMYjyN3htrGpjiTrm_CGCJjAxQkD5Hg7azFPYHkc_CtRQxCc8b1Rg_MJuO3QS41JVulPK6bIHTdA/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Victoria%20Bridge_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oco429lhbDvVX82rR9a5pHrOLPlJTN9k9N0OHXYb0Ha4Mkd38RAJYJ-qLJCPOk1OFGMcQUHnsFBwe_84jWIrNREfpuzH1KkbDX0SWtSbPx9MJ8pd4xMznnJG8C-2UeFAzqrFo6sVVf7aIIUZ0Yu-oIHV47OyuiOrpXNyWHm77mKabJLgf8tgq3szoA/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Victoria%20Bridge_7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oco429lhbDvVX82rR9a5pHrOLPlJTN9k9N0OHXYb0Ha4Mkd38RAJYJ-qLJCPOk1OFGMcQUHnsFBwe_84jWIrNREfpuzH1KkbDX0SWtSbPx9MJ8pd4xMznnJG8C-2UeFAzqrFo6sVVf7aIIUZ0Yu-oIHV47OyuiOrpXNyWHm77mKabJLgf8tgq3szoA/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Victoria%20Bridge_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Another large and fabulous layout was the <i>The Beechie</i>, an On30 layout from the Sunbury Model Railway Club. This layout is a fictional narrow gauge layout as seen on the Beech Forest line in the Otway Ranges in Victoria. This layout is associated with the On30 layout exhibited at Ballarat mentioned in the previous blog post.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84byvoAKcrbHIyo4RZkWZ3Dho5ubglqzKPs2oQVcqJheUQx9aRsjvrQxxeysOsJvGhFU0dUL3ejMrk4RlitZx-j1mC0S8OEoXVjr6Ng5ufo1kVBKVJKxt8ybVRJtVWDxF27XUSgyMOSIFefQv8OzNk5ANDwPCEc7fxMO2b23oWA2zC79QdytnQa_97A/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84byvoAKcrbHIyo4RZkWZ3Dho5ubglqzKPs2oQVcqJheUQx9aRsjvrQxxeysOsJvGhFU0dUL3ejMrk4RlitZx-j1mC0S8OEoXVjr6Ng5ufo1kVBKVJKxt8ybVRJtVWDxF27XUSgyMOSIFefQv8OzNk5ANDwPCEc7fxMO2b23oWA2zC79QdytnQa_97A/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfd4jPxBpp_AKUK0FOodztPTLYJ2glMn202sdKAwrWsumAMF_52XiNeQ3YS1zRk3fAGFoJ4aIH4mO5t-GCctsIclm6dA_IJTmkr7vMdHMSRniPaxfUXQl0_asDzY3t_aAb7up79ocj9KvRhL0Isc51OAXy5Nh4F9U150opPZ9PphByjWDcDfLgaN9sg/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfd4jPxBpp_AKUK0FOodztPTLYJ2glMn202sdKAwrWsumAMF_52XiNeQ3YS1zRk3fAGFoJ4aIH4mO5t-GCctsIclm6dA_IJTmkr7vMdHMSRniPaxfUXQl0_asDzY3t_aAb7up79ocj9KvRhL0Isc51OAXy5Nh4F9U150opPZ9PphByjWDcDfLgaN9sg/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gJzE4TzT5KyhXUtaYMTp76M7MoD_zJdX7EFzESUzvjkj5yKcfabW5hQpeza0sLMy8VYiHljk-gAPlR0IAbdBYTEq6s1xeDlf4jQV75XbZ42JCkht1_7VAIOzii29GzSW8GMdqPYuhAkTEouww3y3F04U0nmWEhMffq3Y0r3TkN-1dblBBNANhEYavg/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gJzE4TzT5KyhXUtaYMTp76M7MoD_zJdX7EFzESUzvjkj5yKcfabW5hQpeza0sLMy8VYiHljk-gAPlR0IAbdBYTEq6s1xeDlf4jQV75XbZ42JCkht1_7VAIOzii29GzSW8GMdqPYuhAkTEouww3y3F04U0nmWEhMffq3Y0r3TkN-1dblBBNANhEYavg/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MeVZdv8DScrPrcu20wB99BRql6L4mdQ6tTXu-TPdjyfK5ZibdJT08nAqRwcIfv1aGNKTiZ6VEl9VUhCQkJ1qKXDbEEmARtGH18KageKF9i3YrDn4jSiRAUEYmtHhltvTL-gACq43jxbxeA-GyplEju47mvQz9i51g_f52KB-sN9TYApwLi1CjNoVFg/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MeVZdv8DScrPrcu20wB99BRql6L4mdQ6tTXu-TPdjyfK5ZibdJT08nAqRwcIfv1aGNKTiZ6VEl9VUhCQkJ1qKXDbEEmARtGH18KageKF9i3YrDn4jSiRAUEYmtHhltvTL-gACq43jxbxeA-GyplEju47mvQz9i51g_f52KB-sN9TYApwLi1CjNoVFg/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuPTvnqjAFBzMxdF2EJQFAjSoMIPO9rX9_hSrNceUUXRRiDucxZOhi0AsWfYRXSsEHcNpRUDfDFEt_HSQ5kENS3deFl6PM2kYT3ZXlAo77-ZqOzbIC_NS7LMrNiiU0CYWPFpmFBNrPqkkejFXaknbAbecPHEHZD0tNHMdzq3u18ZdpfZa7kGh4ubkbg/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuPTvnqjAFBzMxdF2EJQFAjSoMIPO9rX9_hSrNceUUXRRiDucxZOhi0AsWfYRXSsEHcNpRUDfDFEt_HSQ5kENS3deFl6PM2kYT3ZXlAo77-ZqOzbIC_NS7LMrNiiU0CYWPFpmFBNrPqkkejFXaknbAbecPHEHZD0tNHMdzq3u18ZdpfZa7kGh4ubkbg/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAAfFM8n-hc9GljLQy3AMcyCL2ToYW4Bl7Yjd7BsW7ZE0FeZxIgahKA5u2Dh_Gng-yKXLw1Nyt7yOR1FPfkyq8K1RG2mg8IeTK436R534LPcxN4LEnXzDjP-CIj67MDTgCRxnHCcNLOkkPC41XvTmpZx7eCqUh0TnB2DvG1jii7q-YIL83nR033hEwA/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAAfFM8n-hc9GljLQy3AMcyCL2ToYW4Bl7Yjd7BsW7ZE0FeZxIgahKA5u2Dh_Gng-yKXLw1Nyt7yOR1FPfkyq8K1RG2mg8IeTK436R534LPcxN4LEnXzDjP-CIj67MDTgCRxnHCcNLOkkPC41XvTmpZx7eCqUh0TnB2DvG1jii7q-YIL83nR033hEwA/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtcYNNT4vPPXgIbtvhIyrGpxnrZ7BejRh8PqbWaFUbMaenYwIr54GTSqUefNHhgk-TwEBXy5GMwPYJ8rdQYaI4CxqSDielNzzOiwAjqD4YMZSWxfXfVGSnWGKY-ngvd907ssOGdCHG-m7ZoROTKfJtc1ueIO6eFZESSHKwOdrVob7jD5eak9a6Pl_sQ/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtcYNNT4vPPXgIbtvhIyrGpxnrZ7BejRh8PqbWaFUbMaenYwIr54GTSqUefNHhgk-TwEBXy5GMwPYJ8rdQYaI4CxqSDielNzzOiwAjqD4YMZSWxfXfVGSnWGKY-ngvd907ssOGdCHG-m7ZoROTKfJtc1ueIO6eFZESSHKwOdrVob7jD5eak9a6Pl_sQ/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwabJCw8svGYHrUrghdtfdfDuC4rWDKjG4C6YOFoPXtcp70VyxpsNT2E-86S2GuJ2F_BvC9wptfh-kNq2lVYFNi8Qr5BmYgnyqfbedC05aDUOQL1IhlHl_Q2h3iccEI_XknD2Vv0KCBroKk-1iZ9ZudOmfpxG80swIlrNj-RPu21v_S7XPI8PbubOXUw/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_7jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwabJCw8svGYHrUrghdtfdfDuC4rWDKjG4C6YOFoPXtcp70VyxpsNT2E-86S2GuJ2F_BvC9wptfh-kNq2lVYFNi8Qr5BmYgnyqfbedC05aDUOQL1IhlHl_Q2h3iccEI_XknD2Vv0KCBroKk-1iZ9ZudOmfpxG80swIlrNj-RPu21v_S7XPI8PbubOXUw/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_The%20Beechie_7jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Collinsille Riverland Railway Company</i> (HO scale with broad gauge and narrow gauge track) was another beautifully constructed layout with a plethora of fantastic buildings across the full space of the layout. The layout is based on a fictional coastal river port and includes a multitude of buildings scratchbuilt from plans and information about the tramways, trains and surroundings from all over Australia. That said, there is a strong sense of place in this layout with the beautifully modelled and painted timber structures. There are a multitude of small scenes scattered throughout the layout which heightens the visual interest and appreciation of the skills involved in this layout's construction.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJLZF7cGvMiw0KJcHuvV9Aob88B5cSC6YOWwAe0KjPB0FhXkcrOnKbhLn7VXc6pglsc3vCPnii0g7ff6opiVA8qNvaYxVZZG5XBGojJGcv5PT0XrppqBnHs2F3OeO7WuVNDIJr8aX1P9LsFQZw51lEzINOz1ZPzlIGeheYYz6b90VbKVnzEYj88XXqA/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Colinsville%20Riverland%20Railway_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJLZF7cGvMiw0KJcHuvV9Aob88B5cSC6YOWwAe0KjPB0FhXkcrOnKbhLn7VXc6pglsc3vCPnii0g7ff6opiVA8qNvaYxVZZG5XBGojJGcv5PT0XrppqBnHs2F3OeO7WuVNDIJr8aX1P9LsFQZw51lEzINOz1ZPzlIGeheYYz6b90VbKVnzEYj88XXqA/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Colinsville%20Riverland%20Railway_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWGW-qS2Z9EPMxoOBf66dqFtkMgns_7yb2L_YpRS8mhnThoGmng7Dq-cnirYsqjseEIOWrIWVGl9-v_Av7OPrSffUkzY_3N1pPc-lVb6L-BJM5j_NFhKB87DczpNsWnn7Y3HGdEo47nYOXzpA5yme6NTu3fyosgQ-IBgVjfguSrwM887L8py2tK2GIA/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Colinsville%20Riverland%20Railway_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWGW-qS2Z9EPMxoOBf66dqFtkMgns_7yb2L_YpRS8mhnThoGmng7Dq-cnirYsqjseEIOWrIWVGl9-v_Av7OPrSffUkzY_3N1pPc-lVb6L-BJM5j_NFhKB87DczpNsWnn7Y3HGdEo47nYOXzpA5yme6NTu3fyosgQ-IBgVjfguSrwM887L8py2tK2GIA/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Colinsville%20Riverland%20Railway_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLsGhda0uUv78V5DrnomhtIrEWBLsfxfNIqp6RvGFPFHupqswtiruFHdQd-5i84r0GHZ8C1kVga6vJ-pSq796ScThC2JPJ2lhq6SdEZ5Bo7lrciT7T9vnEWQuXCVGhHSa3MiUHp13-Ih7HdIZpEfRdNp-tjfNcrAQa7f-5Lq2oea-lLTnIh1evTGZzA/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Colinsville%20Riverland%20Railway_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLsGhda0uUv78V5DrnomhtIrEWBLsfxfNIqp6RvGFPFHupqswtiruFHdQd-5i84r0GHZ8C1kVga6vJ-pSq796ScThC2JPJ2lhq6SdEZ5Bo7lrciT7T9vnEWQuXCVGhHSa3MiUHp13-Ih7HdIZpEfRdNp-tjfNcrAQa7f-5Lq2oea-lLTnIh1evTGZzA/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Colinsville%20Riverland%20Railway_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrTvuixETCDYX3BI6jTiPNrV-de8xCabH2bTKU5_x1Fd4kA-piVemgh4wLsXLlJyjbNVfLPBrYKCJOS004EaeMQaJ2JNNO9etBOPKkFKqVkdJxccYhd0z2u-HsuinLRD_o_evtfOYiD5dD-NG_qqQsBm-D2KqsJ977NlWjmovBdhzmZq6HRc5HK6izQ/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Colinsville%20Riverland%20Railway_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrTvuixETCDYX3BI6jTiPNrV-de8xCabH2bTKU5_x1Fd4kA-piVemgh4wLsXLlJyjbNVfLPBrYKCJOS004EaeMQaJ2JNNO9etBOPKkFKqVkdJxccYhd0z2u-HsuinLRD_o_evtfOYiD5dD-NG_qqQsBm-D2KqsJ977NlWjmovBdhzmZq6HRc5HK6izQ/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Colinsville%20Riverland%20Railway_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKTU6gYKY4dn53dxGSbJW3IF1vY90EjoGnQIPX4zLOMCURtNSQVleMzb9iO9NVnTp2DwEMa9V23Fk-xHqVfoewI-mYUadyXrnYU3SNwiMRxsu8XuIKURpldsPXFr_zMzKyro_nlQVzjpD9t8tB1Eui2OWZRZgsoEvxzK2wdioFq31UgP4_Y5R30wWnQ/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Colinsville%20Riverland%20Railway_6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKTU6gYKY4dn53dxGSbJW3IF1vY90EjoGnQIPX4zLOMCURtNSQVleMzb9iO9NVnTp2DwEMa9V23Fk-xHqVfoewI-mYUadyXrnYU3SNwiMRxsu8XuIKURpldsPXFr_zMzKyro_nlQVzjpD9t8tB1Eui2OWZRZgsoEvxzK2wdioFq31UgP4_Y5R30wWnQ/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Colinsville%20Riverland%20Railway_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpiWgDN3LGS8svuPP4tnTUzUTr14SsmQT2aDDSQsG5S7qK7-gU3EcsT28ly2BafGV4MtOymVZ0gx0QncJqdvBlZcq4ctXwNsbCJbHNgUYIyQhT04ACbAPlqt_oHqsADiAWSulVJ9lKkWX-cyer7q4mIFgJUMjGdXJu07NeO0RzqBL74DnJrPd_a4ZvA/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Colinsville%20Riverland%20Railway_7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpiWgDN3LGS8svuPP4tnTUzUTr14SsmQT2aDDSQsG5S7qK7-gU3EcsT28ly2BafGV4MtOymVZ0gx0QncJqdvBlZcq4ctXwNsbCJbHNgUYIyQhT04ACbAPlqt_oHqsADiAWSulVJ9lKkWX-cyer7q4mIFgJUMjGdXJu07NeO0RzqBL74DnJrPd_a4ZvA/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Colinsville%20Riverland%20Railway_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>At the other of the scale, in terms of size, was the small Inglenook layout, <i>Port Flora</i> (HO scale). I really enjoyed this little layout with its simplicity but entertaining shunting movements. The layout uses the familiar card system from which specific freight wagons are assembled into a small train. These type of layouts demonstrate that a small, high quality layout is very achievable if one takes the time and thought over its construction and scene setting.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc26fzDO4kVW9oHXBjzPnTfuBZDH0CrCJKNKSfidhvAgoYYmGWqnOR-HZoStTOU_O8BwzOyYSUZC8afude_2UAwpYnEYhxTnylUMQt4EcoWuhqa6ZZtYim_93cBqUBZ6yAtzdtpGxpFf5dvBQzy2y9z9lEf_jbScaLlwO0lWRADaTMES3dbHpPjHaK5A/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Port%20Flora_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc26fzDO4kVW9oHXBjzPnTfuBZDH0CrCJKNKSfidhvAgoYYmGWqnOR-HZoStTOU_O8BwzOyYSUZC8afude_2UAwpYnEYhxTnylUMQt4EcoWuhqa6ZZtYim_93cBqUBZ6yAtzdtpGxpFf5dvBQzy2y9z9lEf_jbScaLlwO0lWRADaTMES3dbHpPjHaK5A/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Port%20Flora_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2klYNY0f_fpE0tHXu_AUO-HE1es5Djhz5nWOsEkm2_GRRY_PZIcXW6OU_-R2myYNXth7PbiXWe2HSDdMUuuznFDAjF5ZxEYU0qpgeMXRixkjiPXiMhqRklRinX7YajAP-oH_SSsVE73AgbB8t3PxhSMiKBhbMTXtnOxoJbI8cPb43p8Od6UlqnkkKw/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Port%20Flora_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2klYNY0f_fpE0tHXu_AUO-HE1es5Djhz5nWOsEkm2_GRRY_PZIcXW6OU_-R2myYNXth7PbiXWe2HSDdMUuuznFDAjF5ZxEYU0qpgeMXRixkjiPXiMhqRklRinX7YajAP-oH_SSsVE73AgbB8t3PxhSMiKBhbMTXtnOxoJbI8cPb43p8Od6UlqnkkKw/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Port%20Flora_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><i>Genesis</i> (OO scale) from the Waverley Model Railway Club was a British layout making its exhibition debut. The scenery is nicely done with that characteristic English flavour. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuJVuBxLR9f-fhLrBPPlVksNtrrHTw5J-WrB4GdwmxoVAPphIhYocBQByffAKoce1EQnyKusAxxduLcUQpUH4sNrU_sI9sNERxvTKgqbSu7EgXH5OkbIIfTU_TirV9k1R_1NdBmK_mmApq_3X2_juUjSOQOJ4E-oQ3UpOvBVaCWQFBURvum-kJ64GNg/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Genesis_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuJVuBxLR9f-fhLrBPPlVksNtrrHTw5J-WrB4GdwmxoVAPphIhYocBQByffAKoce1EQnyKusAxxduLcUQpUH4sNrU_sI9sNERxvTKgqbSu7EgXH5OkbIIfTU_TirV9k1R_1NdBmK_mmApq_3X2_juUjSOQOJ4E-oQ3UpOvBVaCWQFBURvum-kJ64GNg/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Genesis_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R-EWr_o4TP27X61BwH46gzSxF9vSVxbMrHUo50pnMRff0uCgiuEILhzFOyYFPwZ4DPgVkR3nhKmi4fSZB3VT582Dk7kF4v-nU93Twkos0XOKHwj79ngZuBmUoMu2VGeu3IMExzZ0gax1MHfDioyF356wQEqgWbZo2BJOzqIzqtRJoGj7e351IArgDw/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Genesis_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R-EWr_o4TP27X61BwH46gzSxF9vSVxbMrHUo50pnMRff0uCgiuEILhzFOyYFPwZ4DPgVkR3nhKmi4fSZB3VT582Dk7kF4v-nU93Twkos0XOKHwj79ngZuBmUoMu2VGeu3IMExzZ0gax1MHfDioyF356wQEqgWbZo2BJOzqIzqtRJoGj7e351IArgDw/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Genesis_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><i>Hollow Glen</i> was another OO scale layout based on a fictitious English castle in the northern border region of England and Scotland. The layout is deliberately set a low height to better engage some of the younger exhibition visitors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZlhxeAcJ9Ac2R4eWPG8KHtBsm4xIY7Tqpb3YzHG66T3lSgLgM3a20e0UMwAiV539Ih1qM7oHL2JVO2KcJaBk3Iepc4ozp5CwCu37z7yTaLPUg_UJ-X6q83Ez-8WiuoyzW-pql6KeujxPwbMecl9my8oLeidVzocmXLUQpi3ox9fLi8_H4UCrCZHhTA/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Hollow%20Glen_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZlhxeAcJ9Ac2R4eWPG8KHtBsm4xIY7Tqpb3YzHG66T3lSgLgM3a20e0UMwAiV539Ih1qM7oHL2JVO2KcJaBk3Iepc4ozp5CwCu37z7yTaLPUg_UJ-X6q83Ez-8WiuoyzW-pql6KeujxPwbMecl9my8oLeidVzocmXLUQpi3ox9fLi8_H4UCrCZHhTA/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Hollow%20Glen_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Another British layout, but this time N scale, was <i>Brocklebank</i>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jZmlw9mglpXgEh2WeacQ926X3y1YGM16_S4JZeGCKEyv0dq-OvXxKreL1XhTF-QdsnEItkiCAZZvv961VftaHdkGHqfwB5Mf6RJLZsv-RVilBA_qvcb_lnd0yGjRjA7WpTH8vnI-isQXNCr0EqITgHNmcn6fK3zrwjNfP7eIu1a9PjWHu5bwVC8VLw/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Brocklebank.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jZmlw9mglpXgEh2WeacQ926X3y1YGM16_S4JZeGCKEyv0dq-OvXxKreL1XhTF-QdsnEItkiCAZZvv961VftaHdkGHqfwB5Mf6RJLZsv-RVilBA_qvcb_lnd0yGjRjA7WpTH8vnI-isQXNCr0EqITgHNmcn6fK3zrwjNfP7eIu1a9PjWHu5bwVC8VLw/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Brocklebank.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />Another N scale layout was the Swiss-themed <i>Langweiss</i>.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHd-tPNgdoze-CKY_W0baqKncDVHn-SYkaS_El-YYN7zofPGnEzdueShA026jhZrtbNDD4cseULiZezUiRsTYInVh0--2krIEhn_Hf_Jwl-EXeLeCd4jzCdyftPsZWt1r83_NOKVKPHfJiVk31uo5MaybgC7FsjXXvwvXJxurHiAqLesQW5v5EnX1dg/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Langweis.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHd-tPNgdoze-CKY_W0baqKncDVHn-SYkaS_El-YYN7zofPGnEzdueShA026jhZrtbNDD4cseULiZezUiRsTYInVh0--2krIEhn_Hf_Jwl-EXeLeCd4jzCdyftPsZWt1r83_NOKVKPHfJiVk31uo5MaybgC7FsjXXvwvXJxurHiAqLesQW5v5EnX1dg/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Langweis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Grainger's Bridge, Hillsborough and Outback Return</i> was a US N scale modular layout from the Waverley Model Railway Club. These modules are made by individual club members. The photo below shows one of the modules.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hMGgovB31b7pHSRwe_o_7yxcrOcHb0JOmELqKDi3hXcLKcoRZxKI_3t_BJksDNbQz6bAYV6ZnF_ZF27VVAc3F8pTVQ1Vh6HSXWCgL4nv4PIic40sF3ogyHsVXxzBd7owpjZHSmCUcq9uM_rI-jDmPL8aCm9kVEj5eLcvjbAuHOZ-xWthFfCH9dFZfQ/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Granger's%20Bridge%20and%20Outback%20return.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hMGgovB31b7pHSRwe_o_7yxcrOcHb0JOmELqKDi3hXcLKcoRZxKI_3t_BJksDNbQz6bAYV6ZnF_ZF27VVAc3F8pTVQ1Vh6HSXWCgL4nv4PIic40sF3ogyHsVXxzBd7owpjZHSmCUcq9uM_rI-jDmPL8aCm9kVEj5eLcvjbAuHOZ-xWthFfCH9dFZfQ/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Granger's%20Bridge%20and%20Outback%20return.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Railways of Japan</i> (N scale) was a modular layout featuring some iconic Japanese scenes in both rural and urban areas. The modules were full of lights, colour and action! The modules are made by members of the Australian Japanese Model Railway Group.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TuYBf4Ikfn1b9XXGrzgM_LCsnUuLN_nasGGlBc_aATzqHzu23J3xDaLHYGWHme-yJXoGTr__tHYP83v-CRRSlwaqb0L5jIAtsu99apOCBJM_da_VVYR8lOW6Z9Q4Y8O1DmD-zPKjdRVOG7SoquC9K15l7qav7P2fkEbKskvgn8bJosowt4FIZK416w/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Railways%20of%20Japan_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TuYBf4Ikfn1b9XXGrzgM_LCsnUuLN_nasGGlBc_aATzqHzu23J3xDaLHYGWHme-yJXoGTr__tHYP83v-CRRSlwaqb0L5jIAtsu99apOCBJM_da_VVYR8lOW6Z9Q4Y8O1DmD-zPKjdRVOG7SoquC9K15l7qav7P2fkEbKskvgn8bJosowt4FIZK416w/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Railways%20of%20Japan_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoPfkapoicKxwQRsxa7niE3diYQUgPForpsnLcwCGnZjCxGIwWQ2UBVRla8xJGtSvcVQ6DUM3nVapXk-444k7aytU9Kbloci6RuSjXctAycfHF4GJncYIGWeaFIABLfdjEN5cu54Ro9r7WioJ0PAXvSx4UKxjecl71GcACNSrT-gwZg8C4tglVAus1Q/s4000/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Railways%20of%20Japan_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoPfkapoicKxwQRsxa7niE3diYQUgPForpsnLcwCGnZjCxGIwWQ2UBVRla8xJGtSvcVQ6DUM3nVapXk-444k7aytU9Kbloci6RuSjXctAycfHF4GJncYIGWeaFIABLfdjEN5cu54Ro9r7WioJ0PAXvSx4UKxjecl71GcACNSrT-gwZg8C4tglVAus1Q/s320/Waverley%20MRE_2022_Railways%20of%20Japan_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wCX4aGCwWVOZoyKXLYOLD0Hk3ZS6ovmcnfdE1jzVMej02Pp3c0MB8_Th2DH5Ty7Qp2-bPtoVzost_tXHV7eaHTlpndtb9UUlxmim0-vDC6VH5I_cDqP8IyHs3bhvkJ2g32-qnxkHAcvSGcP327t2164lZFANv4-tSykceA_4ao5Bwwk46F3kYPoz4g/s4000/20220612_120730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wCX4aGCwWVOZoyKXLYOLD0Hk3ZS6ovmcnfdE1jzVMej02Pp3c0MB8_Th2DH5Ty7Qp2-bPtoVzost_tXHV7eaHTlpndtb9UUlxmim0-vDC6VH5I_cDqP8IyHs3bhvkJ2g32-qnxkHAcvSGcP327t2164lZFANv4-tSykceA_4ao5Bwwk46F3kYPoz4g/s320/20220612_120730.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></p><p>The Waverley Model Railway Club should be congratulated for putting on a very nice exhibition.<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-85901740871122295072022-06-15T17:29:00.003+10:002022-06-16T13:26:01.532+10:00Ballarat Model Railway Exhibition 2022<p>Last weekend I visited two model railway exhibitions in Victoria. The first was the Ballarat Model Railway Exhibition which I attended last Saturday and is the focus of this blog post. I also lucked in when I went into central Ballarat for lunch and caught a Steamrail tour arriving at the historic Ballarat railway station. On the following day I visited the Waverley Model Railway Club's exhibition at Brandon Park Community Centre in Melbourne which I will cover in the next blog post.</p><p>The Ballarat Model Railway Exhibition featured about a dozen layouts in a sports hall in a school in East Ballarat. There were three layouts that I particularly liked, and we'll start with those ones first. As always, click on the photo to enlarge.</p><p><i>Black Stump</i> (On30) was a terrific layout (and related to another On30 layout featured at the Waverley Exhibition). <i>Black Stump</i> is based on Victorian narrow gauge situated in the Otway Ranges. The station was renamed <i>Black Stump</i> after a recent fire. The scenery on this layout was very nicely done.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrC30X7Jq762MXDqSrk3wcNFmqVSe0iB97EwV8egORiBK5UyXR9UXuVfDCwkgh01wFgHgzU3NYNEKj23zU2VbvO1py1AsD76VdRqUYUk0jOpLqMge0fuEfOfPk0LRZBMVUnV089U2vUdrZuyGCjJTldsOIcQCQ8ad9yadF72mLrWWS9eIPDLzm6hBCQ/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Black%20Stump_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrC30X7Jq762MXDqSrk3wcNFmqVSe0iB97EwV8egORiBK5UyXR9UXuVfDCwkgh01wFgHgzU3NYNEKj23zU2VbvO1py1AsD76VdRqUYUk0jOpLqMge0fuEfOfPk0LRZBMVUnV089U2vUdrZuyGCjJTldsOIcQCQ8ad9yadF72mLrWWS9eIPDLzm6hBCQ/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Black%20Stump_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlcOBCpZNZDV7FfWpED1CNml2uLepZ3phuocRKZoJ3yIbA8W_PW6kUeYvf_4RleDw8CiCE0u659CTEdEoAOlUOnNJ7oJkxHIqoKqKV-U97oeagJS4ux62kIL-1JkDeTg0Y-khpwyo86HhKhigrmjGLS1WyKL0PT9fCzITBuB1oCV3sZsmoBVEiWP_Dw/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Black%20Stump_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlcOBCpZNZDV7FfWpED1CNml2uLepZ3phuocRKZoJ3yIbA8W_PW6kUeYvf_4RleDw8CiCE0u659CTEdEoAOlUOnNJ7oJkxHIqoKqKV-U97oeagJS4ux62kIL-1JkDeTg0Y-khpwyo86HhKhigrmjGLS1WyKL0PT9fCzITBuB1oCV3sZsmoBVEiWP_Dw/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Black%20Stump_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_QzpOOvBFjXOu9cvr_IbX1aqd9s_UyN1Q4zQdYDGTc0wa5sHtoAHqon2cpiBuO5FRoJE9LEgVyxGZPQo-42qMVytijfdccKRGPAYePZRvvXMg_uLatDnKoYPCGOqFjkJ99cw-KVWZS_NrcIb5LJJjc8aSTVPY-R8DyhGs66ieV1uLGuPWvqk-bXmqA/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Black%20Stump_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_QzpOOvBFjXOu9cvr_IbX1aqd9s_UyN1Q4zQdYDGTc0wa5sHtoAHqon2cpiBuO5FRoJE9LEgVyxGZPQo-42qMVytijfdccKRGPAYePZRvvXMg_uLatDnKoYPCGOqFjkJ99cw-KVWZS_NrcIb5LJJjc8aSTVPY-R8DyhGs66ieV1uLGuPWvqk-bXmqA/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Black%20Stump_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzPo5a-4CN4scZUGaf2rIVPTwsp7VYDG4jWvJf2j3WYtswvl7BUM624F0uB2HaHr2KJdq5osFbcNLm7ou_MzjlgAxnReS7hi6wr7DOVxs1sChWhl_wcaFMnLdcu_xoZ9CqGYjnXK-e744XNii7TiqEfS4fn3XrGH7zQeqVVL5M03Wul5J4KIT63B5Gw/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Black%20Stump_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzPo5a-4CN4scZUGaf2rIVPTwsp7VYDG4jWvJf2j3WYtswvl7BUM624F0uB2HaHr2KJdq5osFbcNLm7ou_MzjlgAxnReS7hi6wr7DOVxs1sChWhl_wcaFMnLdcu_xoZ9CqGYjnXK-e744XNii7TiqEfS4fn3XrGH7zQeqVVL5M03Wul5J4KIT63B5Gw/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Black%20Stump_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Northminster</i> (OO scale) was another nicely scenicked layout showing plenty of fine modelling. <i>Northminster</i> is a terminus station on a fictitious LMS branch line that also incorporates a heritage railway. The layout is operated by digital command control (DCC).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7nh1ArEBw6JgFkK4iXOV58_EkPiPgZj8qc3wM8rDYP5eIXwiNVQwTbjzpJl6MVghnHIAn3rON0Xbhk0YCu2P6RhKOXvAOzGOJXEeqEzHuqyKlpqKPT65HQhqh8Rz_Yho71LiF1Yy_a_xJhmuzah8S8AgPEwgCXTfdkP0ZF_2hDSPMJ1SCdkEjK9WOw/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Northminster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7nh1ArEBw6JgFkK4iXOV58_EkPiPgZj8qc3wM8rDYP5eIXwiNVQwTbjzpJl6MVghnHIAn3rON0Xbhk0YCu2P6RhKOXvAOzGOJXEeqEzHuqyKlpqKPT65HQhqh8Rz_Yho71LiF1Yy_a_xJhmuzah8S8AgPEwgCXTfdkP0ZF_2hDSPMJ1SCdkEjK9WOw/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Northminster.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlEmRe_bobvRb2alVx0zeSh29J41kaVcGKPNa56OK6cq_rme_rySuSZLgZRW2vxenWC2Qk7pjOMDlWuh1AV0oqCH8YC0BJIhP_dIdfbm9csBWhm_YFPO3dpi_XYCKS1Q0ksNCiThtkotHOwxKPCBsftGDbYC-T1IKNn5FJSsg-MncNj2KpoULMScrYg/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Northminster_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlEmRe_bobvRb2alVx0zeSh29J41kaVcGKPNa56OK6cq_rme_rySuSZLgZRW2vxenWC2Qk7pjOMDlWuh1AV0oqCH8YC0BJIhP_dIdfbm9csBWhm_YFPO3dpi_XYCKS1Q0ksNCiThtkotHOwxKPCBsftGDbYC-T1IKNn5FJSsg-MncNj2KpoULMScrYg/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Northminster_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7FXrHmdIpMiYFjYE7JJjs1d3S9n18KiDLJkwYCTQO4gTvi_4bMJb409a8J6m4zMqStzgYUjlMWL3MkrjTcSB77hvEU99OODbprheFOg_63sVOLXvLStJACUNwEmRX7ppPMudJWUYGBOVNkDytd7hKMvt4ESDsXxTSypGAzmsb6bRMvj-H3hlfegaNw/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Northminster_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7FXrHmdIpMiYFjYE7JJjs1d3S9n18KiDLJkwYCTQO4gTvi_4bMJb409a8J6m4zMqStzgYUjlMWL3MkrjTcSB77hvEU99OODbprheFOg_63sVOLXvLStJACUNwEmRX7ppPMudJWUYGBOVNkDytd7hKMvt4ESDsXxTSypGAzmsb6bRMvj-H3hlfegaNw/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Northminster_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Harpindone</i> (OO scale) was an English-themed layout that saw plenty of train action. There were two station scenes and detailed building scenes at each end of the layout. If I am not mistaken, Metcalfe card kits were well used throughout this layout to great effect.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZHdLyywYA-zHTF205Mg8yS9V1wgZCzq4gzxsFma326fKT5WSzbGESkYVxHOGCLC4H-hqvbpyGNA0oAigA04SHXNM4OK-UeL7lSJ8bfARm0HCj0oPTuJjuritCwhF_4aCSmxQIWDfS4rfBEkk4_BVfF7XcRLim2Sw3EH4tSLRm13O__Pf-7sF--1uqQ/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Harpindone_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZHdLyywYA-zHTF205Mg8yS9V1wgZCzq4gzxsFma326fKT5WSzbGESkYVxHOGCLC4H-hqvbpyGNA0oAigA04SHXNM4OK-UeL7lSJ8bfARm0HCj0oPTuJjuritCwhF_4aCSmxQIWDfS4rfBEkk4_BVfF7XcRLim2Sw3EH4tSLRm13O__Pf-7sF--1uqQ/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Harpindone_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApRw2-OflGL3KtXjYAWVD18FqlpudNMEzYIZyWJNVN09vqYhI_23vn4Pjv2J-Rm1X5uJLvfE5d9fYdcQQnaHm1IoQir2-WfN8Pn-6-ys_EBd1_UFoAEtueerU1qNgPVnIUIBlIdbymux6Pc-9x2XjF4RiCPif3xRPtrESW7NnjBDGkZpwPpWIyv2wbw/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Harpindone_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApRw2-OflGL3KtXjYAWVD18FqlpudNMEzYIZyWJNVN09vqYhI_23vn4Pjv2J-Rm1X5uJLvfE5d9fYdcQQnaHm1IoQir2-WfN8Pn-6-ys_EBd1_UFoAEtueerU1qNgPVnIUIBlIdbymux6Pc-9x2XjF4RiCPif3xRPtrESW7NnjBDGkZpwPpWIyv2wbw/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Harpindone_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwKqxEXSXz87wwkbEi1SlP-wf2uHg6Ba8JIAEmCI133SsS6p8rG9zmUP5fCE-7YQi8ssOjciB0g09MVv9tH1JcELwtuwRyjp_bWAGF3TnCFAnytr5e8wz3FlnSgTsI37VsonKcx-KPB7ccSktoFYDIGq83gRM6xcotajBypOSS1D_EMY6AJaKXWBO-Q/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Harpindone_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwKqxEXSXz87wwkbEi1SlP-wf2uHg6Ba8JIAEmCI133SsS6p8rG9zmUP5fCE-7YQi8ssOjciB0g09MVv9tH1JcELwtuwRyjp_bWAGF3TnCFAnytr5e8wz3FlnSgTsI37VsonKcx-KPB7ccSktoFYDIGq83gRM6xcotajBypOSS1D_EMY6AJaKXWBO-Q/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Harpindone_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoIjGbw4pojz6VdgCKHrsMsiDwElNKit4yQ1aHlFtO4atbMFw-PXwltnZSnG_PS-a0VBcBnBhGYlwF4YM5jgIMtxvJ3EpfqLUIyfqDHwnK0puh8BDyxx3RSUpOHjvloD98xZnUUmtj2sWcaYO61ClyOv7TgeT9ERy_NZapfb2zyBbbZOBtHueK2BB5A/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Harpindone_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoIjGbw4pojz6VdgCKHrsMsiDwElNKit4yQ1aHlFtO4atbMFw-PXwltnZSnG_PS-a0VBcBnBhGYlwF4YM5jgIMtxvJ3EpfqLUIyfqDHwnK0puh8BDyxx3RSUpOHjvloD98xZnUUmtj2sWcaYO61ClyOv7TgeT9ERy_NZapfb2zyBbbZOBtHueK2BB5A/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Harpindone_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>John Hunter and Laurie Green showcased some wonderful dioramas and offered very useful tips on diorama and layout building construction.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7lV-f4TzrFadsZU_YITDuwo7WSz969VEPmQYZ2Jmx8MkIzc0_EyjzzCqF8qexec90MhopF5gm99p_hewZwJw41Ug6sebMGaqYot7Tq7-Y5HVHdkWMF_IR4dc5drZ0QGIHcGO6ZX3jNiy6b4Ke9LF2RTERe6yqJfZxEdO5Ua7h_Ha1lSYv7mED1_EFQ/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Diorama_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7lV-f4TzrFadsZU_YITDuwo7WSz969VEPmQYZ2Jmx8MkIzc0_EyjzzCqF8qexec90MhopF5gm99p_hewZwJw41Ug6sebMGaqYot7Tq7-Y5HVHdkWMF_IR4dc5drZ0QGIHcGO6ZX3jNiy6b4Ke9LF2RTERe6yqJfZxEdO5Ua7h_Ha1lSYv7mED1_EFQ/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Diorama_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>N scale was represented by the US-themed <i>Northwest Passage</i> layout. This layout is based on the north-west United States and showcases long trains, both passenger and freight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomkNAR5OtgxWpdr3iS5Iwqh-sG-5YwSOw-5v8-tUsxP6ml5bjpn760VYbOJtPJyAJ8JL-yYQSPyGUp1zSoibjKojpzkdAEmMv9MDOiTyODbpg5Pn28yl3MJtRf8G3lzRT-_tw0boB6f6Hn4kDHp_Xq7ov2-IPb5zgy79m9iX8JT5kBKUDDhqCHPnVNA/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Northwest%20Passage_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomkNAR5OtgxWpdr3iS5Iwqh-sG-5YwSOw-5v8-tUsxP6ml5bjpn760VYbOJtPJyAJ8JL-yYQSPyGUp1zSoibjKojpzkdAEmMv9MDOiTyODbpg5Pn28yl3MJtRf8G3lzRT-_tw0boB6f6Hn4kDHp_Xq7ov2-IPb5zgy79m9iX8JT5kBKUDDhqCHPnVNA/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Northwest%20Passage_1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N-6NlUsuZR6SewPlsPn-Lu2TiDHuQ7XYuAzCDr0o0l_enc-ZneRVJAQkhTo-aseej5vmPrc1u8ss5ja8h3bXa2933FnjpDD4N7oadUtKD-qKsXfPJm6Dd0Kqwys3hD9vVCq0p0GForRlZ2MbtiFMXRuQ-hAsD0PPWIddVdTBWC2mFR5GyZlnsOXbHQ/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Northwest%20Passage_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N-6NlUsuZR6SewPlsPn-Lu2TiDHuQ7XYuAzCDr0o0l_enc-ZneRVJAQkhTo-aseej5vmPrc1u8ss5ja8h3bXa2933FnjpDD4N7oadUtKD-qKsXfPJm6Dd0Kqwys3hD9vVCq0p0GForRlZ2MbtiFMXRuQ-hAsD0PPWIddVdTBWC2mFR5GyZlnsOXbHQ/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Northwest%20Passage_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Another N scale layout was <i>Black Border Crossing</i>, a layout based on a northeastern US town with plenty of interchange action.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3V7xYOvteYHiLruTU7rEO3tf0UkGA32n0ypXkKdkMyXnVaHqmcLcPGj2fnalrhoAgblVtcFxcCHUNvjxnYyeGxvL-p32gJt09-ERAk554r9OBgzIPDLmieeaRDe-dDQBSfCvRtDZL-7WuHiG-G3wcgKpAoIg2Io10bi1qdtpbjtiRM09VAX2jEpoTow/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Black%20Border%20Crossing_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3V7xYOvteYHiLruTU7rEO3tf0UkGA32n0ypXkKdkMyXnVaHqmcLcPGj2fnalrhoAgblVtcFxcCHUNvjxnYyeGxvL-p32gJt09-ERAk554r9OBgzIPDLmieeaRDe-dDQBSfCvRtDZL-7WuHiG-G3wcgKpAoIg2Io10bi1qdtpbjtiRM09VAX2jEpoTow/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Black%20Border%20Crossing_1.jpg" width="320" /></a> <i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Ukanddoit</i> (N scale) was popular with the kids and showed that a layout could be constructed without taking up too much space, being built on a house door. </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6J451lGhOMlO3DIjFNkWc5ZPjp82TcgHF_F83a6Q69KaQ8Fdi_t2WGYoz1lWIfgObBfc3ugiwKGKPACVS_lK3eeQ92DYsify-dcyRXX-1cWXseCreZ-xOhowtoU8jV_zxRN2B-jaZvyCyrYrkGU1Vs6qBVenut7PwP_LRAeLdJ-OBGlETxHTFonKDg/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Ukandooit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6J451lGhOMlO3DIjFNkWc5ZPjp82TcgHF_F83a6Q69KaQ8Fdi_t2WGYoz1lWIfgObBfc3ugiwKGKPACVS_lK3eeQ92DYsify-dcyRXX-1cWXseCreZ-xOhowtoU8jV_zxRN2B-jaZvyCyrYrkGU1Vs6qBVenut7PwP_LRAeLdJ-OBGlETxHTFonKDg/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Ukandooit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>The City Tram</i> (HO scale) was a nice little layout featuring trams. The layout also had a couple of Magnuson buildings which were pretty good since those kits were produced over a decade ago.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbShhpFDvKsiWSrk1hLSkbzfH1QDxOKa1ToaZU4ODCImYMrUhtRrxdv4foXyXENRgq_lJeSFfEI7_unz34hhhS5tOL-yNmNbc8ifYonDffBkBLRy-MlOQjwEZ0FZFNP_XpZuPtMPtQGUsf4WSlwkynW0rhRaKRQr_J610FmGzC9TuLUg4ibz8Mmti7Cg/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_The%20City%20Tram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbShhpFDvKsiWSrk1hLSkbzfH1QDxOKa1ToaZU4ODCImYMrUhtRrxdv4foXyXENRgq_lJeSFfEI7_unz34hhhS5tOL-yNmNbc8ifYonDffBkBLRy-MlOQjwEZ0FZFNP_XpZuPtMPtQGUsf4WSlwkynW0rhRaKRQr_J610FmGzC9TuLUg4ibz8Mmti7Cg/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_The%20City%20Tram.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PvUVegb8eFZJ99PzWyG238r7ThIlz5lZLl1jDAxfwW56BBZZfSUBvOkFUuKwYRn4GbEdM3FFuimWgsZWhcXm2O8hrsm3M9GLgMVb_ILNKqPvl665WjHG0eF-Bi187RQOYuk8iCcy27NvWsmfkmFea7NeLDRBB0EXdGwpgGLF08U9Afoiw85o-vRNJA/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_The%20City%20Tram_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PvUVegb8eFZJ99PzWyG238r7ThIlz5lZLl1jDAxfwW56BBZZfSUBvOkFUuKwYRn4GbEdM3FFuimWgsZWhcXm2O8hrsm3M9GLgMVb_ILNKqPvl665WjHG0eF-Bi187RQOYuk8iCcy27NvWsmfkmFea7NeLDRBB0EXdGwpgGLF08U9Afoiw85o-vRNJA/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_The%20City%20Tram_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Other layouts included the following: <i>Kookaburra Park</i> (HO), <i>Geordi's Layout</i> (N scale), <i>Somewhere</i> (HO), and <i>Three Doors USA</i> (N scale).</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFGtqeYLELM9H4QGd1NSVbqdKEWmLV6XodRlfPnRWdjcFApOSTgidbfOVDjXMZlGERJArADpCWaPZijx46KrQ6RZVaIdVe7sjTLqix6DD4MckC3PWvlJSJ4tlvNpDk8Z-Qy6B2h8K0ZmDykbkQUyh8bLZJmnSkkI1tzQojXTTL83BQT94fPA3IicmuA/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Kookaburra%20Park.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFGtqeYLELM9H4QGd1NSVbqdKEWmLV6XodRlfPnRWdjcFApOSTgidbfOVDjXMZlGERJArADpCWaPZijx46KrQ6RZVaIdVe7sjTLqix6DD4MckC3PWvlJSJ4tlvNpDk8Z-Qy6B2h8K0ZmDykbkQUyh8bLZJmnSkkI1tzQojXTTL83BQT94fPA3IicmuA/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Kookaburra%20Park.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMPfbSkcGbUgyHeIBiMCrLJnAAc3wLtoRtARS6abovOlXfjWIuo3Jst-Xndy-H5qSXq5-Hswon8Wgsif_BLSetjIdBLiiCjgPDmdJ8Bz2E7aGkL5hn0KTwDmfoYFiT7-QMblNTzJrE30zF-gCINcjuhlpbL_sAoHdhssyGT4CVoOSm9EC_J2dLkPaGA/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Geordis%20layout.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMPfbSkcGbUgyHeIBiMCrLJnAAc3wLtoRtARS6abovOlXfjWIuo3Jst-Xndy-H5qSXq5-Hswon8Wgsif_BLSetjIdBLiiCjgPDmdJ8Bz2E7aGkL5hn0KTwDmfoYFiT7-QMblNTzJrE30zF-gCINcjuhlpbL_sAoHdhssyGT4CVoOSm9EC_J2dLkPaGA/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Geordis%20layout.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjh0mEwzlM-BgL8r-c8r5px3SkFa9yaIkPgbEKJZ72MKWVeHe6qE-wGyOEyuTfb96GZoe3WYoKzemjh2OtsE5rYDA3XTnfZSlCeCWwnZqwl_g4KAb3mATzLmTMPwy4uygPnux1I5EnMyOfqxHWEMsgdn54WEP0sv9IYOtuWka8DyjNHvpKZHXtZ1n0w/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Somewhere.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjh0mEwzlM-BgL8r-c8r5px3SkFa9yaIkPgbEKJZ72MKWVeHe6qE-wGyOEyuTfb96GZoe3WYoKzemjh2OtsE5rYDA3XTnfZSlCeCWwnZqwl_g4KAb3mATzLmTMPwy4uygPnux1I5EnMyOfqxHWEMsgdn54WEP0sv9IYOtuWka8DyjNHvpKZHXtZ1n0w/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Somewhere.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQ7hay-jw79eXo8QVQQElV8OKOk7B9mj10EdXeRhQLAFPtmS070M-hmsqV-yNrHjJVDTtx6OfFjULN8lOQ1zY15a_05jVepp5QWOJa-X0o40uv-iHwlvknY8Z4VpD7KjWrezPGf-4Uc2iPcYx26CGaHmQCtHIYaWKQULtPj5PoprdA3ycIHVReIwJOg/s4000/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Three%20Doors%20USA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQ7hay-jw79eXo8QVQQElV8OKOk7B9mj10EdXeRhQLAFPtmS070M-hmsqV-yNrHjJVDTtx6OfFjULN8lOQ1zY15a_05jVepp5QWOJa-X0o40uv-iHwlvknY8Z4VpD7KjWrezPGf-4Uc2iPcYx26CGaHmQCtHIYaWKQULtPj5PoprdA3ycIHVReIwJOg/s320/Ballarat%20MRE_2022_Three%20Doors%20USA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>And, as I said, I was lucky enough to fluke being down at Ballarat railway station at lunchtime whereupon Steamrail's R761 was just arriving on a rail tour. The loco was uncoupled at the station and ran around its train for the later return journey. Now that was a lovely surprise!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMhNiFWcuQcPo-tDPkOQUlslkeb74DYXusCLDaxNmUxE3L2FzrgiGd7VTxB0vuIsq3POYYkxBvZyac--RLP-dvh-9rrJGSzJoQSItNSQ_lTQytm9jnHSo1e04NH6v4NGfNB6cCJFY-uzmTMLQ21bJ01eKq8KCs4XJQF120QJCItqHF60UG4ddJylkAw/s4000/Steamrail_R761_110622_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMhNiFWcuQcPo-tDPkOQUlslkeb74DYXusCLDaxNmUxE3L2FzrgiGd7VTxB0vuIsq3POYYkxBvZyac--RLP-dvh-9rrJGSzJoQSItNSQ_lTQytm9jnHSo1e04NH6v4NGfNB6cCJFY-uzmTMLQ21bJ01eKq8KCs4XJQF120QJCItqHF60UG4ddJylkAw/s320/Steamrail_R761_110622_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2vyJYJhpWX4BDW21wY--L_b8W5WKtkuW7bCGo7PmrfE5dDa5_UUdPB7fZkl4Tsr9klvmTTW-bolaUmBtAja-dG57gBnb26O-oSMAVTsbHB6kIo2Hgjgl03eGSq62QB2ICJ4vgod7aQLuKNi_l4X1MI6LzvyO6NxDlRWHku_OYJzSJCeJAs7HUmWjxw/s4000/Steamrail%20R761%20at%20Ballarat%20Station%20110622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2vyJYJhpWX4BDW21wY--L_b8W5WKtkuW7bCGo7PmrfE5dDa5_UUdPB7fZkl4Tsr9klvmTTW-bolaUmBtAja-dG57gBnb26O-oSMAVTsbHB6kIo2Hgjgl03eGSq62QB2ICJ4vgod7aQLuKNi_l4X1MI6LzvyO6NxDlRWHku_OYJzSJCeJAs7HUmWjxw/s320/Steamrail%20R761%20at%20Ballarat%20Station%20110622.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Summing up my first visit to this exhibition (and Ballarat itself), it was a great day, albeit overcast, drizzly and freezing cold. That's Ballarat in winter I was told!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CU2ugSHceJr3I9SuSUkYx-h2rHv6ioNIGS1qQmx-8sMg4hKvfx_y-v0Mn4g23uyzmmvVDGWkvtgqUkW5jEkHKjRF3R405hojT-m07t__Zv-rrdlyt7YdPhKVW5V1na5i4EqQTHAXCseL_QnvAjq3ucaI-fjVMi43j4vWvOeN-oajqbYQatQQgYuCiw/s4000/Ballarat%20Railway%20Station_120622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CU2ugSHceJr3I9SuSUkYx-h2rHv6ioNIGS1qQmx-8sMg4hKvfx_y-v0Mn4g23uyzmmvVDGWkvtgqUkW5jEkHKjRF3R405hojT-m07t__Zv-rrdlyt7YdPhKVW5V1na5i4EqQTHAXCseL_QnvAjq3ucaI-fjVMi43j4vWvOeN-oajqbYQatQQgYuCiw/s320/Ballarat%20Railway%20Station_120622.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ballarat Railway Station building</span><br />Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-34117521822000227862022-05-19T20:12:00.006+10:002022-05-19T20:29:30.672+10:00Rosehill Model Railway Exhibition 2022 - Part 2<p>Continuing on from <a href="https://armchairmodellerdownunder.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-2022-rosehill-model-railway.html" target="_blank">the first instalment about last weekend's Rosehill Model Railway Exhibition</a>, let me continue with some more layouts that grabbed my attention. I'll then finish up with some concluding comments.</p><p>A new layout (for me at least) was the HO scale Sydney suburban <i>Carlingford</i> <i>branch</i> terminus railway station. The layout depicts the terminus from the late 1980s to early 1990s. On the prototype, the Carlingford line was a relatively short suburban line (7km) forking off from Clyde on the Sydney Western line. The Carlingford line north of Parramatta Road was closed on 5 January 2020 to allow conversion works to light rail to take place. This also involved the closure of Rosehill station and rail access to Rosehill Racecourse where the exhibition was held. The layout showcased a range of suburban electric sets, including the brightly coloured "Zoo train".</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdczkqTi_04qxat1QbputvW5RXKHAFSo__tBzvWgap0y0KvtEeieQ0ceIb0mBCliQEzbnoOJ6NtOibix9vd-wKOIXNs_8XE7TY2Lz6x_509PVKPyqQQsa3-IqzGu-SiU6ubblCsFO3WYxpw-cjOEonZhrCQsvMy8KbkKzRT0f87PoInNZuEKHKvtncIg/s4000/Carlingford%20station.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdczkqTi_04qxat1QbputvW5RXKHAFSo__tBzvWgap0y0KvtEeieQ0ceIb0mBCliQEzbnoOJ6NtOibix9vd-wKOIXNs_8XE7TY2Lz6x_509PVKPyqQQsa3-IqzGu-SiU6ubblCsFO3WYxpw-cjOEonZhrCQsvMy8KbkKzRT0f87PoInNZuEKHKvtncIg/s320/Carlingford%20station.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOTHkU2Y6QxkN25g4_4oBonKPEirbiZsnPWByynT-zHqFjZtidzUq7rc5hkWwy26c2f5zcDLRXg-5UE-X2wJ2DAGv29YR9D7eMkdiydlWzo_nEhqIeOaBpfHzJFAXFvOD3tmTVRd4BYJL61wttqcGb-WYEntwsk0cxfGzx-7Bd0adlpFq905PqrYtsA/s4000/Carlingford%20station_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOTHkU2Y6QxkN25g4_4oBonKPEirbiZsnPWByynT-zHqFjZtidzUq7rc5hkWwy26c2f5zcDLRXg-5UE-X2wJ2DAGv29YR9D7eMkdiydlWzo_nEhqIeOaBpfHzJFAXFvOD3tmTVRd4BYJL61wttqcGb-WYEntwsk0cxfGzx-7Bd0adlpFq905PqrYtsA/s320/Carlingford%20station_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Cockle Creek </i>(N scale) was another NSW-themed layout featuring a range of locomotives and rollingstock from the 1960-1980s. The prototype is situated on the Short North between Sydney and Newcastle. The layout is from the NSW N scale group.<i></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkdECeAunJG3Yi_U-TEZyOyMn7jJ77AswV8aPmREP0JI81fLzf9mR8Hv6ApfanHrDdwpkOxoTtD9EC8gG8cZ0BcUSvvl5Whr9VLkY5FZneQdJQg-rS6CczZdCt8Yh2P_XZbkJi64d_9VSrCkmyD0Mx47xB3hDwSqn_wwcNjh7FSzDvR8NOteBDLSlfA/s4000/Cockle%20Creek_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkdECeAunJG3Yi_U-TEZyOyMn7jJ77AswV8aPmREP0JI81fLzf9mR8Hv6ApfanHrDdwpkOxoTtD9EC8gG8cZ0BcUSvvl5Whr9VLkY5FZneQdJQg-rS6CczZdCt8Yh2P_XZbkJi64d_9VSrCkmyD0Mx47xB3hDwSqn_wwcNjh7FSzDvR8NOteBDLSlfA/s320/Cockle%20Creek_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYZ5h9fzkwrgQxygt8r-bD1kXYYb8AlJcv6RqUapYrGYy99y9UE3PemwMQ5FTxxZ7C3B5I_R9Gc8UxFdpOEQbkBB3WmyPKto1kwUT2v-N7VGN35e6qckcpoIDlTASMIheQi5fd050oarVwbRi43UF9eoEnRtG9_r443nXs1QC17QZfDwVaDjdpgLDHQ/s4000/Cockle%20Creek_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYZ5h9fzkwrgQxygt8r-bD1kXYYb8AlJcv6RqUapYrGYy99y9UE3PemwMQ5FTxxZ7C3B5I_R9Gc8UxFdpOEQbkBB3WmyPKto1kwUT2v-N7VGN35e6qckcpoIDlTASMIheQi5fd050oarVwbRi43UF9eoEnRtG9_r443nXs1QC17QZfDwVaDjdpgLDHQ/s320/Cockle%20Creek_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i>Dungog</i> (HO scale) made another exhibition appearance and continues to display some of the best modelling of the NSW prototype. Dungog is on the Main North Coast Railway line to Brisbane. You can see a wide range of prototypes on the layout as it showcases action from the 1940s to 1970s. I always take time to look at the station and yard infrastructure on this layout as they are of excellent quality. And, of course, one cannot enjoy <i>Dungog</i> without taking note of the iconic layout lighting.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7Ml6e4gB4CjtAjAobMuhf-oqpGaA-fJtDFYJb8XS5xTRz6_YXkczFjXLB4OGzEAVJyfCwvUjqvV39ypi7BcEpqiZHheYkzQbQ_mjhKFLUQZV98TZ6qsH0jBS4K1NjkXbM-Ef6ejpsRpRrD4IgUwvuP1UG_UIP-s_MxbESez_Rrk9ZpljKMtT4S5G2w/s4000/Dungog%20station.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7Ml6e4gB4CjtAjAobMuhf-oqpGaA-fJtDFYJb8XS5xTRz6_YXkczFjXLB4OGzEAVJyfCwvUjqvV39ypi7BcEpqiZHheYkzQbQ_mjhKFLUQZV98TZ6qsH0jBS4K1NjkXbM-Ef6ejpsRpRrD4IgUwvuP1UG_UIP-s_MxbESez_Rrk9ZpljKMtT4S5G2w/s320/Dungog%20station.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4n3ORPMHrtGmu_xH_6aynK3b5Ulh5RBjEqquIOmU9mCeV_hH7ApZW_CwqkWvh2ELpIpgwNblfogOCwGPvq6c6dJDPKGdNYFfx1XipYJf--51y20lKBVOsflFu54CD8RddcSGjFYIry-baOSibXy_8XJGA5JuWvu41XlcB9xSsD3k3rgzKXeShNQHJWg/s4000/Dungog_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4n3ORPMHrtGmu_xH_6aynK3b5Ulh5RBjEqquIOmU9mCeV_hH7ApZW_CwqkWvh2ELpIpgwNblfogOCwGPvq6c6dJDPKGdNYFfx1XipYJf--51y20lKBVOsflFu54CD8RddcSGjFYIry-baOSibXy_8XJGA5JuWvu41XlcB9xSsD3k3rgzKXeShNQHJWg/s320/Dungog_1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAPnVp-NlfbpPFPvQiHGV5oCwIpzIDPg1mUkL0914P4km1t9SDji1rWYYjKDxJWCQN8-vnxTsgK0TxkltFmIElR0ZODHjbXwy1VdMcI-N-Ti-r4x73qgC0Wh92zDNzTO4JT7bpZArrppQNInTmoyri6Jph3YzsWkYa_WC4i1XQ3agrPFJvReV_DGgJg/s4000/Dungog_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAPnVp-NlfbpPFPvQiHGV5oCwIpzIDPg1mUkL0914P4km1t9SDji1rWYYjKDxJWCQN8-vnxTsgK0TxkltFmIElR0ZODHjbXwy1VdMcI-N-Ti-r4x73qgC0Wh92zDNzTO4JT7bpZArrppQNInTmoyri6Jph3YzsWkYa_WC4i1XQ3agrPFJvReV_DGgJg/s320/Dungog_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Wingello </i>(HO scale) was another NSW-themed layout being based on the prototype station on the Main South line in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, 132km from Sydney Central. The layout is from the Georges River Model Railway Club. The layout features a range of trains from the 1960s through to the 1990s. This was a nicely detailed layout with some excellent scratchbuilt structures.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39LYpdvu_N4-inNl3KigFmtLVaVkKOmuvWhqH0txRTW9P8caHjXngiBCpPh8_5_r3-LFL7WdopZdC59PMj9cMgScZeebJn-LJgDL0Q9TxXwy4JOhNe_yWs5vyEIZVWjzsCOhyq2NE6jq7DiFL0FOiSmPq7BrrKbnx0GkRyldlIXL7ldG9f8oyuGK2xw/s4000/Wingello_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39LYpdvu_N4-inNl3KigFmtLVaVkKOmuvWhqH0txRTW9P8caHjXngiBCpPh8_5_r3-LFL7WdopZdC59PMj9cMgScZeebJn-LJgDL0Q9TxXwy4JOhNe_yWs5vyEIZVWjzsCOhyq2NE6jq7DiFL0FOiSmPq7BrrKbnx0GkRyldlIXL7ldG9f8oyuGK2xw/s320/Wingello_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Gunning</i> (N scale) made another appearance, folowing on from Canberra last month. Gunning is a small town on the Main South line and is a popular spot for railway photographers. The layout incorporates the railway station and infrastructure of Gunning, as well as some additional railway structures to the north and south of Gunning itself. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqrlBVGYCspy2g3ujt1lOpj6orsVKypTiBPdx6JolMGS2wa7NgI__tV3i00mTVoZyBTQ5mjmWX7fs71Q7Pn3RCY-OVRfwhJvM_cRvlFXxAfXKsT4KQVTxQ0bbYrZawFPus2eYs6R4Sa2qZs6_wrB1zrI5Avru-kPUT4ciciB1MUZGd5mhq7ooHq_oAA/s4000/Gunning%20station.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqrlBVGYCspy2g3ujt1lOpj6orsVKypTiBPdx6JolMGS2wa7NgI__tV3i00mTVoZyBTQ5mjmWX7fs71Q7Pn3RCY-OVRfwhJvM_cRvlFXxAfXKsT4KQVTxQ0bbYrZawFPus2eYs6R4Sa2qZs6_wrB1zrI5Avru-kPUT4ciciB1MUZGd5mhq7ooHq_oAA/s320/Gunning%20station.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Also on the Main South line, north of Gunning, is the major regional town of Goulburn. The Guildford Model Railway Club's exhibition layout of <i>Goulburn</i> (HO scale) is a great representation of the station and yard infrastructure. You can always be assured of plenty of railway action on this layout.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGAAGQuL4sEX-oxpg5CvjWI6BV0l1EYLmudGt88jhpcLTSOGSWMbyLxCeptreBCGD_Wfw7GM-rsk7LSE2WOs-jpejUIK111LYuR7wSE47l6R9F6cuUj_Dc4JpjbWffcTxEtZWdDKRcLmQwcTn4aleQUiQ6YwnS_1rjIZdvdnKUALbzfrhzCg2Gdq2bQ/s4000/Goulburn_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGAAGQuL4sEX-oxpg5CvjWI6BV0l1EYLmudGt88jhpcLTSOGSWMbyLxCeptreBCGD_Wfw7GM-rsk7LSE2WOs-jpejUIK111LYuR7wSE47l6R9F6cuUj_Dc4JpjbWffcTxEtZWdDKRcLmQwcTn4aleQUiQ6YwnS_1rjIZdvdnKUALbzfrhzCg2Gdq2bQ/s320/Goulburn_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoK81MSm_P7Bbz3ko8We8k5Mph5B4v6946bYQ-SxfoRt0f6l-k4KggfOY6GZ8IB_uvRNTXHGBIc7anGizmjh2gBDbrGgWa1-5TK5TqiIV5uwFZhsOWld2zF-LFTGonZKFGa2csBzcBrOj0aDPtG_0eTGeJDG7RtfkKuo6D2ajz1pVZcKGxox6l-mKI1Q/s4000/Goulburn_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoK81MSm_P7Bbz3ko8We8k5Mph5B4v6946bYQ-SxfoRt0f6l-k4KggfOY6GZ8IB_uvRNTXHGBIc7anGizmjh2gBDbrGgWa1-5TK5TqiIV5uwFZhsOWld2zF-LFTGonZKFGa2csBzcBrOj0aDPtG_0eTGeJDG7RtfkKuo6D2ajz1pVZcKGxox6l-mKI1Q/s320/Goulburn_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3y6xA8kwerCzd7gKXfd5U6NxZ8IypNmIgIYRC_mNByyxT-sQvEvNS252x-Dx2obf02YdL2yO7_fiYKFr24sD-VbODel5vj6uRZToWN3Z0QMwVvqGunu399mdH40EqOhyUxdstgmrjIEtCfmSiGZagrtG7Ig3vz1ok2MHQEooKjfrldGmAxh9Dy6EGQ/s4000/Goulburn_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3y6xA8kwerCzd7gKXfd5U6NxZ8IypNmIgIYRC_mNByyxT-sQvEvNS252x-Dx2obf02YdL2yO7_fiYKFr24sD-VbODel5vj6uRZToWN3Z0QMwVvqGunu399mdH40EqOhyUxdstgmrjIEtCfmSiGZagrtG7Ig3vz1ok2MHQEooKjfrldGmAxh9Dy6EGQ/s320/Goulburn_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Another favourite on the exhibition circuit is <i>Waterfall</i> (HO scale) from the Illawarra Model Railway Association. The prototype location of Waterfall is 38km south of Sydney Central on the Illawarra line. The period showcased by this layout is the 1960s, well before electification in 1980. All of the buildings and structures are scratchbuilt. Track is Peco Code 83. Operation can be either DC or DCC.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNY5zalACbpS2G3SIwSlFVIQ26whU-fnuJrsiy_P0nHEHwFmryafs8m6kbVUI3Sn2lZ7-20WPclbh99Rgqsj15ra5EfW6rF7cjdiv0KxphbRHLBKdjOJ1wnDpGF8YTo47kgQ9uWs2Sht-YP20pzciJhN38rncQhTd1RHhRO3ZkVlyYdS_R7NoDwS-yg/s4000/Waterfall_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNY5zalACbpS2G3SIwSlFVIQ26whU-fnuJrsiy_P0nHEHwFmryafs8m6kbVUI3Sn2lZ7-20WPclbh99Rgqsj15ra5EfW6rF7cjdiv0KxphbRHLBKdjOJ1wnDpGF8YTo47kgQ9uWs2Sht-YP20pzciJhN38rncQhTd1RHhRO3ZkVlyYdS_R7NoDwS-yg/s320/Waterfall_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQ7Tewi97P0fnwqjRMulHLhIpzyOWaxfiAokd9zHNS1z2SwWPI3LXwgF1mncMOHvZKQnVBGhQgVTuA7nKZVq4t6bk8yqQcGiaVVGuoTjyBjWYlI6sXVQq3qKWX6p4SUJEzKnZXc9e6i1Xa6S8a2I5LxZTEkBjA8ifop-cQTxO6gJhmXIjSsFRfpAL_g/s4000/Waterfall_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQ7Tewi97P0fnwqjRMulHLhIpzyOWaxfiAokd9zHNS1z2SwWPI3LXwgF1mncMOHvZKQnVBGhQgVTuA7nKZVq4t6bk8yqQcGiaVVGuoTjyBjWYlI6sXVQq3qKWX6p4SUJEzKnZXc9e6i1Xa6S8a2I5LxZTEkBjA8ifop-cQTxO6gJhmXIjSsFRfpAL_g/s320/Waterfall_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Turning now to some overseas prototypes, we start off with the HO scale US-themed layout, <i>Springfield Junction</i> from the Hills Model Railway Club. This layout has many industries and plenty of railroad action. Operation is with digital command control (DCC).</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR9-LzWAyid015eZyAavB7cz6QNCLTgRsxKGwF6OeBm1ZNhmlQPRnl4qVW8xMvXoT2qc9G6jbVmLBCD8nAxrArzIKW6ll87UU3s-HltbxEX-AVavMFcM5o9ynzle0Sy9PI5hwhm3rUvBTOOqpByNxl0JN0qvRQOWaissfXG-wP3ci9GYwIGvZiaJ7dQ/s4000/Springfield_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR9-LzWAyid015eZyAavB7cz6QNCLTgRsxKGwF6OeBm1ZNhmlQPRnl4qVW8xMvXoT2qc9G6jbVmLBCD8nAxrArzIKW6ll87UU3s-HltbxEX-AVavMFcM5o9ynzle0Sy9PI5hwhm3rUvBTOOqpByNxl0JN0qvRQOWaissfXG-wP3ci9GYwIGvZiaJ7dQ/s320/Springfield_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Erbschaft</i> (HO scale) was a wonderful layout from Ross James and son, particularly given that much of the buildings, locos and rolling stock came from Ross's father's collection from the 1960s and 1970s. The layout depicts a fictitious West German town in the 1960s. The layout uses the centre-stud Marklin track and locomotives. The buildings are early Faller and Kibri. None look the worse for wear! I spent quite some time enjoying this layout and all it had to offer. A very well composed layout indeed.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFUEkJw7nX2B_t8xiECNLPkeLhhNDOzgaxWOS1ZuuEgbH6y1rDsJOXwnx7uIJsnzWpzDWQ9Ll9svRdDT_aKd8VmuT2t5Fq9VH2PrGhfo4HWJ10lgxXg5xSWMUd6sL3D5aOMktz5wfwgsDZvf87g0laKsEf8U0BkzsIOiAtOmMNygmV9mFX_u-xqHpcA/s4000/Erbschaft_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFUEkJw7nX2B_t8xiECNLPkeLhhNDOzgaxWOS1ZuuEgbH6y1rDsJOXwnx7uIJsnzWpzDWQ9Ll9svRdDT_aKd8VmuT2t5Fq9VH2PrGhfo4HWJ10lgxXg5xSWMUd6sL3D5aOMktz5wfwgsDZvf87g0laKsEf8U0BkzsIOiAtOmMNygmV9mFX_u-xqHpcA/s320/Erbschaft_3.jpg" width="320" /> </a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPknJ885aTbKYvDwNnJa8Ssx_rHMQGEOgXfHI56Z95_LKrT07XvjLijZBncnP32w2eq1817nz-TndgHuKsEcSMGxvRTAY_R2MqCEaONYLfm5Wl0xpiZfApLanNUGAthaYkoZSpVAjw1Wcuh-YtEyih5j2xYiZvUn8D2rrHCinMcZK9WGJTq38Mp0dTQ/s4000/Erbschaft%20loco%20depot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPknJ885aTbKYvDwNnJa8Ssx_rHMQGEOgXfHI56Z95_LKrT07XvjLijZBncnP32w2eq1817nz-TndgHuKsEcSMGxvRTAY_R2MqCEaONYLfm5Wl0xpiZfApLanNUGAthaYkoZSpVAjw1Wcuh-YtEyih5j2xYiZvUn8D2rrHCinMcZK9WGJTq38Mp0dTQ/s320/Erbschaft%20loco%20depot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4mIF7xJuzbR2LECkG9U9WUWYq0zs27n2HNqbPDwnQ720X7AAuWuQm_DeEBHunYbvdItu_x9fvdf1LoGG1va1rIGtXBOm5RV-3oiPNmYAgtKssBt9soN2IsFqlAdHAkAT3akGy8utPQ7uOMMXkoyXCdg4JaD3ZJkPmra7D4-O_D4MJXGT3sg0GvhRWQ/s4000/Erbschaft_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4mIF7xJuzbR2LECkG9U9WUWYq0zs27n2HNqbPDwnQ720X7AAuWuQm_DeEBHunYbvdItu_x9fvdf1LoGG1va1rIGtXBOm5RV-3oiPNmYAgtKssBt9soN2IsFqlAdHAkAT3akGy8utPQ7uOMMXkoyXCdg4JaD3ZJkPmra7D4-O_D4MJXGT3sg0GvhRWQ/s320/Erbschaft_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Another German layout was <i>Luneberg</i> from the Marklin Modellers Sydney club. The layout features the medieval town of Luneberg in northern Germany. This layout had some very nice buildings, as well as showcasing a variety of trains from Era III to the latest high-speed trains. The layout also uses the Faller car system and the town was well serviced by regular buses.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-b5iD735GZXGzmUt2PBikGISJQC2wdqroanZaCSbHYIZPR-yjxzRFXgfgvTBD-ZBarm1TLhn82jp7YBY7T6-OymkvAOkdKCxI5sWcY7cpfTCZy99Yo_EoqvW17yaXc87moJic3-35RcSCBIHz9FcLHLtUCdsBALnkDfrm_QK5lZnvckpKKEJE04auQ/s4000/Luneburg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-b5iD735GZXGzmUt2PBikGISJQC2wdqroanZaCSbHYIZPR-yjxzRFXgfgvTBD-ZBarm1TLhn82jp7YBY7T6-OymkvAOkdKCxI5sWcY7cpfTCZy99Yo_EoqvW17yaXc87moJic3-35RcSCBIHz9FcLHLtUCdsBALnkDfrm_QK5lZnvckpKKEJE04auQ/s320/Luneburg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I'll finish up with another of my favourites from the exhibition: <i>Uley Junction</i> (O scale). The layout is based on a fictitious location but following Great Western Railway (GWR) practices. Being a branch line terminus, there are a number of short trains coming and going, as well as plenty of shunting. The layout showcases two periods of operation - late 1800s-early 1900s, and the 1930s. As such, there is a very interesting array of trains that you can see on this layout throughout the day. The layout uses a turntable fiddle yard (which is pretty big!), being able to hold and turn a train of 1200mm in length.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiQEwMnHvVMxQRVXmAOu3-QbAUIBDlU9bImMKOXQljMZohHyUKgwloCqQ4IgqLH4PhQPCSOc195C9cwojAesna65v3i4cL_Xex-V-SlpHKXYPy40WiTqM6e8dTlE8nlDU1lBCK0XDQlVEJ18sEn_Y7E_JsEVfH7wLAUbghNJpCF2XpDXpAHbigIbyjg/s4000/Uley%20Junction%20station.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiQEwMnHvVMxQRVXmAOu3-QbAUIBDlU9bImMKOXQljMZohHyUKgwloCqQ4IgqLH4PhQPCSOc195C9cwojAesna65v3i4cL_Xex-V-SlpHKXYPy40WiTqM6e8dTlE8nlDU1lBCK0XDQlVEJ18sEn_Y7E_JsEVfH7wLAUbghNJpCF2XpDXpAHbigIbyjg/s320/Uley%20Junction%20station.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-wDvrNutUOwb5QNz7_zQ_g1-jcuV-7vtbBrLRuDKCFSrItnl5WapBL5ki6YDTInP5Re7NvFxeBQJT9mWb2lscc1cqKC3z3WyMrBuToTtxNVvIf_qq2nAu6esNPLtPeQwwf5EHtg0XPYqaPMGzSytvTEy9SwQ95vBXeGUoZj6XKLfB9Er6camKr6wiA/s4000/Uley%20Junction%20sector%20plate_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-wDvrNutUOwb5QNz7_zQ_g1-jcuV-7vtbBrLRuDKCFSrItnl5WapBL5ki6YDTInP5Re7NvFxeBQJT9mWb2lscc1cqKC3z3WyMrBuToTtxNVvIf_qq2nAu6esNPLtPeQwwf5EHtg0XPYqaPMGzSytvTEy9SwQ95vBXeGUoZj6XKLfB9Er6camKr6wiA/s320/Uley%20Junction%20sector%20plate_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLugPgxCXjV9RXeghWPX1p8_9kP1iWsxZgndBe1BOIRqj460mZ2O3d_xzS4HXOXZ5F7bE8eYlevEmArD2Xqkpg8wqNXw572SwCaCBnSTJ6moNx9AXDLHvoNC78srcKxAa8Rr_GyySUjmoRDH7BUo82uPuAMgN6i9p_utYZGHMA4G6329Aadaj_N6jbHQ/s4000/Uley%20Junction%20sector%20plate_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLugPgxCXjV9RXeghWPX1p8_9kP1iWsxZgndBe1BOIRqj460mZ2O3d_xzS4HXOXZ5F7bE8eYlevEmArD2Xqkpg8wqNXw572SwCaCBnSTJ6moNx9AXDLHvoNC78srcKxAa8Rr_GyySUjmoRDH7BUo82uPuAMgN6i9p_utYZGHMA4G6329Aadaj_N6jbHQ/s320/Uley%20Junction%20sector%20plate_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br />As well as a great and varied selection of layouts on show at the exhibition, there was also a wide range of commercial vendors as well. These included, ARHS bookshop, Alco World Trains, AndIan Models, Auscision, Bergs Hobbies, Burfitt Tools, Casula Hobbies, Eureka, Euro Hobby, Forest Miniatures, Hobbyland Hornsby, IDR, Ixion, Kerroby Models, Model Railroad Craftsman, Pallas Hobbies, SCMRS, SDS, and Wombat Models. Apologies if I left anybody out. And I cannot forget to mention the exhibition's second-hand stall which is synonomous with the event.<br /></p><p>The Epping Model Railway Club is to be congratulated for a first rate exhibition with plenty of layouts and commercial stands to make the day (or weekend) a truly engaging experience. Thanks, fellas!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-74542721823277179842022-05-16T18:19:00.004+10:002022-05-17T09:23:47.643+10:00The 2022 Rosehill Model Railway Exhibition<p>Congratulations to the Epping Model Railway Club for an absolutely fantastic model railway exhibition at Rosehill racecourse. After two false starts in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid-19, it was great to have this exhibition back in business as it is truly one of the best in the country.</p><p>This exhibition was a two day affair instead of the usual three day exhibition. Talking to exhibitors, they were pretty happy with a two day event. I don't know what the patronage was over the weekend, but on Saturday when I attended it was pretty busy, both inside the second hand section and the the exhibition proper. The venue (and the sunny weather) was excellent with good lighting, plenty of aisle space and a great range of layouts and commercial stands.</p><p>I had pre-booked and entry mid-morning Saturday was easy. The $20 entry fee, at first glance, seemed a bit high but everything seems to be expensive at the moment. That said, when I consider I was there for about five hours, enjoyed the layouts and catching up with people, then a $20 entry fee was good value.</p><p>Before I go any further, let's see a sample of some of the layouts on show.</p><p>First up is <i>Yendys</i> (HO scale) from the ACT Model Railway Society. As you can see from the exhibition plaques in the second photo below, this layout has done a lot of shows. It is a very good layout and always worth a good look. As always, click on the image to expand. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighbg2aWrvlU2kQgg0kA-YTjpDix6TPL5PCqABCUhcXSmaHH-EEnvCbhyq9zkYrwtX3PF4MnjZw0P6XYq_gaqK7dgp4LjY12RJ609EsCIVB76816GxO0TBZs81qWPpJwD3TsY0xWh83uhQ1BQYprzFYByrxv9BY4gS1OvDs6bW9pO2KYru5L_NIZhI_A/s4000/Yendys_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighbg2aWrvlU2kQgg0kA-YTjpDix6TPL5PCqABCUhcXSmaHH-EEnvCbhyq9zkYrwtX3PF4MnjZw0P6XYq_gaqK7dgp4LjY12RJ609EsCIVB76816GxO0TBZs81qWPpJwD3TsY0xWh83uhQ1BQYprzFYByrxv9BY4gS1OvDs6bW9pO2KYru5L_NIZhI_A/s320/Yendys_2.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ4C1ivRNw1g3w6SpMAS9c1_wsbwFIXvsblVex7VZwmAPTJPnr7jy0DkzvyhBmmrVQpVl9vN2Ma9VvtBNIIsZoe1j1A21vZZuTsH8B_E4FtSLeB3Z2oRZbVmqYvRO3FNkhJoFrXs5xYJMw_bEGCQgDORmVZGSzwmuPjVC782iSQou1nGk1irqrxUtWQ/s4000/Yendys_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ4C1ivRNw1g3w6SpMAS9c1_wsbwFIXvsblVex7VZwmAPTJPnr7jy0DkzvyhBmmrVQpVl9vN2Ma9VvtBNIIsZoe1j1A21vZZuTsH8B_E4FtSLeB3Z2oRZbVmqYvRO3FNkhJoFrXs5xYJMw_bEGCQgDORmVZGSzwmuPjVC782iSQou1nGk1irqrxUtWQ/s320/Yendys_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p></p><p>Next up was the <i>Peterborough Line</i>, an interesting layout with separate vignettes showing the Light River bridge (photos) and Tarlee. The layout is HO scale and set in the 1982-86 era when Australian National trains plied the rails. I look forward to seeing further developments on this layout in the future.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48tx0mZZV_86ctVFXzTONotAiHo6gODSc9A1a1AQRUT7dznPegMG6GjnQdYfqO-cu1464zeHOd7KZgQ_-0E74wr1B6tSwg9n8btG0sh_cWPgMkggVeSmT23Y0qILfgZnhP6iDqo0I-Y91vdVCPAmYysjwG4qBpRlt5ihxZ4Pup4tViLw1jyDY2v35Gg/s4000/SAR_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48tx0mZZV_86ctVFXzTONotAiHo6gODSc9A1a1AQRUT7dznPegMG6GjnQdYfqO-cu1464zeHOd7KZgQ_-0E74wr1B6tSwg9n8btG0sh_cWPgMkggVeSmT23Y0qILfgZnhP6iDqo0I-Y91vdVCPAmYysjwG4qBpRlt5ihxZ4Pup4tViLw1jyDY2v35Gg/s320/SAR_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicldMW6-UOM-KNIx5Y0e_xjInJ0VtS3AKTbuT14AHXWnFa0GYpUfQOqGQJesBqFx8dKXvbyFCRBAxeqTEajRIa6sckGE_9JNUcDlDhpW9fh4amt0RNJ_M_7iLp6vf2wYD-aEW-5xkAFsQQNRJF5pqa9_lxMGkxnKG-f2dX3ROnrX9vI16sicQBS80nLw/s4000/SAR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicldMW6-UOM-KNIx5Y0e_xjInJ0VtS3AKTbuT14AHXWnFa0GYpUfQOqGQJesBqFx8dKXvbyFCRBAxeqTEajRIa6sckGE_9JNUcDlDhpW9fh4amt0RNJ_M_7iLp6vf2wYD-aEW-5xkAFsQQNRJF5pqa9_lxMGkxnKG-f2dX3ROnrX9vI16sicQBS80nLw/s320/SAR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p>The popular <i>Binalong</i> layout (HO scale) from the Epping Model Railway Club made another exhibition appearance. This layout is always a pleasure to view.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39d0JjTYU9J1rjNhIfJEhloUpVkGIYw9KpcUNzqR2JWOOcTlD-TQNbBVaD50cYgGSeOP7fyOuYQgaLqpMB5jePoY7XDeUXUN5W3uz775GShfqPItGLXct0v20ML-DIx-riGhbZo3uIcmk7w__pmhz_KYWOoIcQLu8S0_yUQJu_d-NTbDJTvpqChSbGQ/s4000/Binalong.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39d0JjTYU9J1rjNhIfJEhloUpVkGIYw9KpcUNzqR2JWOOcTlD-TQNbBVaD50cYgGSeOP7fyOuYQgaLqpMB5jePoY7XDeUXUN5W3uz775GShfqPItGLXct0v20ML-DIx-riGhbZo3uIcmk7w__pmhz_KYWOoIcQLu8S0_yUQJu_d-NTbDJTvpqChSbGQ/s320/Binalong.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><i>Widgeree</i> (N scale) was a new layout to me and one that packs a lot of model railway into a scene. The layout is from the Sydney N Scale Model Railway Club. The layout is based on a small country town in the goldfields region of Victoria on the Castlemaine to Maryborough line in the early 1980s. The layout showcases a wide range of locos and rolling stock from club members.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pkPd-MrR8yvL23lQT14SBvLrhVQECFPJpGd26tbybPr8loXjzlDIc8nkByJDQCk1uZIg3GWfAN4YLDiD9zqG79A8FcPINJQKcXbZsYZeMy_ruzBHd8Vsj5JBTWwQirk2ZXOS9iLjd8gsyEU2Cfwy_Kx_Mmompgz8cqe7asu_SGn9JgyO6Z6U-iLoGg/s4000/Widgeree_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pkPd-MrR8yvL23lQT14SBvLrhVQECFPJpGd26tbybPr8loXjzlDIc8nkByJDQCk1uZIg3GWfAN4YLDiD9zqG79A8FcPINJQKcXbZsYZeMy_ruzBHd8Vsj5JBTWwQirk2ZXOS9iLjd8gsyEU2Cfwy_Kx_Mmompgz8cqe7asu_SGn9JgyO6Z6U-iLoGg/s320/Widgeree_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jAgkFoTVcungzukHteVn1G3gT9lMMvPyjc6f9FLXqNIzNOsB8kks6tzi08aLpIaJn3PEDA4eXU4YguaswhSJcUp-SWG58NYbByRleZBhq6s_mzwUaGLr1hm1SLAvk7XaCGbUrRg6yG6aa1fUkTkhL3QRBR6jLlVfzqjwuHF0J9VKNGmWs5UsVrEGFg/s4000/Widgeree_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jAgkFoTVcungzukHteVn1G3gT9lMMvPyjc6f9FLXqNIzNOsB8kks6tzi08aLpIaJn3PEDA4eXU4YguaswhSJcUp-SWG58NYbByRleZBhq6s_mzwUaGLr1hm1SLAvk7XaCGbUrRg6yG6aa1fUkTkhL3QRBR6jLlVfzqjwuHF0J9VKNGmWs5UsVrEGFg/s320/Widgeree_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2LPl9Gm-NPWG0YYUMvSBPTA0rkV62Mn4vz8mZ4oEf_e7rIj_F8mg9gkrfPxbU33CjG0wUvkHRjjFCj1N4PGkwLsdBgCnTxLUTOfDkdi4iwI6D-6HVrLYWVAP94J1Ia4JyzSkPLAM--teJlUl_Ug6hyc9ZbhBVEOk7cxlObFIwLK6R_4NyqRQIAU_Nw/s4000/Widgeree_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2LPl9Gm-NPWG0YYUMvSBPTA0rkV62Mn4vz8mZ4oEf_e7rIj_F8mg9gkrfPxbU33CjG0wUvkHRjjFCj1N4PGkwLsdBgCnTxLUTOfDkdi4iwI6D-6HVrLYWVAP94J1Ia4JyzSkPLAM--teJlUl_Ug6hyc9ZbhBVEOk7cxlObFIwLK6R_4NyqRQIAU_Nw/s320/Widgeree_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwncXGPk5GV0xhzXrdXM91k2SXF5jLtK-68LmwGS8RaNl35CzTmwv8u1QI3aAItmMJnQ5ksC6fs2cqNndYtbxmqo8SUBbSY8JOsZQnvdK96iovC-V1DxU_eQ6wGhpkX4xl23PuAK_S7EIf2iyAVohJBLPoHP6GJeRDjwnRlE7AXNgiSwCtFcjzG1RnQ/s4000/Widgeree_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwncXGPk5GV0xhzXrdXM91k2SXF5jLtK-68LmwGS8RaNl35CzTmwv8u1QI3aAItmMJnQ5ksC6fs2cqNndYtbxmqo8SUBbSY8JOsZQnvdK96iovC-V1DxU_eQ6wGhpkX4xl23PuAK_S7EIf2iyAVohJBLPoHP6GJeRDjwnRlE7AXNgiSwCtFcjzG1RnQ/s320/Widgeree_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Canadian-themed <i>Cheakamus Canyon</i> in HO scale was an amazing layout set in the mountains of British Columbia. The layout features a number of bridge scenes, all based on real locations. The scenery was built using plaster castings on a foam base. The enormity of the scenic areas really place the trains in context. The layout was featured in the December 2021 issue of <i>Continental Modeller</i>. This layout is one to look out for at future exhibitions.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQb9cMVSlT0FL53_sXqL027R4c9wmK-p6MNOepFBWSvHxpHFs1Z67QTW0I4tID3YxXofK5KSNk83rm_MnO30yn0bynRcvCHmNZP1xFP2Vaj4w478-_bQVVynMtOOSNzkaLJQ0yG8Nz2viDrapHcTwnSE4vFoWFANJ9jWeI-Aep-ik9__klOfre5fKt2w/s4000/Cheakamus%20Canyon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQb9cMVSlT0FL53_sXqL027R4c9wmK-p6MNOepFBWSvHxpHFs1Z67QTW0I4tID3YxXofK5KSNk83rm_MnO30yn0bynRcvCHmNZP1xFP2Vaj4w478-_bQVVynMtOOSNzkaLJQ0yG8Nz2viDrapHcTwnSE4vFoWFANJ9jWeI-Aep-ik9__klOfre5fKt2w/s320/Cheakamus%20Canyon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFemsFWgtAfusLU62cdl7oonvhF3uLHxq_7waqNP70pqtIXMsSJPw5daQnWq_yVEKtxPK83p5djlQen7Im7uQ_VrKVyUzt8zsmp3EqAsiDCxdL749IZ3q0GXXvDwKYTbJIOAbrzzBCvH8kuHXCElJr9DDpFkWm-3e0AG9eXJOrMYrX_o09Q67ibPCDg/s4000/Cheakamus%20Canyon_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFemsFWgtAfusLU62cdl7oonvhF3uLHxq_7waqNP70pqtIXMsSJPw5daQnWq_yVEKtxPK83p5djlQen7Im7uQ_VrKVyUzt8zsmp3EqAsiDCxdL749IZ3q0GXXvDwKYTbJIOAbrzzBCvH8kuHXCElJr9DDpFkWm-3e0AG9eXJOrMYrX_o09Q67ibPCDg/s320/Cheakamus%20Canyon_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E9rMcblX-AOFEZs_GDtZZ-aYCWYIx9UwB03m930tjZftMO0kjcqRUfgw3ZBWuN1hPoxylpQF8WrXQDno5Rj8vt4-oA0qZ4UatyJAEJbe_XZPlFfXXt1d3gkOPUwe3UBeHIKxOi3r6LBCab8YKCbeQzQLwlC79l0dyfmZXLcoPeiQF4sLvGVPJX9txg/s4000/Cheakamus%20Canyon_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E9rMcblX-AOFEZs_GDtZZ-aYCWYIx9UwB03m930tjZftMO0kjcqRUfgw3ZBWuN1hPoxylpQF8WrXQDno5Rj8vt4-oA0qZ4UatyJAEJbe_XZPlFfXXt1d3gkOPUwe3UBeHIKxOi3r6LBCab8YKCbeQzQLwlC79l0dyfmZXLcoPeiQF4sLvGVPJX9txg/s320/Cheakamus%20Canyon_3.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p>One of the highlights was the HO scale layout <i>Burrowa</i>. This layout is now 30' long (just over 9 metres) and well-scenicked using static grass and various coloured fibres. The slow pace of this branch line replicates the prototype nicely. The layout modules are are constructed using aluminium frames with plywood and foam superstructure. The station and associated buildings were all scratchbuilt, save for the S008 grain silos. The control panel uses the <a href="https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/cobalt-alpha-central-integrated-12-way-digital-switch/" target="_blank">DCC Concepts Alpha Central</a> for switching the points. I really love this layout and enjoyed talking to Peter, the owner/builder, about its construction. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmm-NmS7KDe8_b_EbsAZwku5-3ue3s5cTejvXxq7qBNkRJrlNx45-EsqbdYZAOBs0GC0SeQMMSwiTiFJGfN1y8eis6MJDTkHstL3162EHi58UHNYsx3wf4y0_HsN6rGITLGt4TyvXyxxMROLAlIzdOkzVxCwU6pViFWpOOBjAbFuVBZhGh3Ag_gVJXQ/s4000/Burrowa_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmm-NmS7KDe8_b_EbsAZwku5-3ue3s5cTejvXxq7qBNkRJrlNx45-EsqbdYZAOBs0GC0SeQMMSwiTiFJGfN1y8eis6MJDTkHstL3162EHi58UHNYsx3wf4y0_HsN6rGITLGt4TyvXyxxMROLAlIzdOkzVxCwU6pViFWpOOBjAbFuVBZhGh3Ag_gVJXQ/s320/Burrowa_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0yjV3aZ2Y5wkA2NvSlq1ycD85IxBEWCNdpVNhFtc1QY-QeLz3sd7HIyCDmg5hvv9k3uskcOG7Hw3EUIWKDYkGQoM11Apxi1XZkX73wRroSxVM5yODKaZ_FGEP0u6Y3u_QVh2qGqqP4JVwUm8hcIKD9gLcxKcq1X3iN9XPCCsCuRRj7-DsP7EWz5o_Q/s4000/Burrowa%20station.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0yjV3aZ2Y5wkA2NvSlq1ycD85IxBEWCNdpVNhFtc1QY-QeLz3sd7HIyCDmg5hvv9k3uskcOG7Hw3EUIWKDYkGQoM11Apxi1XZkX73wRroSxVM5yODKaZ_FGEP0u6Y3u_QVh2qGqqP4JVwUm8hcIKD9gLcxKcq1X3iN9XPCCsCuRRj7-DsP7EWz5o_Q/s320/Burrowa%20station.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBICmi5PWUy9yI_l504C4H7IX-hnjSfZd1iMtbx5tY8kiTxNkT6JZxfIqJX44tu5IOtqno-9kOtLQqgYc7Jo7hrgqDq1_rwSyTRhxXTDSSGeLP6arb7yqhSAmmgGoXoOUZnohxTswWqFqB47ye4mJyAaDYvdiOASSyL_mwJK9VoKD14Jjozhx0GTxTw/s4000/Burrowa%20control%20panel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBICmi5PWUy9yI_l504C4H7IX-hnjSfZd1iMtbx5tY8kiTxNkT6JZxfIqJX44tu5IOtqno-9kOtLQqgYc7Jo7hrgqDq1_rwSyTRhxXTDSSGeLP6arb7yqhSAmmgGoXoOUZnohxTswWqFqB47ye4mJyAaDYvdiOASSyL_mwJK9VoKD14Jjozhx0GTxTw/s320/Burrowa%20control%20panel.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p>In contrast by size, my other favourite layout was the wonderful <i>Cass</i> layout (HO scale) set in the mountains of West Virginia, USA, located a "ways up" the Chesapeake & Ohio Greenbrier Division. This layout was new to me. The layout featured shay lumber workings of the Cass, and then later, Mower Lumber companies. Note in the photos below the wonderful shay (brass) and how the right side of the layout extends back deep to give the layout a strong sense of depth but within a relatively small amount of space. The layout was constructed dusing Qubelok aluminium and foam core board which makes this layout light and easy to transport. This layout was superb.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUzVN99Ff1cpvDtOYftZi3xPFF2TkC7MJuS4QWLjTjCh1iv-PRR98sgARr_1BsWexkRXQfSIExdHgjYa-l-fuS0OznZlHkvzB0GulWxPUBm4Fhs_A9DtAANltkWLoKinQtoym6FY9-LpKsPQCaY_GgpJMUp36wKHirZolTtmpTQuok17svXM1HkM5LQ/s4000/Cass_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUzVN99Ff1cpvDtOYftZi3xPFF2TkC7MJuS4QWLjTjCh1iv-PRR98sgARr_1BsWexkRXQfSIExdHgjYa-l-fuS0OznZlHkvzB0GulWxPUBm4Fhs_A9DtAANltkWLoKinQtoym6FY9-LpKsPQCaY_GgpJMUp36wKHirZolTtmpTQuok17svXM1HkM5LQ/s320/Cass_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnR330YlxylsQhto4gkFCRs3wQcapwQQ3Vt0GXNZ9u02pLlM-g7JLBjAWEQFK11I63Gxz7_QG2wtJ-tQaARMxNOKjxZMFvBJUMv9iTrgWm-4onlcggUS_oTknjyzj98Le7ZM_kNxwE02tOsJqmbBdYH-WUhiK91_hom-kuy5A5wNLhVE3qMSnO-L-wg/s4000/Cass_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnR330YlxylsQhto4gkFCRs3wQcapwQQ3Vt0GXNZ9u02pLlM-g7JLBjAWEQFK11I63Gxz7_QG2wtJ-tQaARMxNOKjxZMFvBJUMv9iTrgWm-4onlcggUS_oTknjyzj98Le7ZM_kNxwE02tOsJqmbBdYH-WUhiK91_hom-kuy5A5wNLhVE3qMSnO-L-wg/s320/Cass_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yUY0Ga4O7BzGp0klZMrib-hncr7rfLOtxzGwMZJHE8dwltqz51ZigKegydvan99-C-YR_19xv3Zuz7bNP2sK7sc1N5yXhRwv2BGV7LjAg614VMkt7JAuuNuBWr_N0lZMdwRtxhuJvRqVNeKpx5Quk8CHfRfjUO7mc2bifN-11cUbKUbmOwBcvadaVQ/s4000/Cass_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yUY0Ga4O7BzGp0klZMrib-hncr7rfLOtxzGwMZJHE8dwltqz51ZigKegydvan99-C-YR_19xv3Zuz7bNP2sK7sc1N5yXhRwv2BGV7LjAg614VMkt7JAuuNuBWr_N0lZMdwRtxhuJvRqVNeKpx5Quk8CHfRfjUO7mc2bifN-11cUbKUbmOwBcvadaVQ/s320/Cass_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeNTUIHHT6cZboaLkUrV4VhiGgdk_GG3kA3PK9MMOyoJj-XXDYptvU61KKI62dKYPlwMBtvwMOQAKh0r_8IfTdW8KRfAyarsMNZSksY5wFMZuuRbq2XIjCNKMwHd9iEIw1mGlXFdQ2pcs39g87x3YJ3TSSwVM0k_olvOKp2WhXV5cO--nAPKg28Coog/s4000/Cass_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeNTUIHHT6cZboaLkUrV4VhiGgdk_GG3kA3PK9MMOyoJj-XXDYptvU61KKI62dKYPlwMBtvwMOQAKh0r_8IfTdW8KRfAyarsMNZSksY5wFMZuuRbq2XIjCNKMwHd9iEIw1mGlXFdQ2pcs39g87x3YJ3TSSwVM0k_olvOKp2WhXV5cO--nAPKg28Coog/s320/Cass_5.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7EbmN40dqurkoqpfxB2zVR3D992SSZ_tJmasdTXJNEppitbugdiBHlUu3esgS3nZxv9b23YU3LJqO0xFdCcINKwSK3lR6Qd21bqk6WzoJnd0KdXACd109OiSwv6seNkakkZDv1q72xwHMRPjOxaHVpY2ZC5lyRfEZR7Ib2YjpI6omvcmbchWL79K2w/s4000/Cass_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7EbmN40dqurkoqpfxB2zVR3D992SSZ_tJmasdTXJNEppitbugdiBHlUu3esgS3nZxv9b23YU3LJqO0xFdCcINKwSK3lR6Qd21bqk6WzoJnd0KdXACd109OiSwv6seNkakkZDv1q72xwHMRPjOxaHVpY2ZC5lyRfEZR7Ib2YjpI6omvcmbchWL79K2w/s320/Cass_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p></p><p>Another layout I saw for the first time was the Queensland Railways HOn31/2 <i>Walloon</i> from the Logan District Model Railway Club. The layout is set in the 1960-80 period with a good variety of locos and rolling stock. In particular, the station buildings and the church were very nicely made and contributed to the realism of the associated scenery.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaXKoyX4rZ4zlb8Vx3nToVbeAx8rY5YDp7hT0ozHXtWY_7XCr4hgd8puCEwcIwoEtuOMZ2jzOUOUUndQnZNOMmuWqX9Y9Njq1XICGEMW4qcJ6fMS_9d465ZqalHxhGhvauOKimcIzgur3itCfLhfyqYYaDgZR_lrPjqoT4FFmwcW9D-uLX2yRxbwz8w/s4000/Walloon_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaXKoyX4rZ4zlb8Vx3nToVbeAx8rY5YDp7hT0ozHXtWY_7XCr4hgd8puCEwcIwoEtuOMZ2jzOUOUUndQnZNOMmuWqX9Y9Njq1XICGEMW4qcJ6fMS_9d465ZqalHxhGhvauOKimcIzgur3itCfLhfyqYYaDgZR_lrPjqoT4FFmwcW9D-uLX2yRxbwz8w/s320/Walloon_2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo-UVO9FLbkTiU67f5N7eI3p1hO_JRfFx50JnyoQLw61BE6ELNTV898go1my26ujiMPqkjB3ICDg2pd5ebdY12iSOI-lyOJfRmanzyFPmSQcSp9D7GhsRxNQzqkv74MtYRGJtNR72aWHrCn0MU7JWRIgaSbZV216ap9dWxxr_efsDGheWXMIohfJHBg/s4000/Walloon%20station.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo-UVO9FLbkTiU67f5N7eI3p1hO_JRfFx50JnyoQLw61BE6ELNTV898go1my26ujiMPqkjB3ICDg2pd5ebdY12iSOI-lyOJfRmanzyFPmSQcSp9D7GhsRxNQzqkv74MtYRGJtNR72aWHrCn0MU7JWRIgaSbZV216ap9dWxxr_efsDGheWXMIohfJHBg/s320/Walloon%20station.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Another layout I was very impressed with was <i>Over the Fence</i> (NSW, HO scale). This layout is loosely modelled on Adamstown (including the station). The layout features some wonderful suburban houses and cameo scenes which we've come to expect from the layout builders in the now familiar perspex display mode. The railway line literally passes these houses "over the fence". All the buildings and structures were scratchbuilt using styrene. The different houses and rooflines are exceptional.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArmP9Wfb_QPh5PagJOpU25YyYdzFea_C0rBS93nLsvRnZp65roOZfEPc6Z7JztMbKQLInTamqCF74dLPsO34mgYJuuFlEifRSZgyx_SaulfPX4BNyz1t6y3wWo2mzywLV9F_vV3ng7c6dXMkUr4bu08YtUe_kIE8J14Khu3qaFXBE7BY85Hy-LncSlw/s4000/Over%20the%20fence_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArmP9Wfb_QPh5PagJOpU25YyYdzFea_C0rBS93nLsvRnZp65roOZfEPc6Z7JztMbKQLInTamqCF74dLPsO34mgYJuuFlEifRSZgyx_SaulfPX4BNyz1t6y3wWo2mzywLV9F_vV3ng7c6dXMkUr4bu08YtUe_kIE8J14Khu3qaFXBE7BY85Hy-LncSlw/s320/Over%20the%20fence_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkZFZ-pJSqf0eniB5mul39ZQ8JcAz9Rfm_hdY-tFab7RDaQe2vlZBprWsooI1kRwt1pc7ZUZ04Mzi8eDtybmrED_SzgxXu0Znmcsm88LM1eusv9H87R2f0Fe2GCbcmqKrIQWMKy598NERZEtr6jsVUvWF0xomPlMaILIV2nral1twCtCc0VsXgTkJuA/s4000/Over%20the%20fence_building_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkZFZ-pJSqf0eniB5mul39ZQ8JcAz9Rfm_hdY-tFab7RDaQe2vlZBprWsooI1kRwt1pc7ZUZ04Mzi8eDtybmrED_SzgxXu0Znmcsm88LM1eusv9H87R2f0Fe2GCbcmqKrIQWMKy598NERZEtr6jsVUvWF0xomPlMaILIV2nral1twCtCc0VsXgTkJuA/s320/Over%20the%20fence_building_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhvJjMnqcaslkUot17azA0s9-r4xuJvXcTOF-iNCAGZBlqtMG7gYbLC94DnMOyZB784kOZ_mcBRCElpee7eIx8vFK_nVlQWe1M4Mb1PIcuK80IzItUklt8UpDCX6yI_mnPtJa4iJcOQnGtiNC_1SxW8foMrTeXKcuxuJF1wLfYi4Rhp8wQk9keeJykA/s4000/Over%20the%20fence%20station_Adamstown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhvJjMnqcaslkUot17azA0s9-r4xuJvXcTOF-iNCAGZBlqtMG7gYbLC94DnMOyZB784kOZ_mcBRCElpee7eIx8vFK_nVlQWe1M4Mb1PIcuK80IzItUklt8UpDCX6yI_mnPtJa4iJcOQnGtiNC_1SxW8foMrTeXKcuxuJF1wLfYi4Rhp8wQk9keeJykA/s320/Over%20the%20fence%20station_Adamstown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Stay tuned for the second instalment later in the week for the completion of the exhibition report and associated layout photos. But once again, thanks to the Epping MRC for an exceptional day.<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-40102853949239273632022-04-26T21:02:00.019+10:002022-04-27T17:54:00.262+10:00Model Railway Exhibitions Review<p>I thought I'd better get this post out with some photos before the month runs out. I can't believe we are almost at the end of April. The year is just rocketing away.</p><p>This exhibition review will look at some of the layouts from the Forestville Exhibition (March) and the Canberra Model Rail Expo (April). I will just identify the layouts and provide some info about them. Not all the exhibited layouts are shown here. Nevertheless, there is good variety and something of interest in all of the layouts showcased in this report. You can click on the images to expand.<br /></p><p>The highlight was the wonderful, and still not yet totally complete, <i>Newcastle NSW 1899</i>. This N scale layout portrays the port of Newcastle (Australia) as it appeared circa 1899. Newcastle was, and remains, a major import/export port on Australia's east coast. All the models were built from scratch, including all the ships. The layout has been a ten year project by noted Australian modeller, Ross Balderson. The modelling is really superb. I hope we get the chance to see the layout again.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjmNaUXxtgT1Xsk81PwbpVneoyAJtk6Gik2M4KmAwg8WaUp-R8cTk_4MWghXcSgmUuUllmGuq8NB_JSEp1yJy2-N3VJdOuOjc5SLvGT1P2ESw5nEXRINN784Cmy3J49cY8gB4Vk408EBBeC4yP01kUQxbd-cL-xZbCLWQqaDt66vrwuQBYXdXe0VPCg/s2400/Newcastle_April%202022%20blog%20post_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjmNaUXxtgT1Xsk81PwbpVneoyAJtk6Gik2M4KmAwg8WaUp-R8cTk_4MWghXcSgmUuUllmGuq8NB_JSEp1yJy2-N3VJdOuOjc5SLvGT1P2ESw5nEXRINN784Cmy3J49cY8gB4Vk408EBBeC4yP01kUQxbd-cL-xZbCLWQqaDt66vrwuQBYXdXe0VPCg/s320/Newcastle_April%202022%20blog%20post_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrXK8md4QCdk4O9V-k7xmaawaRVLa3JsBlzMExmVdCx7guQ_PiAaWbVNl172rEu5YV-P_i2UdE5vWcPUDsvVKyAYwFacibkqhEB5y4djyuaZx15LoYws2PvSSmrpmIfa7YWjuN47N1pXUdShRJX8G0SvNPdIW9o30HvktTMF4afJrN_LqIwhQzEnaVg/s2400/Newcastle_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrXK8md4QCdk4O9V-k7xmaawaRVLa3JsBlzMExmVdCx7guQ_PiAaWbVNl172rEu5YV-P_i2UdE5vWcPUDsvVKyAYwFacibkqhEB5y4djyuaZx15LoYws2PvSSmrpmIfa7YWjuN47N1pXUdShRJX8G0SvNPdIW9o30HvktTMF4afJrN_LqIwhQzEnaVg/s320/Newcastle_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Goulburn</i> (HO scale) is a NSW-prototype layout from the Guildford Model Railway Group. Goulburn is on the Main South Line between Sydney and Melbourne. As such, it sees plenty of railway action and the model railway is no different. The double track mainline on the model showcases much of the proprietary NSW and interstate locos and rollingstock from various Australian model manufacturers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscGBHTt-MWwkyaCTun_03YQk5PsfVA2I1nls2RAlUNQSeyd1JUxX_ECCcE3pFjoDp4RlGSkX5_fpWexZbr4ly3I-g64MNS2IOOdiO36S9lLxi3Bng50cANeUTaN4ZNYhNTugPyISXjFpLbwosqrLAZzKsdquTPJ_O2_NqnBNIrlxa-CFCxiOjXeFu3g/s2400/Goulburn_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscGBHTt-MWwkyaCTun_03YQk5PsfVA2I1nls2RAlUNQSeyd1JUxX_ECCcE3pFjoDp4RlGSkX5_fpWexZbr4ly3I-g64MNS2IOOdiO36S9lLxi3Bng50cANeUTaN4ZNYhNTugPyISXjFpLbwosqrLAZzKsdquTPJ_O2_NqnBNIrlxa-CFCxiOjXeFu3g/s320/Goulburn_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>One of the largest model railway displays is that from the Coffs Harbour Model Railway Club. The layout is 12 metres long and just over 6 metres wide. This layout has been exhibited many times over the past ten years. It is a credit to the members that they bring this large layout to exhibitions so far from home, almost 800 km to Canberra for example. This HO scale layout is North American in nature but the club shows off an array of different model prototypes over the course of the weekend. The layout is walk-around DCC using NCE equipment.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpzhbmEOs_s-OS33PtvRUBiByOxZTdeE60OFQRIjod3qW1fGXfOwuuBmA-zar4w5y1WjJ8kZ_Joe6pewziUNj3uAH72M-mJOTZBxK-sKuyC3oOYebtFYllDrdfGWdBUOJM8NU5cK5DdXVqjBLKprTNwX0Ijhc-qQ1F0k-_9j7ZfqhwomgoBiECjGZeg/s2400/Coffs%20Harbour%20layout_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpzhbmEOs_s-OS33PtvRUBiByOxZTdeE60OFQRIjod3qW1fGXfOwuuBmA-zar4w5y1WjJ8kZ_Joe6pewziUNj3uAH72M-mJOTZBxK-sKuyC3oOYebtFYllDrdfGWdBUOJM8NU5cK5DdXVqjBLKprTNwX0Ijhc-qQ1F0k-_9j7ZfqhwomgoBiECjGZeg/s320/Coffs%20Harbour%20layout_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>An old favourite is the HO scale layout, <i>Yendys</i>, from the ACT Model Railway Society. The location is fictitious but depicts an outer suburban station in Sydney. A defining feature of this layout is the running of suburban electrics under the overhead wires. Many varieties of locomotive hauling freight traffic are also part of the suburban scene. In the photo below we see a two car diesel railcar set passing the station on its forward journey.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEmsFqIzCyKds7dX2YZjExw0mBLotw9DYFM_wNtJC0c1B1Iuh9QHgb83BwLKh6faPCD_oD7LAlS6EfbWXhyoB8h0nsxmByHxekUCQWOgXgwHif82fMp2Yelnx09wtm_WzrGFBjMjNL9SZAoe_4f03Voz6P6IunZuRC3L07KD2S0T1oRHMahzRA_vtPg/s2400/Yendys_April%202002%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEmsFqIzCyKds7dX2YZjExw0mBLotw9DYFM_wNtJC0c1B1Iuh9QHgb83BwLKh6faPCD_oD7LAlS6EfbWXhyoB8h0nsxmByHxekUCQWOgXgwHif82fMp2Yelnx09wtm_WzrGFBjMjNL9SZAoe_4f03Voz6P6IunZuRC3L07KD2S0T1oRHMahzRA_vtPg/s320/Yendys_April%202002%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Another NSW prototype layout was <i>Gunning</i>. This N scale layout was recently featured in the April 2022 issue of the <a href="https://australianmodelrailwaymagazine.com.au/" target="_blank">Australian Model Railway Magazine</a>. Gunning is also on the Main South Line some 244km south of Sydney. It is a popular spot for railway photographers of the 1:1 scale. The layout includes some elements beyond the station precinct, including the water pumping station north of Gunning at Fish River and the much compressed turntable/roundhouse south of Gunning at Junee. The layout runs both steam and diesel hauled trains, some of which are commercially produced models of NSW prototypes from emerging N scale manufacturers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiZw-jfLfEhTZrH5J-KK9dXkegS25AgPN9WtYFIlPpO6YmAI2CoL6l9QJwSMm0CKh7Wv3RnRnI3Nvxl2hbI4j7VUQzSkk-Haadbfzy6JC87WcDUNMQmOcHMuz--eCLcA_gvJl3_efqGjn2JQ-iq_f-AEkFNFzm7yRgxZLQ2bj1gcRcdSexxUOiKJIqA/s2400/Gunning_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiZw-jfLfEhTZrH5J-KK9dXkegS25AgPN9WtYFIlPpO6YmAI2CoL6l9QJwSMm0CKh7Wv3RnRnI3Nvxl2hbI4j7VUQzSkk-Haadbfzy6JC87WcDUNMQmOcHMuz--eCLcA_gvJl3_efqGjn2JQ-iq_f-AEkFNFzm7yRgxZLQ2bj1gcRcdSexxUOiKJIqA/s320/Gunning_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Gunbower is a real station in rural Victoria on the Cohuna branchline, 272 km north of the state capital, Melbourne. <i>Gunbower</i>, the layout, is an N scale layout using Tomix and Kato unitrack operated with digital command control. Many of the buildings were 3D drawn and printed and then cast in resin.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mLFShXHoP-TgFQzV3TdAwCTJxhxsQCn_1-Q9UWjc_xKJaMISeli2VUF7-Yu3rckksSRyIHQZlAIDjmeDUWEPkb8mHmapuNu3zEWDGnlhvd89noRm-w_K3fCyIAkw9mvWVyxvLNy6OQZ3OauLdS7Wu47J5LeNVX5bzvK6RHy401iMlXlbq1JtYPJD6A/s2400/Gunbower_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mLFShXHoP-TgFQzV3TdAwCTJxhxsQCn_1-Q9UWjc_xKJaMISeli2VUF7-Yu3rckksSRyIHQZlAIDjmeDUWEPkb8mHmapuNu3zEWDGnlhvd89noRm-w_K3fCyIAkw9mvWVyxvLNy6OQZ3OauLdS7Wu47J5LeNVX5bzvK6RHy401iMlXlbq1JtYPJD6A/s320/Gunbower_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Epping Model Railway Club attended both exhibitions with their large <i>Bethungra Spiral</i> layout (HO scale). The real <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethungra_Spiral" target="_blank">Bethungra Spiral</a> is a piece of historical railway engineering on the Main South Line between Sydney and Melbourne built to overcome difficult grades. The layout shows the line separation on the up (to Sydney) and down (away from Sydney) tracks to alleviate the grade.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKCyyiQTHuXj1quknsaSi1-o-miBZPSp1PHWQ-yzaE8Q2_pzExXPrl6qZfRi1A0UiawnrxDboQ1ABoB0Rk0i-WZcuGBfv9TN6-dKFz6w-YAhA7jc65CIZROrlB7w781k0wswoictmp-RJqo6TJN67Y8i3raMIOTwzD8gAPnKXhPn5HeTNXb48x6SrTA/s2400/Bethungra%20Spiral_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKCyyiQTHuXj1quknsaSi1-o-miBZPSp1PHWQ-yzaE8Q2_pzExXPrl6qZfRi1A0UiawnrxDboQ1ABoB0Rk0i-WZcuGBfv9TN6-dKFz6w-YAhA7jc65CIZROrlB7w781k0wswoictmp-RJqo6TJN67Y8i3raMIOTwzD8gAPnKXhPn5HeTNXb48x6SrTA/s320/Bethungra%20Spiral_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i>Dungog</i> (HO scale) is another NSW prototype-based layout. This layout, from the North Shore Railway Modellers' Association in Sydney, has been around for many years and was up for sale at the Forestville Exhibition. Dungog is 80 km north of Newcastle (which is north of Sydney) on the Main North Coast Railway line. The layout is a very good representation of the prototype, especially the unique station building. Another unique feature on the layout is the layout lighting fixtures. The layout is operated with DCC and smart phone throttles.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-uq8p7BuiKEYjgVhAAqp_h_x-sgVGPUzGxX48LYaQrbeDOq5AjEiPn8dcVO7Rq9o4ZxSARCls1tZ3Y7yDVHvtiZ7yBpuRI1xlSkzntLTFdShwE0kzIncqBm6NuWeuVPd_jwBpgbWD_BtVuWlB1oXidHTtKld740zjFTFqjlfKaEdHmWG4N87wI-c0Q/s2400/Dungog_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-uq8p7BuiKEYjgVhAAqp_h_x-sgVGPUzGxX48LYaQrbeDOq5AjEiPn8dcVO7Rq9o4ZxSARCls1tZ3Y7yDVHvtiZ7yBpuRI1xlSkzntLTFdShwE0kzIncqBm6NuWeuVPd_jwBpgbWD_BtVuWlB1oXidHTtKld740zjFTFqjlfKaEdHmWG4N87wI-c0Q/s320/Dungog_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqHdGkPqRidLXv4hQs5nGz7GfEBBWz18x9xOfEp8ACJNQkJQcLuvaIq7XtfvJZJmAIjcfVhKH97H04yPkHwW7x-ILq7_BpkQSybs_VUrYWuZRdSadhKKOvqrgRmRcpoWH-E0Xhxg9JEZcPCkEwVRGUzzbpHzhkCMSQzn8vR22Uqcd-6czZRDrAJgKPQ/s2400/Dungog_April%202022%20blog%20post_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqHdGkPqRidLXv4hQs5nGz7GfEBBWz18x9xOfEp8ACJNQkJQcLuvaIq7XtfvJZJmAIjcfVhKH97H04yPkHwW7x-ILq7_BpkQSybs_VUrYWuZRdSadhKKOvqrgRmRcpoWH-E0Xhxg9JEZcPCkEwVRGUzzbpHzhkCMSQzn8vR22Uqcd-6czZRDrAJgKPQ/s320/Dungog_April%202022%20blog%20post_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><i>Mungo Scotts</i> (HO scale) is another well travelled exhibition layout showcasing the Mungo Scotts flour mill situated on the Metropolitan goods line in inner-western Sydney. The flour mill ceased operation in 2009 and the site is now occupied by residential apartments. The layout is from the Sydney Model Railway Society, the oldest existing model railway club in Australia (established 1936).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7B_1--1deYVD7OVtP9zJcAylunwr86q88Yo5DZQntJDyiMk8uo-mkXOl5MYD5O9BhiVjW3FORba0YuY4Z81Pov-FtMNn7M-YuH7jDNav3yxWYILKOSI76Ln6t2t1MS3akglFmNRCDgNyuynd4cMgu9FsaZPvU7jpDmE9DtjA8C8Pp5NcDQS2qeQ8Mg/s2400/Mungo%20Scott_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7B_1--1deYVD7OVtP9zJcAylunwr86q88Yo5DZQntJDyiMk8uo-mkXOl5MYD5O9BhiVjW3FORba0YuY4Z81Pov-FtMNn7M-YuH7jDNav3yxWYILKOSI76Ln6t2t1MS3akglFmNRCDgNyuynd4cMgu9FsaZPvU7jpDmE9DtjA8C8Pp5NcDQS2qeQ8Mg/s320/Mungo%20Scott_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Narellan</i> (O scale) is also a prototype-based NSW layout, this time on the outer Sydney branchline between Campbelltown and Camden. This line was famous for its milk traffic. The layout depicts operations from the mid-1950s to the line's closure in 1962.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGePZorNDFKQ0S6tZ9u9-z_c205RJehizBKX-Gjk2XS2tfcaOF0RD8SEI2i8uDICs9ExiukY0lVqx2lqnDJsO_waPqBu-MOPcPmbxdT4lxG8-mMiY3WfGo_G8OsgVxcfmHu0ZuYyaPghz38uez3iy-QAQWzhsZZADQ83R2BlF8tpWcrcl8v3--eoeTQ/s2400/Narellan_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGePZorNDFKQ0S6tZ9u9-z_c205RJehizBKX-Gjk2XS2tfcaOF0RD8SEI2i8uDICs9ExiukY0lVqx2lqnDJsO_waPqBu-MOPcPmbxdT4lxG8-mMiY3WfGo_G8OsgVxcfmHu0ZuYyaPghz38uez3iy-QAQWzhsZZADQ83R2BlF8tpWcrcl8v3--eoeTQ/s320/Narellan_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Turning to a couple of UK layouts, <i>Tannochbrae</i> is a fictional Scottish-themed layout in N scale based on the Western Highlands in the 1980s from the Sydney N Scale Model Railway Club. The layout was built to show that it is possible to produce a nice layout using set track (Tomix) and some imagination. The layout is DCC controlled.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgn3rkJT51TTBTDEM5El1I2IqYvyNpTfLDgV9PKAJDBKXXvp5abTlrdjB5DpLIHJ2b9ioLKpGxary1Vx3DrAWvVUHEaNaTzL-rVuwd-EGUFMecb6eL0UbVayfj5QQWZtu30vtq9Mm-9sCW0Y6EwhtYN2qh_HtyVFgykpqGqmXMdb_kQKmuTdHMyfpXw/s2400/Tannochbrae_April%202022%20blog%20post_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgn3rkJT51TTBTDEM5El1I2IqYvyNpTfLDgV9PKAJDBKXXvp5abTlrdjB5DpLIHJ2b9ioLKpGxary1Vx3DrAWvVUHEaNaTzL-rVuwd-EGUFMecb6eL0UbVayfj5QQWZtu30vtq9Mm-9sCW0Y6EwhtYN2qh_HtyVFgykpqGqmXMdb_kQKmuTdHMyfpXw/s320/Tannochbrae_April%202022%20blog%20post_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVvy7LcpUw9kfy4n7xyh7kZPNZhUunnFI2rqXHaVoHC5Kv3HGvZez2WZnMRLnUlqAVM3ATpfc5ljLuiJRDIyrzY5AYQ9BHjspU_YQjfSJi4nFeu9pVMmbRlgEvhX3jTXCpa6JTC9XhFfuOuzfbLHN79a7FlxY7_BIC8uxgt1fjDJ3QEQBeWT4EqfgeA/s2400/Tannochbrae_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVvy7LcpUw9kfy4n7xyh7kZPNZhUunnFI2rqXHaVoHC5Kv3HGvZez2WZnMRLnUlqAVM3ATpfc5ljLuiJRDIyrzY5AYQ9BHjspU_YQjfSJi4nFeu9pVMmbRlgEvhX3jTXCpa6JTC9XhFfuOuzfbLHN79a7FlxY7_BIC8uxgt1fjDJ3QEQBeWT4EqfgeA/s320/Tannochbrae_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Another fictitious UK layout on show was <i>Lyttleton</i> (OO scale). This small layout was based on a preformed moulded starter layout from Bachmann with an added short extension (as seen in the photograph below) by the builder. With some scenery and ingenuity, this little layout also shows that starting out in the hobby does not need to be overly complicated or expensive. In fact, one family was so impressed that they bought the layout at the Canberra Model Rail Expo!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWHHhoAFFO4KBOKYZlKfuFoauV533TU75XgbCNFsaQtCuNWT7Gzwv57s_DAGo36MLb9G11PAbjjZzbMmvKgK2OaeqmPOeVZQXehcMmYOJw5HutmwMFSCtfh1zFNLdXJsgNza7i55y96kXzRP3X70DWtUpOhGndB9QQhwKLady5t4nphoaRdT1Nxj9Ug/s2400/Lyttleton_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWHHhoAFFO4KBOKYZlKfuFoauV533TU75XgbCNFsaQtCuNWT7Gzwv57s_DAGo36MLb9G11PAbjjZzbMmvKgK2OaeqmPOeVZQXehcMmYOJw5HutmwMFSCtfh1zFNLdXJsgNza7i55y96kXzRP3X70DWtUpOhGndB9QQhwKLady5t4nphoaRdT1Nxj9Ug/s320/Lyttleton_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>Staverleigh</i> is a compact-sized layout (4mm scale) that demonstrates how a small layout can still be well designed and detailed. The layout uses an offsite fiddle yard to have trains enter and leave the layout. Staverleigh represents a fictional Great Western Railway branchline terminus, typical of the area around Ashburton in South Devon. Trains on the layout depict a range of locomotives and rollingstock in the years 1915-1947.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLyiJhn9zpmyA1mFOLbeHQnHWJgfEXbSYrhq4BmBd1jZ96jOWfvQMFZ42_dmezBVktxvYbebH-w7HRuli0sqkKOJqMVPCZXsbI20sIH_kg3KEYrxEgcyLuw9I_zkAl_XQOMs2RVNfhno22A75Kompx1wkwietTWSSkZwZQn3wiw9XIj3UhyypV9K9ng/s2400/Staverleigh_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLyiJhn9zpmyA1mFOLbeHQnHWJgfEXbSYrhq4BmBd1jZ96jOWfvQMFZ42_dmezBVktxvYbebH-w7HRuli0sqkKOJqMVPCZXsbI20sIH_kg3KEYrxEgcyLuw9I_zkAl_XQOMs2RVNfhno22A75Kompx1wkwietTWSSkZwZQn3wiw9XIj3UhyypV9K9ng/s320/Staverleigh_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrMmXfcKxBXkowoRsfMPRGK1Fy7NRGVs1VuCsVAEyRozTpMaRYLQ0kdG0Jw-HYq2QMS1R13wayQeEmNni_rFs6kQJMNZEm8QwFA9Jtz_wsQXcx3DIuz1-Jgj5zmfSOj8eQY1YQzHQzVf31s4t4uBCQ62Qnel03x4p7xObO0W4IzO3OdiCx7SNWzSCDA/s4263/Staverleigh%20fiddle%20yard_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4263" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrMmXfcKxBXkowoRsfMPRGK1Fy7NRGVs1VuCsVAEyRozTpMaRYLQ0kdG0Jw-HYq2QMS1R13wayQeEmNni_rFs6kQJMNZEm8QwFA9Jtz_wsQXcx3DIuz1-Jgj5zmfSOj8eQY1YQzHQzVf31s4t4uBCQ62Qnel03x4p7xObO0W4IzO3OdiCx7SNWzSCDA/s320/Staverleigh%20fiddle%20yard_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>And finishing off this review, we look at the freelanced N scale Japanese-themed layout <i>Senohikui Tetsudo</i>. The layout was inspired by the owner's trip to Japan and the purchase of a number of B-Train shorty trains which then led to the idea and construction of the layout. B-Train shorty trains are trains that have been compressed longitudinally so they take up less space than a full-sized scale model. They are available as static kits but can be motorised, as this layout demonstrates. One of the features of Japanese urban model railways is the colourful and densely packed urban landscape.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicS26hX2p7IkkzOKFpE1IftJJnKHhIPkfVj23zm3lgSExyldXyR_Ma7juy1_7Otala1LSWqr_tTxTM2j_Q5XYFtEqeGE9wEN-7jAaaxhiph_f3czzTNxDkq6nR55Yv5SwDX-x1667IOnTVoHL4eV-M_nXDb-bGO9fqVFQVAb19-VhecuqaEt8EGXtpmQ/s2400/Senohikui%20Tetsudo_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicS26hX2p7IkkzOKFpE1IftJJnKHhIPkfVj23zm3lgSExyldXyR_Ma7juy1_7Otala1LSWqr_tTxTM2j_Q5XYFtEqeGE9wEN-7jAaaxhiph_f3czzTNxDkq6nR55Yv5SwDX-x1667IOnTVoHL4eV-M_nXDb-bGO9fqVFQVAb19-VhecuqaEt8EGXtpmQ/s320/Senohikui%20Tetsudo_April%202022%20blog%20post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I hope this review and sample layout photos provides some inspiration for your own model railroading activities. There's a model railway theme, size, and standard for all of us.<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-54368880047879587492022-03-31T23:08:00.006+11:002022-04-01T10:53:51.239+11:00Exhibitions are back - thank goodness!<p>It is with great relief to report that model railway exhibitions are back in full swing! I attended the Forestville MRE on the 5th March and the recent Canberra Model Railway Expo (26-27 March). Besides the layouts, just seeing people and catching up with friends and retailers was fantastic. I will provide a more detailed report on the exhibitions in my next blog post. But here's a sample to swoon over...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mqG2SJ13zkZJa1grwwEgvtfI8hMMWxdpAoyWyv-0r9EVMSJe6nf-rYfH-wd82mvXUigzU5ihOtHKLg-9M-GalFEYXtgzv8-OaP-agK16QspMlhKEDbdnNLNL3gf1R742m6OTBsWeKkl7yhVPFPAX20gVJF0a8fAQrl77fUL68qbu_e8GkiF3B_Qj7A/s4000/20220327_121047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mqG2SJ13zkZJa1grwwEgvtfI8hMMWxdpAoyWyv-0r9EVMSJe6nf-rYfH-wd82mvXUigzU5ihOtHKLg-9M-GalFEYXtgzv8-OaP-agK16QspMlhKEDbdnNLNL3gf1R742m6OTBsWeKkl7yhVPFPAX20gVJF0a8fAQrl77fUL68qbu_e8GkiF3B_Qj7A/s320/20220327_121047.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Newcastle (NSW) 1899 in N scale debuted on the exhibition scene at the Canberra MRE (click on the image to expand)<br /></span></p><p>The format of both exhibitions was similar to that of previous exhibitions. I expect upcoming exhibitions will also maintain a similar approach. This will be a topic to discuss in a future blog post.<br /></p><p>However, Covid-19 (and derivatives) still had an impact even with relatively high vaccination rates In Australia (which is good thing). I know of a couple of friends who chose not to attend because of their age and/or existing health concerns. The Forestville MRE had mandatory mask wearing which I had no problem with. Compliance was very good - I only saw one group of four people not wearing masks. The Canberra Model Railway Expo recommended mask wearing, especially by exhibitors and retailers. Whatever the case, the social aspect of the exhibitions was still very much enjoyed and in fact was the highlight for me at both events.</p><p>Whilst I can appreciate online model railway exhibitions (especially during peak Covid), they really do miss out on the human engagement, conversation, and discussions. Sure, it is possible to replicate to some extent those interactions online, but they just don't feel the same. Online activities have a place in the model railway communications arsenal, but they just don't do enough for me where I can attend an event in person. I hope to be able to attend some future exhibitions interstate through the year.</p><p>It's great to have model railway exhibitions back in person (so to speak) - what do you think?<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-39347278232026578002022-02-04T17:02:00.000+11:002022-02-04T17:02:02.673+11:00Putting your photos to good use<p> In January for a day I went chasing trains and taking train photographs for the first time in 2022. This is one aspect of the "hobby" I really enjoy and it certainly gets me out of the armchair. I used to do this a lot more frequently. I have lots and lots of digital images and slides going back 30+ years. Despite my profession, I am yet to organise these images into a meaningful database.</p><p>So it struck me that I have all these photos but I rarely look at them. They are filed away in digital storage and in archival slide boxes for some unknown future. At the same time I was thinking about my own photos, I realised I hadn't purchased my usual railway calendar for 2022. Coincidentally, I received an email from one of those photo book/stationery companies offering a discount on their range of products, including calendars, for 2022. That's when the penny dropped!<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZhWN8ybAVRFMSULjs7CN0fFeAfBbWh3sr3ryxu23X66PR9rYwjaiIZOASNWVxJ88NRXQ3iDJaDpA-xRymqeYyG0e8_qco4AeCxRWSds4QzaXPIa_LkttjU_I_9aoPXLk6-C-4RmcO4bF3VPQr5qlJmK2n_zA0NFrZDRJvYu9G9NaR5UeF8FDlkI_QiA=s2486" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2486" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZhWN8ybAVRFMSULjs7CN0fFeAfBbWh3sr3ryxu23X66PR9rYwjaiIZOASNWVxJ88NRXQ3iDJaDpA-xRymqeYyG0e8_qco4AeCxRWSds4QzaXPIa_LkttjU_I_9aoPXLk6-C-4RmcO4bF3VPQr5qlJmK2n_zA0NFrZDRJvYu9G9NaR5UeF8FDlkI_QiA=s320" width="232" /></a></div><p></p><p>I ordered my calendar from <a href="https://www.momento.com.au/" target="_blank">Momento</a>. The print and paper quality is excellent. Delivery was quick as well. Momento has software which you download and then it's just a matter of selecting a suitable template and adding images. Because I didn't have all my images organised, I made a quick hunt of some files on my PC and chose from there. I didn't manipulate any of the photos beforehand. One could do this using Photoshop or other digital imaging programs to really enhance the photo quality. Maybe next time.</p><p>I didn't spend too much time on this project but I am very pleased with the result. At least I now have 13 (including the front cover) of my photos out of the darkness that I can enjoy throughout the year. I thoroughly recommend putting your photos to good use in this way.<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-35618875901255866662021-12-24T17:18:00.006+11:002021-12-24T19:37:10.105+11:00Christmas day a long, long time ago<p>At this time of year I always reflect on my own childhood and the sense of wondrous expectation Christmas used to bring. And from one of those Christmases came a lifelong passion for model railways that has rarely diminshed over the (many) following years. On this particular Christmas Day I received my first train set - a Tri-ang Transcontinental passenger car set (RS.34).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZ_8shqhQEmaKq1qnjXp0u_be1MsoAWfzN1PzK_kpPE5R-z0cOIzaFj_vgACNQ4rD5JhQjdtiryOjOmKDUdqoXFAw-Kc4tTCdHLYec_SMrTjo4-qAOKIX5dxmyelWuIku8I7sV-gzkyw2MZF1vSgHFTDSrvRxOjj6YR3to6d3Ht_Mljvw7rSeJKkN40w=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZ_8shqhQEmaKq1qnjXp0u_be1MsoAWfzN1PzK_kpPE5R-z0cOIzaFj_vgACNQ4rD5JhQjdtiryOjOmKDUdqoXFAw-Kc4tTCdHLYec_SMrTjo4-qAOKIX5dxmyelWuIku8I7sV-gzkyw2MZF1vSgHFTDSrvRxOjj6YR3to6d3Ht_Mljvw7rSeJKkN40w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Dad and I set up the track on the carpeted floor of the lounge room and had hours of fun just watching the train with its blue and gold passengar cars rotate around the oval of track (which I think at the time was called System 4). Having already been exposed to the real railways on some steam tours and the odd photographic expedition with my father, as well as dad's collection of "Railway Transportation" magazines, I imagined the train to be the wondrous <i>Spirit of Progress</i> in all its glory. It made no difference to me that the models were not great replicas, or that the scale and coarse track profile were not prototypically accurate. I let my imagination take over and that was it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEmuYOqHNFEymeEffyIEb_TQM3VrPyAMMOSA5pRDgmUSChOs7vOCwAoNcLtNiS25GOv1L2APNlTmYEuSrrfmELc2qTaOdyvpX-0NXDw2hvDj1rqtnuYjuA1EZN7F4wHLG0eDdx5k5B3eXd5e46cjn31b8ewO9C1THxGJbNbzCCWqMv7-A2cdoYTRievQ=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEmuYOqHNFEymeEffyIEb_TQM3VrPyAMMOSA5pRDgmUSChOs7vOCwAoNcLtNiS25GOv1L2APNlTmYEuSrrfmELc2qTaOdyvpX-0NXDw2hvDj1rqtnuYjuA1EZN7F4wHLG0eDdx5k5B3eXd5e46cjn31b8ewO9C1THxGJbNbzCCWqMv7-A2cdoYTRievQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>I added to that train set growing up but never really had a permanent layout while living with my parents (albeit my dad had a plan to have a lift up layout on pulleys above the car in the garage at one stage that never came to pass). </p><p>In my teens I was exposed to Australian prototype model railways - firstly through the Australian Model Railroad Magazine (as it was called at the time) which I first saw at the local model railway shop (Micro Models in Hornsby). Not long after, I made my first Australian model railway purchases - a couple of MRC and Friedmont kits bought from Casula Hobbies in Casula. Joe was so impressed that my dad had driven me all the way from Hornsby that he gave us a discount. Joe from Casula Hobbies remains a wonderful advocate for the hobby and a genuine trailblazer supporting Australian prototype model railways. In fact, I just took advantage of his Christmas special 5% discount - thanks again, Joe!</p><p>Locos and rollingstock from Mansfield Hobbies and AR Kits soon entered my collection and the focus on NSW railway modelling took hold. But it wasn't until many years later that I built my first permanent layout and managed to actually run most of the equipment purchased from the preceding years. It was the time when if you saw something you wanted come onto the market, you snapped it up before it was gone forever! It's fair to say that I have more than enough in the collection nowadays.</p><p>Since then we have had a tremendous explosion of local manufacturers bringing in detailed Australian model railway locomotives, passenger cars and rollingstock from China over the past 20+ years, as well as locally made products. These manufacturers are well represented in my collection, being from Trax/Powerline, Austrains, Auscision, Anton's Trains, Bergs Hobbies, BGB and BGM, Casula Hobbies, Eureka Models, IDR Models, Lloyds Model Railways, On Track Models, Southern Rail Models, SDS, Trainorama, and many more.<br /></p><p>I still have that first Tri-ang train set as the photos show. It doesn't have much use other than to bring back some wonderful childhood memories. Thanks to my father and mother for introducing the hobby of model railways to me at Christmas time all those years ago.<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-30701481169957275282021-11-04T20:12:00.004+11:002021-11-04T20:23:27.991+11:00History and the art of compromise<p>One of the fascinating aspects of model railways is establishing a sense of history. This is usually accomplished by setting a time and a place. However, if you read layout articles in any of the major model railway magazines, you will invariably come across the introductory "history" of the layout that sets both the time and place, but most importantly, the history and thus the rationale for the layout. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihFtVA12FkA/YYObBbemlkI/AAAAAAAAEGo/JDeOe5_sjXUrOZbK7T9gC7-fqaFU9IOFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/V%2526O%2BDVD%2Bcover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1419" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihFtVA12FkA/YYObBbemlkI/AAAAAAAAEGo/JDeOe5_sjXUrOZbK7T9gC7-fqaFU9IOFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/V%2526O%2BDVD%2Bcover.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The layout owner is providing an historical context from which the layout comes to life. Modeller's license is a broad registration of bending or recreating history to give credence to the model railway. Indeed, creating a believable history (accurate or otherwise) is almost as important as creating the layout itself.<br /></p><p>There are some layouts that have a very distinct and specific history, (including Jack Burgess and his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHGkZHLqALY" target="_blank"><i>Yosemite Valley</i> layout</a>, Tony Koester's <i>Nickel Plate St. Louis Division</i>, and Tony Wright's wonderful <i>Little Bytham</i> in rural Lincolnshire (check out Tony's book <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Modelling-East-Coast-Main-Line-British-Railways-Era-Tony-Wright/9781785003165" target="_blank">Modelling the East Coast Main Line in the British Railways Era</a>). </p><p>There are other layouts with a prototype history based on real railroads (such as the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnly6s5rbbM" target="_blank">Rock Island Lines</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AymPs0VFioc" target="_blank">Everard Junction</a>) or fictitious railroads (such as Allen McClelland's Virginian and Ohio Railroad). In that broad category there are proto-freelancers and plain ol' freelancers. What unites them is a shared view of creating a history for their layouts encompassing time and place.<br /></p><p>The combination of time and place has always been important to me which is why I love the historical context in model railway layout articles. Studying maps and researching towns and industries is great fun. I have taken considerable time and research to establish the historical bona fides of my US prototype layout set in southern Minnesota but which includes some significant "what ifs" just the same. That said, recent changes to my home layout have forced me to reconsider some of this history. </p><p>For example, the new simplified layout has changed direction. The previous version had east to the left and west to the right (which therefore had some intrinsic problems) but now direction is reversed, with east to the right and west to the left. As a result, the traffic pattern has also changed. And, because the main line is much shorter with less towns, the sense of "going somewhere else" is somewhat reduced as a train has only three towns to traverse instead of seven.</p><p>All this has meant a slightly different story to the previous version of history I had so assiduously developed over time. At first, this irked me a lot. I had done all this research and now it was being compromised. But hang on - I'd already "compromised history" with my "what if" scenario. My layout is based on a "what if" the CNW had not abandoned a particular branchline and had actually maintained it until purchase by the DME in 1986. </p><p>I'd already compromised history by extending my layout period from 1995-96 to 1995-2000. That's a five year gap in which a lot happened in the real world with consequences for my layout. CNW joined Union Pacific, and Burlington Northern and Santa Fe merged. There were also some locomotive lettering changes - DME became Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern. If I was modelling a later period, I'd have to include the addition of the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern (ICE) with the DME in 2002 allowing for a new combination of locomotives. I'd been running unit trains out of Marshall (MN) from the Minnesota Soy Co-operative (MSC) complex with Archer Daniel Midland (ADM) and MSC tank cars despite the fact that ADM didn't purchase MSC until 2002, albeit with a 30% stake in MSC in 1997. And Vera Sun (founded in 2001) with its ethanol facility at Aurora (SD) hadn't been built yet but I run a few of those cars as well.<br /></p><p>So where does that leave things?</p><p>I think where this leads to is the fact that railway modelling is a set of compromises. Even prototype purists have had to compromise somewhat. No matter what, there are compromises. What is different, however, is to what extent is the compromise and does it make sense to both the layout builder and the operators? And it is here where the historical context for the layout becomes critical.</p><p>I confess that creating a believable history within the geography and economics of railroading in model form is one of the most encompassing aspects of the hobby for me. Perhaps it's more in the "thinking space" than the "doing space" (something that close railway modeller friends will chide me for), but it also gives me a greater sense of realism (in my mind) and purpose to what I am doing. And this is what adds to the enjoyment of model railways more than anything else.<br /></p><p>How important is "history" to your layout?<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-44210939413277495182021-08-31T18:44:00.002+10:002021-08-31T20:23:02.787+10:00Back in the saddle<p>Firstly, thanks to everyone for their kind words of encouragement after last month's post. It was very pleasing to receive such support and sage advice. As a result, I have made a number of changes to the layout (and continue to do so), removing the second deck and much of the overall complexity to make things much more achievable, albeit at the loss of a significant length of run. I took the advice of a number of people, as well as from this publication by noted model railway builder, Lance Mindheim.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPlmQkMAVI0/YSsFQwirnUI/AAAAAAAAEAA/0HkbtPxSwwcCdnrKpLrRWk3O6GFa-vNrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/How%2Bto%2Bdesign%2Ba%2Bmodel%2Brailroad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1359" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPlmQkMAVI0/YSsFQwirnUI/AAAAAAAAEAA/0HkbtPxSwwcCdnrKpLrRWk3O6GFa-vNrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/How%2Bto%2Bdesign%2Ba%2Bmodel%2Brailroad.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><p></p><p>I was initially going to give a book review (something one would expect from the armchair), but I'll just comment on a couple of points that were relevant to my situation. The first thing I had to change was what I had initially thought of as my vision for the layout.<br /></p><p>Essentially, my vision was based on my experiences in the US visiting and operating on very large layouts (some exceedingly large by Australian standards) with lots of operators. These layouts had long runs, often double-decked, and in massive basements. They had lots of towns and industries and many were wonderfully scenicked and landscaped. Even some of the "smaller" model railroads had lots of operating potential, with regular operating sessions (well, before Covid-19 struck), and a regular crew of good mates to run trains with. Lastly, and I conveniently forgot about this, all of these layouts had many helpers in the construction and operation of their basement empires. </p><p>For example, Stephen Priest's massive layout, the Santa Fe St. Louis Division (see <i>Railroad Model Craftsman</i>, April 2019), had regular mid-week sessions where ten to twenty modellers would turn up to work on the layout. Can you imagine that? Ten to twenty people each week coming over to help you build and scenic your layout! Of course, Stephen is a NMRA Master Model Railroader and so are some of his friends, but still, building a HUGE layout (50' x 78') required a LOT of work. All those helpers certainly increased the achievability of the layout within a shorter time frame than otherwise the case.<br /></p><p>Clearly, all of the above circumstances did not translate to me. It was what I wanted and it was my vision for the future, but it was not realistic or achievable within the context of my situation.</p><p>As Clint Eastwood famously said, "A man's gotta know his limitations". And this also crosses over to time, ability, and capacity to construct a model railway given that all three have inherent limitations. In Lance Mindheim's book, he warns of being bogged down as the modeller becomes "engulfed and overwhelmed because they underestimated the magnitude of their dreams". Quite....</p><p>The other problem compounding the enormity of the task was the garage itself, not an ideal environment especially in winter. While I do have insulation in the roof with a ceiling, some draft prevention around the garage doors, and an Aldi reverse-cycle air conditioner that I think I have fixed for some reliability (RTFM....ahem), it takes a while to crank up the heat to work in the garage comfortably. Consequently, stepping into the garage for the odd 15-20 minutes of work rarely happened. In addition, all the garage tools and paraphenalia added to the visual clutter (along with the modelling clutter on my second deck) to give the room that air of utter despondency!<br /></p><p></p><p>Lastly, sometimes we can be too clever by half. I had a good idea of the trains and sequencing I wanted to run and this involved a lot of trains and some yard complexities which I figured I could sort out without too much trouble. There were four hidden staging areas and while I have the cameras and a screen to deal with this, I was never fully confident it would actually work in practice without causing undue stress. That was one thing I should have remembered from operating on layouts in the US - it can be <i>very</i> stressful at times and this was, and is, a truly unpleasant feeling. Sure, the hidden staging could have been overcome with cameras and informative control panels, but was all this complexity and possible angst actually necessary? Was I trying to find solutions to problems I actually didn't need? The answer was a resounding yes. I have removed two of the four hidden staging yards with one more to go! The fourth staging area will remain, but no longer totally hidden. In addition, I simplified the main classification yard, going back to Google Earth to check on a similar classification yard on my prototype to make sure my simplified version was believable...and yes it was!<br /></p><p>I could go on but I'll finish up now. Suffice to say, I have been spending more time on the layout on weekends and in the evenings than ever before. It is still cold at times but I am more prepared to set up the heating beforehand knowing that I will go into the garage and actually accomplish something instead of being stuck by the enormity of the task. Reducing the complexity of the layout, and making the layout more manageable and achievable within the accepted limitations, means more time and energy (both physical and electrical) to progress the layout for a more enjoyable outcome.</p><p>This blog isn't really about building my layout, but I think my experience might be of value to others who are considering building a large layout and who may also need some encouragement. So, thanks everybody. <br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-10363052198659383292021-07-31T12:28:00.010+10:002021-07-31T12:31:45.415+10:00Finding the model railway mojo<p>Over the past few months I've lost interest in model railways. I don't read as much or watch Youtube train layout videos. My layout in the garage languishes despite the bottom deck being completely functional and operational (OK, it is often 4 degrees Celsius in there but that's no excuse!). Conversing with other railway modellers has diminshed markedly. Ripping up the layout and housing the cars sounds like a very good option indeed.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DIc8Fyo7JQA/WtiFwKI46hI/AAAAAAAACeI/OjgCTOE8sWgr2RcrqX9jX-m5-OQlTcuGACPcBGAYYCw/s1000/NZAMRC2018_NevilleC_Swanson_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DIc8Fyo7JQA/WtiFwKI46hI/AAAAAAAACeI/OjgCTOE8sWgr2RcrqX9jX-m5-OQlTcuGACPcBGAYYCw/s320/NZAMRC2018_NevilleC_Swanson_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div style="margin-left: 160px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Finding the right levers to bring back motivation can be difficult</span><br /></div><p>Recently, I did some research for work on motivation in the workplace. As I read a wide array of articles, there were some common themes that nagged away at me as I passed by the garage door each day. These themes were as follows:<br /></p><ul><li>Being bored with your routine<b> </b></li><li>The sense that the job is all too much<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Not being satisfied with what you’ve done</span><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Comparing yourself to others</span></span> </li><li>Feeling stressed about what you’re doing</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now for a hobby, these themes are pretty counterintuitive. The purpose of a hobby is to alleviate all of those motivation killers. But motivation does lapse from time to time and we need a way to get our mojo back. How to bring the "hobby" back to being a "hobby"?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If I review my readings on motivation again, I get the following answers:</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Remind yourself of the purpose and reset your focus if you have to</li><li>Check your environment (i.e. change or improve your environment)</li><li>Get back to small tasks instead of focusing on the grand outcome</li><li>Similarly, it's <i>the doing </i>not the end in itself that makes the hobby so interesting </li><li>Realise there is an ebb and flow in what we do (i.e. don't be too hard on yourself)</li><li>Celebrate what you've already achieved</li><li>Start something new to find new motivation that can remind you what it feels like</li></ul>I'll report back next month to see how things are going.Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-50123622137793804132021-06-30T18:12:00.007+10:002021-06-30T18:21:36.189+10:00Scars in the Country with Andre Brett<div style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span>A few weeks ago I attended a talk called <a href="https://soundcloud.com/nationallibraryaustralia/2021-nla-fellowship-presentation-scars-in-the-country-with-andre-brett" target="_blank"><i>Scars in the country</i></a> by Dr Andre Brett at the <a href="https://www.nla.gov.au/" target="_blank">National Library of Australia</a>. The talk was about the historical development of railways in Australia and New Zealand. Besides being an energetic speaker, Dr Brett was full of fascinating insights into the early decades of the Australasian railways</span>. </span></span></span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EN3QZjMZAsc/YNwgrskPfTI/AAAAAAAAD5A/XMJSipKgMiw0Xf21HHZEIHaaGNcwb7BWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s983/first_train_to_leave_winton_qld_1898_-_nla.obj-153094851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="983" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EN3QZjMZAsc/YNwgrskPfTI/AAAAAAAAD5A/XMJSipKgMiw0Xf21HHZEIHaaGNcwb7BWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/first_train_to_leave_winton_qld_1898_-_nla.obj-153094851.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><a href="https://www.nla.gov.au/stories/audio/scars-in-the-country-with-andre-brett">The talk was recorded and a transcript is provided</a>, alas, without the maps and photographs (many sourced from the National Library, like the one above). Nevertheless, I think this talk is well worth a listen (or reading if you prefer, but you'll be missing out on Dr Brett's enthusiastic narration).</span></span></span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span>The talk had the following project scope: the role of railways and colonisation and economic growth, the demand railways generate for resources, the interaction of railways with water and dry environments, the challenge of mountains and finally reflections on the environments railways themselves created for passengers and workers.</span></span></span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span>The talk is full of interesting facts and stories. For example, Dr Brett spends some time talking about railway sleepers and the relationship between between railways and forests. In particular, the decision-making over the types of wood and locational factors for success or otherwise, was fascinating. And the story about the "stolen cow" near Christchurch's Addington rail workshops was a cracker!</span></span></span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span>For railway modellers, the talk is just another important reminder about the significant physical relationship between railway development and the landscape. The railways naturally had to face the environmental conditions of the time but they also changed the physical relationship in which they were constructed and maintained. This relationship was contextualised by economics, politics, and engineering. As Dr Brett says, "the land and climate forced railways to adapt, experiment and innovate".</span></span></span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span>I thoroughly recommend this talk and thank the National Library of Australia for making the talk more widely available via audio and text.</span></span></span></span><br /></span></p></div>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-23056062533392857822021-04-18T11:45:00.004+10:002021-04-18T14:44:49.262+10:00Inspiration from the NSW Rail Museum<p>Sometimes you need to get out of the armchair and breathe in some fresh air and steam locomotive smoke! And that's exactly what I did yesterday at the <a href="https://www.nswrailmuseum.com.au/" target="_blank">NSW Rail Museum</a> at Thirlmere.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGfEZk-Xmzw/YHuIVXTMMgI/AAAAAAAADvc/gsnsm65ITf4EizNPoHWqXFTtcTm9Qhz7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210417_102440.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGfEZk-Xmzw/YHuIVXTMMgI/AAAAAAAADvc/gsnsm65ITf4EizNPoHWqXFTtcTm9Qhz7wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/20210417_102440.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Even though I am a longstanding member, it has been many years since I last visited the NSW Rail Museum. I naturally had heard about the modernisation of the museum and all the fantastic work undertaken by volunteers over the years. However, it's not until you see the scale and scope of the museum that you really get a full appreciation. There are locomotives, passenger and freight rollingstock, and even a wonderfully restored NSW railway pay bus.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6WsZSH2Za0/YHuK8raXt1I/AAAAAAAADwQ/xhjFLtnNC5k0if1_JZEkLuwbsLLRoTWrACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210417_135016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6WsZSH2Za0/YHuK8raXt1I/AAAAAAAADwQ/xhjFLtnNC5k0if1_JZEkLuwbsLLRoTWrACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/20210417_135016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XcD9Q-45PZg/YHuMfqdHEjI/AAAAAAAADxA/Q-RnGpquLGAqKI66wceGiTfbvvie8jXQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210417_134356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XcD9Q-45PZg/YHuMfqdHEjI/AAAAAAAADxA/Q-RnGpquLGAqKI66wceGiTfbvvie8jXQQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/20210417_134356.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ED6QwXri1s/YHuMdbJc10I/AAAAAAAADww/kVy-WOdxzvoPMiuKrdNoDTgvKKLumu8lQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210417_131705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ED6QwXri1s/YHuMdbJc10I/AAAAAAAADww/kVy-WOdxzvoPMiuKrdNoDTgvKKLumu8lQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/20210417_131705.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WR09WpTtyRc/YHuMevvG1yI/AAAAAAAADw4/GksHeGCSU0IG7SarD4UmOcQI4w9NV1JOACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210417_105745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WR09WpTtyRc/YHuMevvG1yI/AAAAAAAADw4/GksHeGCSU0IG7SarD4UmOcQI4w9NV1JOACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/20210417_105745.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>In addition to the collection itself, and the steam rides on the loop line over the recent NSW school holidays, there is a <a href="https://www.nswrailmuseum.com.au/tickets?lightbox=dataItem-kmq7k5rj1" target="_blank">special immersive display</a> on the history of locomotive 1021 (Cardiff) which is very impressive. The museum facilities are top class and I was pleased see a large number of families about enjoying the museum and all it has to offer.<br /></p><p>The highlight of the day was the 40 minute steam-hauled trip to Buxton and back. Locomotive 2705 did the duties. At Buxton, an enterprising railside business was doing a roaring trade selling jacket potatoes with butter and sour cream - delicious! Upon return to Thirlmere, 2705 runs around its train in preparation for the next tour.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='392' height='326' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwvBJDamO-GQoUYCasFGj6OhttC7zAnUJX-qMI-Km6C1fBtdeUzpOqpxbp5v2monFgDmCPHm2B9a5ELmE-9-w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>It was a great day. I look forward to making future visits and spending more time at the Museum.<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-8749304776887226442021-03-23T20:45:00.004+11:002021-03-23T20:45:55.522+11:00Exhibitions - yes/no?<p>Yes. I am pleased to report that the <a href="http://cmrci.info/expo-2018/" target="_blank">Canberra Model Railway Expo</a> is going ahead this coming weekend, 27-28 March. The expo will be held at the UC High School in Kaleen as in previous years.</p><p>Layouts on show will include Binalong, Charlestown, Ebor Vale, Ettamogah II, Gaye Saint Edith, Goulburn, Gunning, Kookaburra Park, Mungo Scotts, Tannochbrae, the Molonglo Route, Wingello, Yendys, and others.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRgMG1degdA/Uzfe5pFAxAI/AAAAAAAABAU/8y-4jUsSVJIinky0Bs9f92oZuRoBbLw5ACPcBGAYYCw/s800/CMRE_2014_Binalong.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRgMG1degdA/Uzfe5pFAxAI/AAAAAAAABAU/8y-4jUsSVJIinky0Bs9f92oZuRoBbLw5ACPcBGAYYCw/w400-h300/CMRE_2014_Binalong.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: "Binalong" from the Epping Model Railway Club</span><br /><p></p><p>Commercial outlets will include Anton's Trains, Austrains, Burfitt Tools, Casula Hobbies, Eureka Models, Eurohobby, IDR, Kerroby's, SDS Models, Trainworld, among others.</p><p>No. The proposed <a href="http://www.eppingmodelrailway.org.au/exhibition/" target="_blank">Epping Model Railway Club's 2021 exhibition</a> at Rosehill Racecourse on the Queen's Birthday long weekend in June is off. Unfortunately, the decision to call off the exhibition was made too late to amend the advertisement in the current issue of AMRM. It is disappointing but understandable given the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, these uncertainties affect interstate visitors and potential exhibitors as well as locals who can ill afford last minute lockdowns.</p><p>For those of you who can make the Canberra exhibition this weekend, I look forward to catching up with you (socially distanced, of course).<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-77883811812965590272021-02-24T13:10:00.004+11:002021-02-24T18:39:57.732+11:00Advertising posters for your model railway<p>Advertising signs and posters are a great way to set the scene and give a location a sense of place and time. Signs and advertising accompanied by era specific vehicles and people can provide visual context and enhance the believability of your model railway.<br /></p><p>We can use commercial decals or signage within structure kits of course. But for more unique offerings, finding suitable images is very possible using the internet. We can also be on the lookout for suitable images when travelling around the countryside (covid-19 permitting), as I discovered on a recent visit to Boorowa and one of the local pubs.<br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3LrGITkxYg/YDWxt4nKlXI/AAAAAAAADrM/ZagORT_9XDY5Yfk2ajmNwM2YEOjkRQ1QACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Reschs%2Bposters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3LrGITkxYg/YDWxt4nKlXI/AAAAAAAADrM/ZagORT_9XDY5Yfk2ajmNwM2YEOjkRQ1QACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Reschs%2Bposters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>There are other sources of signage and advertising when going through antique stores (subject to permission) or second-hand stores. And libraries remain a useful resource for searching as well.</p><p>Recently, I received an email from the <a href="https://www.nla.gov.au/" target="_blank">National Library of Australia</a> alerting me to the Australian advertisement poster collection they have collected and preserved over time. A sample of early posters can be found <a href="https://www.nla.gov.au/stories/blog/behind-the-scenes/2020/12/08/a-century-of-australian-advertising-posters" target="_blank">here</a> with a link within the story to the collection accessible via <i>Trove</i>. </p><p>Enhancing a model railway with signs and advertising suitable for the location and time period is a very good way to create a realistic and believable scene.</p><p><u>Addendum:</u> A few hours after posting this blog entry, I came across <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akkiegTKTmA" target="_blank">this Youtube clip about weathering billboards</a> that might be of additional interest. It's from a Youtuber I follow and he has some other interesting modelling techniques based on a small switching layout he constructed. Very nice!<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-84559837965882355932020-12-10T18:32:00.005+11:002020-12-10T20:38:25.659+11:00Christmas gift suggestions<p style="text-align: left;">2020 has been a difficult year so this Christmas why not spoil yourself (or a friend) with some wonderful presents. I have the following suggestions to help you (and Santa) on your way.</p><p style="text-align: left;">1. Take out or give a subscription to the <a href="https://www.australianmodelrailways.com/amrm/" target="_blank">Australian Model Railway Magazine</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hstvm-8gFXA/X9G-noir5BI/AAAAAAAADlg/nQIQu2LEblM_i_y6aTRA2iWh91dv5LoDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AMRM%2BDecember%2B2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1488" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hstvm-8gFXA/X9G-noir5BI/AAAAAAAADlg/nQIQu2LEblM_i_y6aTRA2iWh91dv5LoDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/AMRM%2BDecember%2B2020.jpg" /></a></div><p>A subscription is a geat present, especially if you are giving it to someone who may just have a kindling interest in the hobby and who wants to find out more. A subscription helps the magazine as well so that it remains on a sound economic footing for the future.</p><p>2. One of a number of how-to books from Kalmbach Publishing </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-97_2bodySn0/X9G-lDclutI/AAAAAAAADl4/-PtN0KxwWPA5_CKZW7hola0S-5gE0PFswCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Kalmbach%2Bbook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1488" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-97_2bodySn0/X9G-lDclutI/AAAAAAAADl4/-PtN0KxwWPA5_CKZW7hola0S-5gE0PFswCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Kalmbach%2Bbook.jpg" /></a></div><p><a href="https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/catalog/books?filters=fad1ce900f1b40479549a4c670bb57de" target="_blank">Kalmbach Publishing</a> (USA) has a bevy of how-to books across a range of model railway subjects. This book, <i>Applying lessons from the prototype</i> is from renowned author Tony Koester and it's a beauty! You can buy these books direct from Kalmbach in the USA but try your local model railway shop in Australia first.</p><p>3. Another how-to book, this time from the military modelling fraternity</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHkeQ-eDBfE/X9G-r0jNhTI/AAAAAAAADmE/NI0eUhYddSYN3-QzaOxg27pIYJKhxb6JwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Painting%2Bwith%2Bacrylics.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1488" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHkeQ-eDBfE/X9G-r0jNhTI/AAAAAAAADmE/NI0eUhYddSYN3-QzaOxg27pIYJKhxb6JwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Painting%2Bwith%2Bacrylics.jpg" /></a></div><p>For those railway modellers who are already advanced in the hobby, taking some great tips on painting from the military modellers is a great way to develop new skills and improve your painting methods. <i>How to paint with acrylics</i> (first published in 2017) is from a well-known stable of military modelling, Mig Jemenez, who you may be familiar with from his line of paints. Sometimes, if a book is unavailable, you can pick one up from second-hand bookstores or a search of <a href="https://www.abebooks.co.uk/" target="_blank">AbeBooks</a>.<br /></p><p>4. Books on the prototype are always interesting. The <i>Byways of Steam</i> series is fantastic!</p><p style="margin-left: 160px; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K79D4TMttuc/X9G-n91GbjI/AAAAAAAADl4/nCHmeiqwnn8FfB98LxuN1tQZ263RlZqxwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Byways%2Bof%2BSteam%2B33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1488" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K79D4TMttuc/X9G-n91GbjI/AAAAAAAADl4/nCHmeiqwnn8FfB98LxuN1tQZ263RlZqxwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Byways%2Bof%2BSteam%2B33.jpg" /></a></p><a href="https://www.eveleighpress.com.au/item.php?id=561" target="_blank">Byways of Steam 33</a> is the latest in the series and features some great articles and photographs. The steam depots of Cootamundra and Tumut are featured in this issue from noted rail author, Ray Love. You can buy this book from the <a href="https://arhsnsw.com.au/shop/" target="_blank">ARHS Bookshop</a>, <a href="https://www.eveleighpress.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">Eveleigh Press</a>, or from hobby shops.<p></p><p>5. And if you want railways intertwined with history, then this book is for you!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzlh2HmUZdA/X9G-pvaLJUI/AAAAAAAADl8/fxmnAiGQgjcap7kTHiLo0YTaHMyj1E9wQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Neville%2BPollard%2Bbook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1488" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzlh2HmUZdA/X9G-pvaLJUI/AAAAAAAADl8/fxmnAiGQgjcap7kTHiLo0YTaHMyj1E9wQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Neville%2BPollard%2Bbook.jpg" /></a></div><p>Neville Pollard has been a prolific author of articles for <i>Australian Railway History</i> and its predecessor, <i>ARHS Bulletin</i>. In this book, Neville has written a wonderful history of the Temora Region railways (encompassing many rural branchlines that included Lake Cargellico, Naradhan, Rankin's Springs, Burcher, and through the northern part of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area all the way through to Roto which joins the transcontinental line to Broken Hill and beyond). I highly recommend this book if you want to understand the importance of railways to the historical development of New South Wales. My copy came from the <a href="https://arhsnsw.com.au/shop/" target="_blank">ARHS Bookshop</a>.</p><p>6. In keeping with railway history, you can't go past author, Christian Wolmar, for a great read.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ncOxm3UFwg/X9G-qQ5rSII/AAAAAAAADmA/3gZNL98fl2AyR9ZK4IaJmSh0Qp_01bDewCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/Wollmar%2Bbook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1488" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ncOxm3UFwg/X9G-qQ5rSII/AAAAAAAADmA/3gZNL98fl2AyR9ZK4IaJmSh0Qp_01bDewCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Wollmar%2Bbook.jpg" /></a></div><p><i>Fire and Steam</i> (first published in 2007 but still available) is a wonderful account of the birth and development of the railways in Great Britain. As the book jacket says: "From the early days of steam to electrification, via the railways' magnificent contribution in two world wars, the chequered history of British Rail, and the bouyant future of the train, <i>Fire and Steam</i> examines the social and economical importance of the railway and how it helped to form the Britain of today". My copy probably came from <i>Dymocks</i> or <i>Book Depository</i> - try your local book shop first.</p><p>7. Lastly, you can never go wrong with a calendar for the coming year!</p><p style="margin-left: 200px; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oVXx_G2C8lQ/X9HJGzrgDKI/AAAAAAAADmM/pr1zEInylFEyO5ybTXmTXnOAY9P8td4WwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2021%2Bcalendar_Transport%2BHeritage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1181" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oVXx_G2C8lQ/X9HJGzrgDKI/AAAAAAAADmM/pr1zEInylFEyO5ybTXmTXnOAY9P8td4WwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2021%2Bcalendar_Transport%2BHeritage.jpg" /></a></p><p>I purchased this NSW Rail Museum/Transport Heritage NSW 2021 calendar as a present for a former railwayman, now well and truly retired, but who maintains his interest in the railways. My copy came from <a href="https://casulahobbies.com.au/" target="_blank">Casula Hobbies</a> in Liverpool, Sydney, but you can buy this calendar from other hobby shops or direct from the <a href="https://www.nswrailmuseum.com.au/product-page/pre-order-nsw-rail-museum-calendar-2021" target="_blank">NSW Rail Museum</a>.</p><p>There you have it - some great ideas for some great presents. But I think you'll need to act quickly because the mail deliveries this time of year can be a bit slower due to the sheer volume of mail. And, in case you're wondering, these suggestions are personal recommendations - no payments received!<br /></p><p>Merry Christmas and a Happy (and healthy) New Year to everyone. Let's hope 2021 is a good one.<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-61019012570644773102020-11-09T09:52:00.005+11:002020-12-10T20:39:42.965+11:00Model Railway Exhibition Programs<p style="text-align: left;">Eleven years ago I attended the Wagga Wagga Model Railway Exhibition. It seems like yesterday. I wonder if people are building model railway exhibition layouts now during the Covid-19 pandemic in the hope that exhibitions will return next year. This prompted me to check out other model railway exhibition programs from the past in my collection. It
would be good to reminisce about all those exhibition layouts from the
past and go through my archive of exhibition photos. </p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q02MwZavlpY/SvE4wEZfpAI/AAAAAAAAAUA/i4hnk4YyfBERjiaeNxRhpRY6a-UShpBaQCPcBGAYYCw/s315/Wagga_Ex_2009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q02MwZavlpY/SvE4wEZfpAI/AAAAAAAAAUA/i4hnk4YyfBERjiaeNxRhpRY6a-UShpBaQCPcBGAYYCw/s0/Wagga_Ex_2009.jpg" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: left;">There were supposed to be three boxes of exhibition programs in my collection and a portable hard drive with all my photos. I knew I had been to plenty of exhibitions both prior to and after that 2009 exhibition in Wagga Wagga.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">But as fate would have it, I couldn't find the portable hard drive or any of those exhibition programs. The portable hard drive was somewhere in the house but where were the boxes of programs? Then I remembered having a Marie Kondo moment about six months ago when I decided to tidy up my study. This meant throwing out a lot of "ancient" material, using the well worn rationalisation that I hadn't looked at any of this stuff for ages so there was no point in keeping it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't have to tell you what an absolute mistake that was! </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">As we all know when it comes to hardware items (for example, scraps of wood, strips of metalwork, random nails and screws of unknown size and origin), we NEVER throw that stuff away because we know some day it will be absolutely <i>essential</i>. Of course, we joke around with mates about this phenomenon because it's part of who we are, or in this case, being a railway modeller. We laugh with self-conscious identification when comedian Michael McIntyre relates his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgrmB8M0sgU" target="_blank">man-drawer</a> experience because it is all so true. And when our wives, partners or girlfriends shake their heads in complete ignorance of our strategies, we shake our heads too because they simply do not understand.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">And so it is true that my boxes of model railway exhibition programs from the past 30 years (and maybe longer) had been taken out of my study, by me, and dumped unceremoniously into the recycling bin for roadside collection. And while I had no need to refer to them for the past six months, nay the past 30 years (or maybe longer), it is of no small comfort to know that now I needed to refer to those programs like never before!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The only thing worse about having thrown out something you now need is when you know you have the item you need but you cannot find it....<br /></div>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-73141953330319875062020-10-25T08:24:00.006+11:002020-12-10T20:40:11.996+11:00Virtual exhibitions - some thoughts<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Are virtual model railway exhibitions the future? Will they become the norm? </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My <a href="https://armchairmodellerdownunder.blogspot.com/2020/10/virtual-model-railway-exhibitions-it.html" target="_blank">previous blog post</a> introduced the "Great Electric Train Show" virtual model railway exhibition. That virtual exhibition is now over but there are more virtual exhibitions coming up, including this one from the Oxford District Model Railway Club in England - <a href="https://www.oxrail2020.com/show-guide.html" target="_blank">Oxrail 2020</a>. This virtual exhibition will be online from 24 October to 1 November, UK time.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Virtual model railway events also take different forms. The <a href="https://www.nmra.org/" target="_blank">National Model Railroad Association</a> (NMRA) ran a series of virtual events (<a href="https://www.nmra.org/tags/nmrax" target="_blank">NMRAx</a>) this year from all around the world. More generally, there are live streaming options on Facebook and a plethora of layout videos on Youtube.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After some in-person discussions with a couple of railway modellers (who choose to remain anonymous), the question is whether virtual exhibitions will become the norm and take over from traditional on-the-ground model railway exhibitions. They both said that while a virtual model railway exhibition may be a good idea during the current Covid-19 pandemic, they'd hate to see virtual model railway exhibitions take over completely. This photo pretty much sums up their argument.</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mVTw2cWzjBk/X41Z9wIr08I/AAAAAAAADg4/xcuwlWzBzzYA_4poEU-0GzR1jat3-tDXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1300/Scaleforum_UK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1300" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mVTw2cWzjBk/X41Z9wIr08I/AAAAAAAADg4/xcuwlWzBzzYA_4poEU-0GzR1jat3-tDXQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Scaleforum_UK.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> My learned friends put forward these three arguments:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. model railway exhibitions are essentially social events, whether among friends or family, or just making those annual model railway contacts with other exhibition die-hards. Virtual exhibitions cannot replicate the level of interaction and social dynamics of an on-the-ground model railway event.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. model railway exhibitions allow visitors to look at whatever is of interest to them and focus on any particular train or scene of their own choosing. They can spend 17 seconds or 17 minutes taking in the whole sweep of a layout down to the finest of details. You can ask questions and get information directly from the exhibitor in real time. The in-person model railway experience is totally self-directed. For some high quality layouts, the feeling of actually "being there on the prototype" can
transform a model railway into a truly personal and evocative experience.
Virtual exhibitions are beholden to one individual's videography, the lighting and the camera angles, as well as the editing of the online video with limited Q&A options. (As an aside, another discussion involved whether virtual exhibitions were really any different to a catalogue of Youtube videos, and whether virtual exhibitions needed high quality video standards to differentiate themselves from the average Youtube experience).<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. model railway exhibitions are also about the commercial stands - not just the buying, but also the chatting about upcoming or new items; getting advice and modelling tips; and the shared experience one has with modelling friends "ooohing and aaaghing" together over models in display cases or bargains to be had. In other words, the on-the-ground experience with the traders is much richer and more meaningful than any infomercial from a virtual exhibition. Anyone visiting Anton's stall at a model railway exhibition will have a fair idea of what this is all about....<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I pretty much agreed with these sentiments. But is this just a preference based on years of exhibition attendances and our general demographic? Would virtual model railway exhibitions create new ways to attract the public to the hobby? It's hard to know at this stage, but I don't think it has to be an either/or situation.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Personally, I don't see virtual model railway exhibitions taking over from on-the-ground exhibitions once the health issues of the pandemic are controlled (whenever that may be). Layouts still need to be built. I know exhibitors like showcasing their work in person as it allows engagement with their peers </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(one-upmanship?)</span> and enthusiastic compliments from the public. It's social for them as well. Making a video about their layout would be an added impost, and something that not everyone can do very well. I imagine the commercial traders also like the personal contact. However, I don't know if on-the-ground exhibitions are more financially rewarding compared to online events.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For now, I will enjoy watching any quality virtual model railway exhibition from the comfort of my home office. I'll still watch a selection of layouts on Youtube (for example, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD5N1UI1KuAa-EiKUzV0_Bw" target="_blank">Dean Park Station</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/EverardJunction" target="_blank">Everard Junction</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/tmh57/featured" target="_blank">Seaboard Central</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyTY3l_L0bUw3Av5S46he0g" target="_blank">Central Jersey in N scale</a>) and more commercial offerings such as <a href="https://mrv.trains.com/" target="_blank">MRVideo Plus</a> and <a href="https://trainmasters.tv/" target="_blank">TrainMasters TV</a>). But I'll still be yearning for a return to the exhibitions of yore, meeting up with kindred railway modellers, checking out layouts, and having a good chat among friends. Let's hope we can resume normal life as quickly and as safely as possible.</span><br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-49092098346712933382020-10-12T21:44:00.010+11:002020-12-10T20:40:40.541+11:00Virtual model railway exhibitions<p>It was with great delight that I received an email reminder about a UK virtual model railway exhibition - the <a href="https://www.keymodelworld.com/greatelectrictrainshow/virtual?utm_campaign=GETS-virtual2020&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=97047772&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--_Cmc4BOLjVLHF8koM5kMKz_cYhm6CsCEfLYC5c0X2pd03AfMxd_cUl8DuuktIzBgJd3KHFWZDLmneKuEUiBIkuQfBmQ&utm_content=97047772&utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">Great Electric Train Show</a> on this week 9-16 October. The exhibition is organised by <a href="https://www.keymodelworld.com/article/welcome-great-electric-train-show" target="_blank">Key Model World</a>, the publisher of <a href="https://www.keymodelworld.com/hornby-magazine" target="_blank">Hornby Magazine</a> and <a href="https://www.keymodelworld.com/scale-modelling" target="_blank">Airfix Model World</a>. You can see that the website format for the virtual exhibition and the two magazines share a common look and feel.<br /></p><p> <img align="middle" alt="kmw-get-newsletter" class="CToWUd a6T" src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/ug_94avU7sTadiQBFPN13WJ2WyqLZVO_AgBzpNTgHpGbgI1m7XTjwrGUtvPBIZmYVkFutlSLt-lhX-_ia88nB8-UwgHZ-7buYTfpt-yxM-Yvp3jMqVaxMZOn8KiN2FE9cZDBkRAiELsa-D2nitlpPOoNwL1da_wwuu3lL0OBwmbBUPDLifbCdiQfl9PL3vx8dIkSxYwl=s0-d-e1-ft#https://hs-7080444.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/7080444/hubfs/kmw-get-newsletter.jpg?width=1196&upscale=true&name=kmw-get-newsletter.jpg" style="font-size: 16px; max-width: 100%; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0" width="598" /></p><p>The <a href="https://www.keymodelworld.com/greatelectrictrainshow/virtual?utm_campaign=GETS-virtual2020&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=97047772&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--_Cmc4BOLjVLHF8koM5kMKz_cYhm6CsCEfLYC5c0X2pd03AfMxd_cUl8DuuktIzBgJd3KHFWZDLmneKuEUiBIkuQfBmQ&utm_content=97047772&utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">exhibition website</a> says: "New features will be going live here throughout the weekend (just passed) offering you
model railway inspiration, demonstrations, the latest news, quizzes and
more at your finger tips. We hope you enjoy the show!"</p><p>The layout videos I have watched so far are superb and really showcase both the layouts and the videography. The videos were mainly done by Key Model World, including commentary. Having a professional video library of layouts from or for <a href="https://www.keymodelworld.com/hornby-magazine" target="_blank">Hornby Magazine</a> obviously makes a huge difference to the visual experience compared to what one might commonly see on Youtube where the video quality ranges immensely, depending on the equipment, lighting, and skills of the Youtuber.<br /></p><p></p><p>Key Model World hopes to have the <a href="https://www.keymodelworld.com/greatelectrictrainshow" target="_blank">2021 Great Electric Train Show</a> back on the ground next year. Naturally, this will depend on the pandemic situation at the time. However, virtual exhibitions are a great reminder that one can still showcase some great layouts and products even if we can't be there in person. And who knows when a return to "normal" exhibition attendance will occur?</p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-77326785573536520962020-10-06T18:22:00.026+11:002020-12-10T20:41:20.899+11:00Exhibitions - we miss you!<p>The Labor Day weekend has passed and there was no Sydney Model Railway Exhibition this year because of Covid-19. Who would have thought that when I last posted on this blog (January 2019 on exhibitions) that we'd all be longing to go to a model railway exhibition...almost anywhere!</p><p>All those unanswered questions about model railway exhibitions and whether they have any impact on the future of the hobby seem superfluous now. In one way, by not having model railway exhibitions, the answer to whether we need model railway exhibitions to support and grow the hobby is a resounding YES! As Joni Mitchell said, "You don't know what you've lost 'til it's gone".</p><p>So, as a way to reminisce about model railway exhibitions, I have selected a few layout images from a small back catalogue of photos to share with you. They obviously do not cover all layouts from the exhibition circuit over the years but I hope they can still bring back memories and inspire. To make the image bigger, click photo once with the mouse or tap once on the photo if using a touch screen device.<br /></p><p>Photo 1: Sydney Central (N scale)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-230xsJhfeaA/Tj52dxWbPkI/AAAAAAAAAs8/rjs1DNsqm6U30mQ39BkQLOmDFRPqXX7kQCPcBGAYYCw/s800/Malkara_Sydney_Central_2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-230xsJhfeaA/Tj52dxWbPkI/AAAAAAAAAs8/rjs1DNsqm6U30mQ39BkQLOmDFRPqXX7kQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Malkara_Sydney_Central_2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 2: Smuggler's Cove (O scale narrow gauge)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A30uVaaYwSw/UESPfxTNsAI/AAAAAAAAAy4/j6JWAoNom2EYLIBuXi8z_zZOasxJmrVYACPcBGAYYCw/s800/NMRA_Convention_2012_SmugglersCove_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A30uVaaYwSw/UESPfxTNsAI/AAAAAAAAAy4/j6JWAoNom2EYLIBuXi8z_zZOasxJmrVYACPcBGAYYCw/s320/NMRA_Convention_2012_SmugglersCove_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Photo 3: Arakoola (O scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqTMqjiYEIU/Uzfe39sSfGI/AAAAAAAABAE/wy9RyaEmojIr_zV-mXaEVul9qFBrDc3bgCPcBGAYYCw/s800/CMRE_2014_Arakoola.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqTMqjiYEIU/Uzfe39sSfGI/AAAAAAAABAE/wy9RyaEmojIr_zV-mXaEVul9qFBrDc3bgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/CMRE_2014_Arakoola.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Photo 4: Barcoola (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Kq7qUUq2-M/TookBr83xNI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/0ODKiz9wR-AqUDOeOOHJ8LAeMpaifPQMwCPcBGAYYCw/s800/SMRE_Barcoola_2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Kq7qUUq2-M/TookBr83xNI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/0ODKiz9wR-AqUDOeOOHJ8LAeMpaifPQMwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/SMRE_Barcoola_2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 5: Mile Post 638 (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOlK77d4iZQ/Uzfe2sJb4JI/AAAAAAAAA_4/KzP_VfB--cEVRfOKdxBHYtoOpDkJoWIRgCPcBGAYYCw/s800/CMRE_2014_638Mile_.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOlK77d4iZQ/Uzfe2sJb4JI/AAAAAAAAA_4/KzP_VfB--cEVRfOKdxBHYtoOpDkJoWIRgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/CMRE_2014_638Mile_.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 6: Binalong (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRgMG1degdA/Uzfe5pFAxAI/AAAAAAAABAU/8y-4jUsSVJIinky0Bs9f92oZuRoBbLw5ACPcBGAYYCw/s800/CMRE_2014_Binalong.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRgMG1degdA/Uzfe5pFAxAI/AAAAAAAABAU/8y-4jUsSVJIinky0Bs9f92oZuRoBbLw5ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/CMRE_2014_Binalong.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 7: Oddwalls (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v18yWV_xNgQ/TZheTFxh_sI/AAAAAAAAApw/4g9GKtmchKIfUfn6Zz1msdf3xqbNSOOxACPcBGAYYCw/s800/Oddwalls_CMRE_2011_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v18yWV_xNgQ/TZheTFxh_sI/AAAAAAAAApw/4g9GKtmchKIfUfn6Zz1msdf3xqbNSOOxACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Oddwalls_CMRE_2011_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 8: Maryborough (HO scale)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KPC6Uox61s/WaNSrBtAjhI/AAAAAAAACRU/aoLrJPFr-FEhFGNX1o3Gy2L2Q65_Y4q5QCPcBGAYYCw/s1000/Caulfield_2017_Maryborough_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KPC6Uox61s/WaNSrBtAjhI/AAAAAAAACRU/aoLrJPFr-FEhFGNX1o3Gy2L2Q65_Y4q5QCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Caulfield_2017_Maryborough_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Photo 9: Yendys (HO scale)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPTTRgTUs0c/Uzfe9bwyKNI/AAAAAAAABA4/-iyw-_jstQo5-fQULor-0tc466OsLPvxwCPcBGAYYCw/s800/CMRE_2014_Yendys.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPTTRgTUs0c/Uzfe9bwyKNI/AAAAAAAABA4/-iyw-_jstQo5-fQULor-0tc466OsLPvxwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/CMRE_2014_Yendys.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 10: Waterfall (HO scale)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2YQ1--VXfA/TKsNB-04WyI/AAAAAAAAAlE/LZCjK2hFuJkjXSg-xIdqi38y1PHiUOzcACPcBGAYYCw/s800/DSCN1364.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2YQ1--VXfA/TKsNB-04WyI/AAAAAAAAAlE/LZCjK2hFuJkjXSg-xIdqi38y1PHiUOzcACPcBGAYYCw/s320/DSCN1364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 11: Mango Mango (O scale narrow gauge)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDcXJRfKHUk/WT3dJmsU1uI/AAAAAAAACKI/I0IQ3oaII70XJZLW5mDNTIKUKGWpt32gACPcBGAYYCw/s1000/Epping_2017_Mango_Mango_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDcXJRfKHUk/WT3dJmsU1uI/AAAAAAAACKI/I0IQ3oaII70XJZLW5mDNTIKUKGWpt32gACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Epping_2017_Mango_Mango_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 12: Enoshima (N scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlrgZINTLoE/TKsS_57eYXI/AAAAAAAAAlc/3XPXNPtp4IoxOkWZjmTw0Qa9N_khfr7LgCPcBGAYYCw/s800/DSCN1476.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlrgZINTLoE/TKsS_57eYXI/AAAAAAAAAlc/3XPXNPtp4IoxOkWZjmTw0Qa9N_khfr7LgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/DSCN1476.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 13: Over the Fence (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWyLY8TFhP0/V2ZADO9J7UI/AAAAAAAAB3k/X-2cUtpVfBQSSzewHZBeGy9IbXTsfOj9gCPcBGAYYCw/s800/EppingMRE_2016_Over_the_fence.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWyLY8TFhP0/V2ZADO9J7UI/AAAAAAAAB3k/X-2cUtpVfBQSSzewHZBeGy9IbXTsfOj9gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/EppingMRE_2016_Over_the_fence.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 14: Goulburn (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Igs2xOPj8yg/V_IU_ez5jaI/AAAAAAAAB8c/hPg0vVsW17YEKVR0Oy3K0k6uqUTceDWkACPcBGAYYCw/s800/SMRE_2016_Goulburn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Igs2xOPj8yg/V_IU_ez5jaI/AAAAAAAAB8c/hPg0vVsW17YEKVR0Oy3K0k6uqUTceDWkACPcBGAYYCw/s320/SMRE_2016_Goulburn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Photo 15: Wallerawang (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNK3FWIVxLo/TF5-xqr0-FI/AAAAAAAAAgo/DQLNbeUa50QqF78ZptnNEAkdBnCJSudRgCPcBGAYYCw/s800/Wallerawang_Malkara_080810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNK3FWIVxLo/TF5-xqr0-FI/AAAAAAAAAgo/DQLNbeUa50QqF78ZptnNEAkdBnCJSudRgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Wallerawang_Malkara_080810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 16: Eskbank (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtjuqsB9MCQ/TKsNAe2iwOI/AAAAAAAAAlA/ZaeXBWp7Sbk-foKUiec1NpFdlDR0RtXvwCPcBGAYYCw/s800/DSCN1326.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtjuqsB9MCQ/TKsNAe2iwOI/AAAAAAAAAlA/ZaeXBWp7Sbk-foKUiec1NpFdlDR0RtXvwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/DSCN1326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Photo 17: Twelfth Street Yard (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTMjRn9QD1k/TZhkpavxJdI/AAAAAAAAAp8/xeVbEBaE-O0kBpAIED6yROQIQTaGWxvJgCPcBGAYYCw/s800/TwelfthStYard_CMRE_2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTMjRn9QD1k/TZhkpavxJdI/AAAAAAAAAp8/xeVbEBaE-O0kBpAIED6yROQIQTaGWxvJgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/TwelfthStYard_CMRE_2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 18: Sandford (N scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DpyKifZw_I0/WT3dRrzA-OI/AAAAAAAACKI/2AjUpt-UCuk3tOVMpHqWyZYpF1YtNFo2ACPcBGAYYCw/s1000/Epping_2017_Sandford.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DpyKifZw_I0/WT3dRrzA-OI/AAAAAAAACKI/2AjUpt-UCuk3tOVMpHqWyZYpF1YtNFo2ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Epping_2017_Sandford.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 19: Generic (mainly US) layout from NMRA Coffs Harbour (HO scale)<br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1aRCf4Ei8ik/THDm_XTqHkI/AAAAAAAAAjM/kKnmZZJdQKYpzVubiJlUVnVyDaz8IkvCQCPcBGAYYCw/s800/Coffs_layout_Caulfield_210810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1aRCf4Ei8ik/THDm_XTqHkI/AAAAAAAAAjM/kKnmZZJdQKYpzVubiJlUVnVyDaz8IkvCQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Coffs_layout_Caulfield_210810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 20: Dungog (HO scale)<br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6KxXvVY3Hg/TBli5wEwniI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/cJz_Kegb6K8rCu0q8htr_fQApoXOwxrngCPcBGAYYCw/s800/DSC02712.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6KxXvVY3Hg/TBli5wEwniI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/cJz_Kegb6K8rCu0q8htr_fQApoXOwxrngCPcBGAYYCw/s320/DSC02712.JPG" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 21: CSX/BN layout (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIneqehHG5c/SpfHY_NDQCI/AAAAAAAAAOs/36b6N3QJ62g8faEm7ZOPw0GZAhQalA14ACPcBGAYYCw/s800/DSC02408.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIneqehHG5c/SpfHY_NDQCI/AAAAAAAAAOs/36b6N3QJ62g8faEm7ZOPw0GZAhQalA14ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/DSC02408.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 22: Tyobic (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLMvVhbE_AM/THDnpNVEn1I/AAAAAAAAAjk/xpsxaV7CM24pzdy6v9oauHjlALZnY5QMgCPcBGAYYCw/s800/Tyobic_Caulfield_210810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLMvVhbE_AM/THDnpNVEn1I/AAAAAAAAAjk/xpsxaV7CM24pzdy6v9oauHjlALZnY5QMgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Tyobic_Caulfield_210810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Photo 23: Everton (HO scale)<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TaBO2QeDYY/SpfHXnenzjI/AAAAAAAAAOc/I_nImQYdinM14Q-E4wTlcMg7BuiLPluMwCPcBGAYYCw/s800/DSC02404.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TaBO2QeDYY/SpfHXnenzjI/AAAAAAAAAOc/I_nImQYdinM14Q-E4wTlcMg7BuiLPluMwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/DSC02404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Photo 24: Brisbane Waters (HO scale)<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAXlWAlx-H0/TKsM-4irPII/AAAAAAAAAk8/wS4h2-wqNpw9oH-n3b8EpUQ5OXrtRS-SACPcBGAYYCw/s800/DSCN1368.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAXlWAlx-H0/TKsM-4irPII/AAAAAAAAAk8/wS4h2-wqNpw9oH-n3b8EpUQ5OXrtRS-SACPcBGAYYCw/s320/DSCN1368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 25: Brunswick Park (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXDoJ1Y7Prk/Tj52U-AndxI/AAAAAAAAAs0/Gh2DMMBCVMUK7hh5B9Uk3wDM-MfW9qS1gCPcBGAYYCw/s800/Malkara_Brunswick_Park_2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXDoJ1Y7Prk/Tj52U-AndxI/AAAAAAAAAs0/Gh2DMMBCVMUK7hh5B9Uk3wDM-MfW9qS1gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Malkara_Brunswick_Park_2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 26: Moonan Flats (O scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFmg0CIn4es/V2ZACOIIqLI/AAAAAAAAB3g/OpsZ4cWrCIsKwauKR_ZgbonL3QBh-m-FwCPcBGAYYCw/s800/EppingMRE_2016_Moonan_Flats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFmg0CIn4es/V2ZACOIIqLI/AAAAAAAAB3g/OpsZ4cWrCIsKwauKR_ZgbonL3QBh-m-FwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/EppingMRE_2016_Moonan_Flats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Photo 27: Jackson Creek (narrow gauge)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MLse_NRX5V0/V7zd2x9i1wI/AAAAAAAAB6w/M1hCpg1td9AWEhl_HJBlIpbs6y-TKnYVwCPcBGAYYCw/s800/CMRE_2016_Jackson_Creek.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MLse_NRX5V0/V7zd2x9i1wI/AAAAAAAAB6w/M1hCpg1td9AWEhl_HJBlIpbs6y-TKnYVwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/CMRE_2016_Jackson_Creek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 28: Leonville Junction (G scale)<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45PznbziY4E/TNcMJy5420I/AAAAAAAAAnI/wQjoNcbsZdsjj_RtRKm5XLM1jPGwZca-ACPcBGAYYCw/s800/Leonville_Wagga_061110.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45PznbziY4E/TNcMJy5420I/AAAAAAAAAnI/wQjoNcbsZdsjj_RtRKm5XLM1jPGwZca-ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Leonville_Wagga_061110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Photo 29: Mullet Creek (HO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohljHf25x10/TGaPB9t_xfI/AAAAAAAAAiI/94xg7XHuoSE5gw7XGoW0X0Yw0n_WiDBNwCPcBGAYYCw/s800/BeecroftMRE_2010_MulletCreek.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohljHf25x10/TGaPB9t_xfI/AAAAAAAAAiI/94xg7XHuoSE5gw7XGoW0X0Yw0n_WiDBNwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/BeecroftMRE_2010_MulletCreek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Photo 30: Industry Lane (OO scale)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xxrrFZuTQs/V_IU_pQXJVI/AAAAAAAAB8c/ZNHMRhdp6IIvIgCpJFNifu4hzAD4wfzNACPcBGAYYCw/s800/SMRE_2016_IndustryLane.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xxrrFZuTQs/V_IU_pQXJVI/AAAAAAAAB8c/ZNHMRhdp6IIvIgCpJFNifu4hzAD4wfzNACPcBGAYYCw/s320/SMRE_2016_IndustryLane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Last one (couldn't resist) (Sydney Central, N scale)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltvt5VOsr7M/TKsNGnb41vI/AAAAAAAAAlI/3lgz8Owo5YACniTUxWFkB6VNf1hV3qYugCPcBGAYYCw/s800/DSCN1384.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltvt5VOsr7M/TKsNGnb41vI/AAAAAAAAAlI/3lgz8Owo5YACniTUxWFkB6VNf1hV3qYugCPcBGAYYCw/s320/DSCN1384.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Let's hope that at some safe time in the future we can all go out and attend model railway exhibitions in person. The layouts, the commercial stands, and the social aspects are all well and truly missed.<br /></p>Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-60359334688193780232019-01-07T21:00:00.000+11:002019-01-07T21:34:54.572+11:00Looking ahead 2019 - ExhibitionsEvery new year I make a mental list of all the things I want to achieve in the coming year. I have done this for many years now. However, I stopped calling them New Year resolutions because I wasn't particularly resolute in making the hoped-for achievements come to fruition. Still, I think that tradition is important and so my mental list prevails despite annual disappointments.<br />
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In 2019 I have a number of things I would like to achieve; some even related to model railways and this blog. As an aid to help me on this treacherous road ahead, my blogging will become what it was originally intended to be: a place to put down some thoughts about model railway layouts and the hobby in general. Over the past few years, the bulk of my posts were about exhibitions. I know that many people really enjoyed these exhibition summaries and accompanying photos. However, I am less inclined to visit exhibitions these days and even less inclined to photograph the same layouts over and over again.<br />
<br />
That said, my first few posts for 2019 will be on model railway exhibitions. I appreciate that a frank discussion on some of the accepted practices
in the hobby might cause some consternation, especially those closer to
some of the issues than myself. I therefore preface the following
thoughts by saying that I wish only to encourage some serious thinking
about exhibitions and the hobby in general so that we can actually grow
the hobby and make it successful in the years to come. <br />
<br />
In this first post for 2019 I want to explore a couple of issues about model railway exhibitions. The first is the well-worn claim that model railway exhibitions are important to introduce the hobby to people who will then hopefully become active participants in the hobby, even if it is just as consumers of model railway products. <br />
<br />
I appreciate the logic behind the claim but I have never seen any evidence that indicates any type of conversion rate. Reading articles in the model railway press, many authors cite
childhood prototype railway experiences and/or train sets as an early
introduction to the model
railroad hobby rather than exhibitions. <br />
<br />
So, how many punters who attend model railway exhibitions ever go onto become railway modellers? From my observations, many punters (especially with children) pay only occasional attention to what is being displayed in front of them. Lego layouts seem to grab a lot of attention though. I often wonder why it is that Lego train displays remain overly
popular compared to scale model railway layouts, especially those with
strong prototype fidelity.<br />
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And this brings us to another model railway exhibition mantra: the public want to see trains running around the layout at all times. I admit to having some sympathy to this claim in an age of attention deficits and immediate sense gratification. Lego layouts may also support the claim. I do wonder, however, if displaying exhibition layouts in this manner really provides a representative experience for the people who may want to join the hobby at a later stage. Does aimless running of trains enhance the model railway experience or not? Is it an effective demonstration of the hobby to entice new hobby participants? Or are exhibitions really just about entertainment?<br />
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In conjunction with the layouts and what is portrayed on the layouts, we must also look at the "real" model railroaders themselves. How do we come across to the public behind our model railway layouts? Are we engaging, knowledgeable, and approachable? Are we human showcases for the best of what the hobby of model railways can bring? Do we want the "average Joe" who visits the exhibition to say to themselves: "model railways, I really want to be like those guys and gals behind the layouts?" <br />
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In conclusion, do we even know why the "average Joe" comes to a model railway exhibition? Do we have any clue as to what they want out of the experience besides killing a couple of hours with the kids and grandparents (which is not necessarily a bad thing). Has there been any research to find out what percentage of exhibition visitors are your "average Joe" compared to existing railway modellers; and then discover what it is they get out of the experience? Do we even really care about the "average Joes"?<br />
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This leads me to the fundamental question behind this post: are model railway exhibitions really about showcasing model railways to the "average Joe" in the hope of converting them to the hobby at some point in the future?<br />
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My answer: I have no idea! <br />
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<br />Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521067228445533737.post-55193250283509914732018-04-19T22:43:00.001+10:002018-04-19T23:05:56.430+10:00NZAMRC 2018It's hard to believe that three weeks have gone by since I was in Auckland, New Zealand, at a model railway convention. The New Zealand Association of Model Railway Clubs (NZAMRC) 2018 Convention was held in the northern suburb of Auckland, Takapuna, at the <a href="http://www.netballnorthharbour.co.nz/" target="_blank">North Harbour Netball Club's</a> indoor centre. It was a very well organised affair - thank you to the <a href="https://www.nsmrc.org.nz/" target="_blank">North Shore Model Railway Club</a> for organising and hosting the event. And thank you to everybody who made this visiting Aussie feel very welcome.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: A scene from one of the layouts at the convention centre showcasing NZR in S scale</span><br />
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The convention hosted four layouts at home base but the space available at the indoor netball centre could have housed five times as many! <br />
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Friday 31st March was the first day of the convention with clinics held in the morning. The two clinics I attended were both excellent.<br />
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The first was by Robert Douglas on "Operations on the Kayton and Tacoma Railway" about his HO scale US layout housed in a rather small garden shed. That did not stop Robert from presenting an interesting operational setup for his layout. He uses two-position car cards and waybills on a layout that ostensibly moves freight cars from one side of the layout to the other. A typical op. session moves around 36-40 cars within a 90-120 minute time period. A feature of the op. system is the use of randomised freight cars to provide added interest. Robert also spoke about how he compiled an inventory of industries and their respective loads in and out, thereby providing information on the types of freight cars needed. Loads also respond to seasonal variations.<br />
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The other clinic was from noted NZR modeller, Trevor James. I had seen Trevor's layout at the corresponding NZAMRC Convention four years ago in Hamilton - a terrific NZ S scale layout. Trevor's presentation was about building a medium sized NZR home layout. Trevor believes in the 3' rule - the detail on the layout is as good as viewed from three feet away. He emphasised that in the planning phase it is important to determine what you want from the layout - what standards you will be comfortable adhering to and what features you want to incorporate on the layout. <br />
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After lunch, the afternoon was filled with layout visits. I was very lucky to have met Brent and Neil the night before at a local pub, so Brent and Neil kindly included me in their car as part of the car pooling arrangements. Many thanks, chaps! I include photos of several layouts I saw over the weekend at the end of the report.<br />
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The second day had a similar program with clinics in the morning (Peter Ross on DCC sound, and Arthur Hayes from Brisbane with his talk on "Conveying goods/freight on your layout"). The layout tours were in the afternoon. Again, Brent kindly chauffeured four of us around with plenty of entertaining banter as well as some unofficial sightseeing of a former NZ airbase (now a housing estate) where Brent had once lived and worked.<br />
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On Sunday, the third day, there were more clinics in the morning (Part 2 of Trevor James' talk about his layout, and Philip Sharp's enormously interesting "Modelling the Owen Sound Sub' in the 1870s and 1890s"). Trevor's focus was on operation in this clinic. Trevor explained the operations on his home layout. He uses the software program <i>ShipIt</i> to generate switch lists. Essentially, trains started from double-ended three track staging area. The two trains leave staging in opposite directions and work their way around the entire layout on the single track main until reaching the corresponding station at the end of the layout (the two end stations are also connected by the ends of staging). The locos at each station are turned, or dropped for a new loco, and then the op. session really begins as now the trains and their freight cars move back through the layout performing all the switching moves at intermediate locations along the way. Philip's talk was a fabulous historical journey, with photographs, of the railroad that began as a narrow gauge line known as the <i>Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway</i>. It soon fell into financial problems and was taken over by the <i>Grand Trunk</i> and converted to standard gauge, and then in 1883 the <i>Canadian Pacific Railway</i> (CPR) took control.<br />
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In the afternoon the prototype tour was a visit to the <a href="http://www.motat.org.nz/" target="_blank">Museum of Transport and Technology</a> (MOTAT) in Western Springs, Auckland. This was a great afternoon as we had a tour through the railway section, getting up close and personal to an array of historic locomotives as the photo directly below shows. We also had some time in the aviation section as well, before heading over to the technology section by (Melbourne) tram to see a number of exhibits including the superb Auckland Pumphouse.<br />
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The layouts all had something interesting to showcase and I very much enjoyed the experience. And now, the photos and some description from the layout tours - apologies if I have missed anyone. <br />
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The first layout visit was to the home of Gerard Y. who was an amazing gentelman with a great memory for the history of Auckland and the railways (and he also has the neatest - as in most tidy - workshop/garage I have ever seen). Gerard's O scale layout showcased locomotives and rollings stock that he had built from scratch in the 1940s and 1950s. If the Auckland Public Library local history librarian is reading this; get over to Gerard's place and do an oral history as he has some great stories to tell.<br />
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The next layout was a NZR S scale layout based on the Greymouth to Otira line on the west coast of the NZ South Island. This was a high quality layout with some superb scenery. According to those in the know, the layout certainly gave that unique Greymouth scenic experience.<br />
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The HO scale US layout called the <i>International Falls and South Western Railroad </i>was housed in a double-garage, plus extension in an adjacent room. The layout was terrific, featuring operation with track warrants, car cards and waybills. As the layout was largely set in Minnesota, it really had a strong appeal to me. <br />
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Another US prototype layout was the freelance HO scale <i>Pacific Western</i>. This was a very nice layout featuring lots of interesting industries, including a sawmill, cold store, flour mill, grain elevator, and cement and aggregate dealer.<br />
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Trevor C. had a fantastic 9mm scale NZR layout featuring both steam and diesel action. The layout is inside a large purpose built room,16m x 7min size, but with plenty of room for people to move around, as well as the trains. The layout is based on the Taihape loco depot and main North Auckland line between 1950 and 1990, giving plenty of scope for a range of locomotive classes.<br />
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John R. also had a very large layout, 20m x 7m. This HO scale layout was set in the US Rocky Mountains in the steam-diesel transition era. There were plenty of long trains in operation, as well as a bevy of locomotives in yards and around turntables.<br />
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Neville C. had a beautifully scenicked S scale (1:64) layout with full interlocking control. The NZR layout is based on the North Auckland line from Swanson to Waitakere. The layout was contained in what looked to be a single garage and therefore demonstrated you don't need oodles of space for a great layout.<br />
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Graham D., a man with a talent for the electrics side of the hobby, ended the second day with his S scale NZR layout. The layout fits into a room 7.5m x 3.5m. The layout is based on the Wellington area and the Johnsonville branch line. In keeping with the owner's skill set, the layout features working signalling, building lights, night scenes, and automatic running. The scenicked areas are pretty good as well.<br />
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I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Convention, especially meeting a great bunch of people and sharing some fun times. I recommend the Convention to all railway modellers. The next convention is in two years time in Christchurch.Brad H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02544959875002888806noreply@blogger.com1