First proposed plan for the new train room.

Hi All

So I fiddled with a new plan for the proposed house, the dedicated train room, would be 37ft by 49ft.

This is not exact it might be smaller than that, but the concept centres around Port Augusta.

However there is an area dedicated to future layout construction, defined by a dashed line.  thus I could take down Alice Springs and then build a layout, such as Murray River Bridge while the rest of the Port Augusta layout will still be fully operational.

The concept is also to have the most distance possible between loops, which makes train orders work properly.

There is a staircase from the top story, that will land in the middle of the layout.

The work area will have access to the outside via a roller door.

There is no duck under, at any point of the layout.

Staging is under Tarcoola, 10 tracks, with a clearance of 26ft train lengths.

Anyway concept one is out.

Here is a video

No doubt it won't be the last.

Proposed new layout concept Port Pirie updated

Hi All

This is another proposed layout, I have not done a full size mock up, yet!

However its one of those things that you will always default to what you know the best.

This is about Port Pirie, in the AN era it is a busy area.  However I was also looking for some out and back action.  Thus I have added Crystal Brook, for and out and back for grain.  And a slice of Broken Hill for ore out and back.  In between then is staging tracks, for other in and out trains, such as the 260, 305 etc.

Port Pirie is an extensive shunting location, lots to do, I will outline that was I work the plan.  Shunt movements to an from the wharf area, taking bites out of larger rakes.  The key points here are large industry.  Dominating the scene.

On the peninsula, Crystal Brook, this is the out and back for the grain workings. ie somewhere to go.

Now Broken Hill, this is only a slice of the yard, its just too big to do completely in model form.

However key elements are two load out locations for Silverton to do their thing.

And industrial sidings, ie where fuel from Port Pirie would be distributed.  However the industrial sidings around Broken Hill would have to be accomplished by the SRA.  Thus another stand alone job.

Finally there is AN.  So the aim here is lots of little jobs that lots of operators can do without being all over everyone else.  And its a walk in layout, which is what I am after.

I have a modified plan, removed the hidden sidings.

Austrains NR95 weathering Ultra modern Barcoola style

Hi All

Here is my first attempt at a ultra modern Barcoola locomotive.

I chose a repainted NR95, with PN decals and arrows of in-decision removed.

On what would be a good long weekend for most, I was held up by a bad cold, however, Glen visited this weekend, always good to catch up mate.  The VB Fridge got a bit of a whipping.

I started this on Thursday last week, Monday I was feeling able to finish it off.

 The first thing that was done was to remove all the handrails.  I looked at is removing the NRC end and side decals and ISO 9001 decals, I used mentholated spirits and a paper towel, and a slow action enable the symbols to be removed without too much damage to the rest of the paint work.

Next is to start the fading, the colour of the NRC marigold, NR1 to 60  faded  quicker  than 60 to 120.

However NR95 is a faded candidate, again I used humbrol paints, mixed to get the appropriate hue.

The NRC Grey was the next to get the treatment, a little more white and blue will give the faded look you are after.

The bogies and frame need to be painted overall road grime, start with Humbrol Matt 32 grey and add white and a touch of humbrol matt 73 rust, and just a touch of humbrol 6 brown.  Make sure you paint the frame as well as the pipe and electrical sides. of the "fuel tank".

For the dirt streaks I used the same mix as for the fuel tank, however I cut the hue with mineral turpentine, and added a tiny bit of brown.

The roof was slapped with a wash of humbrol black.

The air deflectors on the No 2 end were painted royal blue with Signs of all kinds SOAK 74 various Pacific National logos pack 2.

The edge of the radiator assembly was also painted with a slightly cut hue of the same.

Warning signs were from Microscale decal sheet.

The handrails were then put back on , and appropriately weathered.

The 3M reflective stripes are small sections of AN yellow stripes cut up appropriately.

The Cab side numbers are rub on decals.

What you see above is all accomplished with a brush, so if you don''t have a airbrush these are the results you can get.

NR95 departing Spencer junction on SP3

Note the difference between NR95 and NR82 which is untouched.

note the difference in the NRC grey.

 While I don't encourage NRC modeling (nothing personal), this PN "Patch" version will sit quite well in the Barcoola ultra modern era, and will keep Glen happy.
As a result of my last efforts Glen as left some SCT stock to weather, so i will do mine and his at the same time, maybe even Jon's if he is interested.

So stay tuned.

Updated:
as stated by  Wagonfreak

.  The part fading on the cab of NR95 is due to being involved in a collision in Dynon with a N class, in 1997, and the Cab replacement and repaint.

Enjoy

Scott

New SCT depot in Direk SA, stacks of Modeling potential

Hi All

I have been near maping, different locations. however the new SCT depot in Direk SA, is a very interesting prospect.

Given that the PBGY has been released by Railmotor models and the ABFX is also due soon from Ausicion.

Who would have thought that in 2012, we would have a new yard built with a two stall engine shed, hard stand area and goods shed (to be built).

Even better there is a convenient view block at the end of the yard in the form of the M20, over pass.

Operating potential is even better, given that all east west SCT trains to and from Melbourne and Perth, would eventually be visiting this yard. Including all the ore trains, which are split here for unloading at outer harbour.

Below are a couple of links to near map

An over all view of the yard.

http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-34.698314,138.59592&z=16&t=n&nmd=20120114

A close up of the engine shed
http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-34.695032,138.591067&z=19&t=n&nmd=20120114

The hard stand area.

http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-34.701765,138.598309&z=19&t=n&nmd=20120114

The site for the goods shed.

http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-34.703571,138.600388&z=18&t=w&nmd=20120114

A photo of the Yard from the M20 looking south.

http://railgallery.wongm.com/albums/freight-around-adelaide/E112_4777.jpg

I know Glen is working on some of the SCT specialist wagons, it might be something to a least look at for ultra modern.

Enjoy

Scott

Sadliers new depot in Spotswood Vic

Hi All


GregM from Adelaide has posted that the new Sadliers depot, is a modeling gem, and I have to agree. Nestled between Melbourne Road and the reclamation depot. There are three tracks, going to a northern dead end, with a double set of cross overs at the stub end. Interesting that all the trackage in the depot, is asphalted.


Please click on the link, from Near Map.


http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-37.834336,144.882776&z=18&t=e&nmd=20120122



I also like the fade pattern that the NLKY's are getting, and the rust on the roof, I am sure that will make Glen happy, for the ultra modern project.

See this link:

http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-37.834198,144.883152&z=19&t=n&nmd=20120122

Heres a shot of NR35 shunting the depot.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=388634&nseq=16

T379 doing a transfer job.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=388632&nseq=17


Thanks



Scott

Barcoola bridge board is no more

Hi All

Just to let you know that Barcoola's bridge board has been cut up. But don't worry, I have built a new board as per the rest of the MKII boards, with a 3mm MDF base. Both the CAR and TAR Bridges have been recovered successfully.

The problem is that due to the size of the train room Barcoola had to be reduced in length by 1ft 4 inches. The only board that could be reduced in length was the bridge board.

Additionally the bridges had to be placed on a different angle. I also found that the bridge board was originally built in a slight angle as such created a grade. This had to be removed as it will play havoc in the future. Subsequently, I have to re-lay both mainlines and gently bring down the mainline to the correct height.

The new board is currently in its rightfull place and has the recovered bridge sections.

Attached are some shots of the bridge board in its previous life.

Also attached are some shots during destruction and re construction.

Also is a shot of the very first Austrains CL. The guys at Austrains allowed us to repaint the demo model a couple of days before the Sydney Exhibition, as such we got to operate it first.....

Thanks

Scott

Barcoola gets new legs

Hi All

It been a while between posts, work has had me bouncing around the blue marble this past month, so time is fleeting.

Never the less with good planning, I have managed to construct 16 pairs of new legs for Barcoola, this will enable the corner boards to clear the bar in the Train room.
I had previously thought of adding 100mm ends to each of the current legs, but figured that this would compromise the strength of the legs, and it would be easier to construct new legs from scratch.

I had previously written the length in millimetres on each leg, so all I had to do is record the length of each leg and add 100mm to obtain the new height.

With good planning and the right tools, tasks like this can be accomplished in a very short time.

I made up a shopping list, for the timber, screws, nail gun brads, screws and hinges, this was all accomplished in the afternoon of day one, and was conveniently stacked in the "working" shed. For working on the next day. I managed to cut all the timber and assemble 26 of 32 legs in day two. Using jigs I managed to get construction of each leg down to about 4 minutes.

Tonight I attached all the hinges to all the legs, then swapped out all the old shorter legs for the new legs. The difference in height does not seem much, but when you look over the entire layout, it makes a big difference.

Later I will publish some of the shots taken during construction.

Tasks remaining are:
Rebuilding the bridge board, constructing the new fiddle yard boards, and the third triangle board.

Anyway here is a couple of pictures of MKI again.

Enjoy

Scott

Barcoola #AD1 DA2 research

FQCY

FDAY

ARG 22 class shunting FQWY at Dry Creek

AQQY ex AQSY

PTMY

DA2 Willcalla

DA2 at Wirrappa

AQPY

FQAY

PTMY's

Hi All

In the endless persuit of research, above are some shots of AD1 DA2, and their components.

Locomotives:
Obviously FQ1 to F04 are on the top of the list, currently there is no suitable equivalent, you might want to look at a fourth coming SCT class from Railmotor models as a start.
ALF's will have to be kitbashed from a BL class, with a C class mech. I have one in progress.
CLF and CLP from Austrains, decal changes, the favorites CLP16 etc have the EPIC brake system fitted, so you will see it all the time on this service.
GM, fourth coming from Trainorama, but they don't have the right numbers that survived or the right colours. Lima kitbash is still available.
EL class, Auscision, nice mech just toooo easy.
VL I think there is a fourth coming kit out there, Austrains X class mech required.
FDAY: BGB 100 class bluebird, but hard to come by.
RKWF: usually one loaded with steel for Darwin of Alice Springs, Laser kit or wait for the Auscision kit.
AQPY: container flat, Laser kit, or cut down Auscision.
FQAY: Five pack container flat 5 X 48ft. Walthers kit cut down, with new tops.
FQCY, FPPY: Two pack container flat, TOFC. Glen is working this one, working on a couple of Walthers 89ft flats.
FQWY: 48ft two pack well container wagon. BGM RQZY ends X 2
AQQY: 63ft flat. Scratch build or wait for the Auscision model....
PTMY: Fuel tanker, Atlas 23000Gal tanker.

Anyway this will give you some idea of the rollingstock used.

We can discuss containers and trailers later.

Enjoy

Scott

The Ghan in the early 1990s

Hi All

AN decided to overhaul long distance passenger services in late 1980, and the program continued into the 1990's. The first train to be overhauled was the Ghan. Basically this meant that various coaches were taken out of service and overhauled and placed back in service in a defined campaign. This also included an external face lift. In the window panels had PVC stickers applied that faded from yellow to red. Additionally a stainless steel name panel was applied to the coach side.
In later years, the cleaning products used attacked the red sections of the PVC stickers, leaving the appearance a little ratty.

Lima has made the IP cars for good on 30 years, and for its age is a surprisingly satisfactory model as is.
For the Barcoola version of the Ghan, we have used the standard IP coaches, repainted to include the yellow to red fade. The Power car was modified to include the radiator section and exhaust.
Kadee couplers have been fitted, 8ba screws and nuts have been used to ensure reliability and strength.
The cars as is are too light, we have added weight to the underneath of each coach, using a zinc coated fitting from Bunnings in their screw and bolt aisle. It is menat to be used as a flat joiner, between to lengths for steel. It is called M/Plate reinforcing PN: RMF126 size 126.5 X 19.5 X 2.5mm. Thus this can be siliconed directly to the underneath of each coach, way too easy! We modified the whole coaching fleet in an afternoon.

They are also a perfect size for putting weight into 40ft containers.

At the time of construction there were no decals available. I tried a couple of different solutions, including a colour photocopier, which back then turned out way too expensive. At the time I was working for a company that made their own decals for their operations. I made up a detailed master for the side name panel and the AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL decal above the windows. Funny thing is that when the decals were finally available, our company made decals were more detailed!

The wheel sets were replaced with Steam Era wheel sets.

The future, I would like to fit bellows at the communication door ends, and some form of interiors, lighting might be an option, if we can find an eays way to accomplihs this.

Anyway please see attached some model and prototype pictures of the Ghan Cars circa 1990's

I have included some new model pictures enjoy.

Enjoy

Scott