43rd AMRA Model Railway Exhibition Caulfield 2013 report

Hi All

Glen, Michael, Jon and myself made it to the 2013 Caulfield exhibition, and as usual, the morning was chocka block.  Doug was working the VMRS stand.  Doug seem to be busy trying to convert modellers into the true calling of VR, something something  dark side...
Then we bumped into Bill, Stewart and Helen, Dave, George, Dave, Rick, Bruce, John and Katie, Roger, Stuart, etc etc...

There were a couple of layouts that I had not seen before, this one from Albert Van de Kuyt, is Moe and Walhalla, the curve in the station for Walhalla is a signature scene.

 Check out the little lever frame.

 On track models 82 class, models, sorry guys

 Here is a couple of pictures of Don McGilvery's Mildura Station, this must be a blast to shunt.

 Altbahn, is from the European Model Railway Association.

 This impressive Apex quarry loader is on Hamilton Model railway Group's Kilmore East layout.

 Here is a selection of SAR big steam power on "The Hummocks" by David Zeitz

 Auscision Models has pilot models of their AN class, not quite sure about the orange guys the PN AN (escapees?).

 I wonder if those strobes work?

 Hiding under the ANs is the pilot model of the WBAX, nice...

 Here is an S scale ASG, nice work, I have only seen one other example, and thats Neil's fine example in WA.

 This is the NSW N scale groups South Creek, some dam fine work, guys.

An interesting model of an N scale BHP Biliton SD40 in transit

 A well executed model of Eyarth in north Wales by Gordon Brown, fiddle yard to fiddle yard arrangement, the embankment really draws the eye into the layout.

 Appropriately weathered BR rolling stock..

The exhibition was worth catching up with friends, the only let down, was some of the exhibits were soooo dark.

Enjoy.

Scott

Victorian Shunting layout and BNSF Paine Field layout posts updated with proposed track plans

Hi All

I have updated the following blogs with proposed track plans, feel free to check them out.

The Victorian Shunting Layout proposal for Doug.

The BNSF Paine Field track plan.

enjoy

Scott

John Parkers BNSF Fall River Division

Every now and then a layout pops up, that makes you go man that's great execution, wish I had....Blah Blah, John Parkers BNSF Fall River Division is one such layout.
Check out:

• The neat and tidy control panel with key locks.
• Great modelling of roads.
• His approach to coal loading - unloading is simple and saves un-prototypical movements, while stopping an "instant" loaded train situation, gives the operators something to do. (This is making me rethink my Pilbara layout ideas)

• There is also a camera set up to spot hobos in the empty coal wagons, looks like this is a real problem in the US, great use of a prototype problem, being used as a modelling function, as the driver has to radio Railroad security to eject the stowaways before they get buried in coal.  I am told BHP has a similar problem with Illegals hitching a ride in ore wagons, thinking they have hopped on the train to Perth!
• Simple and effective "high plains" scenery.

Also, here is some youtube footage.
part 1
part 2
part 3

See if you can spot the suspect store next to the mainline, well modelled with Graffiti, and who is frequenting this store!

Enjoy

Scott

 

A video of a large HO modular layout Gulf and Western

Hi All

Check out this youtube video of GULF & WESTERN HO MODULAR LAYOUT
This seems to be a modern image North American club layout.
Note the size of of the intermodal terminal, nice work guys.
Not sure about the lighting on the Oil refinery, I think their power bill is going to be fairly high.
Check out the size of the industry buildings, and the size of the freeway overpasses.
The lighting arrangement is also of and interesting design.

Enjoy

Scott

Victorian shunting layout Ideas for Doug

Hi All

Doug is currently on the hunt for a shunting layout that will forfill some of his short term goals.
Doug's tick off list is a location for a string of vans, and enough variety for other operations, yet be able to fit in the train room (a converted Bedroom).

So the following is a suggestion that anyone could take, and I am sure there are other locations for which this concept would work just as good.
I had googled this location a while back and now the more I look at it, this could be the ticket.
Shepparton has a number of siding serving industries to the north of the town, this would have to be shunted by moves to and from the station yard of Shepparton.  However there is no need to model the station, in Doug's current position, this would just be too much.

So the concept is to have shunt movements from the fiddle yard (not modelled Shepparton yard), to serve, SPC, Shell and Caltex, plus the Campbells sidings.  the SPC siding is long enough to swallow up some ABFXs, as I would guess that SPC would ship Australia wide so various vans, would not be out of place.  The oil sidings would also be an interesting prospect, and the gates will need to be unlocked, this could be a great "Lance Mindheim" operational concept with actual locks.  Then there is the usual VR annette lock process which could also add to the operational complexity.

I would expect that each of these sidings would be serviced from Shepparton by separate shunt moves, thus to shunt all these locations, would need movements to and from the yard.

You also have the opportunity to operate Tocumwal trains through the scene, which could be the continuous run.

Further more, you could also have trains wait off on the Dookie line, and contact the Shepparton box for permission into the yard.

Check out the 1973 signal diagram of Shepparton showing the Campbells soup sidings and the SPC siding.
Around 1982 new joint Shell, Caltex sidings (diagram) were built on the Dooke line, here are some pictures of the down end, some pipe detail, and more.

I will provide an example track plan soon.

Below is an example track plan, on the inside is the three siding north of Shepparton, the SPC siding, Shell and Total sidings, and the Campbells Soup sidings on the Dookie line.
On the Tocumwal line I have included a generic line station, that can be serviced by grain and flour wagons, the Tocumwal line has a continuous run, if required.

Thanks

Scott