Auscision's WAGR WBAX wagon review

There have been allot of firsts this year in Australian Modelling, this includes the first real attempt at a ready to run WA wagon.
Thus Auscision have released the WBAX wagon.  At first view it is a fine representation of the prototype.
The obligatory under floor detail, that you won't see in operation on the prototype, but if it allows you to sleep at night its definitely there!

• The rivet detail is nicely defined.
• The foot stirrups seem to be a bit more robust, one was tested to failure, a little push with my thumb and it sprung off.  Seems to be made of metal wire, but the one near the hand brake is definitely not.  However this is a clear step ahead over the NLKY, which if you just look at them they fall off!
• There are individual hand rails on the doors, a nice touch.
• The bogies look right for my era, and had the 100 kmph symbol.
• The wheel sets are PR125.
• The model is nicely weighted, again another step ahead of the ABFX, and AOOX.
• The couplers jaws still don't open enough to be used on Alice Springs, so they will be replaced by Kadee No.5s.

the only bit of detail that does not seem to be consistent with the prototype is the stirrup step need the hand brake, some wagons had it some didn't.  But hey, at least we don't have to add this detail. easy to remove!

 The WBAX is a welcomed addition to the Ozzie modeller.  The best bit about these wagons is the weathering, these wagons were utterly filthy, cant wait to get into the weathering job.  See the example below:

For Alice Springs and Barcoola the WBAX is a great addition, with a change of couplers and some weathering it will looks like they always have been around.
Auscision may have started to listen to their market, with a well weighted wagon, and detail that is at least seems more robust than previous models.
Lets hope it does not stop there, WQCX, WOCX,  Prospector cars!  The mind boggles!

Enjoy

Scott

Alice Springs double ops weekend

Hi All

Roger and Michael both arranged with me to have two operation sessions over the Queens Birthday weekend.  Roger's was on Sunday night and Michael's on Monday Arvo.

For the Sunday session, roger helped with the set up, and then when John and Katie turned up we got into it.  I ended up issuing 16 train orders, and everyone called it quits in about 4 hours.
This was John's first proper ops session, and it was goooood.

For the Monday session, I had three new operators, Dave, Steve and Michael's Dad Steve.
Michael and Jon are regulars.

Here are some pictures of the layout in pre session configuration (the calm before the storm).

 I added a couple of new ops rules, this included:
For any movements passed the south end signals, permission is required from the Station master, who will set the sticks and points.  I initiated train order workings as per real life between Barcoola - Bow Creek and Alice Springs.  Note the train control desk to the left, I issued another 17 orders on this day.

 Here is a shot of the ops session in full swing, both Steves (right of picture) worked the industrial branch, from the get go, they seemed to work really well together.  Was good to watchem work out a plan before making a movement.  They stuck to  the LAPs and one did the loco driving the other did all the ground work and used the yard ute.

Dave and Michael worked the other crew, same process one driving the loco the other ground ops.  For Dave this was his first real ops session, and at the end of the session he was pumped, looks like we have a convert!  Dave models DRG&W in the tunnel motor era, and you could almost see the cogs turning in his head after this session.

So another successful ops session with almost a completely new crew.  I must be doing something right!

BTW I have just got a shipment of SDSs AQCXs and Aucsisions WBAXs so expect a review blog real soon now.

Scott

Ballarat Model Railway Exhibition 2014

Hi All
 Here is some pictures of Ballarat Model Railway Exhibition 2014
Was good to see Jon out and about, great pub meal to boot. I thought that this exhibition was just a bit better than Waverley.

Somebody watches top gear!

Michael brought to my attention this in progress model of an GWA NJ class locomotive, very nice!

Enjoy

Scott

Waverley Model Railway exhibition 2014

Hi All

Here is some pix of the Waverley Model Railway exhibition 2014.

Thanks

Scott