Tuesday, 28 January 2025

Going, Going, Gone

 Hi all,

I guess my last post was rather brutal, just pictures and no words, but sometimes a picture tells a thousand words. Yes it is true that my VR narrow gauge layout is no more.

This decision has been kept in the background for nearly a year now and you wouldn't need to be a good detective to see that the posts were getting further and further apart. Many thoughts re the layout were had prior to making the big decision.

The true reason is a family one and I have explained this reasoning to anyone I feel I am close to. When you get to make this choice there are other factors that all come together that have to be sorted out. Sometimes we live in a cocoon and don't think and look at all aspects. One of the reasons listed in my brain is that VR narrow gauge is a specialised prototype that is not common, so will it be harder to get rid of? Well the answer to that question is that within about two weeks of advertising I reckon around 90% of my models have been onsold.

The selling of the models went great and I think the rarity of the product combined with the expert assembling, painting and weathering by two modellers - Stephen Postma and James Black of all the rolling stock made this easy. Ian Storrie the principal behind Ian Lindsay models has retired a few years ago so there will be no more of the excellent kits from him. This made his kits more valuable and sourced. So to haul all these kits that were turned into beautiful models, the linchpin was the Haskell model of the On30 NA.

And so for two weeks things were really busy sorting out emails, messages. packaging and posting items as the room started to shrink of things. But the key factor to moving the other layout there was the sale of the 'portable' sectionalised parts of the layout. Something I realised when I started the narrow gauge was to make the baseboards removable so under any type of circumstances that may arise in future, it can be easily disposed of. So amongst the listings of all 'items' for sale I included on the last page details and more importantly the sizes of the layout for sale.

I have heard of layouts being offered for crazy prices for sale and when you view the layout you wonder why would anyone pay that. For what was offered I thought the price was right. Sometimes all the planets line up. One of the buyers of some rolling stock who lived in Canberra wanted to collect the items on an overnight trip to Sydney. He viewed the layout and later on that day contacted me to say he wanted to buy it. (Great news) That was great news and collection day was made a few weeks later. It took quit a few hours to completely dismantle and fitted into a van and trailer. So South Coast Rail lives on in the future.

GOING

GOING

GONE

 In the gone photo above it can be seen where all the portable sections were located. The layout started at the terminus at Eden and was then progressively modelled on towards Bega. Two large bridges were built along the way, the first being a trestle bridge loosely based on the Monbulk trestle on Puffing Billy railway. This one was fully completed before moving onto Broadwater to model.

When it was time to build the Thomson River bridge, I realised this was going to be a major build and take some time. So to enable some sort of operation before its completion a diversion was made for the track towards the back of the baseboard. This allowed trains to run and the front was clear to commence construction of the bridge. It ended up being around three years from go to operation over the bridge. There was some consideration of donating the bridge to a heritage group but as my son wanted it retained it will remain and hopefully be worked into the HO railway. It may look odd with HO trains but at least it will hang around a bit longer.



ALL PACKED UP AND READY TO GO

Although it may have been a hard decision to abandon SCR there were these points to consider:

  • The stimulus of a new venture going from HO to On30
  • All the research required. It becomes a new world where you have to learn the how, when and why of the new era to be modelled. I have chased up every plan, book information, photos etc that I could which helped get that true narrow gauge flavour into my modelling. I did the same for when I was modelling NSW in HO. I remember a line that the painter Kenneth G Bowen said to me when his wife said "No not another book" To which his reply was "Research, research, research" I stand by that.
  • Part of the research is visiting the locations I am modelling. Our groups visits to Melbourne often use to incorporate day trips on Puffing Billy out to Gembrook and back. And also we did two trips on the SteamRail 'Snow Train' which incorporated a coach trip to Walhalla and a trip on the train out to Thomson. I used every minute of the stop at Thomson to snap as many photos of the bridge as possible and the guard kindly waited for me to get back to the train before departing for Walhalla.
  • I started modelling narrow Gauge back in 2016 and I have made a lot of new friends along the way. The narrow gauge modellers have always been a friendly crowd and I hope to continue that friendship.
  • Realising that O scale people are a way lot bigger than HO people, (and buildings etc)

 Another consideration for abandoment was that I was waiting for an announcement for when and where the next Narrow Gauge Convention was going to be held. It was due for Easter 2025 somewhere and I was hoping for a NSW venue. But a final decision was to delay the convention until 2026 and my idea was to offer the layout as an open house layout visit, similar as to when I had the SCR open for the 2019 Convention at Erina. This delay in the convention sealed my decision to abandon SCR.

Over my 60 years plus of modelling I reckon I have tried them all including adding O scale recently in Narrow Gauge. All my decisions to make a layout change I must add have been painless with the thrill of a new venture overriding any sadness of just leaving the old one. Back in the mid to late 70's I decided to model some traction or tramways if you are in Australia. I left N scale to go HO traction, then went back to N scale etc, etc. The latest decision is to retry some HO traction modelling. Again it is all about the design, research, new friends and a challenge ahead as all the track and the overhead wiring has to be made. Yes call me crazy but thats what I seem to thrive on.

On the quite I have already made a start on collecting my traction models and if you want to see and follow if you are interested my new site is at South Coast Traction

And I have been helping my son build his layout in his bedroom. I have decided to move his layout into the space where SCR used to be and I will be up the other end working on South Coast Traction. Again if you want to follow the progress of his layout 'East Coast Rail' you will find it here East Coast Rail


Thanks to all that have followed South Coast Rail over the years and offered encouragement in your comments. I feel that the new arrangements will be the most suitable for all. 

I also want to make special mention to the following for help on SCR where my abilities were non existent: Stephen Postma and James Black (Painting and assenbling models), Marcus Amman and Ben O'Malley (DCC installation), Roger Johnson (3D modelling of bridge piers), Nathan Wakim (laser cutting bridge girders) Russell Freeman (Milling of aluminium bridge girders), Ian Fainges (painting and weathering of bridge piers and also excellent figure painting) and sorry if I have left you out. As you can see there is a great team of people behind the final outcome of the layout, without their help, it would not have come out as well. What a great hobby!

Thank you all,

regards

Bob

THERE SHE GOES, OFF TO A NEW HOME FAREWELL SOUTH COAST RAIL

 

Monday, 21 October 2024

Going Loco

 The main baseboard on South Coast Rail that contains the terminus of Eden was where the layout commenced and that was back in 2016. It seems like yesterday but eight years ago is a long time. On the second baseboard to be constructed I allowed an area to be set aside for the locos to be serviced. So far the ash dump has been constructed. The actual siding that goes through the engine shed is long enough to hold three locomotives comfortably and four at a pinch. Initially the tracks were built around this track and also ballasted, but this track was just a track laid waiting for future development. Eventually I got around to building the base of an engine shed and this was based on a VR narrow gauge shed. It was painted up and just sat there for a while. My intention was to eventually build the shed over the base and allow it to be removable for access to the insides of the shed. I have also plans to put some lights inside. This plan dragged on for a long time until recently I thought why not just put the base down and lay the track and ballast around it and build the shed at a later time.

This was a job I should have a long time ago as it then completes Eden from having a bald spot. Typically the ground around engine sheds is mainly black achieving that look from countless years of oil, coal and grease being absorbed into the soil. I dug into a foam box I had containing a dark ballast. Around the entrance of the shed I sieved the ballast which produced a near powder like finish. This was fixed into position with the two part system. First is to use water with a dash of detergent to enable the glue mixture to flow easily. Then comes  the watered down PVA glue and as soon as it hits the ballast it flows evenly amongst it.

The track was temporarily nailed into position and these were removed as soon as the glue had dried. One thing I had to do also was to solder up the two wires into position under the rails. But what I have done some time ago was to squeeze in a cupboard directly underneath where the two wires drop down and so I will have to empty it out and remove to get access to the wiring.

On the second day this afternoon I checked that the glue had dried. It had and the brads were removed from the middle of the track, it certainly won't move. I have started to introduce the weeds and will gradually increase them until I think it looks 'weedy' enough.

The loco shed may get built one day but at least for now the area looks more complete and finished. I have included a few photos of the last two days work. Plenty more to do.












Saturday, 31 August 2024

More Narrow

  I can't say that it has been a busy year on South Coast Rail. Trouble is that time has speeded up and before you know it another year has gone by. So as a stop gap I  will post some photos taken around the various spots and hope you will enjoy.

They cover areas such as around the ash pit at Eden, of course the Thomson River bridge, and various other places.








 









Tuesday, 18 June 2024

The Main North Railway

 I must admit again I haven't been very busy on the SCR of late. The Rosehill Model railway exhibition hosted by the Epping Model Railway club was attended in May. This is by far the largest of the around three exhibits that Sydney hosts. When we compare the number of Victorian and Queensland exhibitions NSW comes last. One would think the state with the most people would have the most but for some reason it is not so. Exhibitions to me become mainly social outings where you can meet up with old aquaintances and spend more time talking than viewing the exhibition.

Many of the blogs report on running sessions with other modellers and they become social outlets for sharing the hobby. I have recently met up with a few other bloggers and was able to organise a short notice visit to the Main North with two other bloggers. The 'Main North' layout is being constructed by Marcus Amman who is a very accomodating host for visits to his layout.

We arrived at his layout last night and as this was the first visit for them they were taken on a progressive tour starting at the lower level of Sydney progressing throughout the room around to the heights of Armidale and Tamworth. I am sure they were very impressed with the layout as all who get to view it. I have seen progressive improvements during my short time of visiting the layout. There is so much to see on the layout and I would like to hope that one day it makes the pages of the Australian Model Railway Magazine as an example of a great New South Wales style model railway with plenty of operation to be had.

There are so many photo opportunities to be had so I have attached some I have took on the night.

Werris Creek diesels waiting a job

Werris Creek 36 class on an Up Freight

Werris Creek Coal stage

One of the trips operated on the Main North is the running of the Northern Tablelands Express and this journey is operated by a 900 class DEB set. It starts at Werris Creek when a three car set arrives from 'Moree' and a four car set arrives from 'Armidale' Once the operator connects the two portions together they then proceed towards Sydney. Here are a few photos depicting the trip.

Passing Ardglen

Exiting Ardglen Tunnel

Passing Pangela

Quite day at Murrurundi waiting for the Express
Murrurundi Loco depot
Control Panel for Murrurundi
Oak Milk Factory


Pages River bridge
Coming into Fassifern
Waiting to depart Fassifern

Departing Gosford
Departing Gosford passing stored U boats

Crossing the Hawkesbury River bridge


Passing through Hawkesbury River station

One of the busy impressive stations on the layout is Gosford. When I first saw it, there was no overhead or ballast and points were hand operated. Now there is overhead all the way to Sydney, ballast laid and a control panel to control the points. Impressive. All loco hauled trains passing through Gosford are required to change motive power from either steam or diesel to a 46 class electric. This adds to more operation working. There are usually many steam, 46 class electrics and U boat interurbans stabled there waiting their turn to move. Here are a few shots taken around Gosford.









 Hope you enjoyed, we all did.