G'day fellow MRR's. I have been away from the internet a fair bit lately, and haven't had much to do with model trains and associated forums for a few months. I've been playing cricket saturdays and every fortnight on sundays. This limits my time I have to work on the layout, I've also been working long hours at work (not for much longer) which also cuts layout time to about 2 hours a week.
However, I start a new job in just under a month, which pays alot more money than my current job, and the bonus- less hours! That means a bit more layout time...
Anyway, to fill you in about my layout. about 12 months ago, I decided to move on from the American rail scene (I did model ATSF and BN) and started to get into modelling my home states railway (queensland rail) Some manufacturers (such as Wuiske productions, Black Diamond Models and Far North Hobbies, as well as high quality mechanisms from Hollywood Foundry- DCC ready, a first for QR modellers.) 90% of the models are in Kit form, but I don't mind building kits. (by kit I mean, unpainted, unassembled etc.) It is getting cheaper to get into local modelling, but is still more expensive than US or British models. Queenslands Prototype is 3' 6'' or 1067mm so we use 12mm gauge track to represent the narrow gauge, using HO scale Models. I personally chose Tillig track and points (turnouts.) I chose them mainly for looks, but Peco and Shinohara, are also pretty good, I infact am considering selling the Tillig points for Peco so I don't have to install point motors... but I might just use piano wire. The layout is roughly, sort of based on the line that runs west of Brisbane over the great dividing range and to south/south western Queensland.
Anyway to the pictures, There is some pictures with an overview of the layout, the 'creek' and some extravagent trackwork!!
And the trackwork!
I hope you enjoyed this.
Thanks for reading.
James.
James, Brisbane Australia
Modelling AT&SF in the 90s
G'day James. Good to see construction is well under way. I'm envious. I'd really like to do a Qld layout Maybe next time.
I look forward to more progress pics.
Mike
Modelling the UK in 00, and New England - MEC, B&M, D&H and Guilford - in H0
It looks like a good sturdy bench, James. Is that MDF you are using for the surface?
Is what we see the final version of the track plan, or is this something temporary for the sake of watching trains run while you think about the next step?
I like the space you have...bright and good sized.
-Crandell
Crandell -
Yes it's MDF... Plywood was too expensive and for the price I could get 1'' thick MDF, which is very resistant to warping.
What you see is the final trackplan, I have to lay a few more sidings (spurs) and It's ready for ballasting, obviously the track 'across' the creek is temporary whilst I decide what kind of bridge to put in.
It's a nice area I agree, already carpeted and built in. It even has a sliding cavity door!
Hello James,
Thanks for posting photos of your layout project. Looks like you're off to a great start.
My family and I spent a five-week holiday in Queensland in '04, and we had a great time. We worked our way up the coast from Brisbane to Daintree National Park, and we did quite a bit of sailing, bird-watching, snorkeling and diving along the way.
I couldn't subject the family to too much railfanning, but I did get to see a little bit of the QR and the amazing 24" cane railway network. The sight of a high-speed, electrified, tilt-body, narrow-gauge intercity passenger train pounding over 42" x 24" diamonds is not something you see every day here in the States!
I also had a chance to visit the little rail museum in Bundaburg and I picked up a couple magazines devoted to Australian prototypes.
My family and I have moved across the country recently, and it has prompted me to look around for a fresh prototype to model. I've tentatively settled on modeling the contemporary local scene here in Seattle (BNSF and UP), but I haven't yet made a firm committment. Do you suppose it would be practical to try to model QR and some of the cane railways from here in the states? The notion has been in the back of my mind ever since we returned from our trip, but the prospect of acquiring enough prototype information, and tracking down the appropriate models or kits from such a distance is a bit daunting.
Based on what I saw at Bundaburg, I think I might lean toward the late steam era, but the modern QR is appealing as well.
Any thoughts?
Charlie
G'day Charlie, thanks for your comments.
Yes, I agree the tilt trains crossing the 2' cane railways is rather impressive! I do believe they are elimanating the crossings with small draw-bridge type crossings, I will try find a prototype, as i'm heading up north in just over a week.
The late steam era, ran into the 70's here which means you could run quite a large collection of rollingstock and diesels too. However the steam locomotives start at about $A600 as far as I know only a model of the C17 and PB15 locomotives are available.
The diesel scene is much more affordable and more readily available, with diesel kits (body and details only (for around $A110 and mechanisms for about another $160. Wagon (car) kits start from about $30 and range to about $50. You can get them rtr for about double the price (just the kit built by a contracter.) The cane railway scene is a little difficult because it would all have to be scratchbuilt. However I know a guy who models the scene around Bundaberg, who happens to be a train driver for a living. His layout is prominent on the exhibition scene here in Queensland and featured in "australian model railway magazine" a month or two ago. I'd say right now the best way would be to go for modern prototypes, as thats where most of the prototypes are, or at the least the late 70's to 80's. The price of course for models will come down as the demand is growing, and it is. I'd say go for it! One guy who has really promoted and brought great products to the scene at a affordable price is a guy by the name of Adam Wuiske. He has his own layout and produces close to 50 different kits including mechanisms that fit almost every other loco kit made. There are at the moment a few QLD manufacturers, whose websites/contacts i'll list below.
wuiske - http://www.wuiskepromotions.com.au/
Black Diamond Models - http://www.geocities.com/blackdiamondmodels/
PGC scale Models - http://www.geocities.com/pgcscalemodels/index1.html
There is also Far Northen Models, who only have an email or contact number at the moment which I don't have handy.
For track, there is Peco, Tillig and Shinohara, all readily available.
As for prototype photo's I would be happy to get some for you, as I know people all over the state who could get some of the area you'd be interested in modelling.
Adam Wuiske, has an "adams corner" on his website which he details layout progress, it is a good read, and gives you some tips, and may help you decide if you want to model QR or not. He also has plenty of photographs of the models and prototype photos on there.
I hope this helps,
Regards,
James
G'day, James!
Good to see the progress you have made (even with limited time for the layout work). I see you've mostly continued with the plan from the last time I saw your post of it in the Trackside Diner. The work looks good, and even from the little I see of your one corner where you've started the scenery, it looks like you're doing a great job on that, too.
Hope things progress even better once you start the new employment (and get more hours available for your layout).
Blessings,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Thanks for the replies!
Scoot, the gap at the top of the garage is always there but there is a carport (cover) outside which deflects the dust. I will still probably cover it up though.
Thanks for the observation.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
James,
Thanks for your very comprehensive answer to my inquiry about QR and cane railway modeling. I've checked out some of the sites you referenced and they are very helpful.
If I decide to do some QR modeling, I will definitely take you up on your offer to help locate prototype photos. It's very kind of you to offer. My family and I hope to return to Oz for another visit before too long. Perhaps we could look you up.
I look forward to seeing more progress photos on you splendid layout. Wish I had the space you have to work in, but living in the city has it's drawbacks (as well as its rewards).
Charlie, Please do keep me posted about what you decide to model. I'm all too happy to help a fellow modeller.
By all means contact me through the site when you next decide to come over for a holiday! Who knows I might be able to get time off work and show you around Brisbane, and maybe help you get hold of some models!
tatans wrote:I'm wondering just how small your car is to get it under that table?
My Car is too wide to fit in the garage anyway! So it's parked the otherside of the door. I doubt even a 'smartfor2' car could fit in there!