AMRA WA Annual Exhibition 2018 - Day 1

Hey hey, it's that time of year again: the annual AMRA WA exhibition. So here are some snaps from day 1 of the show. This year we were treated to not one but two great S scale layouts; Greg Aitken's Bencubbin layout and Kelvin Davis' Karragullen layout. Both layouts looked splendid and ran well throughout the day with only human error reported. The modeller's desks were well manned as well as the kit manufacturers and turn out was encouraging. If you didn't get down to see the show today, I highly recommend you make time to come down either tomorrow (03 Jun 18) or Monday (04 Jun 18).

A Lynton England built W class rounds the curves out of Bencubbin towards Perth.

The tail end of a freight train rounds the curves into Bencubbin.

Alison Kelly's X class Models MSA500 rounds the curves out of Bencubbin towards Perth. 

A view of the oil depot and cattle yard on Greg Aitken's Bencubbin exhibition layout.

One of the many 3D printed telegraph poles on Greg Aitken's Bencubbin layout.

The curve towards the fiddle yard on Greg Aitken's Bencubbin layout.

Greg Aitken's X class Models X1026 hauls a train into Bencubbin.

Alison Kelly's X class Models MSA500 hauls a train through Bencubbin.

Another view of Alison Kelly's X class Models MSA500 hauls a train through Bencubbin.

Alison Kelly's X class Models MSA500 simmers at Bencubbin whilst waiting to cross another train. 

Another view of Alison Kelly's X class Models MSA500 hauls a train through Bencubbin.

Murray Rowe's X class Models XA1401 hauls a block load of GE wagons through Bencubbin.

Rex Vellender's ADE Governor diesel railcar. 

The full fiddle yard on Greg Aitken's Bencubbin Layout.

A RailWest G class on Kelvin Davis' Karragullen layout. 

Some wagons laying idle on Kelvin Davis' Karragullen layout. 

Some scenery on Kelvin Davis' Karragullen layout.

John Miller has turned his hand from N scale modeling to S scale modeling with this beautiful job he's done on a RailWest A class kit. One of his N scale J class are next to it for comparison. 

John Miller has turned his hand from N scale modeling to S scale modeling with this beautiful job he's done on a RailWest A class kit. One of his N scale J class are next to it for comparison.

RailWest Models display showing some of the completed kits available in their range.

RailWest Models display showing some of the completed kits available in their range.

GA Models display showing some of the completed kits available in their range.

The X class Models display showing some of the completed kits available in their range.

May Running Night 2018

Hey hey, this May running night was the last running night prior to the annual AMRA WA Exhibition and our last chance to test locomotives and rollingstock prior to the show next weekend (2nd, 3rd, and 4th of June 2018). It was another good turnout and plenty of trains running and load testing. These nights are always good entertainment and plenty to talk about which is much easier than during the monthly 2nd Monday of the month meetings. These running nights are well worth your time, even if you don't bring a train to run. The next running night will be the 22nd of June 2018 so come on down and join us for an interesting night of conversation and train running on Swan View.

Alison Kelly's, X class Models, MSA class Garratt; hauling a train through the "S" curves between the tunnel and Swan View Station. 

Alison Kelly's, X class Models, MSA class Garratt; hauling a train through Swan View Station.

Alison Kelly's, X class Models, MSA class Garratt; hauling a train through the "S" curves between the tunnel and Swan View Station.

Alison Kelly's, X class Models, MSA class Garratt; hauling a train through Swan View Station. 

Alison Kelly's, X class Models, MSA class Garratt; hauling a train through Swan View Station. 

Alison Kelly's, X class Models, MSA class Garratt; hauling a train through Swan View Station.

Kelvin Davis' DCC Equipped, RailWest Models G class (2-6-0).

Kelvin Davis' RailWest Models G class (2-6-0 and 4-6-0).

Kelvin Davis' RailWest Models G class (2-6-0 and 4-6-0).

Kelvin Davis' RailWest Models G class (2-6-0 and 4-6-0). 

Kelvin Davis' RailWest Models G class (2-6-0 and 4-6-0).

Kelvin Davis' unique AD carriage which is a credit to his work.

Kelvin Davis' RailWest Models ACL carriage.

Don Moir's, X Class Models X1002 Bibbulmun. 

Don Moir's, RailWest Models A class hauls a block train of vans through Swan View Station.

Don Moir's, RailWest Models A class hauls a block train of vans through Swan View Station.

Don Moir's PMR734 scratch built from brass shunts at Swan View Station. 

Don Moir's PMR734 scratch built from brass shunts at Swan View Station.  

Don Moir's PMR734 scratch built from brass shunts at Swan View Station. 

May Meeting 2018

Hey hey, bit late with the blog today but another great meeting was had by all last night at the monthly meet of the S scale SIG at the AMRA WA Clubrooms (24 Moojebing St Bassendean). The meeting also known as the pre-annual exhibition meeting was used to discuss current news regarding the club's future and updates on the organisation of the Annual June long-weekend Exhibition. John Maker as usual called for more helpers to run the exhibition in roles such as door monitors and manning certain stands. A call was made for people to be ambassadors for the SIG to encourage potential new members of the SIG and wider club. We also welcomed back visitors such as Don Moir who brought with him some beautiful S class models he made on his last jaunt overseas as you will see below. The meeting concluded with a very informative and interesting slide show on a line worth modelling: the Rocky Bay Line. If you'd like to know more, Graham Watson is very informed and more than happy to assist.

Don Moir's beautiful model of S class number 548 Gardner completed in brass with wheels from North Yard.

Don Moir's beautiful model of S class number 546 Egerton completed in brass with wheels from North Yard and full length cowling making it unique with full length cowling.

A close up of the crossheads of Don Moir's S 548. Note the 'Y' spoked wheels from North Yard which were made for Adrian Gunzberg's ASG kit. Also of note is the different crosshead work as per the prototype.

Don Moir's beautiful model of S class number 548 Gardner completed in brass with wheels from North Yard.

Don Moir's beautiful model of S class number 546 Egerton completed in brass with wheels from North Yard and full length cowling making it unique with full length cowling.

An overall photo of both Don Moir's S class locos.

Don Moir's beautiful model of S class number 546 Egerton completed in brass with wheels from North Yard and full length cowling making it unique with full length cowling. 

Don Moir's beautiful model of S class number 546 Egerton completed in brass with wheels from North Yard and full length cowling making it unique with full length cowling.

Stuart Mckay's 4 wheel open wagons which he has experimented with in making wheat loads showing much success using sand.

Two of Stuart Mckay's 4 wheel open wagons which he has experimented with in making wheat loads showing much success using sand.

Stuart Mckay's Midland Railways 4 wheel open wagon which he has experimented with in making wheat loads showing much success using sand. 

A detail shot of a RailWest PM kit being assembled by Doug Firth. 

An overall shot of the RailWest PM Kit being assembled by Doug Firth and his repainted Z van.

A detail shot of the boiler of the RailWest PM kit being assembled by Doug Firth. 

A detail shot of the boiler of the RailWest PM kit being assembled by Doug Firth. 

A detail shot of the tender of the RailWest PM kit being assembled by Doug Firth.  

Earlier in this blog, Doug Firth brought in a brown WAGR Z van completed from a RailWest Kit. Here it is again but this time it has been repainted in typical WAGR Green.

Kelvin is in the process of completing 3x RailWest G class locos for his Karragullen layout which he hopes to display at this years exhibition.

Kelvin is in the process of completing 3x RailWest G class locos for his Karragullen layout which he hopes to display at this years exhibition.

Kelvin is in the process of completing 3x RailWest G class locos for his Karragullen layout which he hopes to display at this years exhibition. 

Kelvin's Son is still experimenting with his Aldi 3D printer making various WAGR 4 Wheel wagons. Above is a comparison between the RailWest version and the 3D printed versions. 

Kelvin's Son is still experimenting with his Aldi 3D printer making various WAGR 4 Wheel wagons. Above is a comparison between the RailWest version and the 3D printed versions. 

Here is a photo of how the 3D printed HDA wagon comes out from the printer.