October Running Night 2018

Hey hey, I always seem to start these posts with an apology but I am sorry for there being no blog update for the October S scale meeting as I was unavoidably detained. For those that are interested, the notes provided by Stuart Mackay are very informative and can also be found in the upcoming issues of Australian Sn Modeler for those that subscribe. Of course if you don't subscribe, why not? it really is worth the small subscription fee. Anyway I did manage to attend tonight's running night and again it was not short of motive power or rollingstock and good conversation. Below is a selection of photos of trains running but I did miss a few who left early. Please, enjoy.

Stuart Mackay's two X class Models MSA class garratts hauling a short train of open wagons through Swan View station.

Stuart Mackay's two X class Models MSA class garratts hauling a short train of open wagons through Swan View station.

Stuart Mackay's scratch-built A class no. 1508 hauling a short train of open wagons through Swan View station.

Stuart Mackay's scratch-built A class no. 1508 hauling a short train of open wagons through Swan View station.

Alison Kelly's RailWest Models A class no. 1511 hauling a short mixed train through Swan View station. 

Alison Kelly's RailWest Models A class no. 1511 hauling a short mixed train through Swan View station. 

Graham Watson's Alyn Models PR class hauling Murray Hartzer's Westland consist through Swan View. 

Graham Watson's Alyn Models PR class hauling Murray Hartzer's Westland consist through Swan View.  

Ross Green's FS class scratch-built by Lynton Englund resting at Swan View. 

Ross Green's FS class scratch-built by Lynton Englund resting at Swan View. 

Ross Green's FS class scratch-built by Lynton Englund resting at Swan View. 

September Running Night 2018

Hey hey, this blog update is brought to you today whilst I watch the AFL Grand Final (Go WCE!). Last night's running night had a good turn out and lots of trains running. Don Moir turned up with his recently painted Alyn Models ASG and she was a beauty. It was interesting to note, there were more DC locos there last night than there was DCC equipped locos. Any way, I got plenty of photos for you to view below so please enjoy.

Don Moir's Alyn Models ASG25 sits in the sidings at Swan View.

Don Moir's Alyn Models ASG25 sits in the sidings at Swan View.

Don Moir's Alyn Models ASG25 sits in the sidings at Swan View.

Don Moir's Alyn Models ASG25 sits in the sidings at Swan View. 

Don Moir's Alyn Models ASG25 sits in the sidings at Swan View. 

Rodger Jenkin's Scratch-built M class garratt runs light engine down past Swan View to Perth.

Rodger Jenkin's Scratch-built M class garratt runs light engine down past Swan View to Perth.

Don Moir's Scratch-built S548 with sound simmers at Swan View with a NZ Finescale Z class brakevan in tow. 

Don Moir's Scratch-built S548 with sound simmers at Swan View with a NZ Finescale Z class brakevan in tow. 

Don Moir's Scratch-built S548 with sound simmers at Swan View with a NZ Finescale Z class brakevan in tow. 

Don Moir's NZ Finescale brass Z van.

Don Moir's NZ Finescale brass Z van.

Don Moir's Scratch-built S548 with sound simmers at Swan View with a NZ Finescale Z class brakevan in tow whilst Murray Hartzer's RailWest Models PM class overtakes wrong road with the Westland. 

Don Moir's Scratch-built S548 with sound simmers at Swan View with a NZ Finescale Z class brakevan in tow whilst Murray Hartzer's RailWest Models PM class overtakes wrong road with the Westland. 

Don Moir's Scratch-built S548 with sound simmers at Swan View with a NZ Finescale Z class brakevan in tow whilst Murray Hartzer's RailWest Models PM class overtakes wrong road with the Westland. 

Don Moir's Scratch-built S548 with sound simmers at Swan View with a NZ Finescale Z class brakevan in tow whilst Murray Hartzer's RailWest Models PM class overtakes wrong road with the Westland.  

Murray Hartzer's RailWest Models PM class travels wrong road through Swan View with the Westland.  

Ross Green's WestOz Models DD brings its train of suburban AY coaches (also by West Oz Models) into Swan View.

Ross Green's WestOz Models DD pulls away its train of suburban AY coaches (also by West Oz Models) from Swan View. 

Ross Green's WestOz Models DD pauses with its train of suburban AY coaches (also by West Oz Models) at Swan View.

Ross Green's WestOz Models DD pauses with its train of suburban AY coaches (also by West Oz Models) at Swan View.

Ross Green's WestOz Models DD pauses with its train of suburban AY coaches (also by West Oz Models) in the fiddle yard.

Alison Kelly's RailWest Models Z1153 shunts the sidings at Swan View. 

Alison Kelly's RailWest Models Z1153 shunts the sidings at Swan View. 

September Meeting 2018

Hey hey, I was unavoidably detained during the last meeting of the S scale SIG however with the help of Stuart Mackay's notes, I have assembled this blog post for you to enjoy. As you may note, I arrived later in the night and was able to take the below photos from the Bring and Show. Unfortunately I do not have many photos as the theme of the night was a slide presentation and Bring and Show was a little light on. What I did get is shown below for you to enjoy.

An example of the RailWest Models 'Jardee' Locomotive utilising the Steam Era Models Black Beetle drive mechanism. 

An example of the RailWest Models 'Jardee' Locomotive utilising the Steam Era Models Black Beetle drive mechanism. 

Doug Firth's completed RailWest Models PM class locomotive.

Doug Firth's completed RailWest Models PM class locomotive.

A close up of Doug Firth's completed RailWest Models PM class locomotive.

Doug Firth's completed RailWest Models PM class locomotive.

Marbellup Models DB Class Kit

Hey hey, I apologise for missing the last running night. I received some not so great news and it has thrown me somewhat out of whack. On a better note though, I received some good news today so I thought I'd show off these photos of my finished Marbellup Models DB1588 as she was when she ran the construction trains for the NSR in the early 90's. Another beautiful model completed by Mr Engel (who also constructed my RailWest A class) and finished with decals from Westrail Models. It has a HollyWood Foundry mechanism and NorthYard wheels to the correct size for the DB. Unfortunately I can't divulge what mixes of paint are used as this is a close kept secret by Mr Engel however I do believe it to be an accurate representation of the colour used by Westrail in the 90's. It also has subtle points of weathering but remains mostly clean as these locos were while advertising the Westrail business name. This model is unique as it has the modified windows that it received prior to repaint. Overall I think it's a stunning job and Mr Engel deserves a well earned round of applause and a good rest. Thank you.

Painting and Finishing Tips for modelers - useful You Tube Clip

For those of you wanting some hints and tips on how to paint and finish your models, the following link to a video on You Tube has quite good information from both an Average Modeler and a Professional.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne0fBH6zNkQ

So ignore the title name and overlook the fact that it is based on British Modeling as the concepts are the same no matter what prototype

Hopefully this might help those of you stuck on finishing that model you have been working on!

Inspired!

Hey hey, after the last meeting I got a little spur of inspiration and so pulled out the wagons that I was having some trouble with. I spent most of Tuesday and Thursday at the Australian Model Railway Association of Western Australia (AMRA WA) clubrooms in Moojebing St Bassendean, with several members of the S scale SIG, working on my models.

Tuesday morning was spent making up some brass W irons for my 2x Marbellup Models DC vans which were, up until now, only using the 3D printed ones. The rest of the day was spent working on these wagons as well as a RailWest GE that needed coupler heights adjusted and a RailWest GH that needed the W irons soldered which were previously only glued. I have found soldering these to be the best method as they create rigidity and smooth rolling of the axels.

My XA took up most of my time on Thursday trialling different things to get the bogies to stay on the track to no success. This isn't over, to be continued... I also found time to re-glue some parts on my RailWest ZJ and WestOz Models Z9. Thanks to the help and guidance of the other more experienced members, I have a short train that runs beautifully around Swan View behind my A class. A few more wagons to go I think to make a decent train though.

If you have the time and are a member of AMRA WA, I implore you to come down on either a Tuesday or Thursday from 9:30am to 3:00pm. Join us at the modeling desk and you never know, you might learn a thing or two whilst sharing in some great banter, I know I have!

My RailWest A class and train running through Swan View Station.

A close up of my RailWest A class and train running through Swan View Station. 

A1511 long end leading through the S curves after Morrison Road bridge.

A close up of my RailWest A class and train running through Swan View Station. 

My RailWest A class and train running through Swan View Station.

A1511 heading through the S curves after Morrison Road bridge.

My X class Models XA1405 which is requiring a lot of attention at the moment. 

My Marbellup Models DC van receiving new wheels and having couplers adjusted.