S Scale modellers at Modelrail November 10 2019

Sunday, 10 November 2019, was the Annual Modelrail at the AMRA WA Club rooms.
Modelrail has been on the AMRA WA calendar since the early 1980s and provides the opportunity for members to show what we do in our hobby and for the public to enjoy the results of our interests. 

The S scale group was well represented among the 20+ other layouts, displays and modelling desks. Over 250 visitors had the opportunity to visit the club-rooms and see the club's 16-odd layouts in almost every scale imaginable and in operation The Day was ably coordinated once again by Trevor Burke and well supported by the AMRA WA membership.

The S scale special interest group had a nice information stand and display run by AMRA life member Graham Watson showing what we do and the resources we use to build our models, in particular, WA railways in S scale. Close by was the well presented Swan View layout operated by five of our S scale AMRA members; Noah, Gerard. Alex, Stuart and Ally.

There was a range of members' models and consists running during the day including railcars, steam and diesel locomotives, coaches, goods wagons and vans.

There was quite a lot of orange among the black, brown and green and cream liveries which the public enjoyed seeing.

Concrete Sleeper Track

I have recently laid some track with concrete sleepers using materials I purchased a couple of years ago from C&L Finescale in the UK.

Although intended for 4mm OO scale modelling, the size and spacing of the C&L sleepers are pretty close to Sn3.5 scale.  The sleeper spacing (pitch) is 10 mm and, although I normally space timber sleepers at 12 mm, the closer distance doesn't look wrong.

I purchased ready made track which included Peco Code 75 rail.  As I prefer weathered rail, I replaced the rail with Micro Engineering Code 70 rail.  Code 83 would also fit as the base of the rail is the same as Code 70.

C&L also sell the concrete sleepers on their own, which would be the way to go if you want the look of weathered rail.  

So far, I have completed just under 2 metres of track with the concrete sleepers.  The first section was time consuming, as it is on a very tight curve (600 mm radius) and I wanted to make sure the curvature was even to avoid any tight spots.  For this section, I glued the sleepers, which come joined in groups of 8, to the MDF roadbed using PVA glue.  I 3D-printed a guide strip which fitted inside the simulated Pandrol clips, to maintain even curvature.  Even though I pre-bent the rail to the required radius, I was quite difficult to slide the rail into the sleepers and I found the maximum workable length was about 20 sleepers at a time.  So, I had to cut the rail into shorter lengths for this bit.

Once I got into the straight track, it became much easier.  One technique which worked was to slide both rails into one group of 8 sleepers, then clamp the completed end of the track section onto my workbench with a scrap of plywood on top of the rails.  Then, I could easily slide the remaining groups of sleepers onto the 2 rails.

At this stage, the straight track isn't glued down, but I intended to apply dabs of PVA glue every few sleepers to hold it in position until ballasting.

It is essential remove any burs from the rail ends before assembling the track.  Also, it is necessary to cut the small joining pieces between the sleepers on one side for curved track.  Unlike normal flexible track, there are no gaps in the sleeper moulding.

One slight annoyance is the tops of the sleepers have raised lettering moulded in which says "COSTAINS", which is a UK manufacturer of real concrete sleepers.  As my layout is close to eye level, the lettering is not obvious, but it could be filed or sanded off if necessary.

C&L Finescale also make timber sleepered track with suitable sleeper size and spacing.  However, it is only available with bullhead rail (not flatbottom) so it is not usable for WA modelling.

New Beginnings

Hey hey, I apologise for having to disappear for the last few days. My life took a sudden new direction with little notice. As such, it is with a heavy heart, that I must announce I will no longer be continuing with the regular Monthly update blog posts. You will still have Stuart's wonderfully written post meeting notes which now include a great array of photos for you to view. However, this opens me up to new and wonderful opportunities ahead as I move on to my next new big venture; Ally's DCC Workshop will be a hobby business specialising in basic DCC Education, Installation and Trouble Shooting. For those interested, you can find my details here as I update you on progress:

https://www.facebook.com/Allys-DCC-Workshop-104206364286013/

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank those who followed this blog and put up with my errors and inconsistencies over the last couple of years. I may continue to post here periodically but for now I wish you all happy modeling and good luck to all your future endeavours.

I sadly won't make this month's Running Night so for now I'd like to leave you with one final project that I have been working on over the last few weeks that you might enjoy.

July Running Night 2019

Hey hey, as always another enjoyable running night was had by all in attendance. Some different trains that we haven't seen run on Swan View made appearances including a well built V class by Ross Green and an ADA, ADH set built by Stuart Mackay. I have made another video for you all to enjoy so hopefully it gives you the feel as if you were there. As always I welcome feed back so do not hesitate to message me on Facebook or email me.

Ross Green's Combined Modelers V class 1214 heads to Perth light engine from Swan View.

Stuart Mackay's X class Models MSA 492 hauls a short timber train down to Perth past Swan View.

Stuart Mackay's ADA and ADH set arrives at Swan View station with an extended suburban run from Perth. 

Stuart Mackay's ADA and ADH set arrives at Swan View station with an extended suburban run from Perth. 

Alison Kelly's unpainted Marbelup Models DA1571 (with ViTrains Mech) on a trial run to Swan View from Midland.

July Meeting 2019

Hey hey, a good turnout at this month's meeting with 33 members showing up for the meeting. The theme of the meeting was Terminus Stations of the WAGR which have good modeling and operational potential. Graham Watson provided a very informative slide presentation with photos of several key stations including Newdegate, Esperance and Flinder's Bay to name a few. Of course there were the usual Bring and Shows as well as updates from AMRA and regarding the recent exhibition and the upcoming AGM. Photos of the bring and show are below, so please enjoy.

Niels Kroyer displayed his completed (minus decals) GA Models RA class 4 plank open wagon with fox bogies.

John Bajkowski's scratch-built yard crane for  his home layout based on Wyalkatchem.

Alison Kelly recently purchased a DA class locomotive kit from Marbelup Models with the recently modified mechanism to accept ViTrains bogies and motor.

Neil Blinco displayed a neat pen organiser made from one of John Gaspari's 10mm X class cabs. 

Roger Palmer has been working on the flour mill for the East Guildford layout using  card which will have brick paper added later.

John Morrison missed our previous meeting on jigs for modeling so displayed his bogie assembling jig for us to view.

June Running Night 2019

Hey hey, the June running night was a little light on with numbers but it was a very chilly night, my car temperature gauge recording just 10 degrees (thats cold for West Aussies!). But that didn't stop the trains from running as you can see from the attached video. Once again I apologise for having to lower the quality as Blogger won't let me upload too large a space of video. I did spend most of this morning working on this video so please enjoy and as always I welcome your feedback.

Graham Watson owned and Gavin Stallard built F45 sits in the yard at Swan View Waiting to depart back down the hill. This model has inscription on the underside of the tank dating back to 1986!

Graham Watson owned and Gavin Stallard built F45 sits in the yard at Swan View Waiting to depart back down the hill. This model has inscription on the underside of the tank dating back to 1986! 

Rodger Jenkins scratch-built brass MS class garratt hauls a ZF guards van wrong road up towards Swan View

Neil Blinco's Alyn Models ASG28 hauls a lengthy goods up to Swan View.

Alison Kelly's A1511 hauls a train of empties through Swan View whilst passing her DB1588 heading through with a loaded train returning to the Perth Area.

Alison Kelly's DB1588 combines with A1511 to haul a lengthy consist through Swan View.

Alison Kelly's DB1588 solos on a train headed east from Swan View.

Supplier of Metric Screws in Small Sizes

I just came across this eBay Store in Port Maquarie, NSW, which has a wide selection of small metric screws.

https://www.ebay.com.au/str/MidNthCoastComponents/Nuts-Bolts-Screws-Washers/_i.html?_storecat=18842568012

June Meeting 2019

Hey hey, the cold weather and the heavy rain must have been the reason why last Monday's meeting was a little light on in numbers and as such is the reason for so few photos tonight. We had a few  new visitors which is always pleasing after the exhibition and hopefully they continue to come along to future meetings. The feature of the meeting was a presentation of photos taken by Bill Gray of layouts and exhibitions that we have not yet seen other than in Australian Sn Modeler. I look forward to many more of Bill Gray's photos and hopefully some more of my trains will feature with the next running night on the 28 June 2019.

Ray Cooper acquired this goods shed from the late Gary Gray estate and has been slowly detailing it to suit his home layout based on Yarloop.

Alex Kruger brought in some wagons he has been working on from RailWest and  GA Models kits. On the top row in the right hand corner is Alison Kelly's KA wagon partly build by Murray Rowe and finished off at the exhibition as shown in the last blog post.

Bill Gray continues to work on his layout of Perth Station from the late 1800's. Whilst working on the layout he has found a requirement for horse drawn vehicles and so has purchased some products from NZ Finescale and a games shop in London Court, Perth.

Simon Mead has been fixing gutters on his roof and made the discovery that the mesh was almost the correct size for S scale ladders so he brought in a small section as a sample. Murray Hartzer also brought in a purchase he made at the recent exhibition being a little tractor which is featured in the top left hand corner.

AMRA WA Annual Exhibition 2019 - Day 3

Hey hey, day 3 of the AMRA WA Annual Exhibition and so I have for you 3 videos. I kept myself busy yesterday with making new wheelsets for a couple of RailWest KA wagons built by Murray Rowe as well as chatting with the public. But I did manage to pull myself away to get some shots of Matt Curtis' train running around Watheroo as well as my own train of 4 wheel wagons built by Murray Rowe and Jurgen Engel. Special thanks goes to Kieran Wright for allowing me to use some of his images on this blog post. Also a big congratulations to Stuart Mackay who's layout; Watheroo managed to equal second place in all three awards being "The Richard Smart Memorial Cup",  "Jack Stanbridge Trophy for Best Model Railway as Judged by other Exhibitors" and the "Bill Gardner Cup for Best Model Railway". Well done to the organisers for putting on such a brilliant show. I look forward to attending next year's. Finally a big thank you to those who came and found me to say Hi. Please don't be shy, always happy to talk about Model Railways and in particular WA railways.

Murray Rowe's X class Models MRWA A26 heads a long passenger train at Watheroo station waiting for an on coming train to cross. Photo courtesy of Kieran Wright

A car waits patiently for a goods train to cross on the main line into Watheroo.

Alison Kelly's RailWest A1511 passes through Watheroo station with her load bound for Perth. Photo courtesy Kieran Wright

Gavin Stallard's scratch-built DB1587 rolls into Watheroo with a goods train made up of various wagons built by Matt Curtis.

Alison Kelly's RailWest A1511 rolls through Watheroo station with a hefty load bound for Perth while a curious swan looks on from the vantage point of a nearby water tower. The train is made up of wagons built by both Jurgen Engel and Murray Rowe.

Alison Kelly's RailWest A1511 and a few Westrail GEs with tarpaulins made by Murray Rowe.

Alison Kelly's RailWest A1511 and a few Westrail GEs with tarpaulins made by Murray Rowe.

Alison Kelly's RailWest A1511 rolls through Watheroo station with a hefty load bound for Perth.

Alison Kelly's Marbelup Models DB1588 rests at the depot at Watheroo. 

Gavin Stallard's scratch-built DB1587 alongside sister unit DB1588 which is a Marbelup Models 3D print built by Jurgen Engel.

Gavin Stallard's scratch-built DB1587 tail-to-tail with sister unit DB1588 which is a Marbelup Models 3D print built by Jurgen Engel. 

Richard Stallard's Marbelup Models prototype of the WAGR XW wagon. 

Richard Stallard's Marbelup Models prototype of the WAGR XW wagon.  

A RailWest KA wagon built and painted by Murray Rowe and finished with wheelsets from RailWest made by Alison Kelly.

AMRA WA Annual Exhibition 2019 - Day 2

Hey hey, day 2 of the AMRA WA Annual exhibition continues with fewer hiccups today than the day before which is natural for any exhibition layout. I only managed to get a couple of videos today as only two trains were running but both had sound so were fun to listen to and operate. I'll be on the modeling desk tomorrow so I'll keep you all up to date from there. Until then, please enjoy the videos and photos I have added below.

Charles De Bruin's MRWA B class simmers in the depot at Watheroo while a water tanker is refilled ready for its next journey.

Charles De Bruin's MRWA B class simmers in the depot at Watheroo while a water tanker is refilled ready for its next journey.

Decalling of Gavin Stallard's AQNY continues to progress at a rapid pace.