Banking Engines or Double-Heading?

Hey hey, just a quick video update for those missing out on all the fun down at the AMRA WA Clubrooms at 24 Moojebing St Bayswater. You don't see it happen much in WAGR or Westrail practice but multiple units on trains do occur occasionally so why not model the prototype? Here you will find a series of clips of multiple locomotives on trains either on transfer or pulling long rakes. Perhaps this could be a future topic worth discussing? thoughts?

East Guildford Exhibition Layout Update 06/22

Hey hey, it's been a while since the last update and I'm sure you're all dying to know whats been happening with East Guildford. Now track has been completed in the loop to the fiddle yard and trains are running satisfactorily for now, detail has started to appear on the layout.

Neil Blinco has done a fantastic job of making trees as well as photo back scenes of local buildings in the East Guildford area to give the layout further depth and perspective. Doug Firth has beautifully recreated advertising posters from the era which have been placed on the fencing along the station platform. Yes, you can read them if you look closely, check them out! Trevor Bourke has continued the arduous task of remedial ballasting the curves and basic landscaping the curves for each end of the layout to blend the scene breaks together. Other small details have also appeared like telegraph poles and associated equipment.

As you can see from the attached photos below, much has been achieved with thanks to Doug Firth, Neil Blinco, Trevor Bourke, Bill Gray, Garry Pilmoor and Greg Aitken. Without this team of dedicated modelers, this layout wouldn't be the beautiful master piece it is today. However, much work is still to be achieved and it's still not too late to get involved if you so wish. In the workshop area, towards the Perth end of the layout you will find a whiteboard with a list of items yet to be completed. If you think you could do one of these small tasks, do not hesitate to put your hand up. It is envisaged that the layout will be displayed in full at the 2023 AMRA WA Model Railway Exhibition which is already shaping up to be a big comeback after the break from the pandemic. Hopefully we shall see you there or at our next open day before then.

(All images by the author unless captioned).

Neil Blinco's DM585 at the head of a suburban passenger train headed for Midland, rounds the curve into East Guildford.

A view of the Perth end of the layout showing completed track around to Simon Mead's fiddle yard (Image courtesy of Neil Blinco).

Neil Blinco's Gum trees made from Sedum Flowers and appropriately painted to suit. 

The timber yard has now been arranged to a more organised display and temporary photo backdrops have been applied to gauge the view they will provide.

Doug Firth's amazing advertising posters.

More of Doug Firth's advertising posters.

Alison Kelly's A1511 crosses East Street with an empty wheat train for the eastern wheatbelt.

Neil Blinco's V1213 heads a goods train into Perth from Midland and through East Guildford Station.

An unidentified PM by Neil Blinco heads a goods train past the now permanent backdrop houses.

Alison Kelly's DB1588 runs light engine to Midland through East Guildford, past Ray Cooper’s excellent sawmill.

Alison Kelly's DB1588 runs an empty Superphosphate and fertiliser train through East Guildford, headed for the sidings along Ashfield straight for loading. 

East Guildford Exhibition Layout Update 05/22

Hey hey, Since the last update, East Guildford has now progressed to the stage that we can have regular running sessions (including running nights held on the 4th Friday of the month) which we have done in the last two months with much success. Track work has been completed to make the full loop with the use of Simon Mead's fiddle yard (thank you Simon).

Trevor Burke and Greg Aitken have been continuing to toil away at scenery details while Neil Blinco continues to iron out any issues with track work. Neil cast up extra details such as the station chimney's, picket fences and telegraph poles and the scales were 3D printed by Christopher Maloney for the station building which look fantastic. The station fencing was completed by Doug Firth whilst the other rail side fencing was completed by Greg Aitken. Neil has also modified a set of railway crossing lights for East Street which include a flashing unit for realistic effect. The timber yard continues to grow with a sawmill built by Ray Cooper as well as detail items such as timber stacks by Doug Firth and Bill Gray.

As you can see from the following photos, plenty of testing has been done with a large variety of locomotives and wagons to ensure quality and iron out any potential problems before the layout goes on public display. Sadly the AMRA WA Annual exhibition has been cancelled for 2022 so the layout will not be displayed this year, however this has given the team more time to work on the finer details to ensure the debut is spectacular.

(All images by the author unless captioned).

Neil Blinco's Railwest Models PM710 and PMR735 double head a train to Perth through East Guildford.

Neil Blinco's Railwest Models PM710 and PMR735 double head a lengthy train to Perth through East Guildford Station.

Alison Kelly's Marbelup Models DB1588 hauls a ballast across East Street level crossing.

Alison Kelly's Marbelup Models DB1588 shunts it's ballast train into the sidings at East Guildford.

Neil Blinco's Westrail Models F44 leads a timber and sleeper train through East Guildford headed for Midland.

East Street level crossing complete with flashing lights.

East Guildford looking back towards the East Street level crossing.

The completed end curves for the layout and Simon Mead's fiddle yard. Note track being readied to be laid using the code 100 flex track to the right of scene.

Joins between the baseboards prior to ballasting.

One of the many residences on the layout cut on an angle in a low relief to fit the space provided. Model built by Neil Blinco.

Alison Kelly's Marbelup Models DB1588 hauls a ballast train through East Guildford station.

Neil Blinco's scratch-built N201 hauls a suburban set of coaches past the timber yard towards East Guildford station. The saw mill in the background was built by Ray Cooper whilst the timber stacks have been a combination of work by Doug Firth and Bill Gray.

Paul Tranter's X Class Models ADK/ADB set arrives at East Guildford station on a suburban run to Perth.

The finer details is what sets off a scene as seen here with the scales, chimney and signal cabin built into the station building by Greg Aitken and Neil Blinco.

Neil Blinco's Westland Models DM585 hauls another suburban set towards Perth at East Guildford station.

Stuart Mackay's scratch-built ASA steam railcar with AD coach attached arrives at East Guildford Station. (Image courtesy of Neil Blinco).

Alison Kelly's Railwest Models PM (yet to be numbered) rolls through East Guildford light engine towards Perth.

East Guildford Exhibition Layout Update 04/22

Hey hey, progress on East Guildford is advancing rapidly to ready the layout for exhibition at the AMRA WA Annual Model Railway exhibition to be held on the June long weekend which will be the 4th, 5th, and 6th of June, 2022.

On Monday the 9th of January 2022, the layout was repositioned to allow the returns and yard to be added with help and thanks to members of the S scale SIG who attended the meeting.

A special thanks goes to Lynton Englund and Neil Blinco for their beautiful work on the old station masters house which is on an angle next to the road level crossing at the Midland end of the layout. The other scenery is thanks to Trevor Bourke and wiring is done by Greg Aitken.

(All images by the author unless captioned).

Looking down the platforms towards Perth.

Looking up the platforms towards Midland.

Looking back at the station master's house.

Railway level crossing in view.

A beautiful low relief house built by Neil Blinco and sceniced by Trevor Bourke.

Alison Kelly's Marbelup Models DB1588 runs light engine back to Forrestfield through East Guildford.

I apologise for the blur, I think that was Alison Kelly's arm. (Image courtesy of Bill Gray)

The S scale SIG members lend a hand repositioning the layout. (Image courtesy of Bill Gray)

The returns added and yard partly installed. (Image courtesy of Neil Blinco)