March 2018 Volume … Talk Vol 29, issue 321... · 7 4AK/4WK Toowoomba 39 Southern Rail Models Toowoomba Model Railway Club Inc. All correspondence mailed to: TMRC Inc. PO Box 883

March 2018 Volume 29 No 09 Issue 321A 100% NMRA Affiliated Club

www.toowoombamodelrailwayclub.com.au

Please note; schedules for club activities are notified in Train Talk - RAILWAY TIMETABLE - Page 38, and via email, if you have an email address and are not on our members email list, please advise ASAP so you can receive up to date news.Send to email; [email protected]

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in ‘Train Talk’ are not necessarily the opinions of the TMRC Inc. or it’s members.

PLEASE NOTE: Any personal items left and/or used at the club premises or events attended and/or organised by the club are the responsibility of the owner of said items.

The TMRC Inc. Takes no responsibility for any loss or damage thereof. MOTION:04/02/03.

MEMBERSHIP FEESOne membership level only.

Ordinary @ $90.00* For Twelve Months

Pro-rata rates per Quarter(*Includes basic NMRA membership =$30.00 for Public Liability Insurance)

6. Presidents Report (Brent Smith)6. Toowoomba Public Library (Doug Clarkson)7. Teditorial (Teditor)8. On The Footplate 8. CD’s? (www)9. Modelling Tips & Tricks (Walthers)10. 2018 Expo Flier11. 2018 Expo Report (Jess Gibbs)14. Display at Bunnings (Teditor)16. Garden City Central (Teditor)18. Teditor’s Tales (Teditor) 20. Railway Pics (Kent Wagner/Ted Freeman)22. Wuiskes Wunda World (Adam Wuiske)25. Jamestown News (Gary Sardoni)27. Walmartians on Trains (Bob Claydon)28. Modellers Corner (Arthur Hayes)29. Clubhouse Dit t ies (TMRC Inc.

Members)31. NMRA Div 1 (Ian Venables)35. OOPS! (www)36. 5M44N (Bill Waterhouse37. Vale; Sandra Stevens (Ian Venables)37. Letter to the Editor37. Change (Bob Claydon)38. Railway Timetable38. Zebra (www)40. Backpage Photo (Geoff Evans)

ADVERTISER INDEX:3 Train Pictures4 AR KITS5 Wuiske Promotions7 4AK/4WK Toowoomba39 Southern Rail Models

Toowoomba Model Railway Club Inc.All correspondence mailed to:

TMRC Inc.PO Box 883

Toowoomba Qld 4350

‘Train Talk’ Volume 29 No 09 (issue #321)March 2018

ABN 32 998 681 418

A 100% NMRA Affiliated Club

President Brent Smith 4687 7607Vice President Gary Sardoni 4635 5920 Secretary Ted Freeman 4638 0397Treasurer Angela Adams 0488 768 486Committee David Cook 0414 301 436 Jessica Gibbs 0411 069 328 Grant Hirning 4635 7939 Ben Martin 4630 7668 Club Mobile; 0490 388 327

ON THE COVER: A Canadian (Canadien) Pacific Loco leads a promotional Provinces of Canada train on Conway Castle, not what you would really expect to see in Wales, but Hey! it’s our railroad.

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R-T-R 2100 CLASS LOCOMOTIVE HOn3½ (12mm GAUGE) $295.00 Flywheels.All wheel pick up.All wheel drive.Genuine Kadee #158 couplers set at the correct height for QR rollingstock.Adjustable coupler pockets to accommodate those modelling standard gauge.Directional lighting in both DC and DCC, including illuminated number boards.Era and locomotive specific printing and detailing.- Highly detailed ABS body and components.- Fully DCC and Sound ready.- 8 pin DCC socket.- Highly durable and flexible Acetyl handrails, air hoses and underframe piping.- Brass and stainless steel etched details.- Full Die Cast Chassis.- Multiple era reflective logos.- Multiple era Danger Overhead Live Wires logos.- Moulded fans where appropriate.- Highly detailed bogie sideframes.- Highly detailed underframe including many individually applied parts.- Detailed cab interiorAlso available in 16.5mm Standard Gauge - same price.

THE PROTOTYPE: The 2100 class was a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm for Queensland Railways between 1970 and 1973. The 2100 class were built to haul coal trains on the Goonyella railway line. Because the new line had been built to a heavier standard than existing Queensland Railways lines, the 2100 class weighed in at 97.5 tonnes (96.0 long tons; 107.5 short tons) fully laden, a six-tonne (5.9-long-ton; 6.6-short-ton) increase on that previously permissible. To allow them to operate over existing lines the 7,273-litre (1,600 imp gal; 1,921 US gal) tank had a compartment that could be blocked to bring their weight down to the required level. Maximum speed - 80 km/h (50 mph), Power output - 1,491 kW (1,999 hp), Career Operators - Queensland Railways, Number in class - 24, Numbers - 2100-2123

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Wuiske Models PO Box 131 Jandowae, Qld, 4410(07) 4668 59760421 892 [email protected]

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Well, March is upon us and the weather is starting to turn from Summer to Autumn. The weather of recent days has been very pleasant with none of the very heavy rains that have been falling in Brisbane. Work is progressing steadily on both the QR and HO layouts with fine tuning on the QR layout and more wiring and soldering being completed on the HO layout.

We have some functions coming up soon with the Sale and Display coming up at the end of the month, followed soon after with the Toowoomba Royal Show. Make an effort and see if you can help on either of these events. Apart from these events, if visiting the Club on the other days, Wednesday or Saturday, feel free to assist, even it’s only vacuuming the floor or pickling up some of the many pieces of wire offcuts on the floor. Anything that you can do will help. The Landscaping is due to start any day soon so watch to see what unfolds with our works. Anyway enough from me for this month, I’m now watching Great Continental Rail Journeys on SBS, and getting my fill of World travel.

Smithy

Toowoomba Public Library The library has recently added some dozen new books dealing with Model Railway Construction. Tracklaying, kit buildings, landscaping, maintenance etc. They are full of photos covering every step. I was particularly interested in the tree section. Unfortunately, these being English books gum trees were not covered. Realistic gum leaves are so hard to copy. There was a large section on farm walls which hardly apply here plus a very interesting chapter on water. Using acrylic plastic sheet or Perspex a long strip is cut to the size and shape of the river surface. This is then turned over to have the underside gloss varnished and detailed with weeds, ripples etc. to suit, when dry it is reversed again ready to set into your landscape. Your river now has a good shine with all the detail safe from damage. These books are easy to find – library no.625.19 They are in the reference section right at the end of a row on the top shelf. Worth a look.

Doug Clarkson

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Tune in for the best of sounds for everyone’s likes 4AK and 4WK - Your stations! 2018 TOOWOOMBA MODEL TRAINS & HOBBY EXPO

Toowoomba Showgrounds 2nd and 3rd June 2018

On Wednesday the 28th of March we were graced by a visit from the Queensland NMRA Superintendent Martyn Jenkins who was in Toowoomba for some training courses, Martyn received a phone call shortly after arriving, the phone cal brought us some very disheartening news, Sandra Stevens, jovial always smiling wife of deceased previous Div One Super Glenn Stevens, had passed away following surgery.

Sandra continued as a contributor and supporter of the hobby and graced us with her presence at the Annual Expo’s where she was selling Glenn’s trains along with demonstrating stitching crafts, Sandra will be greatly missed.

As I write this, late as usual, we are coming up on a busy period, the March Sale Day has gone (only a couple of sellers present unfortunately), but still a highly successful day, coming up is the Toowoomba Heritage Royal Show on April 12-13-14, then the Brisbane Model Train Show on May 12-13 and then our big one the 2018 Toowoomba Model Trains & Hobby Expo on June 2-3.

All of these events require member input, but on the other side, the first two have limited passes available, so if you wish to assist, we need to know ASAP.

Our own show of course relies on ‘All’ members to be involved, requests for coordinators, general workers and the Saturday night dinner forms will be with you shortly, in this day and age, most communication is via email, I realize we can’t get to everyone in this manner, so notices will be displayed at the club.

One thing we would like members to do is distribute Expo Fliers, place some n your local stores, service stations, wherever you are able, tell you relatives, friends and neighbors, place an expo sign on your front fence, this event ensures the success of the Toowoomba Model Railway Club Inc., please assist in any way you are able.

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New Members; Welcome aboard to Angelina Lunenburg and her son Emrys from Centenary heights. Please welcome Angelina and Emrys.There is a policy at the TMRC Inc. You “MUST HAVE FUN”, say g’day to everyone and invite them to ‘get involved’, we are all in this hobby for the same reason - “To have fun” Model Railroading ‘IS’ The World’s Greatest

Hobby.Member participation is an important part of the clubs success, become involved and reap the benefits. There are many projects underway to suit any interests.The production of Train Talk and Construction of the Showgrounds Museum & Display Centre has been m a d e p o s s i b l e t h r o u g h t h e generosity of the

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School days are underwaySchools are about to open, and they offer plenty of modeling project ideas for any era.

Most often found in cities today, some rural schools are still up and running. Many one-room schoolhouses h a v e l o n g s i n c e b e e n conver ted in to p r i va te homes, small businesses and town halls, and what was once the central high school may now be an elementary school or apartments in town.

Once you have a building and a construction site picked out, you’ll want to add appropriate details to fit your era. Common items include playground equipment and parking lots, along with a flagpole with the appropriate flag flying out front if school is in session.

Small scenes can imply there’s a school nearby even if it isn’t actually modeled. Kids waiting at a driveway for the big yellow bus, or a crossing guard stopping city traffic to let children cross will be instantly recognizable to layout visitors.

Be sure to study your Reference Books and walthers.com to f ind e v e r y t h i n g f r o m structures to school kids for your newest layout scene.

HO Cornerstone® Cottage Grove School

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ADMISSIONAdults: $14.00Concession: $10.00Children: FREE(Must be accompanied by an adult)

Model Railway Layouts in all the popular ScalesVarious other Hobbies, Historical Societies

Trade Stands and RefreshmentsArtisan Market

Saturday 2nd June 9am - 5pmSunday 3rd June 9am - 4pm

Enquiries: (07) 4638 0397Website: www.toowoombamodelrailwayclub.com.auEmail: [email protected]: Toowoomba Model Railway Club Inc.

2018 ToowoombaModel Trains

& Hobby Expo

Proudly brought to you by:

Toowoomba Showgrounds

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Current List of Exhibitors as at 31st March .* First time showing at Toowoomba Expo.ExhibitsStatic Scale Models – Various Scales – Darling Downs Scale Modeling ClubNothing – N Scale – Mervyn Powell/Eddie StavleuSplitters Swamp Creek – HO NSWGR – Geoff BurnsTurnpike Lane & Tittenhurst Farm – HO/OO – Harry Kennett

Rosedale - N Scale -Jeff & Chloe RosenbergMorewood - HO Scale - Robert MoretonStannumvale - HOn3.5 - Dennis Campbell & Gary PysdenMarklin Z Gauge - Graham SagarK’nex Mania -Ashley ButlerBrendale - HO Scale - RMCQTop of the Range Modellers - All Scales * Oldetown - HO Scale - Walker ModelsWoodhill - HO Scale American - Action Model Train Club Inc.Thomas - U - Drive - OO Thomas - Action Model Train Club Inc.* Southern Highlands - HO Scale NSW - Warren Herbet/Rohan Fergusson.* Philden - HO Scale NSW - Phillip Overton* Glinvale - HO QR’s - Grant & Alastair Linning.Mamod and other Toy Steam and “O” gauge clockwork - Chris MartinT-Trak - N Scale - Ipswich Model Railway ClubPine Rivers - N Scale - Railway Modellers Club of QLD Inc

ClinicsBRMA Clinic - Multiple Scales - British Railway Modellers of Australia

Trade/SalesCol’s Collectables - All Scales - Col RoughModellers Warehouse - All Scales- Dave McPheeWalker Models - All ScalesWuiske Promotions - HO QLD - Adam Wuiske

SocietiesAustralian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Society – ANGRMS

Artisan* Funky Frog Designs - Artisan - Carolyn Jenkins

Following Pages; Southern Highlands and Oldetown.

By Jessica Gibbs

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On the 22nd March we held a display at Bunnings along with their Easter Family Night.

On this occasion, we were at the newer Bunnings North Store (Cnr Bridge and Ruthven Strs), as Chris Hawley, the Bunnings Activities Organiser who we had worked with at Bunnings West for some time had moved to the new store, we decided to do likewise.

With thanks to Ben Martin and Angela Adams, we were able to load the Children’s ‘U’ Drive layout and the N Scale twin Falls in the back of the tray

back Ute Ben provided, the trip from the clubhouse was reasonably uneventful as I followed in the Yellow Banana (The Falcon as Brian Zenke has named it) the drop curtains were flailing in the breeze, then just as we went to cross Mort

Street, the heavens opened up and the ‘U’ Drive got soaked, Twin Falls, residing under the HO layout only received a little wash where as the area between rails on the ‘U’ Drive was more like a Canal.

Angela went and collected a heap of paper towels from the Loo and we commenced dabbing the moisture to soak it up, Angela then went and purchased a can of Wd40 which helped immensely.

March 2018

Text Tedito - All photos Angela Adams


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It’s hard to make out in the photos, but the creek was real water on this occasion, Ben had a new acquisition in the form of a Vacuum Track Cleaning car, with this, track cleaning fluid, Wd40 and the paper towels we had the layout up and running before the crowds arrived.

The Ford got to stay indoors with us as well, and Jeff and Ben Fritz joined us a short while later to assist, as can be seen, the display of FREE Model Railways in Australia and event Fliers serves a useful purpose, Ben was a bit apprehensive when I attempted to give him a cuddle for looking after the N Scale Twin Falls.

On returning to the Showgrounds we had to enter via the top gate, many thanks to Angela who did more of the heavy lifting than I was able to do and also thanks to both for retrieving my camera off Twin falls when we got back to the club.


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With the Brisbane Model Train Show looming up, all stops are out to get Garden City Central ready for its ‘away’ debut.

Doug Clarkson is a driving force in the project and is pushing ahead w i t h b u i l d i n g a n d s c e n e r y development, Gary Sardoni has taken on several tasks and is making great progress, and Grant, Jeff and Ben Fritz have got all the wiring working satisfactorily, with test running proving successful.

The station is near completion with the proud building now poised on the Gary Sardoni made platform, it’s unreal to think that all of this is made from cardboard, paper and balsa, the realism achieved is remarkable, with the budgetary construction, the layout is to this stage with less than a Thousand Dollars invested.

The southern end of the scene depicts Grand Central and Doug has trial fitted his construction and mock-ups at this stage showing just what

the effects will be like, a dummy view will be available from the layouts end depicting the single track going south as well as the roadway under the complex, a clever scenic block that allows the trains to circle back to the rear of the layout.

Ground cover, ballast, hedges, fencing, bushes, pedestrian crossings, parking lots, all of these area are being undertaken with Gary putting in a lot of effort to replicate the stations nearby surroundings.

Teditor

Brent Smith

Brent Smith

Brent Smith


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The pedestrian crossing and road markings are paper cutouts carefully placed and glued and look quite effective, Tin station roof is simply pencil l ines showing through sk i l l fu l ly applied colour washes.

As can be seen, the Famous Bomb Shelter behind the station is in place and a start has been made on the elevated gardens.

Some questions have been raised regarding the curved yard

siding, an aerial photo shows just this, hence the reason for doing it.

As we progress with the details, we will be slowly adding to the layout with street signs, signals etc, the main object st the moment is to get the layout presentable for display in Brisbane.

Grant has really jumped into this project

and has obtained more locomotives and rolling stock, just remember, if you wish to run any QR trains, the track is 12mm gauge.

At the left you can see what is the beginning of East Creek, there is to be a timber trestle bridging the gap, only a small amount of dirty water will be required with the remaining detailing comprising old tires, shopping trolleys, general rubbish and weeds, we will leave out the smell, you can use your imagination for that.

I trial separation and rejoining of the layout sections has been performed successfully and there are no doubts it will be all systems go.

Teditor

Teditor

Teditor


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MY WISH CAME TRUE THE JOURNEY BEGAN, NOW ALL I HAVE TO DO IS REMEMBER IT AS BEST AS I CAN!

I left school at the ripe old age of 14 and took on a job as a truckies off-sider with my brother-in-law (Barry) on his Sharp Soft Drink run. I enjoyed this vocation and we changed a couple of times to Mayne Nickless and then TNT, Barry's old F100 Ford flatbed receiving a new paint job each time.

My eventual intention though was to become a train driver.

In those days, education wasn't everything like it is now and all I had to do was wait till just prior to my 16th birthday, apply to the NSWGR's and do the entry exam (which I knew wouldn't be too hard). One obstacle I faced was the medical, I had been involved in a serious car accident at age seven and received a fractured skull (now you all know what's wrong!) that had left me with a few problems health wise.

Eventually the big day arrived, I sat for the entry exam and was notified in due course that I had passed. Now onto the medical, this obstacle was also overcome without any major dramas and I was accepted to the position of a shop-boy to commence work at Eveleigh Loco Depot on the 14th January 1963 at the grand sum of 4/- an hour (40 cents in the new language). This appointment (a six month probation period) was to ready me for the job of a Junior Trainee Engineman once I turned 16.

The job of Shop Boy entailed working in the large erecting shop in t h e E v e l e i g h Locomot i ve Depo t complex. Like all new employee's, I had to cope with the local jokes, one of which was when I was sent to collect the Davey's Press.

Of course, I was a g u l l i b l e y o u n g n e w c o m e r a n d d i l igent ly took the trolley suggested to pick up what I believed to be the Employee's Newsletter.

Ted Freeman

Eveleigh Large Erecting Shop


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Arriving at the designated place, I innocently asked for the Davey's Press, that I was to pick it up on the trolley and return to my department with it.

B u r s t s o f l a u g h t e r indicated that I had been well and truly had, and w h e n t h e f o r e m a n pointed towards a huge monster of a machine sitting in the middle of the f l o o r a n d s t a t e d (intermingled with his, and everyone else's laughter) "there's the Davey Press, do you want a hand to put it on the trolley?”.

The Davey Press was of course a bit more robust than several sheets of paper; it was a 1,500 ton metal stamping machine!

My time as a shop boy was an interesting one; I got to see the workings of a large erecting shop and was amazed at the self sufficiency of the complex. Major overhauls of steam locomotives were still well and truly being performed and there was even a large foundry where parts were cast. Steam locomotion was here to stay and I was going to fulfill my dream of becoming a steam train driver.

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Used with permission from Kent Wagner

All photos taken at the Ipswich Workshops Railway Museum

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This is the last of Kent Wagners photos taken at the Ipswich Workshops, many thanks to Kent for allowing the use of the photo’s.

Below; Two photos I was unable to include in the February issue regarding Teditor’s Tales, I am unable to tell much about them as they are almost sixty years old, I believe they were taken at Roma Street Station.

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Chapter 112 A lot of you have been commenting on the weathering of my personal models after the last few chapters.

After much thought, I decided to have a think, the result of my thinking of having a thought was that, as a thought, maybe, I think, I should put up some photos of my complete (thus far) locomotive fleet that resides on my layout.Not a bad thought? I think I thought so too.The first of the 1550 class that I added to my personal collection was 1558D.

I discovered that the 1550s never really got that weathered as Driver Only units due to being repainted not that long after the conversion. This unit was given a light misting of grey (the light grey we used to paint the old freight wagon kits actually). This just dulled the blue and reduced the starkness of the overall colours and gave it a slightly bleached look.

1558D and 1570D were both weathered using this method and then had powders added.Overall, these are not my favourite weathering jobs and my later ones are (in my opinion) far better.I have all three of the corporate liveried 1550 class on the layout and the first one I weathered was 1572H.1572H ended up being weathered more than I had initially intended.

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I wanted to see how much weathering was needed to avoid the light shining through the cab roof, one of the problems with yellow locomotives.

The end result, I am actually pretty happy with.

The next locomotive I tackled was 2401D, the Bicentennial unit.

This one was a model I was genuinely worried I would not be happy with. The prototype never really got that dirty. The bogies and fuel tank got rather grotty but the body was kept fairly clean.

The next locomotive I will show in this chapter is 2414. This model was (again) dulled with a light mist of light grey, then dull coated.

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From there, I painted the yellow air conditioner and began to dry brush the body with an eggshell white (really cheap artist paints were used for this).

I added a rust colour over the top of the white sections, to simulate rust. I also started applying powders at this point. Once I was happy with each layer, I dull coated the model to seal everything in.

As the 2400 class stayed in coal traffic longer than the 1550 class, they seemed to get a lot more fading of both the blue and the white sections as well as a darker colouring around the bogies and fuel tank.

1574H is the last locomotive I will show in this chapter. This unit was one I simply had to do as it spent much of it’s life in corporate livery with a blue air conditioner. So just as something different, I painted this and added a driver.

As you can see, the weathering is very mild. Again, it was dulled with the light grey and some VERY light applications of powders were made.

In the next chapter I will show the remaining locomotives in my fleet and may start showing some of the rollingstock I have running around the Wuiske Layout.

As always though, we shall see how we go.

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The club has had a number of clubhouses since it was formed in 1987. I joined up in around 1990 and I believe there was only one previous clubhouse that the club had, before I was a member. In all of these previous locations, there was plenty of layout construction going on, but what typically seemed to happen was that a forced move to another location meant starting construction again. Consequently, running trains didn't happen that often, and when it did, it was usually just aimless running around without any real goal other than watching the trains go by. I don't have a problem with watching the trains go by, in fact I enjoy it immensely, however, there is the possibility of something more, if a layout has sufficient operational potential. I see operations as the next facet of the model train 'journey' (pardon the pun) after layout construction. Now that the trackwork on "Jamestown" has reached the stage of being reasonably reliable, it crossed my mind to start considering if "Jamestown" has enough potential to be used for some semi-structured operations. I started by thinking about using the station area and its passing loops, and the potential for a variety of trains to stop, cross and overtake. One day I tried to run three trains on the layout at once, with a variety of 'manoeuvrers' to create some variation and interest. Trying something that I thought would be fairly simple, even for a single operator, became very complex, very quickly, and my brain was hurting in no time at all. The fact that after about 30 seconds of running, I had my first head-on collision, didn't get things off to a good start, and it was all downhill after that. Gomez Adams might have been pleased, but I wasn't. My first (and fatal) mistake was to start off by sending trains in opposite directions, hoping that they would be able to cross at a passing loop without mishap. The problem was that driving the trains and also setting the points was too much for one person (for this person anyway). So, lesson number one, multiple operators are needed and lesson number two, it's easier running all trains in the same direction with a single track mainline such as on "Jamestown".

Castle Class loco No. 5011 "Tintagel Castle" with its express passenger train is a t P l a t f o r m 1 o f "Jamestown" station. 48XX class No. 4837 and its autocoach is the local passenger train and is at platform 3. (It is push-pull fitted, and could reverse direction as required. When it did so, all kinds of extra operational disasters were possible.) 66XX class No. 6623 with its goods train is on the outside passing loop. (The two dead-end setup tracks are to its left side.)

by Gary Sardoni

March 2018

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The next part of the learning curve involved coercing some volunteers to assist me with a second attempt at mainline running. Thanks to assistance from Jess, Jai, Ted and David, attempt number two involved having three trains each with its own operator, and with me as signalman, setting the points etc. (I also used my own trains, which had previously been tested on the layout for reliable running - I didn't want constant derailments to interfere with the operations.) While perhaps not particularly exciting for the operators, they hung in there and by essentially trial and error (usually my errors) helped refine the process and identify pitfalls to be avoided in future. The 'set up' was as follows. The three trains were of different categories, an express passenger, a local passenger and a goods train. The 'rules' for their operations related to priorities and stopping places. The express passenger had priority over the local passenger, which had priority over the goods train. This meant that wherever possible, the lower priority train would wait in a passing loop for a higher priority train to cross or overtake. The express passenger train was allowed to stop only at Platform 1 (the long distance platform with direct entry and exit to the street). The local passenger train stopped only at platforms 2 and 3 (the island platforms) as local passengers would be likely to have limited baggage to carry, and consequently would not be inconvenienced too much by having to use the pedestrian subway to catch or depart from their train. Each train operator had their own hand throttle and was directed to visually follow their train around the layout, look out for other trains and consequently slow down and/or stop where necessary to avoid collisions. All this seemed to be simple enough to me. Things worked quite well when all trains were running in the same direction. The limiting factor seemed to be my inability, as signalman, to set the points in the passing loops quickly enough to allow for the necessary stopping, crossing and passing. A train would often arrive in the station area before I had a chance to set the points to direct it to the correct loop. Things became much more complex when trains were running in opposite directions. (This was organised by designating the local passenger train as a push-pull. It reversed its direction of travel at times.) This type of operation confused me, as I had difficulty deciding which train movements I was allowing were potentially going to result in a head-on collision. "Jamestown" has a mainline which can be considered to have a continuous run with two separate sections. At the end of each section there are passing loops (at the end of one section there are two tracks allowing trains to cross or overtake and at the end of the other section there are three tracks). Prior to the operating session, I had tried to draw a schematic diagram to help, but it didn't seem to be much use. Afterwards, I realised to how avoid train movements that make head-on collisions inevitable: two trains crossing in a passing loop can each get to the next passing loop and cross again. However, two trains travelling in opposite directions and leaving different passing loops at the same time will travel toward each other on the same section of track and potentially have a head-on collision (simple ain't it!). After about 90 minutes of these operations we had had enough and were ready to do something else. My brain was hurting again and I wanted to give my gracious assistants a break.

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However, I still think it was another useful step towards maximising the operating potential of the layout. Aspects of operations still to be explored relate to locomotive changes for a given train, drop off and delivery of goods into sidings and removing trains from the operating session and replacing them with other trains (via the set-up tracks at the front of the layout). More about these things next time. The images show the GWR trains that were used for the operating session.

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March 2018

Over Christmas I was able to finish off a Sunshine BL (Second Class Sitting Car with Lavatory) Car.The model is a Three Foot Six Model running on Caintode Flats bogies. The bogies should have rolling bearings to be 100 % correct. I finished the model with a light dust of weathering using Vallejo Model Air 71.133 Dirt, Earth &2.762 and AK 723 Dust. Mainly I wanted to highlight the detail (water tanks, battery boxes) under the carriage.On the blog http://westgateswr.blogspot.com.au/ there is more photos, some before weathering. I wanted before and after weathering photos for my presentation at the New Zealand Convention.

Arthur Hayes

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If you think distance is a hurdle to overcome getting to the clubhouse have a thought for this Happy Chappy, Joe Birch, 91 all the way from Frosty downtown England where sub-zero weather contrasts with what we have been having in Toowoomba, Joe is Bill Waterhouse Father-in-law and really enjoys his visits to the club as well as keeping Bill on the straight and narrow.

Seeing as Doug is in charge of the scenic aspects of Garden City Central and he always has a Dinosaur as a trademark, meet Twoombasaurus Rex.

This name came about due to miss communication between Gary Sardoni and Ted Freeman when Ted said Tyrannosaurus Rex, Gary thought he said Toowoombasaurus Rex, so it has been abbreviated to Twoombasaurus Rex.

Here is Gary measuring up for the pedestrian crossing and parking spaces.

Scratchbuilt turnouts are being installed in the Byers Junction Staging yard

Jess Gibbs

March 2018


CSX 9009 heads a coal train as testing of the newly installed turnouts take place, still a way to go yet, but well underway now.

When Martyn Jenkins called in for a visit,

it seemed appropriate to showcase the visiting royalty with our own lord and master Brent.

The HO Drayton Harbour Ry is coming along in leaps and bounds, an item

assisting with the wiring is these spring loaded terminal blocks, they make connecting wires quicker and very secure and can be removed easily. Note the twisted wire for the buss line.

Another Barry ‘Bazza’ Freeman structure

is being installed at the top of the Helix leading to the coal mine, it is believed to be a Gravel Mine.

Gary has been experimenting with paper on the Garden City Central, here is a photo of the Toowoomba Railway Station platform and Gary’s take on replicating it with concrete painted paper, very effective and very simple, nice one Gary.

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COMING EVENTS --- OUR CALENDAR FOR 2018 21st April --- Dave McPhee. May 12th, 13th,14th --- Brisbane Train Show. May 19th --- Duncan Cabassi. June 1st, 2nd, 3rd --- Toowoomba Train Show. June 16th --- Lismore Northern Rivers MRC. July 14th --- Martyn Jenkins.

Aug 18th --- Darren Lee. Sept 15th --- James Lampard. Sept 21st, 22nd, 23rd --- NMRA Convention --- Helensvale, Gold Coasts. Oct 13th --- Cannon Hill MRC. Nov 17th --- Ipswich MRC T/Trak Run Day. Dec 2nd --- Christmas Lunch. All meetings start at 10.30am unless otherwise notified. For the purpose of catering, please RSVP your host at least on the Monday before the meeting. You will notice from above our National Convention to be held at Helensvale on 21st – 25th September. Please seriously consider talking to one of our organisers for this event to offer your assistance in giving a clinic, helping with the formalities, opening your layout for visitation, directing attendees to various events, etc. Just like you, some of those organising, find it hard to ask favours of other members so volunteer to make this a memorable Convention.

The Traditional Start of the Year at Eddie Stavleu's It's usually a hot day or if not, it rains. So Saturday 17th February was one of those things, so we must have been at Eddie's. Regardless of the weather Eddie is always a fine host and there is always plenty to see once you are there. Great progress has been made on Eddie's layout and although the scenery has yet to come it is promising to be a great model railroad once completed. Martyn as Superintendent held the formal proceedings after a nice long chance for us all to talk to other members and he reminded us that this year is the year for the Australasian Region's elections. Check the website at: nmra.org.ar for details and get your votes in. It is also the year for the election of the Pacific District Director and the details for this are also on the same website and once again we ask that you do not forget this important task and get your votes in. This Division plays host to the Region this year for the 2018 Convention and Arthur Hayes has volunteered to be our Chairman of the Convention Committee. At this stage the plan is for our Convention to be run over 5 days. These will be Friday 21st September, Saturday 22nd September, Sunday 23rd September, Monday 24th

September & Tuesday 25th September. It is being arranged for us to have access to some of the best US modellers during the Convention even though they will still be in America. Using the modern wonders of computers and electronics, some American modellers will be giving clinics in their special fields in America and these will be telecast at Helensvale at our Convention; with the possible ability to ask questions at the appropriate time. Apparently, this hasn't been tried at a previous Convention so we are being pioneers here and the advantages of this technology and system should have great benefits.

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Martyn is arranging for a much better locality for the Convention Dinner. A Monster Raffle will be held in conjunction with the diner which is expected to cost about $6.00 Graeme Prideaux was awarded his 25 year membership plaque and briefly talked about the difficulties Australia had in the early days of establishing and maintaining a Region of the NMRA. Eddie Stavleu was presented with his plaque for playing host to us all, and by now he must be getting quite a collection of them. SHOW AND TELL Paul Skehan showed a handy tool that he had just purchased on the way to the meeting from Aldi. This is a Laser Levelling Tool for $29.95 including the tripod which will be very useful to those making a layout and particularly to those operating modules at shows, where sometimes the floor isn't very level. Les Ellen showed us his arrangement for mounting tortoise switch motor for off-set and difficult places, corners, etc. Also shown was his 'plug in' connection for these point motors. Les will be using Touch Toggles which incorporate bi-coloured and tri-coloured LED's within the touch button for position indication. Well, we certainly had the heat as expected on this date but managed to get away without a storm from Eddie's always welcoming and interesting place. Clinics We are trying to put together a series of Clinics to be given at our regular meetings. Now I know that there is a tremendous talent out there because in conversations and in noting practical work that has been done by many of you, some minor miracles are performed. What's more, if I mention just a few aspects we hear or notice without the mention of which member performed that minor miracle, I'm sure that most of you will know to whom I am referring. Let's give it a go. You need some information about the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe RR, perhaps how they operated their branch line freight trains. Who would you go to? You need to install points/turnout with an indication of whether it is set for "straight through" or "deflection". Whose railroad has this already working very well? You are modelling Queensland Railways and need to know the approximate percentage of each freight car type. There is a member who would go very close to getting the answer to that question straight "off the top of his head". You have a question about some programming aspect in DCC. Who would you ask? Now each of these experts have probably never been asked to give a clinic and there is nothing unusual about the above requests. Once the subject is opened, They are very willing to talk about one of their favourite things and we all learn if that is a presentation in a Clinic. Besides, this year it would be good practice for the possibility of becoming a NMRA Convention clinician. After all, it seems a bit wasteful if Joe Blow comes up from Sydney just to give the Clinic that he has already given three or four times before at various conventions around the country. He might prefer to learn from Clinics or at least even hear a clinic on his preferred subject but containing the insights from a new or different presenter. As I often think when going into various modeller's homes, I am amazed at the wide range of books in their libraries and surely they must have a lot of information about them or at least know a way of getting that to eager modellers. There are a few modelling ideas that I honestly believe to be "game-changes" in modelling and they come from some of our members.

March 2018

What's the point in sitting on our hands and to see in 5 years time, some great idea presented in the modelling press by an American as his idea and you could have become famous for that yourself much earlier; and maybe not only help you to an AP Award but made a lot of friends in the USA for yourself? One thing you ought to be careful with though, is presenting a great idea or a new way of doing something, and not have all of the necessities covered. Have you left a gap or two in your explanation? Be careful to put your ideas into writing and then ask one of your best mates to go over it with you to ensure that you have covered the subject without any broken lines. Some of the stuff we deal with is complicated ad you might know it well; but think of the poor listener who is eagerly trying to grasp it all and there is one step that isn't fully explained of simply left out. If you are a listener and in an audience to learn something, don't shun a subject just because the title sounds too difficult or even boring. At the Sydney Convention a few years ago, there was a talk by Al Westerfield, then owner of a model freight car manufacturing business. The subject was something like, "Freight car designs to comply with government regulations". Now that sounds like a subject you would run a mile from. But it turned out to be the best Clinic I have ever heard, full of ideas for modellers, reasons why certain things were done, information on aspect to be aware of that make you itch to get into some models and given by one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. And others present, thought the same. You can see just from my description of what happened that this lovely gentleman walks very tall among those who went to that Clinic. You Can't Rely on Memory Many years ago I used to store a lot of information in my biological memory and it was surprising how well it kept once it was summons to the surface. These days as I approach 85 it's not quite as sharp. I know I have a particular item and often I can recall whether it is on the left or the right page and at the top or the bottom. I still see in my mind the details that made me interested in this item. They are not all plans nor electronic articles nor 'how to' articles. Every so often we see in a journal a photo, that roars at you that this should be modelled. The subject makes the nostalgia and the religion of our hobby so compelling. To keep many of these in places where I can find them, back in the late '50's I started an indexed book (address book) in which I made a list in alphabetical order of these treasures that warm the heart of any model railroader. Just the other day I made a promise to myself that I would finish the huge number of models I have half made, and finish them so that they are useful. That is because I plan to collaborate with another member in building a couple of unusual and little modelled freight cars. I need the room. But while cleaning up a space I found that I had started six flat cars to be used as logging cars on my Jamestown Jellico & Ewing RR. The article and plan for these appeared in Model Railroader March 1958 by Paul Larson, one of the best editors that Magazine ever had. I started my subscription with that magazine in January 1958 and still subscribe; so this article appeared in the third magazine I received. Not long after seeing this article and musing about the possibilities, I was in Sydney and picked up a Trains Magazine for February 1959. You would rarely find one of those mags in a Brisbane Newsagent in those days. Fingering through it before I bought, I came across the double-spread photo on pages 38 and 39. It all fitted! March 2018



March 2018

Here was a picture of logging on the Sumpter & Choctaw (Alabama) that screamed to be duplicated on a model railroad. The flat cars were a dead ringer for the ones Paul Larson wrote about a year earlier. A small 2-8-2 has several of these flat cars, some loaded and others still waiting for their load of logs. A rather crude but effective crane is on one of the cars and it is steam driven. Human interest is found in the muscle man with crowbar on a heap of logs on a flat car and also in the engineers seat of the loco. The photo is in monochrome but you can smell the sap and here the noise and feel the occasion. For all of those years from 1959 to 2018 that photo scene has been waiting to be model by me. Ideally, I will put a decoder into one flat car so that I can have a working crane version. Then maybe I just won't have time and I'll be so pleased to have any sort of reasonable model of that freight car and I might find that is enough. About 15 years ago our late member Ross Evans, sent me a photo in colour that is almost the same but from a different area and on a different line and from a different angle. His photo came from a US train calendar and he used to have dozens sent to him each year by wonderful friends in the USA. My long-standing desire was rekindled, and I actually did a little work of the flat cars this week as they represent one of the 15 minute zip-modelling moments I spoke about several years ago. We hear almost endlessly, that the book will disappear and that we will be getting all of our information from a screen. I wonder will we remember where we saw some interesting feature that we would like to model or will there still be a place for books. To those of you looking forward to years of enjoyable modelling, I urge you to buy an address book and index any photo that appeals to you for your future MR plans. The effort in making up your lists is worth it, just for the time it saves you. You don't waste it going through dozens of magazines and other books. That pleasure in itself is a delaying delight. Then there are secondary gains. I often wondered about the relationship of freight car owners to the line of the loco pulling a train. So a ran a little private survey. I went through magazines that I have in my collection and there are hundreds. I looked at photos of freight trains with at least 5 cars behind them. A surveyed what line the cars came from and also the line that the pulling train belonged to. Forget the furphy that you will get mostly home road cars, then a few near road car then others on a typical train. The first possibility might be true if the train being surveyed is only a few miles from its home base but after that, anything seems to go. APOLOGY I'm sorry that this Newsletter is rather late again but I've been spending a lot of time looking and counting the floor tiles in doctors' waiting rooms lately. Hopefully in a month or two that will be over and I'll try and get a better range of articles for this Newsletter and hopefully some great photos to go with it. Finally. A reminder, please ask Arthur how you can help him put on a great convention in September in Queensland.

Sept 21st, 22nd, 23rd --- NMRA Convention --- Helensvale, Gold Coast.


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No details available, from www

March 2018

Teditor ’s comment; The source of the above photo has been lost to time, I originally thought it was Hatfield in England on the 26th December 1870, but am unable to confirm (If anyone has information, please let us know).

On the left, came from www but don’t know where it is, no doubt there would be a very - very - veeeerrrrry Sloooooow! order for it.

Looks like concrete sleepers, obviously not accounted for expansion when laid, one rough ride for sure!

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Bill Waterhouse

March 2018

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Hello Members and friends, It is with deep sympathy that I inform you of the death yesterday morning of Sandra Stevens, wife of our late superintendent, Glenn Stevens. Sandra passed away yesterday morning from complications after an operation to rid her of bowel cancer. Sandra was really one of the 'family' and she did so much to help Glenn during his time as Super. She also did the pockets of our shirts, the insignia on the drop curtain for the display layout and dozens of other jobs for which she was very skilled and Glenn and the rest of us weren't. Sandra will also be remembered for her almost constant smile and good nature at NMRA meetings and functions.

Ian Venables.

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Hi Ted, Thanks very much for continuing to keep me in the loop with Train Talk. I really enjoy reading each issue. I was particularly taken with two items in the February issue. One was your observation about the ridiculous cost of postage for items out of the U.S. which makes it unviable to buy spares and so on. I have found a similar problem when I want to buy spares or parts from Trix, for example, in Germany where the postage is so high I have to live with non-working trains as a result. Not sure what can be done about this as some things cannot be found on the web at reasonable prices. The other item I really liked in the newsletter was Teditor's Tales - I very much enjoyed reading your early adventures and looking through the photos!

Bryan Howieson

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Male definition of Change After 10 years, the wife started to think their kid looked kinda strange so she decided to do a DNA test. She found out the child was actually from completely different parents. Wife: “Honey, I have something very serious to tell you.” Husband: “What's up?” Wife: “According to DNA test results, this is not our kid.” Husband: “Well you don't remember, do you. When we were leaving the hospital, we noticed our baby had pooped. Then you said: Please go change the baby; I'll wait for you here. So I went inside, got a clean one and left the dirty one there.”

Moral: Never give a man a job that doesn't belong to him.

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THIS COMING EVENTS LISTING IS PRESENTED AS ACCURATELY AS KNOWN AT THE TIME OF PRINTING, IF YOU WISH TO CONFIRM ANY DETAILS AND/OR HAVE ANY OTHER EVENTS FOR LISTING, PLEASE SEND THE INFORMATION TO THE CLUB EMAIL ADDRESS - [email protected]

PLEASE ADVISE ANY ERRORS.

NOTE: Saturday afternoons at the showgrounds from 2pm, unless notified otherwise. Wednesday afternoons from 1pm till 4pm.

ALL EVENTS SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION

* *Indicates limited access at the Showgrounds

April 9th t Street, Committee Meeting. McDonald’s Margare 7.30pm. &11th TMRC Inc. Running Day at the clubrooms 2pm on.* 12-13-14 Toowoomba Heritage Royal Show. 21st TMRC Inc. Running Day at the clubrooms 2pm on.May Committee Meeting. McDonald’s Margare 7.30pm.7th t Street, 12-13 Brisbane Model Train Show 28th t Street, Committee Meeting. McDonald’s Margare 7.30pm.June 2-3 Toowoomba Model Trains & Hobby Expo

March 2018

When this locomotive goes over a railway crossing, does it give new meaning to ZEBRA CROSSING?

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March 2018

March 2018

Documents

March 2018 Volume … Talk Vol 29, issue 321... · 7 4AK/4WK Toowoomba 39 Southern Rail Models Toowoomba Model Railway Club Inc. All correspondence mailed to: TMRC Inc. PO Box 883