tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57739134591609612932024-02-06T20:45:47.132-08:00Liralau - Modelling the V&SA RailwaysPeter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-81643952488753659522012-03-20T15:52:00.002-07:002012-03-20T15:56:51.168-07:00Project 620 - the other one...<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6989476349_39822371c2_z.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 428px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6989476349_39822371c2_z.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />While i'd been working on my model of preserved 621, i've also had a second loco on go at the same time. This one for my brother's birthday present. He wanted a black 620 with red lining (as per 624 preserved at the National Railway Museum)... so this naturally jumped the queue in order to get it finished for mid march.<br /><br />I'll provide the details later on, but an overview is as follows:<br /><br />Body - styrene, RRM 720 class Polyurethane cab (with staff exchangers cut out), brass.<br />Chassis - heavily kitbashed Mehano USRA light pacific frames (centres cut and shut to be correct), Mehano kitbashed trailing and pony truck (both fitted with SEM wheels), Romford 19mm drivers, High-Levels gear box and Mashima motor<br />Tender: Heavily cut and shut RRM 720 class tender, SEM bogies, scratchbuilt underframe, RRM marker lights, Model etch air hoses and 710 class tender ladder.Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-73229783458705804622012-03-05T14:32:00.004-08:002012-03-05T14:51:43.094-08:00Project 620This has been one of those idea's i'd had floating around in the back of my head for several years now, but was always dropped into the "too hard basket".<br /><br />For some reason (maybe an act of madness), I finally decided to get stuck into building an SAR 620 class light pacific. Now, unfortunatley there's no RTR chassis (that i'm aware of anyway) that had the right wheelbase and driver size for the 620, however the old Mehano USRA light pacific (later IHC) was "that close" with wheel spacings about 3mm too far apart - nothing a bit of surgery couldn't fix. More on that later.<br /><br />I started work on the superstructure first - the lads at Rocky River Models kindly provided me a 720 class cab, two 720 class tender bodies, some marker lights, smoke box door and water treatment equipment castings (Thanks Stu and Peter). The body quickly took shape over a period of three weekends - working in styrene actually made this process easier.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/6861903637_6cf3e52c4d_z.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 428px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/6861903637_6cf3e52c4d_z.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>The loco body takes shape</em><br /><br />Fast forward a few weeks, and the mechanism had been fitted, and is in the process of having the unique baker valve gear assembled.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6955149551_4d3c995f48_z.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 428px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6955149551_4d3c995f48_z.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Having managed to get rid of a slight bind that was annoying the say the least, the drivers side valve gear is almost complete - just have to fabricate the gear hanger, to enable me to add the eccentric crank and rods.<br /><br />More to follow.Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-91840978238639560252012-02-04T01:12:00.002-08:002012-02-04T01:20:45.661-08:00OBF Kits Now AvailableHi All,<br />As alluded to in previous blog posts, my Brother has been working on a kit of the Fabricated OBF 4 wheeled wagon.<br /><br />The polyurethane kit includes decals, Model Etch brass shunters steps, Model Etch brass handbrake, K&M wheelsets and brass top hat bearings - all of this for $40 AUD. If anyone is interested, contact Nick at sarail507 AT gmail DOT com<br /><br />Below is a shot of the sample kit I assembled a few months ago - the castings are far better quality now, having been cast by the team from Rocky River Models who were kind enough to look after the casting, as they had access to a vacuum tank.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsj-mgPMI2IQ9VMSfoSWD325eddJcLtOw1d4wiriQLfI5TOY4q68aJt4fZx0x7Y2GuAvSRXEYTSTH4vF9QqS3r8c6DEKvLCHZmPB5TavdLxUSVVjpN-Q7tvVgWyqrwEzihKbd9MTqXfoA/s1600/OBF+Sample.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsj-mgPMI2IQ9VMSfoSWD325eddJcLtOw1d4wiriQLfI5TOY4q68aJt4fZx0x7Y2GuAvSRXEYTSTH4vF9QqS3r8c6DEKvLCHZmPB5TavdLxUSVVjpN-Q7tvVgWyqrwEzihKbd9MTqXfoA/s320/OBF+Sample.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705207760604284194" /></a>Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-88071127017178214112011-11-28T14:29:00.000-08:002011-11-28T14:53:07.983-08:00Building the Strath Hobbies 500 class: Part 2<a href="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6038/6317947706_10dd5c2e85_z.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 428px;" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6038/6317947706_10dd5c2e85_z.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />The next major component to adjust was the polyurethane casting that forms the nose and roof of the long hood. Nothing too difficult here, basically the roof profile is far too flat - but some time with some course-grade sandpaper fixes this quite easily - realistically I should have filed off all the detail cast onto the roof, and replicated it on the re-profiled roof using styrene strip, but having adjusted the radius of the curved sides, this improved its appearance and was good enough. I then drilled out the A end marker lights with a 2mm bit, and then using a cutting disk in the dremel, removed the inner polyurethane walls which have to removed anyway to allow the mechanism to fit.<br /><br />Once happy with the fit, the nose/hood casting was epoxied into place. <br /><br />Then it was onto detailing - A set of associated distributors dual-armed windscreen wipers were purchased, and cut in half, providing sufficient windscreen wipers and rear-vision mirrors for one loco - these were soldered into place. Some small model etch lashing rings were then prepared, primed and painted with Floquil Caboose Red and then fitted to the top of the hood casting to represent lift rings. The whitemetal horns and cab vents were then fitted out and soldered/epoxied into place on the cab roof.<br /><br />The exhaust stack (the angled type) was then filed to shape (out of the box, it looks like a block of balsa) and epoxied into place.<br /><br />Then it was onto the handrails - theres a fret of the front and rear handrails, as well as a packet of stainless steel handrail knobs for the hood sides - sone .8mm holes were drilled into the side of the hood, knobs glued in and then a length of brass wire inserted through the lot - theres some 18 knobs on each side here, so this takes some time.<br /><br />Then the hood door handles were drilled out and lengths of brass wire fabricated to represent the handles - these were then soldered from the inside of the hood to secure. <br /><br />The cab handrails were then added, before the very last step of soldering the runningboard handrails onto each pilot (in retrospect, this would have been better to do post painting, as applying the decals became a real problem). <br /><br />Once complete, the body was then washed in warm soapy water and left to air dry overnight. The body was then primed and sprayed all over Floquil Caboose Red. Once dry the hood, pilots and cab were masked off, and the runningboards sprayed with Floquil Engine Black. <br /><br />Once dry, the body was then given an all-over coat of gloss clear coat and decals applied (this was an all-dayer). After many applications of solvaset, the loco was left to dry, before a coat of testors dullcote was applied.<br /><br />This then allowed me to start on the mechanism. The mech was a Proto2000 S1 mechanism, which had the top weight removed, and the lower running boards filled down by some .5mm to reduce its overall height. The fuel tank was ground off with the trusty dremel and the polyurethane casting expoxied into place. As I was very unhappy with the appearance of the bogie sideframes (they look like shortened Lima C38 class tender bogie sideframes), I manufactured a set of masters for some better looking sideframes with the correct distance between axle boxes for the S1 mechanism. These were then cast by my brother Nick. <br /><br />These were then fitted to the mechanism and the whole lot given a liberal coat of Floquil Engine Black. A TCS M1 decoder was then fitted and the lighting fitted. I had to make my own coupler boxes using a rather crude styrene and spring steel wire contraption to keep the couplers at a realistic height and ensure no part of the coupler box was protruding from the pilot. <br /><br />Then once assembled, the whole loco was given a liberal coat of weathering, and the cab was glazed, crew fitted and cab blinds installed. Then it was off to the test track!Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-10009561620871973682011-10-25T20:13:00.000-07:002011-10-25T20:29:14.312-07:0012 years of difference...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUPeXa4fBd5z4oZJQje_mrNLkGvlk0qs7RW6qXRC55o9sGHfKB1lVNfGlWSk3lhzbEHZtEq7AXFctu5VGPV9KNcVnFoTAqQ-Tz3WmB7Iz66qLU5X8fk5T8OKpi2SCFgu-6mw8iipNv7lx/s1600/DSCF5330.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUPeXa4fBd5z4oZJQje_mrNLkGvlk0qs7RW6qXRC55o9sGHfKB1lVNfGlWSk3lhzbEHZtEq7AXFctu5VGPV9KNcVnFoTAqQ-Tz3WmB7Iz66qLU5X8fk5T8OKpi2SCFgu-6mw8iipNv7lx/s320/DSCF5330.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667636636692445826" /></a><br />First of all, part 2 of the 500 class construction saga will continue in a later post.<br /><br />Last night, I took the near complete Strath Hobbies 500 class loco to my brothers layout for a bit of a show and tell, and while I was there, he produced the first 500 I built way back in 1999 (I was in year 7 at primary school) - this was a balsa body which rode on two unpowered Athearn Budd car bogies - at the time, I was very impressed with my work and now moreso, as Given I was 12, it scales remarkably well in the major dimensions, which was suprising. <br /><br />The new 500 (516) is a brass, whitemetal and polyurethane composite kit from Strath Hobbies, riding on a heavily modified Proto 2000 S1 mechanism. <br /><br />516 still has a fair way to go in order to be complete, but most of the hard yards are now complete - fitting of a decoder, lighting and fitting couplers still remain - the coupler issue still giving me some grief, as not even a #33 coupler box is small enough to fit between the pilot and the bogie...any ideas would be appreciated!<br /><br />Sometimes its a nice reminder to see where we've come from as modellers, and gives a bit of perspective when critiquing our latest builds!<br /><br />PetePeter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-85175246145286618862011-09-27T17:39:00.000-07:002011-09-27T18:03:23.761-07:00Building the Strath Hobbies 500 class: Part 1This will be a brief description of the construction of the Strath Hobbies 500 class kit, available through End of the Line Hobbies (Victor Harbor, SA).<br /><br />To start with, purchased a body-only kit as I already had an old Life Like Proto 2000 SW1 mechanism that was dying for some use, having been stored since 2004. The body only kit retails for $250, while the full kit (with a Hollywood Foundry mech) retails for around the $500 mark.<br /><br />I was visiting my brother's layout "<a href="http://tookayertamr.blogspot.com/">Tookayerta</a>" when it was suggested that a 500 class shunter would be an ideal candidate to shunt the industrial sidings on the "to be built" section of his layout. To my suprise, Nick pulled out a A0 sized general arrangement drawing of a said loco, and then comparisons were made between the drawing and photos posted on the Model Etch website of a built Strath Hobbies 500.<br /><br />I then decided, that there could be a number of alterations made to the kit to make it better represent the prototype.<br /><br />The problems outlined were easily fixed - these being:<br />- Roof profile incorrect<br />- Bogie sideframes too high and too short<br />- Lack of general pilot detail<br />- Cab roof issues<br />- Exhaust stacks incorrectly shaped<br /><br />So, off the Victor Harbor I went and purchased a kit. On opening the box, you get a number of brass etches for the hood sides, footplate, pilots, steps, end handrails, cab and a pre-formed cab roof. A bag of whitemetal sideframes, air cylinders, horns, air vents, and two types of exhaust stacks. Then there are also polyurethane castings for the fuel tank and hood roof and nose. A seperate envelope is included which protects the decal sheet for the SAR/ANR Red/Yellow livery - if you want the AN version, End of the Line can supply them. <br /><br />I also purchased extra detail parts in the form of Associated Distributors single armed windscreen wipers (and mirrors) and Model Etch lost wax air hoses. <br /><br />As seems to be a common problem with the Strath kits, the instructions leave a little to be desired - but there are some relatively decent resolution colour photos of a completed model included, so it makes life a little easier - the photos were kept, while the instructions were discarded.<br /><br />The footplate folds up quite easily, with the etched pilots then being sweated onto the tabs at each end of the footplate. Then the steps are folded up and soldered together - care needs to be taken here, as the A end steps are slightly longer than the B end steps. <br /><br />Then the cab was folded into a box and tacked into place with solder - there are some small tabs on the bottom of most parts which fit into slots etched into the footplate - a great idea as it keeps things square (sad I only noticed these after filing a heap of them off!). Once square, I then soldered the cab into place. <br /><br />Next was the cab roof - this was a two hour job to get sitting square, but with a huge ammount of solder, flux,swearing, patience and burned finger tips (not neccessarily in that order), the roof was fitted and cleaned up using various files, dremel disks and sand paper.<br /><br />Then it was onto the hood sides - there is a very thin etch with the grilles and various vents - now the kit supplies the air intake vents fitted with later era paper air filters, which if you are modelling a loco from between introduction and the mid 80's you might want to replace the grilles with some fine brass mesh. These needs to be sweated onto the back of the hood etches. Once these are fitted, solder the hood sides to the footplate. Now go and have a beer and relax for a while. <br /><br />I'll leave it here until the next installment...Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-47170565465858174032011-09-13T16:46:00.000-07:002011-09-13T17:09:21.909-07:00Liralau loco - reconstruction well underway and other bits and pieces<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCIKlNp4YE_n0NojcwuqzY04P4ZVsW8s1bsu43Zfw8Ek_G1NMxEyIQLhhIkpULTTuhXWkuMhQkchqzG9-OIceqBRAT5J9uobUKrQFDXb_7R-onl3cwQpFF2RPpYV_HDwwKqfcJ3ZHYYMK/s1600/IMAG0198.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCIKlNp4YE_n0NojcwuqzY04P4ZVsW8s1bsu43Zfw8Ek_G1NMxEyIQLhhIkpULTTuhXWkuMhQkchqzG9-OIceqBRAT5J9uobUKrQFDXb_7R-onl3cwQpFF2RPpYV_HDwwKqfcJ3ZHYYMK/s320/IMAG0198.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652000134211054450" /></a><br />Hi All,<br />It certainly has been some time since this blog has been updated - with layout time being greatly reduced by time spent on the south coast with SteamRanger and various other 'home duties' that keep getting in the way, as well as time spent preparing the rapid prototyped masters for my brothers upcoming second version 8300 brakevans - keep an eye on the various web forums for more information - the standard gauge varients and CGP class vans will follow once the orginal version is complete.<br /><br />A month or so ago, a brief moment of insantity saw me remove most trackwork on the depot modules in order for me to begin their well overdue rebuild - remembering these are the last two of the original modules which had not been relaid during the major rebuild of 2009/2010. Consequently the trackwork was pretty average to say the least, resulting in numerous derailments on badly aligned rail joins, as well as basically rendering the road to the turntable useless by having it situated too close to the mainline, meaning any loco stabled here would be side-swipped by any passing train.<br /><br />The depot yard arrangement has been changed to allow greater flexibility - a headshunt is now provided, the turntable road now re-slewed away from the mainline and a way and works siding added (this will not be fitted with a powered point motor, as it is really only for looks). <br /><br />On Wednesday evening, I fitted the point motors, however after securing one, murphy came out to play (damn him!) and one of the point control wires snapped (probably a result of trying to straighten it out) just low enough to ensure as the point was thrown, it would slip out of the hole in the tiebar. My solution was to take a short length of 2.5mm dia. K&S brass tube, heat it with a blow torch and then push it through the tiebar (melting as it went). This gave me an extra 3mm of length on the underside of the point, which will mean theres no way that wire can ever come out (unless it snaps off at the servo itself).<br /><br />On Sunday afternoon, all wiring was completed and the first ground cover applied - basically a dirt-covered yard covering the turntable road and diesel loco servicing facilities. Now this has had time to dry, I will start weathering the ground prior to installation of structures etc - those structures in the above photo have been temporarily placed into position, and may yet be completely replaced.<br /><br />Onto other matters:<br /><br />Last Saturday was the annual Modelling the Railways of South Australia convention - as always a great variety of quality presentations were provided, as was an excellent display of participants models. Of note was Gavin Thrum's beautiful model of light pacific No. 621 (apparently his first ever loco scratchbuild).<br /><br />A talk was presented on the Penfield Branch - now this would be a perfect exhibition layout for anyone wanting a small(ish) layout, with plenty of shunting posibilities and a regular railcar services..a good layout diagram was provided, but could also be modified into an "around the walls" shelf layout - I'm considering building a small shelf layout in the workshop based on this idea (maybe in a year of so).<br /><br />The Superchook power car saga has also come to an end, with the cars now back operational - Brian Woods of Junction Models kindly provided two new axles and gears for the spud unit, which didn't initially cure the problem, which was later traced to a slipping worm gear on the motor - a drop of loctite cured that!<br /><br />Anyway, Until next time - happy modelling!Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-83737071202937910422011-07-03T17:54:00.000-07:002011-07-03T18:05:22.939-07:00Progress post AMREThere's been a little progress since the Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition last month. The layout is now back up and running at home, with my loco storage facility now under construction. This depot is mounted between the front modules and the rear set up tracks (which doubles as a second yard when at home). <br /><br />The centre of this module being a Walthers 90' Turntable which has been 'Australianised'. Unfortunatley, there have been a few headaches getting the table to perform as well as was expected, which having read several US forums, isn't a suprise - thus why Walthers now release it as a DCC ready "built up" with indexing etc.<br /><br />The main issue being that the table bridge itself has alot of play when in position, to the point that any loco entering it, will most likely derail as the table can move left to right. I'm thinking about installing some sort of solenoid to secure a locking pin (similar to the prototype) to prevent the bridge moving. <br /><br />Motor control is temporarily via an ancient "Power Mite" controller (possibly from my first train set some 23 years ago) - its certainly showing its age and its performance is average at best. I intend to replace the controller with a TCS T1 decoder for motor control and a return loop controller to control bridge power. <br /><br />Given nothings been wired of sceniced yet, all track has been tacked into position so that I can adjust/remove the turnable from its hole in the baseboard while it is tweaked. <br /><br />Once i've finished this section of the layout, work will then focus on rebuilding Liralau's loco servicing facilites, with a new track arrangement, relaid mainline and passing loop, and a scenery update - as this was the last section of the "original" layout to have been rebuilt - to me this section is now the most embarrasing section of the whole layout, so its certainly time to do something about it. I intend to get this done over the next few months.Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-84991466371838845532011-06-13T04:15:00.000-07:002011-06-13T05:04:42.308-07:00Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition over for another yearLiralau had its last outing for the year (quiet year this year) at the Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition this weekend.<br /><br />Having completed wiring the new setup tracks last Wednesday night, i'm glad to say the layout performed flawlessly - which made my weekend enjoyable as for a change I didn't have to spend the whole weekend under the layout or behind it trying it keep trains on the move. I would like to thank my crew for yet another great weekend - my brother Nick, Pete Semmel (who came from Melbourne for the weekend again), Ash Bennett, Brad Turner and my long suffering partner Sarah for putting up with the mayhem prior to the show (again).<br /><br />There was alot of fun had this year (probably helped by the fact that Allan and Dwayne (running Stewarts) were next door), and we had the innaugural appearance of the "little man in blue" who brought the planking craze to the exhibition - all in the name of fun - he also appeared to become a little randy at times, taking a liking to the cows and sheep (where comments were made - something to do with modelling the New Zealand railways), not only on our layout, but also Paradigm, Stewarts and Florey Springs. <br /><br />The dinner on Sunday night was also an enjoyable social aspect of the show which keeps us coming back year after year.<br /><br />Now onto my favourite hate...<br /><br />Once the layout was put to bed, dog fed, dinner prepared and eaten, I sat down to review some photos of the weekend, and see what people thought of the exhibition - reading a few of the various forums, yet again, there have been many comments made regarding the usual "same old" layouts turning up year after year. Well, perhaps its time for these folk to "put up or shut up", Adelaide only has a reasonably small modelling community, and of that small modelling community, theres only a small ammount of people who have the ability to build, maintain and exhibit a model railway layout.<br /><br />Its interesting to watch these forums, particuarly with the "armchair experts" who feel they have "seen it all before" and therefore deserve a show with new layouts every year. Well, let me tell you something - each year, I throw a few thousand dollars at the layout to keep it running, and its not always that the changes are evident to the casual observer. For example, new stationary decoders, point motors, re-wiring, re-laying track etc - I had a number of punters come up to me over the weekend and ask "is anything new?", my answer being "yes, we've rebuilt the rear staging tracks" - at which they mumbled about the show being a "waste of money" and wonder off. I don't know about anyone else, but I certainly can't afford to build a brand new layout each year (don't get me wrong, i'd love to though - and plans still exist for Liralau's eventual replacement layout deep in the back of my mind). <br /><br />I don't want this to tarnish my enjoyment of the weekend (or peoples opinions of me, as a member of the modelling community) but I feel it is important to voice the exhibitors side of the arguement for a change.<br /><br />I'll put some photos online soon,<br />Until then, happy modelling!Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-59375848226057222082011-05-25T17:39:00.000-07:002011-05-25T17:53:00.697-07:00New setup tracksWith the Adelaide Model Railway Show fast approaching, work has quickened on rebuilding the setup tracks for Liralau - this time, they've been built like the proverbial brick sh*t house, they are damn heavy, but should last for many years without bowing.I'd rather over engineer them, than have them bow and have to start over next year.<br /><br />Sarah's given the completed modules a coat of paint to seal them, and to blend them into the rest of the layout, now it actually looks finished out the back.<br /><br />Last night track laying began in earnest, with the join behind the pub being re-laid (again) - still needs some work, but the Auscision B class that always gave trouble traversed it with ease. Even with the gaps cut into the rail for the module join, so far so good. We've now gone from 2 1/2 roads on the set up tracks to four, with loco and railcar/railmotor sidings at each end, i've also been able to ease the radius slightly on the end curves and also ease the kink that used to exist at each end of the yard.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIHP5aVzIJBclPi5hDR9L9ISz2zywo0WFef63CjWOawpO06s1tT4kqvQqmfnqX9_Lgn62HXEFk71hmKPpfYOXLsbwb932fC6TIUbla1ELghy5hLtckRHOBEQ6RGDNoL_7hirm65c4Q-JT/s1600/eastern+yard+throat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIHP5aVzIJBclPi5hDR9L9ISz2zywo0WFef63CjWOawpO06s1tT4kqvQqmfnqX9_Lgn62HXEFk71hmKPpfYOXLsbwb932fC6TIUbla1ELghy5hLtckRHOBEQ6RGDNoL_7hirm65c4Q-JT/s320/eastern+yard+throat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610821376987473010" /></a><br />The yard is being laid with a mixture of Peco code 100 and 75 points (shimmed to match the rail height of the code 100 points) and Peco code 100 streamline flex (I can't believe it was cheaper than the Atlas equivalent) - by the time the yards complete, there should be over 20 metres of standing room on those sidings - enough room to have the full Overland in the yard without fouling any of the other roads.Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-70991155267449454152011-05-17T17:27:00.000-07:002011-05-17T17:31:34.150-07:00SuperchooksFollowing on from my earlier post regarding Railshow, one of our operators- Brad Turner, provided me this photo of my two car superchook set 2301-2302 pausing momentarily at Liralau station while on tour.<br /><br />Unfortunatley, the spud has a split gear which caused some running problems - i'm hoping to have a replacement power bogie shortly.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5682529406_ca3c4cb55d.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5682529406_ca3c4cb55d.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-3342198126913066312011-04-18T17:20:00.001-07:002011-04-18T17:23:13.351-07:00SARMA's Railshow 2011Last weekend, saw Liralau exhibited for the first time for 2011, at the South Australian Railway Modellers' Association's Railshow 2011, held at The Tea Tree Gully Arts and Recreation Centre, which was a great venue - not only because it is approximately 4 and a half minutes drive from our new home, but it also is a relativley modern venue with floors that are dead flat - fantastic for those of us trying to get their layouts level. This show is one of the best in the state and Iain does a great job keeping us all in order and under control. <br /><br />Unfortunatley, this show also highlighted that the set up tracks have long passed their use-by date, and will need to be completely rebuilt from scratch prior to the layouts next showing in June at the Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition, at Greyhound Park. Much grief was caused by these now badly warped and twisted set up tracks, which had been a minor problem at home, but caused major problems at the show - perhaps it was a case of one exhibition too many. Drawings are currently being prepared now, if anyone has been here before and can offer any pearls of wisdom, please comment below, as i'd appreciate some ideas. <br /><br />The good news however is that the 2009/2010 rebuilt sceniced section of the layout performed flawlessly for the whole weekend - with the exception of one failed point motor that was replaced on the evening before the show which caused some trouble on Friday night - this was subsequently traced to a self-tapping screw head used to mount the motor and associated bracket to the underside of the trackbed being about 1/8" too thick and causing the arm fitted to the motor to get caught. Some quick work with the dremel fixed this quite quickly, and we didn't have a problem with it for the rest of the show. I should also take this opportunity to thank Gerry from TimeSaver Layouts for his prompt assistance in getting the replacement point motor in the mail, and having it in time to replace it last Thursday night. <br /><br />The show was also the first time John Eassie had brought Austrains to Adelaide since 1999, so a third series X class #X47 was aquired - I've been trying to aquire a 3rd series X class in traditional VR Blue and Gold livery for some time, so I was very pleased when I saw one at his stall amongst the QRN liveried units - sadly there were no V/Line or VR units however in the "junk box" on special, but who am I to complain, i've finally got the loco to share haulage of my Overland set with my Traino AN green signle ended 930. <br /><br />The well documented build of my two car STA 2300 class "Superchook" set came to a close on Saturday, when the pair finally entered service after a 7 month build process. I am extremely happy with them, and am now looking to commence work on assembling the 2500 class trailer to go between the pair. I just need to replace a split gear on the leading axle of the Tenshodo spud. <br /><br />So, now with 8 metres of set up tracks to assemble, I am going to have my work cut out for me over the next month or so, but this will hopefully make our lives alot easier in the long run. <br /><br />Keep an eye on this blog for further updates. <br />PetePeter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-24874935924230357282011-02-15T15:13:00.001-08:002011-02-15T15:43:13.100-08:00A new year, a new house and most importantly...a new train room!First of all, happy new year to all of my followers. <div><div><div><br /><br /><div>The new year break was extremely busy with a week spent in Melbourne - whi<a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5329507957_b1271d1d4a.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 336px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5329507957_b1271d1d4a.jpg" /></a>ch was made better by the fact that our Red Premium seats on the Overland were paid for by GSR as thanks for me allowing them to use some of my photos to advertise this years Southern Spirit tour programme - and amazingly, they were found from this blog!</div><br /><br /><div>The Melbourne trip involved alot of train travel, with a trip to Geelong behind N457, a V/Locity trip to Ballarat and of course a trip to Belgrave on Puffing Billy - photos of this trip can be found on my flickr page (<a href="http://flickr.com/sarail2009">http://flickr.com/sarail2009</a>). I also had the pleasure of viewing Seymour Rail Heritage Centre's "Fireworks Express" at Southern Cross station on New Years Eve, hauled by restored heritage EMD's B74 and S303 - along with the societies collection of restored Spirit of Progress S cars, and the Parlor car on the rear.</div><br /><br /><div>On our return to Adelaide, we moved into our new home in the North-Eastern suburbs of Adelaide, and have subsequently spent the last month and a half fixing those things that Sarah continually finds! But, now there is a big but here... I do finally have a layout room and attached workshop - or is that a layout room, workshop and attached house?</div><br /><br /><div>Liralau was set up once we'd settled in, so without further ado, here's a couple of pics of the new room following fit out - all I need now is an air conditioner out there and it will be very comfortable at any time of the year.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxJMjP4mXSlAUUIsX-bg6eKYh09qaMpxcmUG2Pw7r_f0iibMNi5hzaF2_JU6NHaxShwiu2NEZ-N8pWo8KTkWAZxGQgX88VQdx1RQQqWhFmxyHo_B2q_upypDUF5ZftXKoj-Qtm_J-50qS/s1600/23012011144.jpg"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNAxuhcNUlse7gSASchWWIc9CNz_uoB3WE3pXuAu9tZRYboulWlm5DD_GlgtK-3nSpJ29f5uxVRCjraVNkdvp6qOQivvGvonwd9KEHR4zorfNJhwmVUwEFP3Ht8jg-9nizFb4mvOM-vEM/s1600/26012011145.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574061650825974594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNAxuhcNUlse7gSASchWWIc9CNz_uoB3WE3pXuAu9tZRYboulWlm5DD_GlgtK-3nSpJ29f5uxVRCjraVNkdvp6qOQivvGvonwd9KEHR4zorfNJhwmVUwEFP3Ht8jg-9nizFb4mvOM-vEM/s320/26012011145.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5r3DYliRfhbtLm7Jjv5EGAfFrEWjXMuy3q4jqAXMVImaxlCJDR9eUiPy1p1V9ulsa93YlhDFaLNIf7rD083WAOCapqsAsLNp8TSHrEna-5BTavpIq4PP_jS8McxDJ54XSA8IEpAO-Upd/s1600/23012011144.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574061523222897250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5r3DYliRfhbtLm7Jjv5EGAfFrEWjXMuy3q4jqAXMVImaxlCJDR9eUiPy1p1V9ulsa93YlhDFaLNIf7rD083WAOCapqsAsLNp8TSHrEna-5BTavpIq4PP_jS8McxDJ54XSA8IEpAO-Upd/s320/23012011144.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div>Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-25767950820571706492010-10-11T22:48:00.000-07:002010-10-11T22:59:58.817-07:00Liralau's exhibition 2010 exhibition season overWell, I think we can all say that the Noarlunga exhibition is one of the best run exhibitions around. The team of organisers know exactly what's going on and put on yet another good weekend.<br /><br />Liralau didn't fair too badly either - picking up "Best Display" for the second NMRI show in a row. I'm not sure how we went in the public vote, but evidently, our peers appreciated our work, which is always a nice ego boost!<br /><br />There has been a Walthers 90' turntable purchased, which will hopefully be incorporated into a working locomotive depot module (for home use, not exhibitions) some time in the future. A quick look at it, shows it looking quite similar to the SAR 85' electric turntable - it will be interesting to see what it looks like once its been painted oxide red. A two car SAR 300 class redhen set has also been purchased for conversion to the Superchook set (a one-off 300 class refurbishment which was a failure) - and after seeing Ian Wade's LokSound equipped 400 class hen, it might be our first sound equipped model.<br /><br />So, after three shows in 2010, we can look at the work that will need to be undertaken over the layouts summer siesta. The main concern for all of us was the rear staging tracks, all of which are suffering and will need to be not only relaid, but the baseboards scrapped and replacements made. The Saturday of the exhibition showed very few faults, but the Sunday however dawned with a nice buckled join behind the pub - its always the worst spot isn't it?? The curves joining the staging yard to the sceniced section of the layout have a bow through the baseboards which will need to be replaced - not that i'm particuarly worried, as this gives me the excuse I needed to increase the number of roads in the staging yard from 2 1/2 tracks to 5 tracks, which once fitted with power operated points, should make for far more varied operations out the front.<br /><br />With Sarah and I now hunting for our first home, here's hoping that 2011 will Liralau a new home, where it can be set up and left up - allowing us to actually use it for more than a few days a year!Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-61471985711736985612010-09-05T23:18:00.000-07:002010-09-05T23:36:11.269-07:00The Rocky River Models 720 class<div><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4959875278_d08fe4ae1b.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 325px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4959875278_d08fe4ae1b.jpg" /></a> Well, a post or so ago I mentioned I had picked up an IHC mechanism to eventually fit under the Rocky River Models 720 class body kit.<br /><br /><div>Having paid all my bills, and having enough spare cash, meant I could order, and thanks to David Vanderlinden, my kit was fast tracked (pardon the pun), in order to have it finished for this weekends Modelling the Railways of South Australia Convention. These kits are a relaitively simple affair made up of a polyurethane boiler/cab casting, a tender tank, oil tank, various castings for the water treatment equipment, tender underframe, bogie bolsters, bogie sideframes, booster truck and pony truck.</div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4959873106_f715dde723.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4959873106_f715dde723.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The purchaser needs to purchase some wheels for the booster and tender bogies, a mechanism and any other detail parts he/she wishes to install - all good.</div><br /><div>So, I started the kit on a Wednesday evening at SARMA (this was simply cleaning up the boiler/cab castings), and then Sarah mentioned she had a heap of study to do (she's doing her post grad in Religious education...somewhat lost on me, but certainly going to help her in the long run), which meant I had a whole day of modelling time available. So at 10am on the Saturday morning I sat down to work - by 7pm, the loco was sitting on my bench, ready for paint.</div><br /><div>I hit it with a coat of 70:30 Steam Era Etch Black/Etch Grey and picked out the bufferbeams in Floquil Oxide Red (for a weathered effect). These loco's weren't really looked after particuarly well in real life, so I wanted to go for a well weathered look.<br /></div><div>I then spent last week weathering the loco - it looks well worn now, and will look great hauling a rake of centenary cars around the place, when I need a change from VR stuff.</div><br /><div>All it needs now is a decoder, which I couldn't source, so I am waiting on the next batch of TCS decoders to arrive at my local hobby shop - suffice to say I converted a module back to DC operation for the purposes of test running it - which it did quite well!</div><br />It was then fitted with jewel marker light lenses and a LED headlight - all of which look fantastic - all in all a great kit, and one thats certainly enjoyable as it doesn't months of pain to get it on the track!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-86971124587374082572010-07-05T18:31:00.001-07:002010-07-05T18:49:56.884-07:00Piccies of the layout - Post Rebuild<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2731/4421649091_39e1b0333c.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 318px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2731/4421649091_39e1b0333c.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Beautifully built and weathered Steam Era Models J class J532 pulls up alongside the water column in Liralau platform. This loco was kindly leant to me by a member of CMRC for the duration of the show<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4422423974_805eab02d2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 317px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4422423974_805eab02d2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Y131 passes Liralau signal box while shunting a rake of hoppers through the silos. This loco was fitted with sound, and was very kindly leant to me by one of the members of CMRC. Healesville March 2010<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4702600255_8e2b29e0c8.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 318px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4702600255_8e2b29e0c8.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br />On display at the 2010 Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4393993337_d2faba3b95.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 323px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4393993337_d2faba3b95.jpg" /></a>My scratchbuilt model of H220 'Heavy Harry' passes S312 near Liralau loco during one of our shake down running sessions prior to Healesville. March 2010.</div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4394762320_d7038c4b02.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 244px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 350px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4394762320_d7038c4b02.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>All lit up and ready to roll - the night before being packed into the van for the trip to Healesville.</div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/4611030865_81e54f14bb.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 344px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/4611030865_81e54f14bb.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>S312 and A73 leave Liralau with a pass for Melbourne.</div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /> </div></div>Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-41690773297288277102010-07-04T17:21:00.000-07:002010-07-04T17:53:14.750-07:00A long time between postsIts been a hectic few months, with the layout having its first showing at the Yarra Valley Tourist Railway/Croydon Model Railway Club joint exhibition at Healesville over the Adelaide Cup/Labor Day long weekend in March. Much to my relief the layout ran incredibly well, particuarly given it was the first time the layout had been up on level ground.<br /><br />The boys from Croydon MRC really made Sarah and I feel welcome - it was a great show, and we'd love to have the layout there again. At this point, one Victorian exhibition a year is about our limit.<br /><br />The layouts first showing in South Australia since rebuild was at the Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition - while successful, it highlighted a couple of issues that will need to be rectified before the Noarlunga Exhibition in October.<br /><br /><br />I finally completed another Overland car - this time an AJ class sitting car, with a new PCO van (to match the Lima Aurora car converts) also under way. A BGB Models CD Van has been aquired and will be used as SCD2, which was the spare car allocated to the Overland to replace a CO if one of the two baggage vans were out of service.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4737449123_82653d5dc4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 341px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4737449123_82653d5dc4.jpg" /></a><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4737449123_82653d5dc4.jpg"></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Other noticeable milestones included the completion of my first brass/whitemetal steam locomotive kit - the SAR Model Co SAR F Class Suburban 4-6-2T. I fitted this model with the Model Design Studio replacement chassis and 30:1 gear box, and a Lenz Silver Mini DCC Decoder, which fitted perfectly between the frames, meaning the chassis is now completely seperate from the body.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2677/4475389860_01da0ccef6.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 329px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2677/4475389860_01da0ccef6.jpg" /></a>It took a fair ammount of time to get the chassis running right, but after moving the leading flangeless driver to the centre (not prototypical), this rectified the loco's inability to negotiate any curves. Dean Schluter also modified the springing and pivot arrangement of the leading pony truck, as it also has issues staying on the track as the loco moved into a curve. It was run in on both Florey Springs and Liralau during the Monday of the Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition , and has noticeably loosened up, but it probably needs a few more hours running in before it settles down completely - might need to purchase a set of rollers.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4492428495_e1b2cfc237.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 325px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4492428495_e1b2cfc237.jpg" /></a> The body was also modified by removing the etched rivets to represent the welded tanks fitted to preserved locomotive F251 (preserved in operable condition by Steamranger Heritage Railway, but out of action at present due to a cracked firebox tube plate and low profiled tyres).<br /><br />Decals came partially came from the kit, but also from a set of Microscale 'Railroad Roman' gold lettering.<br /><br /><br />I also purchased an IHC Premium Series 2-8-2 Mikado for conversion into an SAR 720 class berksire using the Rocky River Models 720 class body kit - but thats for another day!Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-82664314760913990122010-01-31T03:11:00.000-08:002010-01-31T04:10:08.347-08:00A new prototype and a test run<div><div><div>Work continued slowly this weekend, mainly due to a myriad of other things that needed to be done, and writing the Saturday off heading to Tailem Bend to photograph Great Southern Railway's new train the Southern Spirit - shown in the photo alongside... </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4315230139_7f493a7d6f.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 317px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 201px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4315230139_7f493a7d6f.jpg" /></a> I'm going to diverge from modelling for a moment and look at prototype operations - namely this great looking train... and our long afternoon chasing it...now having seen this train while it was being refurbished in the days when I was working at for GSR, it really was a magnificent sight. </div><div> </div><br /><div>We headed out to Tailem Bend, knowing that 7AM8 Overland would be due through by 1545hrs - sure enough the Overdue was indeed overdue and having headed out of town toward Coonalpyn, found a good spot and waited along with 400,000 flies for about half an hour, assumed we'd missed it somehow - back to Tailem Bend, as Sarah was wanting food, and Nick and I wanted to have a look at the three "stored"GM's GWA had put aside waiting for the farmers to want their grain transported to Port Adelaide.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4315965956_66a04f90b8.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 316px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4315965956_66a04f90b8.jpg" /></a>For those who know the Princes highway out of Tailem Bend, you will know that about 4km's out of town, the road crosses over the railway - well it was here I was travelling at 110km/h and Nick shouted at me from the back seat saying he'd just noticed the approach signal to Tailem Bend yard spring into action and a headlight appear in the distance - a quick race down to the nearest crossing and within about 30 seconds 7AM8 appeared with Pacific National liveried NR119 and a measly little consist of AMRZxxx, PCO4, BJ4, RBJ3, BJ6 and BJ10. So after waiting in the 37 degree heat for a hour, the train was past us in a matter of seconds and Tailem Bend went back to its quiet self for a couple of hours.</div><div> </div><div>After stocking up on snacks, we headed off to Murray Bridge for a couple of hours to wait the arrival of 7MA9 The 'Southern Spirit'. After having a look at the stored and boarded up original series 8300 brake van on the old broad gauge branch down to the wharf and the 60' turntable which still exists, buried in the pepper trees alongside the standard gauge mainline. After dinner we decided to head upto the 'famous' Callington curve where we kept an eye on the long grass for brown snakes which I am well aware frequent the area. The ARTC train alteration notice predicted the train arriving at Petwood at 1847hrs, well by 1900 there was no sign of the train, but eventually we noticed a long silver streak sneaking down Warla bank on the other side of the valley - 5 minutes later NR85 appeared with 7MA9. Now the Train Notice said the train would stable at Balhannah, so the procession of train chasers headed off in hot persuit of the train - we headed off to Kanmantoo and Nairne via the sealed road = higher speed. Needless to say, we were well ahead of the train chasers by Nairne, and after a quick detour avoiding the long journey via Littlehampton, we managed to get alongside the loco by the time we reached the eastern end of the Mount Barker Junction crossing loop, where 7AM5 was waiting behind a solo NR class loco. We overtook the train on Junction Road, and managed to get far enough in front to stop for a quick shot. By this time the train chasers had caught up and gone to get a spot in <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4315235113_8e634c4756.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 314px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4315235113_8e634c4756.jpg" /></a>Balhannah yard, where the train was expected to stable until 0500hrs this morning (Sun 31/1) - well it didn't stop, so neither did we - albeit somewhat confused about the last minute change in itinerary. By Bridgewater we were again alongside, and managed to get a shot near Heathfield (on the Adelaide side of Aldgate). Then onto Mt Lofty - except I had no idea where I was! Somehow, by complete fluke, I found the station carpark and raced down to the platform to find we'd beaten the train by a couple of minutes. Here I spoke with the Train Manager who advised the train was stabling in Mt Lofty due to the length of the train and the Junction Road level crossing at Balhannah being an issue. Here 7AM3 crossed 7MA9, which we photographed from the footbridge before heading to the Adelaide end of the yard to take a couple of time exposures in the fading light.</div></div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4315253271_248dc4f77f.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 313px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 208px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4315253271_248dc4f77f.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Back to modelling....I set up the layout this afternoon, as the temperature was a little cooler than expected and started preparing the locomotive depot modules for wiring - thankfully most of the existing wiring was in good condition, and having temporarily attached a couple of DCC bus jumpers from the "complete"modules, and after spending a couple of hours cleaning the track - I found I had power to all sidings (even those with insulfrog points - meaning my feeder wires were all still A-OK). So out with B72 and onto the track - first test run was over the no.2 road, back over no.3 road and then down to the end of the loco depot modules. After stuttering a few times due to badly cleaned track - well it looked clean - obviously not!, the loco traversed the newly relaid track with no problems. Then it was onto no.1 road, where I found a rather perculiar problem. The leading wheelset on the no.2 end bogie decided it would leave the track at an otherwise good track join. Having rolled the loco over the section of track in question a number of times, I found the wheelset seemed to be lifting over the rail head, with the flange eventually dropping into the dirt - after testing A73 (same mech) and S312 on the same section of track with no problems, I looked at the loco - not having an NMRA track gauge on hand, I simply turned the loco and test ran it over the same section of track - guess what - no matter the speed or direction - the loco stayed as solid as a brick sh*t house.... go figure! - The only thing I can think of it that wheelset is slightly out of gauge and when that wheelset leads the trailing bogie, the wheelset is being pushed over the rail... has anyone had a similar issue with an Auscision B class?</div><div> </div><div>After that excitment (read frustration), I settled down to run some stock up and down the layout with success - one module to go - but thats for next weekend!</div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /> </div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div></div>Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-78690916733719235722010-01-28T15:54:00.000-08:002010-01-28T17:00:50.417-08:00Update and AMRM<a href="http://www.australianmodelrailways.com/images/amrm280.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 176px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.australianmodelrailways.com/images/amrm280.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div>Another update - geeze, that makes it three updates in a month!!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>By now many of you will have seen this months Australian Model Railway Magazine, which features Liralau as the feature layout - boy was I suprised when the edition turned up in the mail box - the layout looks great in the photos James' edited and used!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>At any rate, work has been slowly continuing - efforts seem to be hampered by the hot weather at the moment, as at 37 degrees its simply too hot to be outside.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The loco depot modules have been merged with the new layout and the scenery added last weekend. This has seen these modules - which were starting to look quite tired; have a new lease of life.<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4305722845_865351fe6c.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 500px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 334px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4305722845_865351fe6c.jpg" /></a> A new workshop building was knocked up and added to the back of the layout behind the fueling and sanding facilities to add some depth from the scene, which did look decidedly unfinished before.</div><div> </div><div>Until next time, happy modelling.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-34037884028001448162010-01-01T14:34:00.000-08:002010-01-01T14:44:07.001-08:00two updates in two days<div> </div><div>I thought I would add a few other pics of progress to date:</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/4232737721_318af74961.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 500px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 334px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/4232737721_318af74961.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/4233515742_61ff6a3c55.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 334px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/4233515742_61ff6a3c55.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4232749975_d3c340fd54.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 500px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 334px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4232749975_d3c340fd54.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-73092980674025162992009-12-30T14:23:00.000-08:002009-12-30T14:45:53.445-08:00Has it really been this long??<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4227031352_5dee17513c.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 500px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 334px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4227031352_5dee17513c.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4226261619_3f8299df3d.jpg"></a><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><em>A73 departs the new Liralau yard with an intercity service for Melbourne</em></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div>Since the last update (I still can't believe it has been almost a year!), work has continued on replacing the last three original modules which were all suffering from poor construction, which ultimatley saw the trackbeds warp and become almost unusable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Following on from the layouts last appearance - at the '09 Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition, it became evident that something needed to be done about the layouts appearance, and so work commenced rebuilding the layout to a design similar to Keiren Ryan's $100 module, where the layout, backscene, lighting and pelmet is all incorporated into one unit. My design differs in that we used some of the existing modules to allow and so ours dont have that nice curved backscene - not that it matters - the layout looks 100 times better now than it did.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The station yard has been replaced - the centre piece being the large two-cell grain silo - a combination of three walthers cornerstone kits. All turnout control is being converted to DCC - using the ANE Models servo system (have a look at the NMRA's page on them: <a href="http://www.nmra.org.au/Hints/Servo/servo.html">http://www.nmra.org.au/Hints/Servo/servo.html</a>) - which is a great easy alternative to having to build CDU's and use the goold-old peco point motors - not to mention that the boards also look after your signal controls so it is very easy (in theory) to wire in your signals - I am still working on getting my signals to work correctly - hours and hours have been spent trying to trace back the intermittent problems with the signals which I am now thinking may be caused by a broken wire somewhere inside the insulation on one of the leads. Time to strip and re-wire them again (third time lucky perhaps). </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Speaking of signals - I have built and installed two of the San Mateo Line VR colour light signal kits, produced by Bill Dick of Mildura - these kits, while fidly produce a very fine representation of a VR colour light signal. These are also available in SAR configuration. More of these signals will be installed when time permits.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>We still have another two modules to rebuild before we pack the layout into a trailer and set off for the Healesville show in March - thankfully the last two modules should only be two weekends work, and then we can get down to buisness and get some trains running - and perhaps run in my three new loco's - my scratchbuilt H class 4-8-4 'H220', and my new Auscision A and B class locos (which are incredible pieces of kit by the way!). </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-34094594370615832072009-03-15T00:21:00.000-07:002009-03-15T00:32:01.889-07:00Continuing on...<a href="http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/585/dscf2322.jpg"></a><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1926/dscf2330t.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 499px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 346px" alt="" src="http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1926/dscf2330t.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Over the past weekend work on the new module has picked up some pace, which is good considering Liralau's next scheduled outing is in three weeks!</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>The wooden crossing gates in the above photo are modified Peco gates which come in their Setrack range of accessories... at $18 these were rather expensive, but given time is rapidly running out, I figure that that investment is worth it in the long run.<br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>The pub has been positioned and is in the process of being bedded into the scenery which is just starting to take shape. I purchased two LJ kits to fill in the main street, as unfortunatley I just wont have the time to scratchbuild two more buildings.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The road surfacing is complete and I am very impressed with the results - I used plaster to create the road surface and then sprayed it once it was dry and had been sanded with a mixture of 3 parts Floquil Weathered Black to 1 part Floquil Engine Black, before weathering it with a mixture of artists chalks.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The end result, has been one which suprised me, in a good way!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/585/dscf2322.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 472px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 336px" alt="" src="http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/585/dscf2322.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div>The streetlights have been made from dowel and some old 5mm LED's which I had fried while fitting out a locomotive with a DCC chip. </div><div> </div><div>Next weekend, I intend to complete the scenery and wire the module. </div><div><br />Until then... happy modelling!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div>Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-9291434450883680352009-03-01T02:14:00.000-08:002009-03-01T02:37:42.317-08:00Work Continues...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrkJadWvUy77nJ2SZhj9u283yvUNFJafbqvYhXFdhY41fnGf0LzN8ahlb6Z72eWxXkQWSiopMlvkkPJwjQuZPEyDwd9jgTJ1W6y0szftBdepo_xAgeuHoLyYEZUVpMOt2WaRxPAAjYKDR/s1600-h/No30+crossing+mainline.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrkJadWvUy77nJ2SZhj9u283yvUNFJafbqvYhXFdhY41fnGf0LzN8ahlb6Z72eWxXkQWSiopMlvkkPJwjQuZPEyDwd9jgTJ1W6y0szftBdepo_xAgeuHoLyYEZUVpMOt2WaRxPAAjYKDR/s320/No30+crossing+mainline.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308166192114733202" border="0" /></a><br />Over the past week work has slowly continued with the new module.<br /><br />The mainline has been partially laid - permanently as far as the level crossing, but the remainder of the mainline is pinned temporarily, until I have some time to construct the mounting bracket for the off-scene setup tracks.<br /><br />The tramway permanent way was laid, using Atlas Code 100 flex, which was re-railed using N scale Code 80 rail, producing a far finer rail profile to be embedded in the road surface. The footpaths were made from 1.5mm Styrene sheet, and the road surface then filled using plaster, tinted with a few drops of Floquil Engine Black - just enough to get rid of the stark white appearance of plaster in its natural form. Unfortunately, I ran out of plaster, combined with unexpected visitors meant that the opportunity to get some more supplies was limited.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHANSPrJPtXQoJfWMYJTmbiQx7-f3rbAUr3XWVXVzv66b9ocZ4Lh3uYirTne0ctMvRR7zTNQr1TGFcj59MoNBO81YCE8aN2uox6CjW8hlmVlZV4-2WmJUIEWBhg73KeJdJMk2pRLyPtOX/s1600-h/top+down+view+liralau.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHANSPrJPtXQoJfWMYJTmbiQx7-f3rbAUr3XWVXVzv66b9ocZ4Lh3uYirTne0ctMvRR7zTNQr1TGFcj59MoNBO81YCE8aN2uox6CjW8hlmVlZV4-2WmJUIEWBhg73KeJdJMk2pRLyPtOX/s320/top+down+view+liralau.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308166197005498914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oBkfkUcJRRK_XmT9SFQ9kAtwNJBULtCvpFvLh2Mu8z5xT3wZF-Ssx2fi03GuaUQyB3IaQJXI-uvV7jkq0TYKLP-aysCxpMg46zwmpsXs9OHztl2-LoWb40dgH2YUryBp0A7R_s3mgW6N/s1600-h/Commercial+hotel+near+complete.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oBkfkUcJRRK_XmT9SFQ9kAtwNJBULtCvpFvLh2Mu8z5xT3wZF-Ssx2fi03GuaUQyB3IaQJXI-uvV7jkq0TYKLP-aysCxpMg46zwmpsXs9OHztl2-LoWb40dgH2YUryBp0A7R_s3mgW6N/s320/Commercial+hotel+near+complete.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308166195711582210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The pub has also received its signage, which means the pub only needs me to get around to painting the downpipes, TV antenna and conduits until its finished.<br /><br />Also progressing slowly is my model of Vinelander sleeping car #14 - I finally got some Microscale Krystal Cleer which means the windows have finally been glazed and as I type this, I am waiting for the windows to dry!<br /><br />Anyway, thats the extent of progress to date.<br /><br />Happy Modelling!Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-62463352397100362142009-02-22T03:06:00.000-08:002009-02-22T03:27:37.949-08:00Liralau upgrade - the replacement moduleAfter dropping the township module prior to the NMRI show in October, I decided to rebuild the township module - this time with the same dimensions as the previous 'new' corner module we built prior to the said show (the bridges module).<br /><br />So that said, I scheduled a work session on Saturday 21st February, which saw Ashleigh Bennett and Graham Nixon arrive to give me a hand. Fortunately (or unfortunately??) we got the beers out while waiting for Ash to arrive, and as such got about as far as marking up a sheet of chipboard before sitting down with a couple more brews and having a good old chat about days gone by- and the quality of American railway DVD commentaries (after I spent 5 minutes trying to work out why the dvd player wouldn't open the disk tray - turns out I was pushing the on/off button hic!).<br /><br />After Ash and Graham headed home, I actually did some work, and after a little extra work on Sunday afternoon, I had the basic module built - now waiting on a few bits and pieces before I can start on the scenery - track being a major material I had none of.<br /><br />So hopefully over the next few weeks, this module will start to take shape.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN71_81r5rKxTO6pGH9mdx-Z4wcJClJuasAL4sYMvtPvKJSzF6RNaqIRtqnzL1Wm4xaAFMVAvS4uz4V1h7iG0ywzUBQvng-YHWRBaaAPTBAh2WVxGDm7iVQD9GOOcFrBmhZ9-fx36q5Ctx/s1600-h/New+module.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN71_81r5rKxTO6pGH9mdx-Z4wcJClJuasAL4sYMvtPvKJSzF6RNaqIRtqnzL1Wm4xaAFMVAvS4uz4V1h7iG0ywzUBQvng-YHWRBaaAPTBAh2WVxGDm7iVQD9GOOcFrBmhZ9-fx36q5Ctx/s320/New+module.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305581568647445010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaeHvm808QE3LGkHe5g-0fsyDHFZvxZuyMcjpOze6pVXyzRxhN4Tp7ps6FB36rkrobJdrR4LO3S5NcIPUD74rqpOEGE_bNv6WdQuAhD1vUt062zNejm3OI9DRC1eTPT5g5lZTFKgSb6zw/s1600-h/5RM+new+module.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaeHvm808QE3LGkHe5g-0fsyDHFZvxZuyMcjpOze6pVXyzRxhN4Tp7ps6FB36rkrobJdrR4LO3S5NcIPUD74rqpOEGE_bNv6WdQuAhD1vUt062zNejm3OI9DRC1eTPT5g5lZTFKgSb6zw/s320/5RM+new+module.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305581567212771714" border="0" /></a>Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773913459160961293.post-51769945832810111532009-02-14T23:34:00.001-08:002009-02-14T23:44:38.325-08:00RBJ1 gets an underframe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyaRxbNWKmSWrrADRpNFuziD1RoZ-woC3Avj-JSx3CPFKaDuHIVqHRBBromLRKwW_DnUZ9AdIsBRCXNWurwHVH2dPtxaVy22TxFiO7XxH2VUQo2_OiPhvoRrq5gZemCtMCFnjRuMxRvzT/s1600-h/RBJ1+-+servery+side.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyaRxbNWKmSWrrADRpNFuziD1RoZ-woC3Avj-JSx3CPFKaDuHIVqHRBBromLRKwW_DnUZ9AdIsBRCXNWurwHVH2dPtxaVy22TxFiO7XxH2VUQo2_OiPhvoRrq5gZemCtMCFnjRuMxRvzT/s320/RBJ1+-+servery+side.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302926385507107186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />RBJ1 - looking at its servery side.<br /><br />Following on from the previous post, RBJ1 received its underframe and bogies this afternoon. The underframe is scratchbuilt from various sizes Evergreen styrene rod, 'I' beam etc and a number of SEM underframe components (ie brake cylinders etc).<br /><br />While the handbrake is not the correct type, the SEM 'Miners' style handbrake was all I could get my hands on at the time.<br /><br />The bogies are Powerline Models 'Commonwealth' bogies which I am in the process of modifying to suit the Overland cars mounting pad. In the photos below, the car is just resting on the bogies.<br /><br />The body also recieved its concertina's - which are modified Steam Era W car corridoor connectors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3fuR8fOI4n6GVmjolG66zF79hOmHx8ulzzgsM8wA_mhduhRyVamtxV3uFEoyyo6CXL-XeJFXtmCZHHHFsUsUlPhGdanpOw2HHAgyv-Mm02XNWdAP9wzBv7nhADP1XOQ-MxH1LLazx-ie/s1600-h/RBJ1+-+non+servery+with+bogies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3fuR8fOI4n6GVmjolG66zF79hOmHx8ulzzgsM8wA_mhduhRyVamtxV3uFEoyyo6CXL-XeJFXtmCZHHHFsUsUlPhGdanpOw2HHAgyv-Mm02XNWdAP9wzBv7nhADP1XOQ-MxH1LLazx-ie/s320/RBJ1+-+non+servery+with+bogies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302926382016330674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It isn't N scale - but it looks like it! RBJ1 basking in the evening sun after being mounted on its bogies and underframe!<br /><br /><br />Still to be added is couplers, coupler lift bars, handrails, shunters steps, Electrical jumper leads, airhoses... the list goes on and on and on.Peter Michalakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860120900175254774noreply@blogger.com0