Yard change No 2

Finally have received my new PECO code 83 unifrog right turnout. These new turnouts no longer need to have insulated joiners, coming off the frog, and powering to frog is also, personal choice. Mine is wired to a frog juicer, under the board.

          

 

Yard track changes

As can be seen from the above three images, I have removed the three point, and replaced with a medium right hand, off the main, and a short radii left hand into the passing siding and yard lines. Reason. Even with the use of frog juicers, I could not get the locos to travel through the second and third frog without stalling.

I had wished to use the three way, to save space, but with adding the two addition turnouts, only added a short distance, but also increased the length of the main, passing along the station platform.

Ballast removal was easy, with the assistance of isopropanol alcohol. Much faster than warm water. It also helped that the ballast was not adhered by PVA glue.

Next step is change out the medium tight hand, to a Peco code 83. One of the new unifrogs.

 

Hill incline further work

 

Two images of work being carried out on the hills of the incline. The main aim is to add more trees and under growth to the forest.

The exposed rock boulder formations are actually real rocks, positioned to give a natural appearance in the landscape, then painted. The trees are my usual method of construction, but the Heki Flor has been spray painted to change from a bright green to a more natural leaf colour. Learning to paint your scenery give a whole new dimension in its appearance, as you can manipulate the colour to how you want them.

I was watch a YouTube video from the USA, where the vlogger said he did not like the colour of his ballast, so was in a mind to rip it all out and change its colour. My comment was simple: if you have an airbrush, just paint it. He replied that he had not thought of that.  

It should not be hard to spot the real rocks, but there is an outcrop that is made from plaster: a trial that was observed in a how-to tutorial from You Tube. 

Hill incline

 Construction of the hilly incline has begun. Roughly, it is just under 3%. The track is laid on 12mm ply and 5mm cork road bed. As in steam age, the incline is curved. The track is a mix of ROCO and PECO code 83. ROCO provided the main curves, as it is set track and maintains radius.

The hilly area was estimated with some plywood forms.

Insulation foam was then cut to size to make the hill contours. The foam is available from hardware stores. (Bunnings, in 30 and 50mm thickness).

When the foam was carved to shape, it was then covered in plaster bandage.

Two types of plaster bandage I used. The Mod-Wrap is from Office Works. It is a thinner cloth than the Mont Marte, and has more plaster. Both are cheaper than Woodland Scenic, even if the rolls are narrower.

Layout River scene

 The only segment of the old layout saved, was the river scene. It was extracted in one piece, and after having a short spell on the verandah, was positioned into the new railway room.

Since the above photo was taken, the scene has moved up or down a few times, deciding on its final positioning.

Once its position was determined, a connection was made to the station yard area. The green and blue foam is to tie in the terrain to the new boards. 

The Station yard area is prototypical inspired by St Arnaud on the Mildura line. The 3way switch was incorporated to save space, though on St Arnaud yard plan, the 3way is at the other end.

Adelaide show 2024

 Yes, that's right. Two years. Not that nothing has happened, just life, and much planning and learning new Technetics in modelling.

Firstly, SDS models and Junction models, had an extensive trader stall, which caused a few feathers to be ruffled. On display was their 700 class SAR coach, in green and cream. Now, going forward, the two other samples have disappeared. Lent out, they have now gone missing. With any luck, these will be available later in the year. Everything is ready to go, just the factory seems to be dragging their heals. Is it not funny, how the same factory managed to do a run of containers, quick smart, for another manufacturer. If nothing happens, SDS will move all the tooling to their main factory.

Unfortunately, the delays with the 700 class coaches, have delayed the production of the 500, 600 class carriages, the Long Ton, and the luggage van, all as illustrated on their future products brochure.

Also coming, after the Victoria T class and the DL, is the Victorian X class, ex Austrains, with enhanced new tooling. In this mix, SAR AD, BD, CD passenger were under consideration, but now on hold, as another manufacturer, (who are nearly ready to release the Overland Cars) are in the process of initial studies to produce these models.

Adelaide show 2022

 Three days helping Bob Stevens with Kings Park, making those gauge 1 locos shunt back and forth. Had a good time, except for the ass hole person that attended with covid, passed it on,and made us sick.

 

 

Moving on. Right next door was the SDS models stand, with samples of their up coming SAR, VR, QR and TGR models.

The 900 class locomotives maybe here by the end of the year. The 700 class passenger cars, not until next year (delayed). Also in with their order forms was a sheet of proposed SAR models. So not to have have modellers shock, the 500 and 600 class passenger cars, maybe 2023/24. The long Tom brake car, 2024 and the DWP vans 2025. Also included on the probable list, is a LX/ALGX van.

 

School bus on Don's Alamosa and Western railway.

Tarlee station and sidings. The for wheel sheep van was available to purchase. (3D printed)

Light River bridge on Peterborough.

Maree, Commonwealth Railways, from the Whyalla group.