The Caulfield Report 2014

Another year, and the ARMA Caulfield exhibition has been and gone. I am going to be different, and start with the news.
Firstly, Auscision confirmed that they are going to produce a 48 class. Why? when Powerline have a 48 and Trainorama are producing one. Well, the report was that, Powerline have produced only a couple of liveries, and will take years to go through the rest, and the Trainorama one: quote 'is not quite right'. Pressing the point about an 830, the reply from Pete was 'bloody South Australians' and it will need to be looked at to see if it is financially viable, as tooling changes cost up to $5000 for each modification. Announced on Facebook, that the 830 class is been produced.
Other than the 48 class, also expect the Victorian C class, G/BL/81 class: basically anything that Sothern Shorthaul Railroad has, will be produced; and a super detailed NR is on the go. (It was interesting to learn, that when Austrains produced the C class: their second model, it was a slow in sales. Auscision are hoping that the more modern liveries will be more sort after). Also the 442 class, plus series 2 and 3 X class.
As for wagons, the CIMC C-35 92 tonne grain hopper is past CAD stage, producing ATN/PN XGAY, AWB WGSY, SSR's new wagon, plus, new wagons for Freightliner, G&W and I think for QUBE.

Photo: Chris from WF

Plus, for Victorian modellers, the VHHF grain hopper is on the go.

PS The RMX container wagon is still in development, and should be due 2015.

I also had a lengthy discussion with SDS. To come on the intermodal side are the RQTY and RRTY wagons, based on the FQX but with the skeletal deck and 70ton ride control bogies. After the JCW/NQTW/RQJW will be the Victorian and South Australian versions. This is because, the only part in all these wagons that needs replacing is the deck.
Also, under consideration, from suggestion of yours truly, is the NQAY/RQAY NSW skeletal wagon, if it they can use components from the OCY.
Austrains released their Victorian C brake van, which I heard has problems. The doors are too wide and the underfloor detail is mirrored? They also had the recently released 81/BL/G locos.

SouthernRail Models had their V/locity rail cars on display, and look good. It has only one motor over the two or three car set, and uses a 21 pin DCC plug.

Bendigo Rail Models P class samples.

Another P class sample.

EDI GT46C-ACe Locomotive Painted samples.

SDS Models JCW, showing underneath.

SouthernRail's V/locity. Two of a three car set.

To the layouts.

Maryborough. The station building was shown a couple of years ago, now on a layout.

Melbourne tram: Victoria Road

NSW Waterfall.

N gauge Japanese.

Anthony's Room shunting layout for a small space.