Lets talk gum trees

It has been a while, in time of having more time a home, it was time to add more trees to the layout. (has been neglected for a while) One of my hates is a well crafted layout with gums trees the sized too small. A tree 100m tall in our HO scale world, only measures out under 30ft.
The most common eucalyptus tree in south eastern Australia, is the the Manna gum, or Eucalyptus viminalis. These typically grow to a mature height . so of 50m  (160ft), sometimes up to 90m (300ft). Scaling this out, we are looking at trees in our HO scale world of 160 x 3.5 which equals 560mm.

A few years ago, when I visited the Warley exhibition in the UK, a lady asked a tree maker for a particular type of tree she wanted. Can not remember what it was, but the guy asked whether she wanted in scale or not. She said yes, and when he said it was going to be over 300mm in height she decided not. That is say, while we might reduce the scale of our trees, there is no point of making an old mature gum that is only around 30ft in real height.
Lets increase the size of of our trees. It is not hard to produce trees to 200 or 250mm in height. lets take a look at some photos of Stawell in Victoria. https://www.victorianrailways.net/photogallery/westsou/stawell/stawell.html. There are some magnificent examples. Would we models these with tree scale out at 30ft in height?

When making tall trees, the twisted wire method is the best. I use 0.7mm wire, available at hardware stores, or can use florist wire, which is plastic coated, but more expensive. Cut lengths at over 200mm and keep cutting till you think you might have enough. The initial twists are the hardest, then comes easier.

This one is actually going to be a Peppercorn tree, but shows the tree made from florist wire. I usually find that even with a tree shape in mind, the twisting often makes it own shape. Get out and look a trees.

The next stage is to use modelling clay. This method came from a Youtube video from the UK and the modeller used Milliput. Milliput is quite expensive and is a two pack mix, so I decided on air dry modelling clay. You use the clay to beef up the truck and major limbs. When dry it is time to paint. Start off with a primer. (I used a spray primer grey from Repco).

The foliage is Heki Flor. Just pull off clumps and glue to the left areas. Looking at the above tree, I just end the twists in a curl, where to attach the foliage.

Added a mature gum to my paddock scene.

Caulfield Report 2019

Yes, it that time of the year age. Another Caulfield Report. Overall the show was of high quality, many in attendance, with crowds around various popular layouts, one of the the Lego display. One item of note this year, the quality of the food was right down with prices right up.

Having traveled on Puffy Billy the day before, shall start at Black Stump On30 Victorian Narrow gauge. One of two VR narrow gauge, the other Paradise Valley, but I enjoyed Black Stump, did not just have trains running in loops.

Mildura in HO scale.

 

Beaufort (1979-1988). Beaufort township is situated between Ballarat and Ararat. Was disused after standardisation,  but returned when reopened by V/Line with the reopening of the line to Ararat.

 Fingal OOn14 Tasmanian layout, all scratch built with hand laid track to 3'6" in OO scale.

Ettamogah Rail Hub.

 Part of 'Springfield', a US layout, with steel mill at one end (shown) and a mill at the other.

Cheakamus Canyaon. Scott Fitzgerald and team, new layout, or part of it. This is just stage one, so will grow in time to come. Really has to be seen to get the impression of the canyon scene.

Trade news. No exciting releases, in fact things are going to quiet for a while to come, with the Australian dollar low against the US dollar.

Steam Era Models released his updated VHGF grain hoppers (ran out of mouldings last year, so decided to update the kit), with added parts, so can fit the detail kit if one wishes to do so, available separately. This detail kit could be used on older models, if not built.

Auscision is scaling back, projects to finish, and new models will be only available as a couple of versions at a time, as each variation required for a slightly different type cost between US$20 to 30 thousand. 

Unnounced models to come will be CLP/CLF only in these versions, no CL due to cost involved of a completely separate model. The S class is in the pipeline, as uses many components from the B class, so really is just a new body mould.

Overland cars have progressed to the drawing stage. BGKF grain hoppers are a definite, coming in the next run of the NHFF coal wagons. Also, a new run of N class and N cars, in popular liveries with new numbers and the new PTC livery, as the N class locos are all be passed through Bendigo for work and repainting.

IP cars

Auscision NR class tooling

Looks like a SAR 600

Ontrack Models is going through partnership change: and due to the dollar, no new models planned.

As an example, the current 82 class run cost as much as the whole original project. The 80 class is on hold: the drawings made by the factory when the project was alive, were rejected as "rubbish" did not look like an 80 class so project was put on hold. Ontrack is waiting for further containers: should have been here weeks ago. More new liveries in the future. Also, expect new runs of all their current wagon models.

SDS. The NR's are coming late this year, with all the tooling corrections. Following on will be the 81 class due before Chinese New Year. After this, the B and G class, retooled to correct all the errors from the previous models.

Following on after the B/G will be the T class 2,3,4 also retooled to correct all the errors, a complete facelift to number boards and light positions; and the body been reduced in width by 2mm to the correct dimensions. (The Austrains model was tooled to fit their motor). 

Also on display was the SAR 800 class shunter locomotive.

Phil Badger and Ixion Models had tooling for the up coming Victorian J class steam loco. Due just after the factory shut down for Chinese New Year. Only 1500 models been produce, half coal and half oil burners. If sell well, another run will be done. After the J, another steamer, either NSW VR or SAR??

So look out for projects that have been announced coming to completion, with a much reduced new model lineup, but plenty a new runs of older models.

Adelaide show 2019

It is most unusual to report on new developments from Adelaide, but SDS models were in attendance, with models of their retooled NR class and an 81 class sitting quietly at the back of their stand. The NR models were handed painted indigenous livery models from the new tooling. The course rear steps have been replaced with etched brass, the long hood side steps have been relocated to their correct position, and the air tanks are now modeled in the full and not half relief as on the Austrains tooling. Also, the cab has been completely redone to be of more correct appearance. A new control board has been developed to allow extra functions, like flashing ditch lights.

 

Called black and white, a military world war 2 inspired layout, the only colour was the peace VW van.

Running the Gauntlet, from the Kangaroo and Cockatoo Railway stable.

N scale Morgan, based on the line to Morgan on the Murray River. Built to T Track rules of individual modules.

Don Moyses' Crystal Brook (Warnertown End). Unfortunately the far end had been water damaged from over night condensation, resulting in reduced operation as Don and crew tried to obtain fully running.

The goods shed from Black River, based on a town between Adelaide and Melbourne, servicing the timber industry. Almost has a Tasmanian feel to it.

Murray Bridge.

Black Springs, a switching layout set in spring time.

Westcombe Junction, a fictitious Great Western main line layout.

New SCT wagons

Railmotor Models (TrainWorld Victoria) have released a new run of their PBGY Multifreighter wagons, plus the PBHY hicube wagons.

The PBGY wagons come either with grey or black roof versions, with or without the broken black stripe: all with new numbers. One item that I had concern for was the rolling characteristics of the bogies. Spinning the axles on opening the box, things did not look too good, but when placed on the track, Railmotor, have seemed to corrected the very poor running of the first release, as the wagon shot off along the track for a good distance, relative free running. Still no detail on the underframe.

The other wagon that has joined the fleet, are, Auscision's PWWY well wagons. These are highly detail as we have come to expect, and the main well body is cast metal, thus giving the model sufficient weight.

Finally have some wagons to carry the 48' boxes. Probably need one more, so will obtain one of the single packs.

Auscision's NR class update

Auscision's NR class models have just seen the light of day, with images posted recently on their Facebook page. Remember, these are only engineering samples, and probably a long way to go. At least the air tanks are fully moulded.

All photos from Auscision.