Steel trains

Auscision's new release of the Victorian CSX wagon has added further wagons to forming a steel traffic train. These ran into South Australia on steel trains, up into early National Rail days, seemingly with tarps.

VCSX with light load, no tarp.

Below a steel train during late Australian National. Up front, past the departing Indian Pacific, are twin BL class loco's trailed by numerous AOOX open wagons, with a few VOCX wagons in the mix, then VFCX wagons. The two green wagons are Australian National AKEX / AOQF coil steel wagons. These were all former SAR/ANR/AN SO/AOQY/AOQF opens. AN rollingstock circularRS4118/1986 states "Remove body and fit new superstructure reclassify AKEX 1 TO 20 (AOQY (20). To be selected from 101 to 354 series (EX SAR)". Additionally, AN line diagram (F-18) for the AKEX states "Converted from 'AOQY' (ex 'SO')". Fitted with 70tonnes bogies and recoded to RCEF under National Rail.

First signal

Horsham yard has sets of twin two position searchlight signal at each end of the yard. The first San Mateo Line model signal has been installed, as signal No: 30,  at the western end of the yard.(Signal has been illuminated for the photo. Still to be wired in and place the box on the mast.) Control boxes to be made yet.

Horsham model - 3

Horsham yard was divided in two during the 1970's with the construction of Urquhart Street road bridge. This four line road built at the end of the station platform sits upon the location of the station's turntable and is now a defining feature of Horsham Station.

The lower photo shows the model under construction, The height was a guess from photos, and its length is restricted in size, by not including the up ramp from Railway Terrace, or the left turn into Mill Street. Still to be added are some suitable street lighting and the safety rails.

Horsham model - 2

The yard area was topped with 12mm plywood, then track laying began. I started out using a foam underlay (as in photo), but as this was too difficult to ballast it was replaced with cork. Working on advice from modellers across the Tasman, the foam was attached to the boards with double sided tape. This is to help reduce noise transfer to the wood underneath. Unfortunately, if using a PVA glue/water mix to glue ballast in stead of a contact glue, the water weakened the tape and the foam just absorbed too much water so the ballast would not stick.

Main board showing laying of track for Horsham yard.

The main line is PECO code 83, while the sidings are PECO code 75 flexi-track, and turnouts are all electrofrog. All the track has been wired as live for DCC operation.

Horsham model - 1

Horsham began life after several field trips, to gain photographs and measurements for the station building. A yard plan was found from the excellent  Mark Bau's VRWebsite, and compared to track that remains since standardization.

G542 resting in loco siding at Horsham rail yard

The main station area extends, just over 6 metres across that rear of the garage (not enough space really) as  there are several turnouts that take a fear bit of space at the Melbourne end of the yard. The boards are resting on an L girder frame with the main yard area 1 metre across. Just enough space, but a bit squashed.

L girder frames taking shape.

The track turns into about 1000mm curves at each end, large enough to allow BGM well cars and longer ABFX and PBGY wagons to run through without too much bogie troubles.
The L girder probably not required for a flat yard but it becomes useful at the river crossing scene and to allow a second regional grain silo terminal station at a lower level.

Tailem Bend again

Further photos in regards to Tailem Bend, from the 1990's. The remains of the round house, originally built  1923-1926 was of 14 stalls, with 11 stalls been tracked. Half of this building was lost during a storm in the 60's, the remains to a bulldozer in 2003.

Tailem Bend Round House from the rear. The track to the left headed to the work shops at the rear of this building.

Loco service yards, with fuel depot, sanding tower and Loco office to the right.

To model the station and yards, one would have to consider at least 12m, let alone the grain silos at the Adelaide end of the yards.

Introduction

Welcome to Andrew's main south line. A mix of railway modelling from South Australia, Victoria, and occasionally, across the Tasman in New Zealand and the Midland Line.
This modelling project began many years ago, with a decision to model the South Australian Tailem Bend station, but has since changed to the Victorian town of Horsham. Why? Sadly rail operations in South Australia have steadily declined over the years. The once active railway town of Tailem Bend is no more than a resting place for banker locos required for the Adelaide Hills haul.
Horsham, like many larger Victorian centres still has rail activity, with the freight centre still in use by Wimmera Container Line. Dimboola was considered, as this has a major grain terminal, but of less interest.

Tailem Bend Station back in the days of Australian National.

My Tailem Bend Station model. Now 20 years old and still waiting for trains.