8/6/2019 MM Issue 3

1/9

1

Issue 3

CONSIST

* GOVERNORS

CAR

* BUILDING

TUMUT

* MUSINGS FROM

THE ROOMS

* MEET THE

MEMBERS

* HISTORY

* HOME SIGNAL

Wagga Wagga Model Railroaders

PO Box 6340 Wagga Wagga Business Centre

Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

By the time you read this issue, Christmas will be long gone and plans for the newyear will be made and discarded along with many of our New Years resolutions.

If you are like me, you will have decided that almost every Model Railway Exhibition

is a must visit for the year. But, like me, by June you will probably be back to 2 or 3due to funds shortages and other demands on our time. We should at least be support-ing the shows where the members support ours each year and not just because they do.Exhibitions are the life blood of our hobby. Profits go to benefit the Clubs and some-

times a charity as well. Often they are the best time to talk to some of the retailers andget an idea of their plans so that we can plan our modelling finances around them.They are definitely the time to see the latest direction in modelling as it will be on

show for all to see. We do not get to see a new layout very often, but the old onesgrow and evolve and the best are dif-ferent each time you see them.

The best part about this hobby, is thatwhen you get to a show and you see

something you like, you can bet thatthe owner or modeller is very willingto show it off and talk sometimes at

great lengths to you about it. This isthe best time to ask your questions.

Several times I have been asked tohelp with judging at various ModelRail Shows. It is always difficult and

tends to make you very critical of little things that you perceive as wrong. It alsomakes you appreciate the amount of work in each display, especially after being con-nected with a large display layout yourself.

The Tumut Branchline is one of those layouts that can teach us so much. From simplethings like avoiding track parallel to the edge of the panel to a very desirable inclusion

of the public in the presentation. Starting on page 3 in this issue, You can share in theTumut journey as Peter begins to tell us how it was conceived and constructed.

SUBMISSIONS:

To the Editor

Ian McIntyre

ianmac57@bigpond.net.au

Preferably in word format

and pictures in JPEG for-

mat separately. A flash or

thumb drive may be used

or CD. These will be re-

turned.

This document is provided free to share without modification or addition. The docu-ment remains the property of the Wagga Wagga Model Railroaders Inc. Where possi-ble, photos and articles used are with the owners permission. Reproduction in part

without the permission of the owners may contravene copyright laws.

MURRUMBI DGEE MAIL

8/6/2019 MM Issue 3

2/9

2

T h e GOV E R NE R S CA R(P r e s i d e n t s Pa g e)

WAGGA WAGGA

MODEL RAILROADERS

INC.

PRESIDENT

GRAEME HEARN

VICE PRESIDENTLES WEST

SECRETARY

STEVEN RAVENSCROFT

TREASURER

FLEUR WEST

PO Box 6340Wagga Wagga

Business Centre

NSW 2650

The Club meets so-

cially, most Mondayevenings from around7.00P.M. at the BEST

RESERVE HALL forrunning on the perma-nent HO layout under

construction. Membersare encouraged to par-ticipate in the con-

struction. Guests aremost welcome.

Gday All,

Well another year has gone by and we are getting ready for the

AGM. This years AGM will be held on Tuesday 27th of January. TheCommittee invites all members and potential members to join them

for Dinner at the Wagga Wagga RSL Club at 6.30 pm and the Annual

General Meeting will commence immediately following the meal at

7.30 pm. Nominations for positions on the board can be made from

the floor. All positions will be declared vacant and any paid up mem-

ber can nominate another paid up member. Dues must be paid by

25th January 2009 for entitlement to stand for a position or to vote. I

would invite all to consider a position on the board seriously. I wishalso to thank the out going Committee for their efforts.

We held a diorama contest over the holiday break and we had 4

entries at our first meeting in January. One each from Steve, Les, Mi-

chael & the Rolf Kids. I have decided that each of the entrants will

receive a Scenery Pack which will be presented at the AGM. Well

done guys and girls.

Work has recommenced on the Clubroom layout and is pro-

gressing well. Some time in February we should be almost ready topull down the middle temporary section so that we can finish filling

in the windows, then the next bench work stage can be installed.

This year we have achieved a rise in membership. I think this is

mainly due to the much happier and cordial atmosphere in the Club-

rooms.

See you at the AGM

El Presidente Graeme.

I might add that the scenery packs have been donated from the stocksheld by Iron Horse Hobbies and more are available by ringing

Graeme on 02 69203726.Editor

COM I N G E V E NT S

A GM J a n u a r y 2 7 2 0 0 9

F i l m n i g h t , T I T F I E L D T H UN DE R BOL T . T o b e a d -

v i s e d

P la s t i c s m od el li n g w or k s h op . T o b e a d v i s e d

8/6/2019 MM Issue 3

3/9

3

Our project began in 2005, with three of us, Andrew, Ray and myself, Pe-

ter, deciding to work on planning and building an exhibition layout. The

suggestion was made that an exhibition layout based on Tumut would be ap-

preciated by local people and it also meant that research would be eas-

ier, or at least closer.

I suggested that we tackle it in a different way to most exhibition lay-

outs seen in this country, with viewing from all sides, no backboards and

with point to point running. As mainly short trains would be operated, a

large fiddle yard would not be necessary. The display could also be ex-

panded as time and funds allowed. The ultimate goal is to complete a dis-

play in the shape of a capital letter E featuring Gundagai, Tumut and

Batlow with several of the smaller stations in between.

We began with the Tumut section. It was completed and made operational so

as to display that much as a complete layout display at the 2007 Wagga

Wagga Model Railway and Hobby Exhibition.

I used a computer program called Train Set Builder to design the track

layout for all stations. Once the track designs were finished, they were

then used to design the panels. We had to keep in mind that the panels

needed to fit in a standard 6 X 4ft box trailer.

Once this was decided construction was started.

Bellets of Tumut, who operate a waste removal service, provided us withthe reclaimed timber. The frames were made from 45mm X 65mm pine with a

TUMUT as seen on her first public appearance Wagga Wagga 2007

8/6/2019 MM Issue 3

4/9

4

12mm plywood top. A 50mm layer of foam sheet was laid as a base and then

the code 100 Peco track was installed using double sided tape. I modified

the points to make them compatible with DCC operation and mounted each

one with the Tortoise motor on a plastic base. We thought that mounting

the points and motors as a module would make it easier for service or re-

placement when necessary. But we have not had any problems as yet. The

difficulty hiding the plastic base within the scenery has proven to bemore than enough reason to discontinue this method. Points close to the

edge of the panels have also proven to be trouble-some, unfortunately we

could not easily avoid their location.

The ground cover was laid using a method popular amongst War gamers. Be-gin by laying grit and painting it black. This is then coloured by dry

brushing and putting a wash over all. Grass is then planted in a random

fashion rather than just over everything.

Most of the buildings are scratch built, but a couple of buildings in-

cluding the goods shed and station building are from kits and are only

stand ins until the correct examples can be scratch built.

Andrew scratch built the 9 industrial buildings. He also constructed the

coal stage and an ash filled buffer stop kit from Harlow Graphics.

Andrew has quickly mastered scratch building and to a very distinguished level indeed. Individual

weatherboards, the signage and detail placement as well as aging and weathering. Look at the vari-ety in finish along the platform edge. This all adds to the realism or as some call it, The Illusion.

Can you believe that the modelling material here is predominantly paper?

8/6/2019 MM Issue 3

5/9

5

Peter built the plastic buildings,

the water tank, stock yard, foot

warmer and the LJ Models card sta-

tion masters house (it is of the

wrong type and will need replacing)

as well as Grosvenor house.

I found the LJ Models card designs

difficult to complete to a standard

I was happy with. The instructions

were confusing and incomplete.

Scratch building can provide much

more accuracy and quality is only

limited by the information on hand

and the skill of the modeller. Cer-

tainly, with the materials now

available and a little detail fin-

ishing and weathering, the end re-

sult from scratch building can givemuch better feel to a model and it

is very rewarding.

LJ Models were designed during the eighties just down the road from here

at Albury and the parts are printed onto lightweight card. Superquick

is an English range of similar design. They both can be finished to a

reasonable level. I have seen many cardboard models of very high quality.

Of course, as Peter says, scratch building can be so much better and as a

Club we should be promoting all levels of modelling, but encouraging the

best quality from each individual. Building kits like these is a natural

stepping stone and has encouraged many modellers to go onto scratch

building. (Editor)

Ray built the LJ Models card

station building, the loading

platform and the signals.

The electrical planning was

carried out on my computer

using a software program

called Xara Xtreme. Although

we are using a simple DC sys-

tem, we have allowed for the

future upgrade to DCC as

funds permit.

The initial three panels

(Tumut and storage roads/

fiddle yard), were displayed

at the Wagga Wagga Model

Railway and Hobby Exhibition

in November 2007 and the Fes-

tival of the Falling Leaf in Tumut in 2008 and is now on semi-permanent

display in the Tumut Historical Museum. We received a lot of feed back

from many people regarding the presentation and operation of our display.

Many ideas have taken on board and improvements have been ongoing. Exhib-

iting for the first time was a little daunting but very enjoyable.

Peter Prewett

WWMR Tumut

Butter Factory Andrew

Crew facilities and water tank Peter

8/6/2019 MM Issue 3

6/9

6

Musings from The Rooms.

During the meeting held on December 1st at the hall, some discussion was held regarding the direction that the

hall layout was to take. Remember, this is your Model Railway and your ideas are needed and should be dis-cussed so as to plan and build your layout. A number of members discussed the proposed country stationwhich will be built on the new bench work to represent the Southern Main. The proposal is now laid out

roughly in place to get an idea of size and to gauge acceptance of the plan. Below is what we have come upwith so far. Space limitations have become a factor as always seems to happen and the plan as indicated lastissue has taken many turns. The theme is still to represent a single line reasonably sized junction station. Thiscurrent plan caters for main line passenger, branch passenger, goods, branch goods interchange as well as the

storage of grain and of course some loco facilities to maintain the branch roster. Down trains have direct accessto the branch and branch trains have direct access to the main and will need a crossover to reach the up mainprior to the start of dual main trackage.

Monday, January 5th saw a start made on the track laying. The main and branch are in place through the yardand progress will be quick from here. Steve has accepted the task of producing a trammel to help with the

marking out of the curves in this area. It will not be long and we will be running trains to Albury and be-yond.

Michael had a go at installing some track pins and the layout of points at the up end was greeted with enthusi-asm. 3 Left hand points laid in a row to create the 3 roads without an S bend was shall I say popular with onefellow going home to relay part of his yard in the same manner.

Part of the new enthusiasm that the club has, has seen almost all members lining up to see how things are doneand to see what they can do in the building process. This is great. As skill levels rise, we will see much faster

progress and as we move through the project, there will be many more jobs suddenly becoming available. Atthe next general meeting, we will most likely discuss some of these and ask for volunteers in various areas.There is much to do, from carpentry to electrics, scenery and buildings along with some general building main-tenance.

It seems like we can look forward to some new neighbours! We have been hearing many things for a whileregarding the location of the WAGGA MENS SHED. According to a TV News presentation, the MensShed is currently set up in temporary premises awaiting Council Approval to set up on Best Reserve with

us. Graeme was approached some time ago regarding the move as they had to prepare an impact statementon the existing groups and neighbours. Obviously there was no opposition to the proposal from WWMR,which includes such things as a security fence, which our building will be within and the toilet block will

be developed and showers added. We can see some of the proposal in the form of painted markings on theground locating the proposed building sites. This can only improve our security.

Working plan for Main South Station

8/6/2019 MM Issue 3

7/9

7

M eet the M embers

Barrie Price has been a lover of Model Railways for longer than I have known him.

Firstly N scale took his fancy due to the amount of railway he could get into a givenarea. I never saw it but I believe his garage was a maze of 9mm track. OO scale came

next. Again the shed bulged with the amount of track Barrie was able to press into ser-vice. His single car garage managed to house a terminus with almost a dozen passenger

roads and a large marshalling area and 2 completely separate through stations almost aslarge. It was nothing to see 3 and 4 crack British Railways Express trains running side

by side with pre British Rail stock, LMS, LNER, GWR, LNWR and anything else he

could get his hands on. A 3 car DERM derailed one running session causing much con-

cern when it toppled off the back edge of the bench work and disappeared, we thought,

to the floor. A quick search should have found it in whatever repair it was now, some-

where around our feet. It simply was not there. Some twenty minutes later, it was

found. The 3 cars managed to remain coupled, we can only assume bounced off the

floor to hide. They were found, undamaged, still coupled, wedged about 500mm up in-side the wall lining. We all laughed in incredulous disbelief. An eventful trip to Liver-

pool one year gave Pricey a little known nickname. We managed to have a close en-counter with a large marsupial. Pricey was known as Hooroo for a while.

Barries Dad was a barber and Barrie has carried on the family tradition. Price Cutts is

in Morgan Street Wagga where his staff tend to the care of ladies and gents hair styles.

Kapooka Army Recruit Training Base keeps him busy as he also does that close once-

over on each new soldier candidate. The Stationmaster was his little sideline where

he carried a few items to supply our modelling needs. I am sure that more went homethan was sold.

Music is another love of Barries and he is very much enjoying a resurgence in his ownmastery of the bass guitar. As a member of the Wagga Country Music Club, Barrie also

appears on several CDs produced for charity efforts. I have been fortunate enough to

play with Barrie accompanying on several occasions. He is probably being spurred

along a little by his son Steven who also now plays bass guitar.

Barrie was President of WWMR for many years, retiring from the position early in

2008. Over the last few years, music and work pressures has slowed him a little but he

still manages to keep tabs on what is happening and managed to attend our annual showin November and was presented with his Life Membership on the Sunday Morning. I

was not surprised that this embarrassed Barrie as he does not look for personal recogni-tion but has always been a team player who puts in more than his fair share for the good

of any group. He purchased the large club trailer when the need became obvious. For

most of the exhibiting life of Stockinbingal, he was the man out front, often going

without a break for many hours, talking to the public and controlling small inquisitive

fingers.

One of our model townships will need a model of his business, Price Cutts complete

with barbers pole and a HT Holden. I guess a mini scene with a Ford Laser and a kan-

garoo would also be appropriate. If asked, he would probably build these scenes.

8/6/2019 MM Issue 3

8/9

8

History Lesson: Around the time that we began the Stockinbingal project, we weremeeting most weeks on a Tuesday night at the home of Barrie and Bev Price. Barrie had asingle car garage absolutely full of OO scale English railway in the early eighties. The old

joke about being so little room to move was true here. To turn in the aisle, you worked your

way outside, turned and re-entered the shed. Bev eventually allowed Barrie to build a bigger

shed. It was to be just as full, but American.

This was where I personally, along with many others, was introduced to Model Railways

as a social activity. Like many others, I was invited along and simply kept coming. I re-

member my first night returning home at some very early hour with not much more time

available than was needed for a shower before I went to work again. Many friendshipsmade then are still strong. It did not seem to matter what you modelled, the predominant

was English, you were welcome to put something on the track and during the night, every-one got to drive it and you got to drive the rest.

Over time, Barrie became a bit of a leader to many of us by sharing his experiences in

firstly N scale, then OO and HO. Barrie would try anything, sometimes twice. Many a time

we would try to reinvent the wheel. Pricey would calmly say Try it like this. I am surehe was frustrated many times by seeing the way some of us did things. He was always the

first to congratulate someone who deserved it though.. Pricey still makes friends very eas-

ily. Many a time at different shows, he would disappear for a little while, come and find us

and take us to a layout where the operator would allow us to have a closer look or even a

drive. There was always a point to this as Barrie would point out later by asking if we saw

some little detail.

The second Friday of the month was the night we got to visit other local layouts. Anyone

with a home layout was pressed to entertain us in turn during the year. Some nights would

include a slide viewing or a movie during the splendid suppers which were ably providedby the ladies.

We managed to work on home layouts as a group. If someone needed a hand, we simplyturned up with the tools and got to work. I remember Dave Frost, a local Policeman, asking

about cab control. The topic was discussed at length and it was obviously totally confusing

to our friend. The following week, someone suggested that we slip around to Frostys place

and check how his wiring was going. So we did!

You are here to do what? asked Dave from a rather casual and dare I say slightly ine-

briated state draped across a lounge chair. But he took us to the train room and in about anhour and a half we had miles of cable laid and trains were running around his empire. I

dont think Dave ever really understood what we did, but his trains were running.Electrical work was not all that we were good at as a group. Some were good track lay-

ers, carpenters, plasterers, painters or kit builders. Some were good with buildings and oth-

ers with rolling stock. So it came as no surprise that the desire to combine all of these skillsto build an Exhibition layout grew. Andrew Browne, Peter Parsons and myself floated the

idea amongst a number of the group and the idea became more and more popular. Eventu-

ally a special meeting was held to gain support and pass the hat to begin the project.

The Australian Model Railway Magazine was one of several that we devoured as a

group. Most of us were American modellers by now, but we did like the Australian proto-type. We just found that modelling American was easier and cheaper and so much more

was available. The only way to obtain Australian prototype models was to purchase rareand expensive brass models, cottage industry kits or scratch build them. Later we were

to fit yankee mechanisms to some of the available Australian diesel bodies in an effort to

obtain reliable models. We simply accepted many inaccuracies so as to model NSWR.

To be continued...

8/6/2019 MM Issue 3

9/9

9

Ne w P r od u c t s

A set of Bergs new Sydney elec-trics were seen running on the hall

layout recently. Very pretty. These

things definitely look the part.

Apart from Bergs store at Par-

ramatta, these can be viewed or

purchased from Iron Horse Hob-

bies.

I have a number of submissions from various peopleand will work with them to complete their submis-sions so as to share them with you all. I have also

managed to encourage a few from out side the club tosubmit items and these will show up from time to timewhen available. One person I have spoken with in this

regard is Mr Allan Brown, a past editor of the Austra-lian Model Railway Magazine, co-moderator onAus_Model_Rail, a familiar modeller at East Coast

Model Rail Shows and an all round good guy. Allansparticular penchant is for cutting up and modifyingvarious passenger car models and kits, converting

them to unavailable models.

The BAM above has been modified from one of therange of N cars available from Bergs Hobbies Par-ramatta. This conversion or kit-bashing, is probably

the easiest way to obtain a model you want which is

not available. You do run the risk of course of puttingin all the hard work to correctly represent your model

of choice only to find it available as a kit down thetrack. I understand that this car will be available as akit in the not too distant future

Allan will be describing some of his conversions infuture Murrumbidgee Mails.

HOME SIGNALHOME SIGNAL

Allan Brown Photo

In what I am sure will be seen as a popular decision, AMRA NSW has negotiated the return of the OctoberLong Week end Exhibition to the Whitlam Centre at Liverpool. I have spoken with many regular attendees andexhibitors and have not heard a grumble yet. Hurstville was attractive and new and probably easier access for

city dwellers but as an exhibitor, I found that access with heavy or large items was not near as easy as it was atLiverpool.

Feel like having a go at some scenery or maybe a building or 2?

Now is the time to consider it. The hall layout is close to needing some buildings. A list of

the obvious buildings will be made available that we need so that a choice may be made.

From the camera of Rob Nesbitt, Easter

1983, Lachlan Valley Steam visits Wagga