Overseas...to Tasmania (part 1)

Time for a bit of a run down of my recent "overseas" trip to Tasmania, for the Launceston Model Railway Exhibition (October 22-23).  This was a new exhibition, and when I was invited to host my display, I was more than happy to support this show, as I think they were approaching it with good intentions...quality over quantity (which is often a slight down fall of many other exhibitions).  Anyway, best start at the begining...

I nearly thought this exhibition wasn't going to happen for me.  Firstly, the drive up to Melbourne took twice as long as usual, so I was one of the last cars to board the Spirit of Tasmania ferry.  Secondly, you tend to get a bit nervous when there are three quarantine officers sniffing around the back of your car!  It was funny though observing their change in attitude.  Tasmania has fairly strict quarantine laws for entry (no fruit & veg, no plant materials etc), so when I turn up at the wharf with a car boot full of dried flower heads/model gum trees, there were going to be questions.  Luckily the approach changed from "Nah mate, can't bring those over", to after looking at the diorama's then being more "Geez, they're pretty cool!", so was able to board, eventually.

Arrived first thing Friday morning in Devonport and headed about an hours drive across to Launceston.  The early arrival meant the set up could be fairly low stress and leave plenty of time to chat.  Tassie had turned on some average weather with heavy rain up until lunch (of course it stopped after we had loaded in the layouts and displays).  The venue was Albert Hall, which was a fine venue.  Some great architecture, nice and comfortable with decent carpet and heating, very well lit, and an attached cafe for good food and coffee supplies (did enjoy one of the best toasted sandwiches I've every had!).

Set up ran fairly smoothly with good access for rolling in some large layout storage.  The venue provided plenty of space to gather around the layouts without ever feeling like there were traffic flow issues.  The professional finish of the overall display was quite notable, with all stands using  curtain skirts and standardised crowd barriers, there was a general impression that there was a lot of pride put into the displays (and the grand state of the venue went a long way to helping this feel).  I mentioned the venue was well lit, with additional stage lighting brought in to add extra lighting where required (just another of the professional thoughts).   On to some of the layouts then...

"Rushy Creek" by John Fielding, a NSW HO layout, was one that really worked for me.  It nailed a lot of elements well.  Well lit, great colour balance, simple concept that was executed cleanly, and worked very well as a stage for some excellent loco and rolling stock modelling to roll through.  I think it captured some of that Australian rural essence very well.

"Pipers Creek" by Frank Cross, a Victorian HO layout, was another that showed that keeping it simple can work well.  The curved frontage was a nice touch, and again, a layout that showed good management of the colours across the scenery.  The back scene method was an interesting approach, with the low photo background framed nicely by the taller black wall.  It must have worked well because I didn't really notice it until I reviewed my photos (ie it wasn't a distracting addition).

"Eyarth" by Gordon Brown, travelled across from the mainland for this show.  This is a beautifully modelled British OO layout, that is very lush and picturesque with very typical British scenery.  The setting up of this layout is quite meticulous, with the thought behind all its storage and transport being well engineered, and even the storage boxes are as neatly presented as the actual layout.  One of the beauties of this layout is the large and gracious curve it creates with its end to end running, giving a very nice panoramic effect.

"Totternhoe Mineral Railway On15" by Eamonn Seddon, has been a long time personal favourite layout of mine.  Very different in its theatrical presentation (with plenty owing to Eamonn's theatre background), this exhibition was the final outing for this superb layout.  At more than 20 years old, this layout has toured and displayed exceptionally well, and certainly doesn't look like a tired old layout.  I think the commitment behind how this layout is presented is what keeps it fresh.  The black paint is reapplied after set up at each show (taping over the joins and painting them over each time),  and the blacked out surrounds and black clothing for operators adds a lot of drama to this layout.  It was a pleasure to help set it up, watch it run, and then pack it away for its final show.  The only good thing about this being Totternhoe's last show, was that Eamonn is working on new layouts.  

"Ffrongoch Viaduct" by Eamonn Seddon, was one of the new projects being demonstrated over the weekend (I'm just not sure how to pronounce it!).  The beginnings of a new OO layout that shows how one of these portable layouts starts to come together.  Eamonn also spent the weekend talking about some landscape modelling techniques, although I think there was far more talking than demonstrating!

Alongside Eamonn for the weekend was Simon Handby (Eamonn and Simon being the organisers behind this new exhibition).  Simon brought along a static display of his under construction Tasmanian OO layout, which highlighted some very nice scenery and structure modelling, as well as a long line of under construction locomotives and rolling stock.  Simon also is quite capable in casting, with a range of Tasmanian OO (4mm) loco bodies and rolling stock available.

The next small stand was hosted by Steve Oppermann, with a display of Ghan railway, as well as some discussion about basic electronics for model railways.  The Ghan history was a good read, and the stand seemed busy throughout the weekend with simple electronics for model railways being explained, such as installing point motors.

Now I don't usually take much interest in some of the antique models displays, but alongside me all weekend was John Rush with a well preserved collection of Triang railways (with an OO and TT layout on display).  Like all of the other displays, it was a clean display, and my first collection of model railway stuff was a box full of Triang equipment bought from a garage sale, so it was interesting to actually spot a few of the items that I started out with quite a few years ago.

I was located on a busy corner of the exhibition with my display of gum tree modelling and dioramas.  Plenty of interested viewers stopped to get lost in the dense bush, with a few finding the hidden koalas high up in the tree tops.  I know I've had a busy weekend when I come home hoarse from talking to people about how to model this type of scenery.  I'm always grateful for the comments on the work I display and hope that it serves to inspire many others to get their hands dirty and have a go at some of these techniques.  I had plenty of the "you must have patience" comments, but that's not so with my modelling.  I need patience to do my day job, but my modelling is just fun.

Another of the travellers was Alan Beaumont from SA, who made the trip across and down with his 3D printing display (which by the way, will be one of the demonstrations at the 13th Australian Narrow Gauge Convention, being held in Geelong in 2017...I had to get a plug in somewhere!!), as well as his latest layout "Dunquickly".  There is always plenty of curious onlookers to observe the 3D printing process in action, and Alan is more than willing to share his knowledge on the subject.  I think what I like about Alan's use of the 3D printing, is that he isn't restricting himself to just printed locos and rolling stock.  His layouts utilise many custom construction pieces generated in CAD and printed for application.  It's great to see someone thinking about the broader capabilities of this sort of technology.

Simon Chandler hosted a nice display of some Tasmanian Sn3.5 modelling.  Some nicely captured prototype scenes were on display, with the small square layout, "Lalla and Tulendeena" designed as four modules that fit in the back of a Holden Commodore.  A good layout to demonstrate that plenty is achievable in a small space, and doesn't always need a truck to transport it.

"Urmston Road" by Colin Jolley, was a British OO layout that presented some typical British urban railway modelling.  I will tell of an amusing day with Colin when I do part 2 of this trip report, but his layout is very well detailed.  Slightly unfortunately for the visitors, this layout is detailed on the four sides, but only two were visible over the weekend.  The layout also features a lot of lit interior details that would have been missed by many with the well lit Albert Hall. In any other dimly lit exhibition hall all this extra effort would have been more evident.

There were a couple of other layouts on displays that I either forgot to take photos of, or the shots came out too blurred to use.  Those other layouts included a nicely finished shunting plank by Doug Colbeck, "Penguin" (Tas OO) by Max Chandler, the very large industrial "East Tamar" by Steve Williams, and a good collection of Hornby tinplate models from Jaicob Ford.  

Trade stands at this show were limited (not such a bad thing, as I believe that the attendees paying to come into an exhibition are paying to see models and layouts, not a mass of shops), but Branchline Models was another of the travellers coming from Victoria with a range of supplies, Petrarch's Book Shop had a good range of print on offer, and local hobby shop Tiger Models had a selection of bits to browse.  Possibly could have benefited from one or two more trade stands just to add some shopping interest for the modellers visiting this show, but I can appreciate some of the logistic difficulties behind that given the travelling from the mainland issue.

I think the weekend ran very successfully.  Several thousand visitors passed through the doors and most seemed engaged and entertained by what they saw.  There were a number of conversations about what other opportunities there were to explore with this exhibition, so I feel it is going to become a recognised and valuable show for the Tasmanian model railway enthusiasts.  Most importantly, the organisers and the exhibitors they invited were a great bunch of people.  Plenty of laughs were shared during the weekend, as well as plenty of ideas.  The packing up part at the end of every exhibition is never much fun, but we got it done pretty efficiently, but most importantly, we beat the Tassie rain that was threatening once again.

Part 2 of this report will be done hopefully in the next few days, and cover a trip to the Don River Railway prior to my return back home to Victoria.

Cheers,

Dan

A bit of remodelling...

A bit of enthusiasm has struck again to get out in the studio and get some modelling work done.  I think some of that enthusiasm came from a recent garage clean out and reorganisation, which meant having to move a couple of pieces of stored models.  My studio space was suddenly looking fairly cluttered, with some of that clutter being pieces of Gavin Hince's former layout that I had salvaged back a few years ago now.  For some time, they have sat on a vacant section of bench work in the studio space, and I probably have put off doing something with them due to trying to figure out the order that incorporating them into my home layout design.  It's one of those things, where as a scratch builder, one of the factors that adds extra time to any work done, is the lack of instructions telling you what to do next...you end up spending a lot of thinking time, getting the progress in the right order.  Building a layout is perhaps much the same, but I have found it even more so when working with something that someone else has already started.  There has been a lot of thinking about how to work with Gavin's module techniques amongst my methods.

 

For example, my bench work on the layout was using open grid design, where the road beds are elevated and easy to get in and around while doing wiring.  Gavin on the other hand, has worked directly onto thick layers of polystyrene sheets, with a thin timber road bed glued along it.  I had some slight track deviations to make when it came to working across his terrain (his terrain was the part I was trying to keep included in my salvage challenge), so there was some compromise with my construction methods to try and retain some of the former feel of the recycled scenery.  As can be seen above, wiring through the old sections needed some creative thinking.  I am using a 12mm ply as my road bed, which has been glued or screwed across part of Gavin's former lines, and to make running the dropper wires a bit easier, drinking straws were sunk through the thick foam as wiring channels.  When I move back onto wiring on my sections of framing, I only need to drop wires through the ply road bed, so wire management is a bit easier in that aspect.

 

In the photos above, what is being constructed is the logging tramway along the back of the modules.  The tramway is separate from the mainline, and sits about 5 inches higher in elevation.  It sits roughly 3-4 inches forward of the back scene, which is enough distance for me to still model scenery that has enough depth and density (as per my "Mantelpiece Challenge" diorama, "Spirit of the Dandenongs", there is a photo of it further down in this post).  Parting of the wiring that had to be arranged in this part of the construction, was for the inclusion of the automatic DCC shuttle (aka The Professor Silencer, from Tam Valley Depot).  When I have enough operators, the logging tramway will have its own operator, but for the times I will be out in the studio for a solo run, I can turn on the shuttle unit and still have the logging train run on auto.  The end of this tramway will be known as "2 Mile Landing", and feature a log loading scene, using some of the former models that appeared on the Red Stag layout.  In the scene, empty log cars are stored along the rear track (closest to back scene), and the loading will occur on the front track.  The fall of the wandering creek and waterfalls was one of the key elements I wanted to retain from Gavin's layout, and they can been seen starting to make more sense after some careful butchering...when it came to modifying the old layout sections, the demolition saw was the "delicate" tool of choice!

I was also able to add in some of the end of layout framing, which will create the space where my "Splitters Gorge" diorama will be eventually disassembled and rebuilt in the valley between "Brooks" and the logging tramway.  The valley will be about 12-14 inches deep, and allow for some of my bigger Mountain Ash trees to fit in below the roof line.  My library sits below this valley.  The photo seen at below left is taken from the doorway to the studio, so some of the first parts of the final layout that will be seen are the log loading site and giant trees.

One of the other small bits of modelling I spent a few nights on, was assembling a standard gauge wagon (VR I/IA wagon by QuVic models).  I plan to include a short section of standard gauge track at the end of the line (in Upper Gully) as the link to the outside world from this little narrow gauge branch line.  I wanted to use the standard gauge wagon to help demonstrate the quaint size of the narrow gauge rolling stock.  The I/IA wagon can be seen below alongside one of my unfinished NG NQR wagons.  Now I just need to find the time to paint and detail the new wagon.

And just to maybe justify the name of this blog, "Somewhere on the workbench", I though you might appreciate this photo of what the yard of "Brooks" looks like at the minute.  Despite me including three dedicated modelling bench spaces below my layout, they are all currently full of bits of projects, and I once again find myself using any available flat surfaces for work space.  I think I need to get on with adding some more scenery to this section just to prevent me doing such practices!

I said at the start of this post that a garage clean up meant that some of my stored dioramas have now been moved into the studio space.  This included my "Spirit of the Dandenongs" diorama, and with it now out here in the studio,it might actually serve as some further inspiration to get into some scenery modelling on the sections of layout I have up and running thus far.  It was nice to stand back and let this diorama give an impression of what half of this layout will look like once finished.

I can't let this post go without another plug for the Launceston Model Railway Exhibition, coming up on October 22-23, at Albert Hall (in Launceston, Tasmania).  As mentioned previously, I'm heading down there to host my tree modelling display, and give clinics throughout the weekend.  One of the other layouts there that will be of interest for some, is Toternhoe Mineral Railway (by Eamonn Sedon).  For those that haven't seen the layout before, you should, as this is likely its final outing.  It was built back in the 90's, and still looks as fresh and creative as what it did at its first show.  Its due to either be sold or demolished after this show, so would be a goods excuse to plan a trip down to Tasmania for the weekend just to see this layout one last time (and drop past and say hello to me!)

Cheers,

Dan

Plug life...

Hi all,

There will be a new update coming soon with some modelling bits, but wanted to add in here a couple of quick plugs for a few shows I will be at in the near future.  At each show, I will be hosting a repeating gum tree building clinic, which takes about 20 minutes to run through in the abbreviated version.  Clinics will essentially be run roughly every hour throughout the days I'm at these shows, so if you wanted to drop past and listen to a chat about the process I use to create these models, please say you read about it here!

First show coming up is the AMRA Victorian exhibition, being held at Caulfield Racecourse on August 20th-21st.  Its probably the biggest model railway exhibition in Victoria, with plenty of traders attending, and usually a good selection of quality layouts up and running across the weekend.

The other exhibition I will be attending is a new one, the Launceston Model Railway Show, which is being held in Launceston, Tasmania, October 22nd-23rd.  I'm very happy to be heading "overseas" to support this new exhibition, as the organisers have what I believe is a fairly good principle with their show plans...quality over quantity.  They have made some decent effort to make sure that what is being displayed is great value and entertainment for the visiting public, and hopefully also be a great representation and promotion of this hobby.  There is a Facebook page for this exhibition...

Launceston Model Railway Show

It's being held in Albert Hall, which is a pretty cool venue in itself, so will be looking forward to being a part of this one.  Check out their Facebook page, as they have regular teaser shots of what is coming to the show.  There will be a number of displays travelling over from the mainland, as well as a few brand new layouts being build for this show, so well worth a short holiday down to Tassie for this one.  While I have a bit of time to fill in when waiting to get the return ferry home, I want to drop into the Don River Railway in Devonport and have a good browse around (missed the opportunity to do this last time I was down that way).

So if anyone is keen to get some more tips on building these big bold trees that dominate our landscape, come for a visit to either of these shows and I'll happily share all the techniques.

Of course, while I'm dropping plugs, I can't go without giving the 13th Australian Narrow Gauge Convention a little nudge!  Registrations are now available for this event, with plenty of early bird bookings coming in already.  There have been plenty of enquiries about local accommodation options (there are some links to suggested places to stay on the website), with a good number of the attendees already booking in to the closest places.  There has also been some good interest in the Partners Day Program and the Heritage Railway Tour (being held at The Bellarine Railway), which is great to see plenty of partners travelling to enjoy this weekend as well.  Places will be limited o the Partners Day, with spots nearly half filled, so I highly recommend if you are planning to attend this convention with your partner in tow, consider booking this part early.  Some of the attending layouts, presenters and traders are starting to be confirmed now, so please remember to check back to the website frequently for updates on what will be happening across that weekend.

www.austnarrowgaugeconvention.com

Cheers,

Dan