tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411924341782348312023-11-16T18:22:50.807+11:00 MY S.A.R.the musings of a mad old bloke about his HO scale model Railway. Set in the late 60s- early 70s with close enough rolling stock and locos. Dont bother counting my rivets :)Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-66296124768429406302015-04-21T17:00:00.000+10:002015-04-21T17:00:44.966+10:00BIG Changes<b>Well, seeing it's been nearly 12 months since my last update, I thought I had better get off my backside and fill you all in. I decided some time ago to change the layout design and a shift of locations to an imaginary Island called "<span style="color: #990000;"> <span style="background-color: orange;">KANAGRA</span>" </span>It lies just off the </b><b>South </b><b>Australian mainland adjacent to Goolwa and the Coorong coast stretching some 280 miles ( 430 KM) north south and sort of triangular shaped being a narrow triangle. It has a decent harbour at the top (Port Selby) and another at the Bottom called Vaneed. I attach a History as an attachment. </b><br />
<b> As I am moving house and Shrike Models is finally getting off to getting stuff here , I have put all else on hold but as soon as the move is over and all gets settled I will begin doing my Layout, which will encompass just a part of the line.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b> <span style="color: #0b5394;">HERE IS THE HISTORY</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></b>
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<u>The History of Kanagra Island<o:p></o:p></u></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is believed that the island came into existence about 900
AD. About this time 3 huge meteors hit
South Australia with major earthquakes, the largest forming the huge lake 29
miles north of the Murray river near Loxton and 2 smaller ones hitting the
ocean south of what is now Victor Harbour. This caused a massive land shift
upwards forming the Island some 280 miles north to south and about 4 miles
across at the north end, widening to 65 miles across at the mid South.There is
evidence from the Fleurenaux Peninsula Aboriginal tribes of the major upheaval
in their legends and they considered Kanagra Island to be an evil place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the first British arrived in 1834, they found a pale
skin tribe in the area around Gills and Jagandulcie that spoke a sort of Dutch
language and used , what they called Ferrestone, as fire. This Ferrestone was
actually Black coal! There were only about 3 to 400 in the tribe and their
legends say that some women were kidnapped but the Dutch and they settled on
the island. This would most likely be
the Able Tasman or Mahogany ship crews.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As this was officially a part of South Australia, there was
mainly English, Scotts and Irish settlement at first, but in 1867 a ship of
Swedish and Danish settlers arrived, all being Lutheran and similar style
people. The first main settlements were around Port Selby and near what is now
Selby plus at the lower point of the island around Vaneed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The population in 1869 was around 4,000 including the
Jagandulsi tribe. The SA government realising how valuable the Coal was decided
to build a railway from the Port Selby to Jagandulcie and work began on 18<sup>th</sup>
June 1870. This line was easy grades at first but the hills near Jagandulcie,
meant a hard slog up a 1 in 48 grade, at that stage the hardest grade in S.A.
The line opened in 1874 with 4 locomotives in line haul and one for shunting at
the port. This was connected to the SAR
at Goolwa from 1885, with only 6 miles (10 KM.) of sea crossing via a ferry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the population increased, there were new villages and
areas populated by mainly Scandinavian and Scottish migrants and by 1890 there
were nearly 80,000 people on the island. It was a favourite place to escape the
summer heat, being about 5 to 8 degrees cooler overall than Adelaide. Hotels
sprang up along the coastal areas and Vaneed, Zumsteig and Barnett Bay were
very popular vacation spots. The SAR extended the railway as far as Vaneed, 197
miles south of Selby, by 1896 as well as a northern line 26 miles from Selby to
Lagoda, on the northern end of the island, opposite the North Coorong area on
the mainland. More migration in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century saw the first
post Federation Census as being 136, 418, a huge percentage of the South
Australian population at the time. Selby became the capitol and largest city
having in 1909 34, 500 residents and the SAR actually double tracked the line
from Port Selby to Gills in 1911.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After World War 1 more European migrants, coming from
Austria, Germany Holland and Belgium as well as Britain and Russia arrived and
by 1929 the population had increased to 275,000. Then during the depression,
migration slowed to less than 500 per year.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kananga grows many fruits and vegetables not easily grown in
the rest of South Australia, including Greengages, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Celery,
Peas, Pomegranates, Gooseberries and cool weather grapes. Also there is not
much wheat grown but a lot of Corn, potatoes, Oats and Barley. There are
cattle, sheep, Pigs and Goats as well, thus giving a nicely managed food
source. Oil was found near Vaneed and off shore in 1935 and a refinery was
established there in 1938. This made the economy boom and before World War 2, a
petition to succeed from South Australia was begun. The war stopped any
proceedings and it was not brought up again till about 1960. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first Coal mine was started by George Halsey at Jagandulcie
in 1860 and is still going today. More coal was discovered in 1870 and mines
were established at Ashmore, Sleeman and Kavinka on the branch line from
Beanula to Taschig. These are worked as a private concern with their own locos
and rolling stock, as is the Halsey mine. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More coal is mined at Hinnakka using KR locos and rolling
stock to take it to either Port Selby or Jinkarra Power station.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A daily Oil train runs from Vaneed refinery to Lagoda ,
dropping various company tank cars at various locations. There are 3 Air
conditioned north- south passenger trains daily from Vaneed to Port Selby as
well as 2 others from Selby to Lagoda, these as well as the branch line
services are well patronised and the speed is gradually being increased, to
70MPH and 75 MPH ( 115KMH and 125KMH), were possible. Mainlines are all
continuous welded rail mainly 100 Lbs or 50KG with a small section of 60KG rail
. the Main line is double track, then CTC from Gills to Vaneed, the north line
and branches are worked by train order.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the 1<sup>st</sup> of July 1966, Kanagra succeeded from
South Australia, becoming the 7<sup>th</sup> State of Australia. The SAR handed
over 7 930 class, 5 Rx class, 6 830 class and 4 740 class locos, as well as 800
freight cars and 36 passenger cars. 6 300 and 2 400 class DPMs with 3 860 class
cars were also built in the early 1960s purely for Selby suburban service. The
new Kanagra Railway (KR) bought 2 RDC2 and 1 RDC1 from various US railways in
1967 to serve the 2 branch lines etc. A small number of VR 4 wheel stock was
also acquired and this made the KR a nice profitable railway, which it still
is. 1970 saw 20 US type Flat stake cars for timber traffic and 36 new (US 70
ton) Hoppers similar to the SAR H type built, and as time progressed more
modern types arrived.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1974 saw the population hit 450,000 total with Selby and
district having 150,000, Vaneed 45000, Beyanula 35,000 Lagoda 22,000 and
Taschig 20,000. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">More to come including a track plan</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">See you soon, happy modelling and may GOD truly Bless you</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">, </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Hopey</i></span></div>
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Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-12828338952827964252014-05-05T16:33:00.003+10:002014-05-05T16:33:26.261+10:00Huge things going on, but not on my layout<h2>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SHRIKE WEBSITE - Coming, coming, coming</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prior to my sojourne south to the Hobsons Bay Club Exhibition at La Trobe University, in Melbourne's north. I had arranged with my web host company for the website finalisation- Oh boy what Murphy's Law did. First their mainframe server crashed at about 8 PM the night before Good Friday, then when someone reset it, the sites had been corrupted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Then since I returned there has been drama after Drama. Any way Tuesday evening May 6th shall be when they promise ( </span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">PLEASE DEAR LORD</span></b><span style="color: #a64d79;">) , the website up and running, after I have no idea how many phone calls , emails etc.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">I also want to thank my mate Rod Young for being such a pal and all that. I had a setback in Melbourne but won't go into it here. The exhibition was a huge learning curve for this Novice Model retail producer. But we laearn quickly, along with discussions with other manufacturers and retailers. Quite interesting how only 3 of 17 gave me negative vibes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span><span style="color: #351c75;">Thanks Ian D. saved me heaps. ( James M, can you pass this on)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rx, SAR </span></h3>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Many many excited phone calls and emails from our South Australian Contacts. As I am producing for under $500 per, the first ready to run (Plastic) South Australian Steam engine- the Rx . The web site has all the details. ( <u>Please Lord get them going</u>).</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> I am offering a pre arrival discount of $40 per locomotive to ensure a good response, It too is on the website. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #0b5394;"> </b><span style="color: #134f5c;">The only modelling I have done since moving to the mini house ( see last Blog) has been to weather a couple of my now competition's RTR Freight wagons ( Cars in US/SAR palance) , I still intend doing a 3 section Diarama but that is on the backburner for a month or 2. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">The Albury show is my next venture, followed by Adelaide and Epping ( Thornleigh) in one weekend ( There ya go Smalls etc, free advert), so a bit more frequent flyer points tax deductable car hire, motel meals etc. I will have such a complex tax return this year, same with BAS- easy when income was $0, now it's trickling back. But I need to see what a house used to cost say 10 years ago in Sydney, come back my way before I am somewhat happy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The website</b><span style="color: #134f5c;"> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/:www.shrikemodels.com.au%C2%A0">:www.shrikemodels.com.au </a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>as of: let's be safe and say Wednesday 7th May</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Till next update etc, may GOD bless you, my friends and followers. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Geoff Hope</span></div>
Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-87502504606321466392014-02-02T07:52:00.003+11:002014-02-02T07:52:59.893+11:00Yuck, this place is too small<h3>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>After The Move:</b></span></h3>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I have discovered that after moving home, even though it is only temporary, it is too small, not enough kitchen cupboards etc. Here it is February and I have at least 12 boxes unpacked inside. There is not enough room for my cooking stuff, the Garage is a joke- exactly 5.5 x 5.5 meters and chockablock. It has eaves at the rear between the garage and the house. There is a paved area about 5.5 x 6 meters so I have placed shelving under the eaves , Mainly plastic boxes are in the shelves, but a few small cardboard ones with plastic over them. my wagons are mainly in 2 cabinets in the shed along with Locos in one and other locos in boxes next to the door. My Q Block is stacked in a mess at one part of the fence side wall and 3 modules, are next to it, placed end on.</b></span></div>
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<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b></div>
<h3>
<b style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ESCAPE:</b></h3>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Ashton and I, left for a great little holiday on Monday 5th January, we stayed in a motel the first night at what was the Hume Highway, in South Albury. Caught up with my old mate Garry and his wife Robyn, my accountant. Tuesday we caught up with some other old friends and Ashton's Great Aunt Margeret ( MAGRAT) and her mad mob. We stayed Tuesday and Wednesday night at the country mansion of my oldest mate, Rod Young, at Allans Flat </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>(</b><i>Comtrain goes HO HO HO or <u>Hobsons Bay north </u>blogspot</i><b>). It was great catching up with him and I reccommend Yackandandah for the food at the cafe there. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>From there we went to Melbourne, staying at my old mum's for 4 nights. I was sick on the Friday and we did nothing- may have been mum's cooking!!! On Monday we caught up with friends at Packenham, about 1 hour or so from Melbourne, staying at the Motel at Officer, not a bad place. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Tuesday saw us go to Lakes Entrance, staying at a Caravan Park on site Van . A good time there with Ashton catching his first fish- a Waaloo I was told by a local Aboriginal Lady. it was so small, but Ashton was so excited. I caught nothing whilst a bloke about 8 meters from me caught a nice about 12 pound what I assume was a Bass Straight yellow belly or maybe a Barracudda. Oh well ! We stayed 3 nights at Lakes Entrance. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>After Lakes Entrance we went to Eden, for only 2 nights ( darn it) ,, Staying in another on site Cabin- this one was SO SO NICE inside, I wish we had stayed 4 nights. Opposite a great beach and we went to the whaling station museum and other sightseeing places. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Then we made the mistake of a night in a dingy motel at Bega, with the world's worst Chinese feed. MSG city and the Chinese Smorgasbord was so over cooked it was impallatable. We gave up after that and later in the night had a ham sandwich each. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Next day, Monday we were off to Canberra, stopping at Cooma for lunch, it was a great meal there. We booked into our Cabin in the north side of Canberra and after unpacking etc, I had to throw up- that Chinese food had given me a small food poisoning. I was OK about an hour later so we drove around Canberra, finding a few sights and getting lost with my GPS telling lies. Tuesday had us at the War memorial and museum then Parliament House to see where so many BAD mistakes have been made. Then in the evening, dinner with a lovely couple I know Rau and Lorna. Rau drove the Silver Fern in NZ and fired for me when I was playing trains at Southern and Silverton. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Wednesday saw is return to the slums of Sydney :( after a 16 day, 2760 KM soujourn. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<h3>
<b style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">THE POSSIBILITIES of doing something in this hovel:</b></h3>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I looked at the "Family room, which is about 7 meters long and thought </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>" Here's a possibility! Place a small diorama with those 3 sections against the wall. It will fit if I move the couch around."</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>So, dear reader, that is what I will be doing over the next 2 weeks. Including the 1 meter legs, 100 mm framing and 25 mm Base, that gives me a small display 750 mm by 4.7 M long, 1125 mm high to build a roughly 3.25 meter loop, Silo road and say a goods shed and stock siding. A bit of simple scenery and a couple of small shops, a few houses ad a country service station will take say 6 months to do properly.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I will be able to display my RTR Locomotives on it, and as my first Loco is a NSWGR steam this layout will be a bit generic, with stobie poles etc going in later to make it South Australian. The Station and platform will be removable, so I can do a ground level SAR one later. This will be against the wall of my Home layout at the new place.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Speaking of which, I have done some work in 3rdPlanit on the new design, a huge ammendment taking the floor plan to 8.5 x 24 meters in total- yes I have the Land for it as well as a nice BIG house with 4 car Garage, Pool and another shed for business etc. More later!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="color: #b45f06;">Well dear reader, that is about it for a while, I will take a few photos as I assemble the Display modules, lay track and begin scenicking, stay tuned for exciting updates!</b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;"> God Bless you all</span></b><b style="color: #b45f06;"> and thanks Col ( Rev Col) for the support emails. Catch you at some NMRA thingy. </b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Hopey</i></span></span></h4>
Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-11125677630853236582013-12-02T12:36:00.004+11:002013-12-02T12:36:20.275+11:00The move= part 1<h3>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">it's only temporary:</span></h3>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Well dear readers, here I am sitting at the keyboard instead of final packing. Why? I hear you ask. Because my back, arms, legs and every part of me hurts like hell, that's why.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>I move into the new place in Kellyville( Sydney north west suburb) in less than 24 hours, my garage is a mess, blue foam board, pieces of 7MM 3ply, and box after box after box in there, Hired a skip to get rid of rubbish- the rotten bugger did not take a double bed mattress, that had seen better years. so - FREE TO GOOD HOME, one double bed mattress!.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<h2>
<b><span style="color: #351c75;">Thoughts of the week:</span></b></h2>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh lord, make this new place better than here! </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So many dramas occured in this place! </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I need a fresh start!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Colourful enough for you??</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">OK back to the main blog mission: The layout, as one would know by now, it is now in pieces, with some Qubelock framed and some Wood, Modules. I had 6 built and track layed on 4. all wired as per the standard DCC ideas, and 3 modules have points, using Servos as point motors- I like them, they are easy to install etc. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I move tomorrow, the layout is going to be on hold for a while, I may work on a module or 2, perhaps some scenery, as well as fine tuning track. I have been reading about many ideas on other blogs, when not packing etc etc .</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So where to from here???</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The place is a rental and HOPEFULLY I will get the big property next year, so as I can build that dream layout, in a purpose built shed, similar to my old Mate: Rod Young. ( </span></b><a href="http://hobsonsbaynorth.blogspot.com.au/">http://hobsonsbaynorth.blogspot.com.au/</a> ), <b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There ya go mate- free advertising. Perhaps a bit larger than his ( internal dimensions) 7 x 20 meter shed. Everything is on hold whilst the project I spoke about comes to fruition. Speaking of which, I sent money in US$ to china while the Aust $ was 96 cents, today it is a mere $91c. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">BOOO sayeth this new player in the Aussie ready to run market. </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Any way enough ramblings and talking , must get back to filling boxes with stuff- non essentials like Cutlery etc :)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>God Bless and catch up soon, </b><i><span style="color: #20124d;">Geoff Hope</span></i></span></div>
Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-44199902967021434262013-10-10T20:03:00.000+11:002013-10-10T20:03:03.658+11:00LOTS HAPPENING<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Well, dear followers. A lot has happened over the last few months.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">At the moment I will not say what, but </span><span style="color: red;">Steam</span><span style="color: #741b47;"> will rule my layout ! I have formed a partnership with a well known modeller and another not so well known modeller. We have started negotiations with a Chinese manufacturer and , </span><span style="color: red;">Hopefully</span><span style="color: #741b47;">, our first product will be here before the next Liverpool exhibition. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">I will not say more but there will be 2 Loco classes from 2 states coming in at first. </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> Wagons, Carriages and Brake Vans are planned to follow.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Other manufacturers and importers have been spoken with so I and my "TEAM" do not encroach on them.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>LIVERPOOL</u> </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>as usual it was HUGE and so much of my $$$$ went. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Apart from discussions with so many old mates, manufacturers etc etc I had a few minutes to look at a few layouts in detail. a Wonderful upgrade on Wyee, as well as Binalong . I also found the TANODEN Japanese layout very interesting and spoke at length with the operators.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Layout Progress:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Nothing is happening at the moment as I have a room full of boxes etc where the layout should be. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Well all that is it for the moment, God Bless you, More soon</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hopey</i></span>Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-6108181278021140032013-08-18T22:05:00.001+10:002013-08-18T22:05:03.017+10:00Kamilaroi Model Railway: Track Laying<a href="http://kamilaroimodelrailway.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/track-laying.html#comment-form">Kamilaroi Model Railway: Track Laying</a>Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-35184427341665309042013-05-08T23:44:00.000+10:002013-05-08T23:44:14.920+10:00PLANNING makes for perfect<h2>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Random thoughts turn to a Plan well executed.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I have put the thinking cap and my <span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">3rd planit </span>CAD program to good use lately. The first part is the fiddle yard, on a base 750 mm wide I can fit 4 tracks in either direction</b><b> (let's call them up and down) plus the 2 through roads. I am using for the spacing between the through roads, the distance of 2 medium points, placed end to end of the turnout or 51mm. for each Fiddle track I am using 65 mm between them. this gives my fingers a bit of lee way to pick up etc rolling stock. on the outer edge I am allowing 70 mm- close to 3 inches and 3 mm MDF on the edge 10 mm above track height to stop those horrible messes when a valuable or otherwise item hits the deck!</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">The simple arithmetic for this is</span>:</span></b></h4>
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<b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">( Measurements are for <i><u>TRACK CENTERS</u></i> ) </span> </span></b></h4>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>OPTION 1 :Edge 0 mm' track 4 "UP' :70 mm, track 3 Up :135 mm, track 2 up :200 mm,track 1 Up: 265 mm and the Up through road: 330 mm . Then just the Peco 51 mm for the Down Through road giving us 381 mm. Track 1 Down: 446 mm, Track 2 Down: 511 mm, track 3 Down: 576 mm and track 4 Down: 641 mm. As you can see there is enough room for an extra track but I wont use it. the track edge of track 4 Down is 653 mm. this leaves me a bit of room for point runs etc. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>If I go Option 2 the maths will change to add an extra track on each level.</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><u>GIVENS AND DRUTHERS</u>, </span></b></h3>
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<b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">as certain US modellers use:</span></b></h3>
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<li><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am assuming that I have about 3.5 by 8 meters to play with and my track plans are done for this area. I may have to change it when I actually move, (<span style="color: #cc0000;">Hopefully soon</span>) to the new Hope home !</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am using code 100 track for the fiddle yard and hidden track , code 75 Peco for the track seen by the "punter" and may do a couple of hand laid points as time goes by.</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have 2 options on my planned layout. Option 1: is a simple Rectagon using mainly 750 mm wide sections. it only allows m 1 station on the branch. Option 2 is for hidden Turn backs which would allow me, on the Main 2 stations and on the branch 3 stations , 2 small ones say 1600 mm or so long and one terminus somewhat longer.</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I prefer this one as I can put an extra staging track in with 90 mm height difference on the up and down tracks. </span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I also have plans for scratchbuilding a SAR turntable for "GILLS" my main station. I'd like a 5 road roundhouse with 3 extra tracks and a longer Loco lead or leads but reality has set in.</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have not as yet finalised option 2, but will show you my ideas next blog. When I turn the CAD drawings (DXF) to Bitmaps ( BMP) so I can load it for all to read .</span></b></li>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well that is it for now, Happy modelling and Blogging and may GOD bless you .</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hopey</span></i></div>
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Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-34990699065300025142013-04-21T22:17:00.003+10:002013-04-21T22:17:51.414+10:00A short Update<h2>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><i>Happenings:</i></span></h2>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well dear readers, followers and fans- a few dramas have delayed proceedings even more. I have had a few health issues and my lovely Fiance Janette has had a few as well. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then last Sunday at 0207 Hours, we get a phone call saying Janette's youngest son Kyle is at Blacktown hospital with a spinal injury. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"> He had actually broken his neck ! !! For those of you who know such things: a fracture of T </span><span style="color: blue;">2</span><span style="color: blue;"> (Thoracics 2nd bone) right where the neck and back join. This week has been one from Hell, with him transferred to Westmead Hospital, and getting a Neck brace to wear all the time, as well as a back brace to wear whilst sitting up, walking etc.</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;">He came home on Thursday night and like all 17 year olds, knows better than the Doctors etc. He went out with a couple of mates on Friday night but </span><u><span style="color: #073763;">actually came home before 5 AM :)</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I as Vice President of H.M.R.S., had been on duty Friday and Saturday at the Holroyd City Festival Model rail exhibition at Merrylands Bowling Club. I was supposed to be back at 2 PM on Sunday for finish, pack up etc. with Kyle and his mate Dave helping us- great having 17 YO s to help carry stuff. That did not happen, instead a bedside vigil once he had a bed at Westmead.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u> <span style="font-size: large;">PPPPP</span></u></b></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><i>PERFECT PLANNING PROVENTS PISS POOR PERFORMANCE</i></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;">The Holroyd Exhibition was a<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">joke</span><span style="color: blue;">, very very few members of the general public attended. This was no fault of HMRS but the local council people who did not advertise it, nor did the club , in it's magazine. I think total numbers Saturday was about 50. Still we got paid for attendance- poorly may I add.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Other wise I have not done much at all. Sold a bit of excess Locos and rolling stock on Evil Bay, and have mucked around with layout plans for the 6x3 meter one and the dream 7.5 x 22 Meter one I'd love :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Well People that is it for the time being.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Happy modelling and </span><span style="color: red;">GOD BLESS YOU</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Hopey</i></span></div>
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Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-37132773416865508752013-03-23T01:01:00.002+11:002013-03-23T01:01:58.411+11:00A Step Sideways<h2>
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh dear, we have a problem or 37 !</span></h2>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the next few months I am going to have to store most of my gear and bunk in at a smaller place with my Fiance, Janette, her kids and my son. No Garage nor "Modelling room" is available. </span></h3>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So no layout building will be possible .</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I have decided that rather than just let things stagnate, I shall not let time be wasted but, build some of my over 200 unbuilt kits, do some basic point work on 12 mm Plyboard and do the electrics etc for them. I also intend building a few structures such as Station buildings and some small Diorama type buildings .</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I have wanted to do a standard SA Housing Trust "fibro" or 2, same as Housing Commission types in Victoria and NSW. I have taken a few photos, while in S.A. and will use them as guides. I will do each house as it stands on a Lot- but a fair bit scaled down, with Garages/car ports/ out buildings etc as well as some lawn, bushes, etc etc.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> I may also do a few trees, using the wire armature and Goo method, especially a few Gum trees of various types as found in South Australia. These types are mainly - to my old eyes - Scribbly bark and Box Gum. Red gums do not seem to be at all common in S.A. . Scribbly bark gum is a light grey main colour, with a mid brown as the "scribble". Other trees that I may attempt are the occasional Elm types and I may experiment on some Oaks as well.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Kits I intend to build will be photographed and shown here in later posts. They include some more M vans, ALX both VR and SAR types ( BGB) a few Y trucks and a few VR 4 wheel and bogie type . I also have 4 unbuilt OCY conflat kits, that I will build up as SAR FQX with minor modifications. I have a fair few carriage kits to do also, so that should keep my tiny mind occupied as well as keep me from mischeif.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: #45818e;">To Other things:</b></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Last weekend I had the honour of hosting the 2nd ALBURY- WODONGA Rail Staff REUNION. It went well with a few surprises as well as a few non starters. I have had a bit of feedback and next year's one may be just after Easter- early days yet.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKls9HZ7tLUPWE4f1h_H5aiz-3kHeLrOD_JZlOA_7TBt2nQcAyi2z3F-gTEMtkP-m99jcuxCoQKm-ZMFTrqrRwDchmbEn0uuUx5PMnbyM_AnReLwHfqxQprAqKzRYbHuluflopAVkXcRg/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKls9HZ7tLUPWE4f1h_H5aiz-3kHeLrOD_JZlOA_7TBt2nQcAyi2z3F-gTEMtkP-m99jcuxCoQKm-ZMFTrqrRwDchmbEn0uuUx5PMnbyM_AnReLwHfqxQprAqKzRYbHuluflopAVkXcRg/s320/IMG_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1fGWIZY1TL_tc8aqW-7b0G-yAQtow-RALstYQEVzRjsfR3bkzbiFXLixAlAsBVpuiYSOvnY_9wcKWUNeAXD_sPORJc6PfsjJaM6p4U_93clPR9sJsVeO4sSHicpiuKXBygRUXaDqLN4/s1600/IMG_1079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1fGWIZY1TL_tc8aqW-7b0G-yAQtow-RALstYQEVzRjsfR3bkzbiFXLixAlAsBVpuiYSOvnY_9wcKWUNeAXD_sPORJc6PfsjJaM6p4U_93clPR9sJsVeO4sSHicpiuKXBygRUXaDqLN4/s320/IMG_1079.JPG" width="320" /></a><b><span style="color: #783f04;">Just a few of the people who attended last Weekend, with my Lovely Janette in the far lower right. A couple of the older blokes, I had not seen in nearly 30 years, It was great to catch up and share yarns and a <u>few</u> ales.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>That is it for now, Catch up just after Easter, May God bless you all. </b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>Hopey</i></span></span></div>
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Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-68146758677176663702013-02-25T13:03:00.004+11:002013-02-25T13:03:44.322+11:00<h2>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Another week, not much happening.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>In my last Blog, I mentioned that I was using Capral aluminium as framing. I received a message about the cost of Capral. Well Gary L. For some stupid reason I cannot reply to Messages, so I am doing it here. </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0c343d;"> I bought the Capral Qubelock and corner/connector pieces directly from them some 3 years ago and have not needed any more since then. It came in 2.4 meter sections and if my memory serves me correctly it was (as I said 3 years ago) $18.00 per section. Bunnings have pretty much the same stuff but it is slightly more expensive. Caprals web site is : </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">http://www.capral.com.au/Qubelok-Extrusion</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">The stuff I use is</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> 807853 E22120 25 3 RAD 6.5 100 100 Mill Finish 6060 T5 4.491 </span><span style="color: #073763;">from the catalogue </span><span style="color: #0c343d;">you can download. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">A very small amount of work in converting a USRA Light Pacific into a SAR 600 Class steamer happened this week- I moved the bell from above the headlight to the standard SAR place, behind the buffer beam. I also very carefully removed the Mid framing from the crew windows. I will post the photos as soon as I move and find my camera. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">On other things, we caught up with some other members of </span><span style="color: red;">AREDORRA</span><span style="color: #0c343d;"> a facebook group for railway people, mainly drivers etc but other rail people are welcome. I am BBIC ( Boss Bastard In Charge ) and founded the group some 20 months ago. </span></b><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/AREDORRA/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/AREDORRA</a></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/AREDORRA/">/</a> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">We met up for a social afternoon on Saturday, whilst there were not as many as expected, turn up, the people who did had a great time. The next social event is the Albury Wodonga Rail reunion on March 16/17. link :<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/251258344975144/">https://www.facebook.com/events/251258344975144/</a></span></b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">Gee I put some miles in just for the heck of it.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">Still no move as yet but I have faith that a new Home , with shed will eventuate soon ! Oh by the way the 25x 16 is a pipe dream, I will be happy with around 15 x 7 meters !</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0c343d;">More soon dear readers, Happy Modelling and </span><span style="color: red;">God Bless</span><span style="color: #0c343d;">, </span></b><i style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopey</span></i></div>
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Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-58703455985296026342013-02-15T12:57:00.002+11:002013-02-15T12:57:42.811+11:00<h2>
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">4th Blog of this mad persons mind</span>.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Well dear reader , we come to week 3 of still no new home, another lovely injection in my right eye- more Avastin and some good improvement on my broken Cornea.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> I can now see a lot better out of it and I am</span><span style="color: red;"> PRAYING</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> Hard for a total healing.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Now back to the layout and trains.</b></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Not much to report this last 7 days, I attended an NMRA meeting at John Montgomery's place last Saturday, bloody hot in his unlined shed, but the food, clinics and fellowship were good. I also made some good contacts with other Bloggers- Rowan Magnion , being one. <a href="http://mainsouthlinelayout.blogspot.com.au/">http://mainsouthlinelayout.blogspot.com.au/</a> as well as someone who I think will help me and I him in Decal design; but more of that later.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I have purchased some USRA Light Mikados, for conversion into S A R 710 class locos, an easy conversion, using my 2 foot - looks great rule. I also recently recieved 5 USRA Light Pacifics, 3 more than I need so on E Bay they will go quite soon. Unless someone here wants them- mates rates are $275 plus postage, brand new in boxes with all documentation, Broadway Limited Paragon @ and listed at $299 US- so a bargain you will get. 2 are Undecorated and 1 is decalled by them for Boston and Maine. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> If interested email me at: <a href="mailto:hopey152@gmail.com">hopey152@gmail.com</a> for details by Midnight on Tuesday the 19th of Febuary 2013. If not sold by then they go on EBAY next day at a higher starting price !</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I have started assembling the basic framework, using Capril aluminium and dimensions overall are 775MM x 1550 MM x 100 MM with the upper area being braced at the half way mark ( well close) . it is quite sturdy and I have walked on it (95 KG) with no dramas. I have made some simple Trestles out of good old 2 x 1 ( 56mm x 22mm) . they will do for the time being, though I have thoughts of Capril hold in type legs attached via good quality Hinges, attached to the lower part of the frames. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As to electrical connections, between Modules, I am using some special plugs I got from Jaycar, 10 connections per and rated for 40 Amps. I will post photos as soon as I can find my camera, after we finally move.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That is it for the time being. Happy modelling and God Bless you . Bye for now.</b></span></div>
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Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-84896325679040545692013-02-06T20:00:00.002+11:002013-02-06T21:27:01.119+11:00<h2>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>More somewhat illogical thoughts from this old ratbag!</u></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>A week has passed and still have not moved, saw 2 more places today, neither have the dream shed. I may have to build it myself- preferred dimensions 25 x 16 meters.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #20124d;"> (</span><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">yes I know, dream on</span></i><span style="color: #20124d;">). I may have to settle for a 5.5 x 6 , at least for the time being!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I have decided that after careful consideration as well as playing around in 3rd planit, my preferred CAD, the modules will be .75 x 1.5 meters each. This way I may be able to get away with 4 modules across the back if I can squeeze it in :)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>More ideas coming to mind after careful using CAD</u>:</span></h3>
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<li><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Each point, as the layout is DCC, is to be either servo or Blue Cobalt controlled. ( I have both and love them).</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The Turntable will be a standard SAR 64 foot or if I can play with the Peco 9 incher- 63 foot ( Don't ask that in meters).</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>I can fit in 2 loops in each direction in the fiddle yard, as well as carefully placed dead ends.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>the main station (Gills) to have the yard in the front of the modules and Loco off the inner side, this allows for a longer main loop as well as stub end sidings.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>A station with "up"."down" and "back" platforms, with a short dead end for stabling Carriages or railcars ( RED HENS etc.) behind the main goods loop. The goods loop to have at least one loop off it as well as access from the Back Platform.</b></span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kCDU1b-DacgkREc-aCLK_tP-RUMqFH4kZwi8ve88vOAjLLomc0xNAqitTl4vM_i5Gy57269r9uQjTx4SCCkzlfZ-wOtGX0t_FVRnWZcNVf01Wa6LaPVzASQ8e8m-GM10kfqbE40kFkA/s1600/404+Aldgate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kCDU1b-DacgkREc-aCLK_tP-RUMqFH4kZwi8ve88vOAjLLomc0xNAqitTl4vM_i5Gy57269r9uQjTx4SCCkzlfZ-wOtGX0t_FVRnWZcNVf01Wa6LaPVzASQ8e8m-GM10kfqbE40kFkA/s640/404+Aldgate.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I attach this diagram of Aldgate in SAR days, imagine if you will, it being double line and a small branch off the "Down" end </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> Converted JPG from with thanks </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>http://signaldiagramsandphotos.com. a great source for SAR, VR, NSWGR etc signal and track diagrams .</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>That is all, till next time ; dear readers, followers etc etc. Happy modelling!</b></span></div>
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Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-59130237535440303332013-01-29T20:20:00.004+11:002013-01-30T11:22:40.805+11:00More Ramblings of a mad bloke!<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What to do next?</span></h2>
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<b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Having thought about stuff for a couple of days I have decided the following:</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtygXF_mTD0CnPvHJgLT7FNLs-kCg29m9eOLj8Eqq9oNW2Upn_LwLVVVVAg6yldGTvn1jwNNR3b4FZ3MXr0iDhhFXPfft4agsdJPauWmEW1v3R5xCvmkagqHqpUL6aoYIppeyxnR-mphU/s1600/847+in+Adelaide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtygXF_mTD0CnPvHJgLT7FNLs-kCg29m9eOLj8Eqq9oNW2Upn_LwLVVVVAg6yldGTvn1jwNNR3b4FZ3MXr0iDhhFXPfft4agsdJPauWmEW1v3R5xCvmkagqHqpUL6aoYIppeyxnR-mphU/s200/847+in+Adelaide.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by D.Jackson</td></tr>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Peco code 75 track is the way to go. Why? because it is close enough to scale height and I have a fair bit of it!</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Double track mainline, with as I have already said Maximum grade of 2% or 1 in 50. This makes it nearly as heavy as the real S.A.R. Hills line, but still easy to haul a scaled down train of say 15 cars maximum with 1 or 2 locomotives.</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Maximum train length to be 3.6 meters, may go to 4, but that is long enough.</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4 The "fiddle yard " to be 5 tracks with a short return road or turnback road in the middle, say 1 meter long.The other tracks to be at least 4 meters clear.</b></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Have just one "Overland" set 9 cars max, as well as 14 other typical S.A.R. passenger cars.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>One "jet" , 1 "Stoney", 1 fast goods, 1 local / pick up, 1 branch goods and enough for the occasional Grain train and stock special.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b> Suburban types to mainly terminate at the main station- I have decided to call "GILLS" after a now deceased friend, Fred Gill MMR etc.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Branch passenger train to be a Brill model 55 or 2, similar to what did Semaphore runs in Adelaide or locals, occasionally a Loco hauled passenger also on the branch.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>A mix of common type 4 wheel and bogie stock, most of which I already have.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Run to a rough timetable, but using Car Cards, I have 2 types and may modify them to be common !</b></span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNkLzMDlRKAxJ9G_IvhBWqhyivVSlGjxiaHh2yS4K_OR_VvaEsXxmIT2aucK_qbKrrG9reKcImoNtdegcTw2QyxWNsksFYQ7JAfTRlcTnrHLeDL8cObtkw-GDpSFvk-vYX7KLRwkvLUQ/s1600/050-14.9.80-PIRIE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNkLzMDlRKAxJ9G_IvhBWqhyivVSlGjxiaHh2yS4K_OR_VvaEsXxmIT2aucK_qbKrrG9reKcImoNtdegcTw2QyxWNsksFYQ7JAfTRlcTnrHLeDL8cObtkw-GDpSFvk-vYX7KLRwkvLUQ/s200/050-14.9.80-PIRIE.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by unknown</td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>DCC operation, I have an N C E System with 3 throttles including a radio one, may get a 2nd Radio Cab .</b></span></li>
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<i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Please dear reader, feel free to comment on my ramblings :0 Add this blog to your list also.</span></i><br />
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Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com0Riverstone, NSW, Australia-33.677497044975482 150.8642578125-33.783241044975483 150.7028963125 -33.57175304497548 151.0256193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-441192434178234831.post-16166203897586507462013-01-26T18:25:00.003+11:002013-01-26T18:26:06.687+11:00The Begiinings <h2>
<b style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">Where do I Start?</span></b></h2>
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<b style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Millions of ideas after a stunted start, plus having to make my "grand Design" schemes smaller and more practical. I decided that it shall be in metric: 5.6 x 3.5 Meters in total. An L shape basically !</span></b></div>
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<b style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The impending move to a new house makes this a possibility in a single car garage or part of a 2 car garage. Hopefully when we find a new spot, there may be room for a longer or wider layout.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">As Vice President of the HILLS MODEL RAIL SOCIETY </span><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">( HMRS)</span></span></b></div>
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<b style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hmrs.org.au/">http://www.hmrs.org.au/</a> I am usually busy with club affairs. I also do the Bring and Buy at our exhibition. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">Now to layout parameters.</u></span></b></h3>
<b style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The layout is MODULAR using my years of experience and many previous mistakes. Each basic module will be 1.6 by .75 Meters. There shall be grades no greater than 1 in 50. Module base height is 950mm and using a variety of styles, I have decided on CAPRIL framework with 25mm Blue Heavy density foam, held by good old 2 x 1 wood ( nowadays 50 x 20 ) !!!. This will keep the modules rigid, light and easy to carry. The mainline will be double trak, spaced 51mm apart as per NMRA modular standards. There will be a small hidden fiddle yard as well as a back scene with a branch terminus on it. </span></b><br />
<b style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have so much rolling stock, kits and Locos, that I do not need any more for some time, Am actually looking at paring down the list, so may get busy on E BAY and photograph a few Locos and bits of excess stock.</span></b><br />
<b style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do I really need all 4 Commonwealth Railways GOXs that while magnificent and are a credit to Auscision, may be a bit too many? </span></b><br />
<b style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The layout , as I said will be portable and I may exhibit it at shows, but more of that in later posts. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will misquote the Beattitudes of Jesus Christ here" </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">How blessed are the flexible, for they will not get out of shape!</span><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">"</span></span><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. This means that there may well be quite a few changes to the layout before it is finished ( is a layout ever finished???) </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now to what the Americans Term: " Givens and Druthers".</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mainly SA, with some Victorian, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Era- late 60s to 1975.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minimum Radius- main line 725mm and on branch 625 mm.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Main station to have a smallish loco depot, with a 85 foot turntable plus steam facilities and a small diesel fuel point. 4 stall roundhouse plus 3 extra roads.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yard at Main to have a gods shed, 1 or 2 private sidings and a fuel company like say Shell or BP etc. Yard to be at least 3 tracks wide.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Branch terminus to have a silo - SA type say 3 cell, plus a stock siding and small Barrel roof goods shed. ( love em ) similar to Fords or Farrell Flat had.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> There will also be a 2nd station on the main line, something like in the Hills like Corromandel or similar with a road overbridge hiding the back scene and fiddle yard. This Sation will be on a side of the layout.</span></b>Hopeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04144720431275706686noreply@blogger.com0