Back Issue: December 2017 AMRM

The December 2017 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue direct from SCR Publications. 

Back issues of the digital version of AMRM are available from Zinio.

Buy digital issue back issues of AMRM from Zinio.

The December 2017 cover.

The contents page.

This issue's feature layout is Bob Harding's 'Wacol', an HOn3.5 layout based on the prototype Brisbane suburban location, set in the early 1990s. Bob has very cleverly modelled the layout as if there has just been a rainstorm, making for a different 'look' to the layout to that to which we are accustomed.

 Following on from last issue is part B of Michael Gourlay's series on building a typical transom-topped NSWGR timber trestle bridge. In this section, he gets down to serious construction.

Ron Cunningham returns with another Branchline Ramblings, this time on the subject of modelling a particular train that ran on the northwest to Werris Creek during the period in which Ron's layout is set.

You can safely ignore the scale and prototype, if that isn't what you model, but you will find that this article from David Dunn is an excellent 'primer' on scratchbuilding structures, relevant to any setting or scale.

The layout is coming along and you are looking for detail items to 'flesh it out'... Craig Mackie shows you how to model a once very common item to be found on the railways.

Ian Dunn has the latest release from Peter Boorman's Workshop On the Workbench and gives us a brief history of the prototype NSWGR D wagons, reviews the kit and shows how to make a good kit even better.

Trevor Hodges' regular In the Loop column takes a very entertaining look at how we spend money in the hobby.

This issue's Gallery follows on from last issue's excellent Doentoa with some more of John Dennis's brilliant photographs, highlighting some of the trains that can be seen 'moving the traffic' on Ian Denny's superb HO scale layout.

The Reviews section looks at two recent book releases, the latest Byways of Steam, No.31, which covers Lithgow and its locomotive depot, and the second volume of Stuart Mackay's Modelling the 3'6" Gauge Railways of Western Australia 1894-1987 in Sn3½ Scale.

The recent AMRA (NSW) Liverpool exhibition always generates a lot of news and recent releases and this year is no exception, with twelve pages devoted to the news from the exhibition and what has happened since. Even if you did go to the exhibition, I'll bet you didn't see everything! 

As most are now aware, we also have available an online version of AMRM to compliment our traditional paper version. You can purchase the paper version from newsagents, hobby shops and specialist bookshops (or direct from AMRM if none of the above are convenient), while the online version can be purchased either through us or direct from Zinio International.

Contact AMRM, either by sending us the form below, or via our website, to take out a subscription to the online version (or adjust your current subscription to include the online version) in time for the release of the online version.

Purchase this issue of AMRM as a back issue in either paper or digital form

Ring the office on (02) 9311 2036 and have your credit card handy

or

Order a back issue from our website

You can also purchase a digital back issue direct from the Zinio site:

James McInerney

Editor

Back Issue: AMRM October 2017

The October 2017 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue direct from SCR Publications. 

Back issues of the digital version of AMRM are available from Zinio.

Buy digital back issues of AMRM from Zinio.

The Oct 2017 cover.

The contents page.

The October issue traditionally features the brilliant photography of John Dennis. This issue he is covering the extensive HO scale home layout of Ian Denny, a 'might have been' VR transition era masterpiece set in the far western reaches of Victoria on the main line to Adelaide.

This issue covers topics ranging from how to model that SCT train you saw yesterday, through to the first part of a three-part article on modelling the NSWGR's distinctive 'Deane era' timber trestle bridges.

You saw it go past the other day and Chris Jones tells us what the locomotives and vehicles are and how to model them.

Reliably powering and controlling turntables is a recurring problem and Jack Child shows us a definite 21st century solution.

Picturesque steam era infrastructure is popular with many modellers (even those running modern diesels). Michael Gourlay begins a series on how to model the classic NSWGR transom-top timber trestle with techniques that are transferable to any timber bridge of any size or prototype.

Trevor Hodges' regular 'In the Loop' column delves into planning, construction and operator comfort issues, while David Foulkes presents a very elegant solution to the problem of how to hold models while painting them.

This issue's Gallery foreshadows the AMRM (NSW) Liverpool exhibition with a look at a few of the layouts that appeared there in 2016.

The Reviews section looks at some of the latest HO scale r-t-r offerings from SDS Models; the NSWGR high elliptical roof EHO, ARX/NPAX cement/grain hoppers and the JHG/NVJA goods brake vans, as well as the ready-to-place refuelling depot from Southern Rail, the two new r-t-p buildings from Bachmann Scenecraft and the kit for a classic Australian wind pump from Anton's Trains. Before you can build it, you need to know what it looks like, so we also look at two new books, Cadeco's Shooting the West and Train Hobby Publications' Country Branch Lines Victoria Part 10-Western region: Patchewllock, Yaapeet, Yanac, Bolangum. 

Five pages of News and Recent Releases finish the issue off with a very interesting glimpse into the future... 

As most are now aware, we also have available an online version of AMRM to compliment our traditional paper version. You can purchase the paper version from newsagents, hobby shops and specialist bookshops (or direct from AMRM if none of the above are convenient), while the online version can be purchased either through us or direct from Zinio International.

Contact AMRM, either by sending us the form below, or via our website, to take out a subscription to the online version (or adjust your current subscription to include the online version) in time for the release of the online version.

Purchase this issue of AMRM as a back issue in either paper or digital form

Ring the office on (02) 9311 2036 and have your credit card handy

or

Order a back issue from our website

You can also purchase a digital back issue direct from the Zinio site:

James McInerney

Editor

Back issue: August 2017 AMRM

The August 2017 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue

direct from SCR Publications. 

Back issues of the digital version of AMRM are available from Zinio.

Buy digital issue of Aug 2017 AMRM from Zinio.

The Aug 2017 cover.

The contents page.

The 1960s/1970s is still a very popular period to model and our feature layout article this issue describes the New South Wales N Scale Group's exhibition layout based on Cockle Creek, just south of Newcastle on the Short North.

This issue's articles cover constructing models, ranging from entire layouts to small scenic details. 

Many, if not most, layouts feature storage yards of some sort, most of which are conventionally laid out with turnouts to form the storage 'ladders'. Iain Hunter shows an alternative in the form of a large traverser which serves the UK-based HO scale Broadford layout, featured in previous issues of AMRM (Broadford, AMRM Issue 304, February 2014 and Broadford - Part 2, AMRM Issue 306, June 2014).

Building layouts are definitely a more common activity now than it was in the past, but not all layouts fill a double car garage! With many people now forced to live in small spaces, small layouts are definitely becoming more popular. In this article, the first in a new series, Tom Carlos commences his description of  the planning and construction of his minimum-space HO scale layout.

Despite the avalanche of r-t-r models, there are still plenty of people who like to build kits and also modify them into different variations. David Clark backdates an SEM kit into an unusual and eye-catching model for the VR modeller, using techniques that will work with kitbashing projects of any prototype. 

Even the largest layout needs to be detailed (and author Craig Mackie has a very large layout). Craig describes the process of converting inspiration found in an old newspaper into a detail item for his layout.

This issue's Gallery features a mouthwatering array of South Australian and Victorian models that were displayed at a recent Modelling the Railways of South Australia convention. If you want inspiration and tips for your next project, you may just find them it in this article, or you can just admire the magnificent craftsmanship that was on display.

Trevor Hodges uses his regular In the Loop column to highlight what he regards as his eight essential tools for producing excellent models, one of which should make regular consumers of beer very happy!

The Reviews section looks at the IDR HO scale X200 class locomotive, the Light Genie system of remotely controlling lighting effects and Train Hobby's latest Ted Payne Vantage Point volume, covering the railways of Queensland.

With two major exhibitions since the last issue, the twelve pages of News and Recent Releases is chock-full of very desirable models! 

As most are now aware, we also have available an online version of AMRM to compliment our traditional paper version. You can purchase the paper version from newsagents, hobby shops and specialist bookshops (or direct from AMRM if none of the above are convenient), while the online version can be purchased either through us or direct from Zinio International.

Contact AMRM, either by sending us the form below, or via our website, to take out a subscription to the online version (or adjust your current subscription to include the online version) in time for the release of the online version.

Purchase this issue of AMRM as a back issue in either paper or digital form

Ring the office on (02) 9311 2036 and have your credit card handy

or

Order a back issue from our website

You can also purchase a digital back issue direct from the Zinio site:

James McInerney

Editor

Back Issue: June 2017 AMRM.

The June 2017 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue

direct from SCR Publications. 

Back issues of the digital version of AMRM are available from Zinio.

Buy digital back issue of June 2017 AMRM from Zinio.

The June 2017 cover.

The contents page.

After a few issues of relatively 'modern era' layouts, we are stepping back in time to the glorious age of the tram with John Wallace's La Perouse via Malabar, which recreates, in a surprisingly small space, given the scale, the colourful ambiance of Sydney's eastern suburbs tram network, as it was in the 1950s.

This issue's articles cover the usual wide variety of topics that make modelling Australian railways so interesting. 

A first-time author, Sonya Otway, shows us how to model grass trees, a distinctive item of Australian flora found in many parts of the continent.

Craig Veitch concludes his 'Void to Layout' series by advising that the layout has been dismantled, thanks to yet another house move, and muses on the lessons learnt during its construction.

Another first-time author, John Wrigley, gives us the basics on turntable construction.

Roger Hill, who can build and weather a very fine model, lets us in on a few of his secrets.

The 'old hands' are still producing good stuff as well! Phil Knife, no stranger to the pages of AMRM, tells the story of another interesting WAGR steam locomotive and how to model it in Sn3.5 using a kit that has just returned to the market after a long absence.

This issue's Gallery highlights some historic models from Phil Jeffery's personal collection. 

Trevor Hodges is back with another In the Loop, this time discussing his experiences with social media and model railways.

There are also a number of smaller articles covering subjects as diverse as coaling steam locomotive tenders, hiding the unsightly gap between passenger car diaphragms, modelling a typical accident train and what to do if you have to address DCC locomotives that have letter codes as well as numbers.

The three-page Reviews section highlights Peter Boorman's latest NSW 'Early Days' kit for the BEY bogie flat wagon and Southern Rail's new cement works building, both in HO, plus Eveleigh Press's latest book, the definitive work on the Wolgan Valley Railway, Shale & Shays.

Despite this supposedly being a 'quiet' time of year for commercial releases, the eight pages of News and Recent Releases would suggest that the producers don't agree with that assessment! 

As most are now aware, we also have available an online version of AMRM to compliment our traditional paper version. You can purchase the paper version from newsagents, hobby shops and specialist bookshops (or direct from AMRM if none of the above are convenient), while the online version can be purchased either through us or direct from Zinio International.

Contact AMRM, either by sending us the form below, or via our website, to take out a subscription to the online version (or adjust your current subscription to include the online version) in time for the release of the online version.

Purchase this issue of AMRM as a back issue in either paper or digital form

Ring the office on (02) 9311 2036 and have your credit card handy

or

Order a back issue from our website

You can also purchase a digital back issue direct from the Zinio site:

James McInerney

Editor

Back Issue: AMRM April 2017

The April 2017 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue

direct from SCR Publications.

Back issues of the digital version of AMRM are available from Zinio.

Buy digital back issue of April 2017 AMRM from Zinio.

The April 2017 cover.

The contents page.

This issue's feature layout article continues Stuart Dix's description of his HO scale modern-era Victorian layout. This chapter details the major extension that materially changed the look of the layout.

As usual, we endeavour to bring you a wide variety of interesting articles on as many aspects of modelling Australian railways as we can fit in. As always, this issue features something for everyone.

 Do you like those colourful modern trains and would like to model them more authentically? Chris Jones describes a very easy to model series of trains currently moving material on the NSW Main South line.

Building a layout and looking for a believable way of getting the trains 'offstage'? Craig Veitch may be able to help with the latest in his series on building his layout.

'Branchline Ramblings' returns with a follow-up to one of Ron's most memorable past columns, describing how 'out-of' traffic moves on his layout, Werris Creek.

This issue's Gallery highlights the 2016 Launceston model railway exhibition, with Stuart Dix's camera capturing some of the very fine modelling that was on display at this 'apple isle' event. It wasn't all local prototype, either... 

It has taken a while, but the Ixion 32 class locomotive provided for review has finally passed through 'shops' and entered service. As usual, this 'On the Workbench' feature covers the prototype history of the class, describes the r-t-r model 'as purchased' and goes on to describe how to give it that final polish to make it look as authentic as possible. 

The Reviews section may be small, but it features a very comprehensive review of the latest HO scale kit from Peter Boorman's Workshop, the original (1892) NSWGR BD open wagon and a look at Train Hobby's latest book, 30 Years of Country Passenger Trains Victoria 1950s to 1980s.

Then, to finish off, we have eight pages of News and Recent Releases, with, as usual, the odd surprise... 

As most are now aware, we also have available an online version of AMRM to compliment our traditional paper version. You can purchase the paper version from newsagents, hobby shops and specialist bookshops (or direct from AMRM if none of the above are convenient), while the online version can be purchased either through us or direct from Zinio International.

Contact AMRM, either by sending us the form below, or via our website, to take out a subscription to the online version (or adjust your current subscription to include the online version) in time for the release of the online version.

Purchase this issue of AMRM as a back issue in either paper or digital form

Ring the office on (02) 9311 2036 and have your credit card handy

or

Order a back issue from our website

You can also purchase a digital back issue direct from the Zinio site:

James McInerney

Production Manager