Back Issue: December 2018 AMRM

The December 2018 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue direct from SCR Publications (paper copy) or Zinio (digital copy).

You can obtain a paper copy of the current issue online at:

www.australianmodelrailways.com,

or directly from the AMRM office by phone on (02) 9311 2036, using your Credit Card.

Digital back issues can be obtained from Zinio

(scroll down from current issue).

The December 2018 cover.

The contents page.

This issue's feature layout is a permanent HO scale home layout that very nicely recreates the look of Sydney's outer suburban region.

Tom Carlos continues his Billabong Marina series with a description of the main industry on the layout.

Ron Geeves returns with another article on the Canberra Model Railway Club's school mentoring efforts, describing a computer-controlled exhibition layout built by the students involved in the program.

In possibly the easiest conversion ever described in AMRM, Peter Ennis shows how to adapt an Orient Express Reproductions SAR M van model to represent the vans hired by the VR between the wars for evaluation purposes.

Craig Mackie describes an easy to complete model of a very common everyday object.

This issue featured another 'On the Workbench' for the 'hardcore' modeller from Cliff Barrett. While ostensibly a description of the construction of a Mechanical Branch Models NSWGR water tank, the author's description of the construction process contains a huge amount of useful information that will be of value to anyone constructing complicated kits or scratchbuilding a model of their own.

Trevor Hodges returns with 'In the Loop', having penned an interesting essay on the advances in the hobby that we have enjoyed over the last 30 years or so. Gallery describes, using models constructed by Ian Denny, the interesting story of an aspect of interstate transport of priority traffic prior to the ISO container revolution that has been all but forgotten.

The Reviews section features the r-t-r Orient Express Reproductions model of the SAR F class steam locomotive and the latest batch of r-t-r HO scale passenger carriages from Casula Hobbies.

As one might expect in the issue prepared after the AMRA (NSW) Liverpool exhibition, the thirteen page Recent Releases/News section is chock full of very tasty new models, both available and 'on the way'.

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: October 2018 AMRM

The October 2018 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue direct from SCR Publications (paper copy) or Zinio (digital copy).

You can obtain a paper copy of the current issue online at:

www.australianmodelrailways.com,

or directly from the AMRM office by phone on (02) 9311 2036, using your Credit Card.

Digital back issues can be obtained from Zinio

(scroll down from current issue).

The October 2018 cover.

The contents page.

This issue's feature layout carries on the 'minimum space' theme from last issue, spotlighting Little Chipping, the latest in a series of minimum space Victoria-themed exhibition layouts constructed by the Murden family over the last thirty or so years.

Furthering the 'minimum space' theme is the latest instalment in Tom Carlos's Billabong Marina series, this time concentrating on adding industries.

Layouts are definitely the theme of this issue, with Trevor Hodges taking time out from penning In the Loop to describe how he built his layout's aluminium-framed baseboards.

The layout has been built and now you want to run it. Brian Peacock discusses an alternative to the classic method of controlling each train manually.

The construction of individual items of rolling stock has not been ignored in this issue, after all, we need something to run on all those layouts! Peter Ennis describes construction of a picturesque, but pretty much forgotten, item of VR rolling stock. 

The r-t-r revolution has made things a lot easier than in the old days when one had to do everything oneself, but that doesn't mean one can't take a good r-t-r locomotive and make it better! This month's On the Workbench details, 'chips' and weathers an Austrains 30 class tank locomotive.

If you want to see some very fine modelling, then the annual Modelling the Railways of South Australia convention is a good place to go! This issue's Gallery features some of the 3'6" narrow gauge models that were displayed at the 2017 convention.

The Reviews section looks at a very significant release from Auscision, the NSW 48/SA 830 class locomotive, r-t-r in HO scale. Also covered are two self-published books from the owner of last issue's feature layout, Phil Overton.

Things are quiet on the commercial scene at the moment (the AMRA (NSW) Liverpool exhibition is coming!), but we still have an interesting four-page Recent Releases/News section to tide us over until the expected Liverpool deluge of new models arrives!

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 2018 AMRM.

The August 2018 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 August 2018 AMRM from Zinio (scroll down from current issue).

The August 2018 cover.

The contents page.

This issue's feature layout is Phil Overton's minimum space HO scale exhibition layout 'Philden', which shows that you can have a modern era layout, even if you live in a small unit with a family.

With the deluge of beautifully detailed rolling stock that has hit the market over the last decade or so, it is nice to see that some still scratchbuild! Iain Hunter has modelled an unusual NSW flat wagon using techniques that are applicable to just about any scratchbuilt model.

If you don't feel you are quite up to scratchbuilding yet, try this simple SEM kit conversion from David Clark. You end up with a variation not many others will have and you will have learnt some valuable skills!

Two- (and multi-) deck layouts are becoming more and more popular, seeing as they allow a lot more operation in the same space as a single-deck layout. Graeme Barnes describes how to construct the very necessary helix to take the right-of-way from one deck to the next.

Continuing the layout building theme, Jonathan Majer has raided Bunnings to solve a storage problem he was developing with his multiplying modules!

The layout is going well and you are looking for some inspiration to detail the scenery. Our regular 'Beyond the Fence' feature in this issue has some ideas from Graham Watson for spicing up those blank brick walls . 

Unless you are modelling the 'early days', you will need some motor vehicles on your layout. John Casey has some ideas on sources of suitable cars for the very popular steam-diesel transition era.

This issue's Gallery has a mini-history of the HO scale models that have been available of the iconic NSW 46 class electric locomotive.

Trevor Hodges' In the Loop column discusses a very common problem in our aging demographic, the physical strains brought about by tracklaying!

The Reviews section looks at two recent HO scale modern era wagon releases, one from a well established manufacturer and the other from a 'new kid on the block'.

Thanks to the recent Rosehill (NSW) exhibition, the 14 page Recent Releases/News section is overflowing with tasty new models and the promise of things to come!

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 2018 AMRM

The June 2018 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 2018 AMRM from Zinio (scroll down from current issue).

The June 2018 cover.

The contents page.

This issue's feature layout is the Epping Model Railway Club's HO scale exhibition layout based on the Bethungra Spiral on the NSW Main South, located about half-way between Cootamundra and Junee. This layout will be on display at the club's exhibition at Rosehill Racecourse (NSW) over the June long weekend.

This is definitely a 'modeller's' issue, with a considerable number of pages devoted to 'how-to' articles, such as this excellent guide to scratchbuilding buildings from well-known South Australian modeller, Gavin Thrum. If you have always wanted to scratchbuild, but haven't been brave enough to try, read this article! Even seasoned scratchbuilders can learn a thing or two from Gavin's easy to follow text.

Commercial photographic backdrops are becoming widespread (I use them myself), but if you want something that is a bit different, have a look at this article by Doug Simpson. His backdrop is 3D!

One of the really good things about the current scene, dominated as it is by r-t-r locomotives and rolling stock, is the number of layouts being built. Tom Carlos returns with an update on progress on his 'minimum space' layout.

Tying into the 'construction' theme is this article from Robert Kosmider on how to wire up 'stall' point motors so they can be operated from more than one location.

It is always instructive to 'look back' on how things used to be done. The good techniques are timeless, even if the materials, and even the scale, has changed, as Michael Gourlay shows here.

The old techniques can still be useful, but that hasn't stopped Brian Peacock experimenting with using a computer simulation to help design his layout. The photos comparing screenshots of the simulation with Brian's under-construction layout are most impressive!

Prototype information is always useful, so Graham Ahearn has provided some interesting images to follow up Dan Carmody's review of the SDS SAR SOC/SO ore wagons in the April 2018 issue that will be particularly useful for those who want to justify operating these fine models on a NSW-based layout!

Also a follow up to an item in a previous issue, Scott Ramsay has found some photos of the Victorian 'Arts Train' mentioned in his letter in the Mailbag section of the April issue.

This issue's Gallery highlights the well-observed scenes on another of Peter Lewis's HO scale exhibitions layouts celebrating the architecture of his home town, Newcastle.

Trevor Hodges' In the Loop column discusses the concept of 'courage' as applied to railway modelling and has a few interesting things to say about those who are often known in the hobby as 'gunnas'! 

The Reviews section has only one review this issue, but it is a major one, looking at the NSWGR 30 class steam locomotive from Austrains.

The relatively brief four pages of Recent Releases/News section reflects the current 'lull' in commercial activity from the 'majors', but there are still some very interesting items being produced by the 'cottage' producers! 

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