The June 2020 issue of AMRM is now available

The June 2020 issue of AMRM should now be available at most outlets. It is scheduled to be available from all outlets by Monday 25 May.

If your local hobby shop or newsagent does not stock AMRM (ask them why not!), you can purchase a paper copy of the June issue online at:

www.australianmodelrailways.com.

The digital version of the June 2020 AMRM was released by Zinio on Thursday 21 May.

Buy digital issue of June 2020 AMRM from Zinio.

The June 2020 cover.

The contents page.

Despite the COVID-19 lockdown, we have managed to bring you a bumper 80 page issue.

The feature layout this issue definitely illustrates the old adage that a layout doesn't have to be big to be good. Anthony Veness describes his magnificent Queensland Railways HOn3.5 'minimum space' exhibition layout, which can rightly be described as a little 'gem'.

This issue features even more 'infrastructure' projects, starting with part 2 of Don Bishop's series on building an SAR goods shed.

Carrying on the theme, Graeme Barnes describes how he built an HO model based on the flour loading silos at Gunnedah, just the thing for the modern-era freight service modellers.

Most layouts feature roads, so Mitchell Campton shows how to make suitable road signs to guide our miniature road users.

As always, to model infrastructure properly, one needs to know what the prototype looks like and Phil Jeffery's Beyond the Fence series has been providing that information on a regular basis for many years. His latest 'BtF' covers a row of very 'modelegenic' shops in the Victorian town of Belgrave.

This issue also features an 'On the Workbench' featuring the construction and painting of another vital piece of infrastructure, a signal box. This WW2-era building is a Hawksmoor kit, available from Casula Hobbies.

Rolling stock has not been forgotten either, with two articles on building wagons, one from the very early days and the other from more recent times.

Ian Dunn describes a variation that can be made to a Redfern Works 'early days' NSWGR A wagon kit, while Brett Kavanagh converts an r-t-r modern era open wagon into a vehicle for the use of shunters.

If you thought our feature layout managed a lot in a small space, wait until you see what John R B Parker has achieved in O scale!

With DCC becoming even more widespread, a very useful piece of 'kit' is the programing track, which Les Fordham has managed to make portable!

DCC is also the subject of this issue's 'In the Loop' column from Trevor Hodges where he discusses the phenomenon of the 'tribes' of supporters that have coalesced around the various systems available on the market.

The Gallery this issue was originally designed to celebrate the Waverley Model Railway Club's 2020 exhibition, which was to have marked 50 years of exhibitions organised by the club. Sadly, the COVID-19 crisis resulted in the cancellation of this year's event, but we can still enjoy a 'virtual' exhibition with pages featuring images of some of the layouts that have appeared at the club's previous exhibitions.

Despite the economic downturn that was occurring even before the COVID-19 crisis hit, we have still managed to fill seven pages with interesting new models and other relevant material in the Reviews, Recent Releases and News sections. 

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 in either paper or digital form.

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

Or click here to

online to the paper or digital (or both) versions of AMRM at our website.

You can also purchase a digital issue of AMRM (including back issues) from the Zinio site. 

James McInerney

Editor

Back Issue: AMRM October 2019

The October 2019 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 this issue online at:

www.australianmodelrailways.com

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

The digital version of the October 2019 AMRM was released by Zinio on Wednesday 18 September.

Buy back issue of October 2019 AMRM

(scroll down from current issue for all back issues).

The October 2019 cover.

The contents page.

This issue's feature layout is Tony Scott's new (and quite extensive) 1970s era VR N scale home layout, Forest Creek, with photos by the incomparable John Dennis. 

Despite the opinion of some that scratchbuilding is dead, we seem to have no problem being offered plenty of scratchbuilding articles for publication! No sooner have we finished

Kevin Tiernan's series on building a NSWGR passenger brake van, than highly respected South Australian modeller, Gavin Thrum presents a major article on scratchbuilding an SAR Webb-era 'caboose' (goods brake van).

Even if you have no interest in SAR steam-era brake vans, Gavin's magnificently illustrated, step-by-step guide to constructing the model will be of use to anyone contemplating scratchbuilding a model of any sort. If you have never scratchbuilt anything before, but would like to have a go, then the techniques presented here will definitely help you on your way.

Scratchbuilding definitely seems to be the 2019 theme in AMRM, with Ian West's short, but informative, article will allow anyone with the ability to bend a piece of wire to construct working station platform lights.

AMRM regular, Jonathan Majer, presents an article on a subject not often covered; how to protect your layout from the depredations of small pests (no not the neighbour's kids... )

This issue's In the Loop looks into one of the basics of modelling, laying track, while October's Beyond the Fence comes from Graham Watson in Western Australia and highlights an item of Australia-wide civil infrastructure that often finds itself modelled.

Gallery features another couple of Eureka 50 class conversions by Ray Smith, describing how he fitted Laird crossheads to his models of 5154 and 5340 and scratchbuilt a model of a 3650 gallon turret tender.

The Reviews section is headlined by a review of what is probably the single most useful book ever published on the steam era NSW railways, Garry Saunders' New South Wales Railways in Colour 1855 -1957. Not only does this book thoroughly describe what is currently known about the colour schemes used by the NSW railways on locomotives, rolling stock and infrastructure, as well as the colours used by Sydney's tramways system, but also describes every class of locomotive, carriage and goods vehicle used on the system, what colours they were painted in their lives, plus going into the background of how and when they were introduced. This review is ably supported by a thorough look at the Southern Rail HO scale, r-t-r, QR 2300 class diesel locomotive, the Casula Hobbies HO scale r-t-r MLV/MLK bogie milk vans and bogie E flat wagons and a look at Where there's smoke Part 1 Scotland to the Cape, the new book from the publishers who brought us Northern Exposures, Lenses South and Shooting the West.

The Recent Releases/News contains some very interesting new models, quite a few of which should be available for purchase, or viewing at least, at the upcoming ARMA (NSW) exhibition on the October long weekend (at the new venue in Sydney's Olympic Park). 

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

Or click here to

online to the paper or digital (or both) versions of AMRM at our website.

You can also purchase a digital issue of AMRM (including back issues) from the Zinio site. 

Scroll down for back issues

James McInerney

Editor

Back Issue: April 2016

The paper version of the April 2016 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. 

Purchase digital back issue AMRM

This issue's feature layout is another fine NSWGR steam-diesel transition era layout; Dick Grace's home layout, Koolah, based on the long closed station at Coolah, north of Mudgee in the mid-west of the state.

The contents of the April issue

Dick Grace's Koolah, another fine NSWGR layout in HO scale, is our feature layout.

You have built your layout, the rolling stock looks good and the scenery provides a fitting backdrop to your trains, but aimlessly running generic trains doesn't appeal for long. Rather than tear it down and start again, why not replicate the traffic movements of the real thing and make it interesting again? Adrian Gunzburg starts a two-part work on operating your layout, based on the operating patterns of the real railways in the steam-diesel transition era. 

Who said scratchbuilding was dead? Peter Sansom has built two NSWGR 19 class locos using traditional techniques that work in any scale, not just the one in which he has built his locos.

Having trouble keeping your track clean? Jonathan Majer adapts a track cleaning method purchased in an American prototype product to fit in a NSW vehicle, not only making keeping his track clean and his models running reliable, but also providing an appropriate vehicle that can be utilised as part of an operational scenario. 

Multi-deck layouts are becoming more popular, but the helix necessary to move between the levels can be difficult be difficult to scenic realistically. David Bartle suggests a method suitable for the local prototype.

We also have the usual 'regular' features, including a Beyond the Fence from Phil Jeffery, describing some very 'modelable' trees and the latest In the Loop from Trevor Hodges, musing on ways of increasing the 'play' value of one's model railway (do I detect a bit of a minor theme for this issue... ;) 

Last, but certainly not least in the articles section of the magazine, this issue's Gallery takes a quick look at some of the models of real-life locations currently on the exhibition circuit. We certainly hope that we will be able to provide a more 'in-depth' look at these layouts in future issues.

Our experiment with the concept of an 'extended review' of a commercially available kit has proven popular with readers, with Kevin Tiernan having submitted this treatise on finishing the Oz Kits steam crane, almost before the ink was dry on the last issue! We have also come up with a name for this new section; On the Workbench (an) In-depth Review, as we expect it will become a regular feature. Submissions suitable for this section are welcomed.

We have also 'freshened up' the look of the Reviews-Recent Releases-News sections of the magazine with a little tweak to the graphics that we think looks better and is easier to read.

In the Reviews section we look at just some of the models that have been released commercially recently. Here you will find information on the SDS Models r-t-r MRC (and variants) refrigerator vans, the Southern Rail version of the WA L class diesel and the Auscision Downer EDI Rail GT46C-ACe locomotives, as well the kit for a NSW 20' milk container from Road & Rail Resin and a new book from Scott Whitaker on a subject dear to the heart of many modellers Railway Hotels of Australia -Volume One: Victoria!  

The Recent Releases and News sections have much of interest for those with wallets they wish to have become a little lighter!

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.

Or click here to

online to the paper or digital (or both) versions of AMRM at our website.

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 from the Zinio site:

James McInerney

Production Manager

Back Issue: February 2016

The February 2015 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue from SCR publications. Back issues of the digital version are available from Zinio

The cover, featuring a montage of Tony Scott's N scale home layout, Emu Creek.

The contents of the February issue

After a run of (very fine) NSW layouts, it is time to go south of the border for February's feature layout.

Tony Scott describes his, now-demolished, N scale home layout, recalling the glory years of the 'blue and gold' era of the Victorian Railways.

Continuing the VR theme, Peter Ennis describes another of his VR wagon models.

For those constructing layouts and looking for a solution to the ongoing problem of access, David Bartle has an interesting (and scenically attractive) solution to the problem.

A bit of light entertainment, but with a serious edge, comes from Robert Gorrell, with a riposte to Trevor Hodges' recent In the Loop: Image Problem? What Image Problem?

The numerically largest section of our readership has not been forgotten though, with a few articles exploring various aspects of modelling the NSW railway system.

Ian Dunn has put together a Prototype File on the NSWGR's HBW four-wheel ballast hopper, essential reading for anyone building the Peter Boorman's Workshop kit (also reviewed in this issue) and of interest to anyone else who likes steam-era NSW rolling stock.

We are also trying out a new idea, an 'extended review' of a commercially available kit that goes beyond the areas usually covered by reviews. We have taken a Model 'N More building kit and not only reviewed the kit 'as provided', but have also shown how it can be modified to more closely resemble the prototype and how to achieve this, including painting and weathering.

This is unlikely to be our last 'extended review'!

We also have the usual 'regular' features, including another Beyond the Fence from Maikha Ly, describing some very 'modelable' buildings in Wolseley SA and the latest In the Loop from Trevor Hodges, describing his adventures dabbling in commercial kit building.

And then there is Gallery, taking an unusual departure this issue with a description by Les Fordham of an O scale outdoor layout that existed a very long time ago in Cheltenham (NSW) a northern suburb of Sydney.

The Reviews section covers a plethora of items that will be of interest to many readers, including the r-t-r Auscision NSWGR 43 class, Bendigo Rail Models Victorian P class and Haskell WA L class diesel locomotives. Also reviewed is a VR 30' goods shed kit in HO scale from new producer, Model Train Buildings, the aforementioned HO scale NSWGR HBW four-wheel hopper wagon kit from Peter Boreman's Workshop, new micro speakers for DCC installations from Model Railroad Craftsman and last, but not least, modelling inspiration in the form of two books (An Australian Locomotive Guide-Second Edition by Peter Clark, and The Daylight by Chris Banger) and a DVD, Australian Railway Historical Society Archives Collection Volume 1 The Alex Grunbach Films, produced by Belbin Video.

.

Despite it being traditionally a quiet time for announcements and new releases, the Recent Releases and News sections still manage to run to five pages, with a major release announced that will be of great interest to VR modellers. It may pay dividends for those VR enthusiasts to plan on attending the Corio exhibition over the weekend of 23-24 January! 

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.

Or click here to

online to the paper or digital (or both) versions of AMRM at our website.

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 from the Zinio site:

James McInerney

Production Manager