Back Issues: April 2013 (50th Anniversary issue)

The April 2013 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue.
This was our 50th anniversary (1963-2013) issue and has been expanded to the
maximum number of pages we can have printed!

The contents of the April  issue

To mark our 50th year of publication, we are featuring a layout that has marked a number of AMRM milestones in the past, Brian Parry's Colo Vale. This fine layout has been featured on AMRM's first colour cover in 1980 and was also the feature layout for our 25th anniversary issue in 1988. The advances in production values AMRM has achieved in the last 25 years is amply illustrated when this article is compared to the previous one!

The general contents of this issue are generally on the theme of 'looking back' with the major component being the first part of Bob Gallagher's three-part history of AMRM, this installment covering the early years before he took over in 1975.

As an insight into the difficulties facing the pioneers of the hobby, Garry Kahler has written an article outlining how he scratchbuilt a NSWGR ACX composite sleeping car in HO scale, using materials and techniques not much changed since the 1960s.

Adapting and modifying proprietary kits has been a theme from the very early days of AMRM and Peter Jarvis continues the theme with the first part of a two-part essay on modifying and detailling the Casula NSWGR cast iron water tank kit.

However, not everything was 'golden' in years gone by. One of the biggest advances over the last 20 years or so has been the development of digital control systems. David Mitchell shows how easy it is to fit a DCC chip to a proprietary diesel.

Individual models are but a 'means to an end' to a fully working and scenicked layout. Craig Veitch continues his layout building saga with the latest installment detailing how he laid his track.

This issue's expanded Gallery section features some of the models constructed by one of the true pioneers of the hobby, Howard Armstrong, during the last 50 years.

All this, along with Beyond the Fence, Lineside, building modern structures, a useful workshop tool, solving the Eureka HUB car 'green window' problem and the return of Branchline Ramblings should give you plenty of reading entertainment till our next issue, which will be our 300th!

Then there is the seventeen pages pages of reviews and new product news, including a Prototype File and tandem reviews of the SDS and Southern Rail Tulloch 10,000 gallon rail tank cars, plus  reviews of the Eureka HUB cars and many other useful items, which should somewhat satisfy the need to find out about 'the latest'.

Due to lack of space, we have had to hold the next chapter of Ian Black's series on constructing the Southern Aurora, covering the MHN passenger brake vans, over till next issue.

Purchase this issue of AMRM as a back issue.

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

or

Order a back issue from our website

James McInerney

Production Manager

Back Issues: February 2013

The February 2013 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue.

The contents of the February  issue

By way of preparation to mark our 50th year of publication, we are featuring Brian Rowling's (of Rowlingstock Productions fame) amazing O scale layout, which features models built by Brian (and others) over the last 60 years.

The general contents of this issue cover the usual wide range of topics including the next chapter in Ian Black's definitive work describing the construction of the NSWGR and VR's

Southern Aurora in HO scale. This issue covers the construction of the BCS lounge cars.

Those wishing to 'individualise' some of the excellent r-t-r NSW stock wagons that have been released recently will find these two articles to be of interest. 

The non-NSW modellers have not been forgotten, with an article showing how to model one of the many variations of VR four-wheeled open wagons.

Rural produce appears to be a bit of a theme in this issue, with how to model wool traffic covered in this article, equally applicable to all Australian systems.

Railway infrastructure/ layout construction has not been forgotten either, with this simple 'how to' on wiring a turntable.

All this, along with Beyond the Fence, Superintendent's Notebook, a Detail Hound, plus articles on theft prevention and masking models for painting should keep the modelling bench active for quite some time!

This issue's Gallery features some very inspirational models from a time period not often featured, the 1970s.

Thirteen pages pages of reviews and new product news should provide plenty of purchasing temptation (don't read if you have run out of money over Xmas!) Items reviewed in this issue include: IDR Models NSWGR BPV powder van and Model Etch VR Q bogie flat wagon kits, r-t-r NSWGR MHG goods brakevans from Trainorama and NSWGR OCY container flats from SDS, plus ILM screw couplers, a laser cut house kit and the latest book from Train Hobby.

Purchase this issue of AMRM as a back issue.

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

or

Order a back issue from our website

James McInerney

Production Manager

Back Issue: December 2012

The December 2012 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue.

The contents of the December  issue

Rather than just one feature layout this month, we are showcasing a number of layouts that appeared at the 50th Australian Model Railway Association (NSW branch) exhibtion at Liverpool on the October long weekend.

The general contents of this issue cover a wide range of topics including

Construction of whitemetal locomotive kits.

A look at a rural model railway club that must be doing something right by its members

to have lasted 35 years so far and still be going strong.

Scratchbuilding a four-wheel stock wagon and, to make it even more impressive,

it's in N scale! 

Getting rid of those unsightly gaps between passenger cars.

Another installment in the ever popular 'Today's Railway Scene', covering the IRA.

Ian Black's definitive work describing the construction of the NSWGR and VR's

Southern Aurora in HO scale could not be accomodated in this issue, but will continue in the February issue with the next chapter describing construction of the BCS lounge cars.

All this, plus Beyond the Fence, the Superintendent's Notebook, a short article on improving the running of the Eureka CHG (applicable to all manufacturer's r-t-r rolling stock) and twenty pages of reviews (including the Austrains NSWGR 'American' end-platform cars, AndIan BLV 36' louvred van kit, IDR B four-wheel open wagon kit, SDS NSWGR milk tanker and VR KQ container flat , SEM GZ/RY/IZ open wagon kits, Orient Express SAR DWf four-wheel van, plus books, a signal and carriage lighting accessory) and new product news will provide hours of reading pleasure. 

Purchase this issue of AMRM as a back issue.

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

or

Order a back issue from our website

James McInerney

Production Manager

AMRM at the Liverpool Exhibition

The Australian Model Railway Magazine will be present at the AMRA (NSW) exhibition at Whitlam Leisure Centre, Memorial Avenue, Liverpool over the October long weekend (29/30 September, 1 October).

Our regular SCRMA/AMRM stand will be there, in more-or-less the same place we were last year (stand No.62, over in the far corner of the main hall, next to Casula Hobbies) and we will, as usual, have available the current issue of AMRM, plus some recent back issues and the full range of books published by our sister organisation, Eveleigh Press.

You will also be able to subscribe to the magazine, purchase our 2013 calendar and Eveleigh's recently released books, plus select from the Eveleigh back catalogue, including some reduced price specials.

You can also join the Southern Cross Model Railway Association on the spot.

We accept cash, cheque and Credit Cards for all purchases.

See the posts below for our recently released books.

Our Exhibition specials this year will be:

 

O.B Boulton's Engine Portraits $45.00

 

 

Clydes Among The Cane $25.00

 

Diesel Profiles Alco DL541 $30.00

 

 

 Green Diesels $30.00

South Maitland Railways $30.00

 

 

And a 'super special' (if it was any cheaper we'd be paying you to take it away... ;)

 

 Essays in Steam $9.00

There aren't many of these left, so get in early!

 

 

Photo by Maikha Ly

 

I will be at the exhibition all three days, but not necessarily on the stand.

 

I will, however, definitely be on the stand around lunchtime on all three days.

 

Come and say hullo, particularly if you have an idea for AMRM!

James McInerney

Production Manager



Southern Highlands Express

The latest book in Peter Attenborough's Australian Trains series is now available from the usual outlets.

 

 

All pre-publications orders for the above volume are being dispatched with the last mailout going out Friday 14 September.

 

You can order this book direct from us via this link

Buy 'Southern Highland Express'

Nicki Christie                                                                                                 James McInerney

Office Manager                                                                                         Production Manager

 

Coaching Stock of the NSW Railways - Volume 3

The third volume in the NSW Coaching Stock series is now available.

 

 

All pre-publication orders for the above volume have now been dispatched, with the last mailout being Friday 7 September.

 

 

You can order this book direct from us via this link

Buy 'Coaching Stock of the NSW Railways'

Nicki Christie                                                                                                 James McInerney

Office Manager                                                                                         Production Manager

 

Back Issues: October 2012 AMRM

The October 2012 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue.
 

The contents of the October  issue

As is traditional for the October issue the layout article features John Dennis's excellent photography, returning this year to the narrow gauge theme with Peter Knife's HOn3.5 home layout, Minnipa, based on the prototype location on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.

Continuing Ian Black's definitive work describing the construction of the NSWGR and VR's Southern Aurora in HO scale is the chapter in the story, describing the construction of the RMS dining cars.

 

A completed RMS dining car. Photo by Ian Black.

The next part to be published will describe the BCS lounge cars.

 

 

Craig Veitch returns with part three of his series describing the construction of his layout.

 

 



Continuing the 'construction' theme is an article by new author, Christopher Jewell, describing the conversion of a proprietary kit into a model not available commercially.

This issue's three page Gallery features some fine modelling by author and EMU expert, Roy Howarth, describing some of the models he has constructed, set in a period somewhat neglected by modellers.

 

 

 

All this, plus Beyond the Fence and over eighteen pages of reviews and new product news, including the latest from manufacturers great and small in three scales.

 

Purchase this issue of AMRM as a back issue.

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

or

Order a back issue from our website

James McInerney

Production Manager

Back Issues: August 2012

The August 2012 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue.

The contents of the August  issue

The feature layout in this issue is David Low's exhibition layout Eskbank, which feature a fabulous collection of 19th century NSWGR trains, built by David and the members of his operating group.

Following on from last issue is part 2 of Ian Black's definitive work describing the construction of the NSWGR and VR's fabulous Southern Aurora in HO scale.

This chapter completes the construction of the NAM sleeping cars and covers the LAN and DAM sleepers that also formed part of the trains consist.

A completed NAM sleeper. Photo by Ian Black.

The next part, to be published in the October issue, describes the RMS dining cars.

And now for something completely different, a building article with a bonus!

The article not only describes the construction of the building, but also includes full colour drawings that can either be used as a plan to scratchbuild the structure, or scanned/photocopied from the magazine and assembled as a kit!

A lower resolution version of the drawings is also available for download from the

Modelling the Railways of Queensland website:  

http://qldrailheritage.com/mrqc/

This issue also sees another of the popular Branchline Ramblings from Ron Cunningham, plus some simpler construction articles for those who may find building a complete Southern Aurora set a little daunting!

This issue's Gallery features just some of the amazing work that appeared at the most recent Modelling the Railways of South Australia convention.

All this, plus the usual supporting features and fifteen pages of reviews and new product news, including reviews of the latest offerings from Austrains, Eureka and Auscision.

Purchase this issue of AMRM as a back issue.

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

or

Order a back issue from our website

James McInerney

Production Manager