Back Issue: April 2014 AMRM

The April 2014 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue direct from AMRM.

The April issue cover features a scene on my very own HO scale Lambing Flat, showing the level crossing, plus the new signal box that controls the junction to the new section of the layout that is described in this issue.

The contents of the April issue.

As mentioned above, this issue covers the extensions that have, and are being, constructed on my home layout, Lambing Flat.

(The second part of the article describing Iain Hunter's Broadford layout has had to be held over till the June issue, due to lack of space.)

And here is one we have been working on for (literally) years! A comprehensive modelling article (with a section on the prototype) on the original VR bogie J class hopper wagons, complete with a very comprehensive drawing of the prototype in both HO and O scales. The article describes two different approaches to converting an American prototype model to a J class, using two different brands as the source, by well-known VR modellers, Peter Ennis and Tony Gray.

Phil Knife brings us another in his series on building WAGR steam locomotives. The 'hints and tips' he describes are useful for building any model, not just the one he has constructed.

Another one that has been 'in the works' for a while. Alex C Brown presents another of his NSW passenger car conversions, showing how to create a model of a supplementary interurban car that we can pretty much guarantee will never be available r-t-r!

Ian Barnes takes us through the steps of fitting a DCC sound chip to a DJH steam locomotive kit.

Roy Elder shows that building good looking scenery isn't hard at all.

Peter Jarvis describes his collection of kit- and scratchbuilt versions of the BCV/BLV/MLV/MLK vans, the prototypes of which were described in Ian Dunn's article, 

The BCV - A Much Modified Van, in AMRM Issue 293 (April 2012).

Unlike last issue, there is much more commercial news happening at the moment! 

With over nine pages of Reviews and nearly seven of News and Recent Releases, there is plenty to tempt the wallet.

This issue we review the r-t-r Eureka VR R class 4-6-4 steam and Auscision AN class diesel locomotives, plus the r-t-r Southern Rail QR ALY four-wheel vans, Austrains NSWGR LHG/OHG goods brakevans, SDS VR U four-wheel louvred vans and Auscision VR VLX/BLX louvred/closed vans (all HO scale).

Lots of interesting stuff in the News section as well.

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

Alternatives to Floquil Paints

As many may be aware, the Floquil range of paints has ceased production. This has opened a real gap in the range of colours available to modellers. 

However, Micro Scale Industries has put together a list of substitute colours from other manufacturers which should go some of the way towards making up for the loss of this very useful range. This list can be found at:

www.microscale.com/Floquil%20Color%20Chart.pdf.


James McInerney
Production Manager 

Back Issue: February 2014 AMRM

The February 2014 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue.


The February issue cover features a 1980s era V/Line passenger train passing under the Hamilton St bridge on the approach to Broadford, Vic, as reproduced in HO scale by Iain Hunter.

The contents of the February issue.

This issue we feature another layout of an Australian prototype that was constructed, and resides, overseas, this time in the UK. Iain Hunter's HO scale exhibition is also notable in that the VR broad gauge tracks are modelled to a scale 5'3" gauge.

If you have always wanted to scratchbuild a model, but weren't sure how to go about it, John Gilbert's article on scratchbuilding a VR signal box will set you right! The drawings accompanying the article, created by Lindsay Bennett, are some of the most comprehensive we have ever printed.

Bob Lynch describes how to build a working NSWGR turntable using a kit available from Gwydir Hobbies.

It's taken a while, but we have finally managed to convince Justin Moy to share some of his very convincing weathering techniques with our readers.

For the modern era modellers who want to 'get it right', Peter Attenborough presents another of his Today's Railway Scene series, this time covering the activities of the Manildra Group.

This issue's Gallery contains a follow-up to Jim Longworth's article in AMRM Issue 273 (December 2008) on the NSWGR's exhibition layouts, in the form of a selection of photos of the first NSWGR layout when it was on permanent display in Newcastle during the 1960 and '70s.

Also included in this issue are articles on VR footbridges, detailling a locomotive depot and building a lift-out layout section.

For the first time in years, the commercial sector has been relatively quiet for this issue, so the Reviews and News section only runs to eight pages, however we have still managed to review the Auscision NSW NHRH/PHCH/RHCH coal hoppers, the Little Building Co baker's shop, the latest volume of the Wheatley brother's Railway Portraits series and a rather useful colour hand-held LCD television receiver. It's an ill wind etc... as the smaller commercial section has allowed us to expand the number of articles included in this packed with 'goodies' 80 page 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 Issue: December 2013 AMRM

The December 2013 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue direct from the AMRM office.


The December issue cover features a shot of the Indian Pacific crossing the flooded creek on the ACT Model Railway Society's HO scale exhibition layout, Yendys.

The contents of the December issue.

This issue's feature layout is a small (with a very 'buildable' idea for a 'minimum space' layout) slice of mid-20th century Geelong, featuring the long gone tramways of that rural Victorian city.

Even more impressive is that the layout resides in Canada!

Our occasional Lineside section features some images of three exhibition layouts set in or near Sydney.

It's been a long journey, but we have finally got to the end of Ian Black's comprehensive series on building the NSWGR & VR's 'glamour' train of the 1960s/'70s, the incomparable Southern Aurora. This last installment covers construction of the PHN power cars.

For those who want a nice, simple scratchbuilding project, Maikha Ly shows us how easy it is to build a typical suburban house.

All layouts need something to support them, so David Mitchell presents another way of building baseboards which will be particularly useful to those living in small spaces and/or rented accommodation.

The 'traditional' materials for scratchbuilding are often overlooked these days, given the amazingly versatile materials that are available now, but Barry Lloyd shows that good results can be obtained by 'looking back'...

Our theme for 2013, our 50th Anniversary year, has certainly been 'looking back' and we conclude with part three of our Gallery feature highlighting significant commercial models of the last half century, this time covering the years 1987 to 2012, using photos of the display organised by the AMRA (NSW) branch at the 2012 Liverpool exhibition.

Reviewed in this issue are the SDS Models NSWGR BCW/NSCF bogie cattle wagons and NSWPTC FMW/NRWF F.J.Walker refrigerated wagons, On Track Models NSWGR BOB set passenger cars, Trainorama NSWGR MRC refrigerated cars, Ozrail Models VR L sheep vans and a Chevrolet 'Blitz' truck kit from Times Gone By (all HO scale), plus ready-to-place SAR and VR colour light signals in N scale from San Mateo Line and a power amplifier for the ESU Loksound DCC chip from DCC Solutions.

With six pages of reviews, plus the article content and eight pages of new product news, this issue of AMRM should give our readers some enjoyable holiday reading over Christmas (if you can wait that long!) 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers!

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

What was supposed to be on p70...

A full-page ad marking the release of Ozrail Model Train's VR L class sheep van was supposed to appear on p70 of the October 2013 issue of AMRM, however, in one of those frustrating oversights that sometime occur when we are rushing towards our print deadline, the wrong file (the old half-page ad merely announcing that it was 'coming') was used instead and it wasn't picked up during proofreading. 

This is the ad that was supposed to appear on p70.

We apologise unreservedly to Ozrail Model Trains for this error.

However, it does give us the opportunity to include a nice, big image of a new L class van here. VR and SAR modellers enjoy!

As mentioned in the Recent Releases section of the October AMRM, and now here on the ad that was supposed to appear, the Ozrail Model Trains HO scale VR L sheep van is now available, in both arc and gable roofed versions.

James McInerney

Production Manager

Back Issue: October 2013 AMRM

The October 2013 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue directly from AMRM.

.

The contents of the October issue.

This issue we Barry Lloyd's extensive home layout, based on the old South Australian Railways. It is a perfect example of what can be done with purchased items and good design. As is usual for the October issue, the photos are provided by the extremely talented John Dennis.

Continuing with our '50 years' theme, Ian Barnes has done some number crunching and analysed the statistical breakup of just what AMRM has covered over the last 50 years. It might sound a rather 'dry' subject, but that has not stopped Ian from writing a rather interesting essay. 

Once more, we have got together a variety of modelling project articles, ranging from 'serious' scratchbuilding to a simple modification of a r-t-r item to create a variation not available 'over the counter'. 

Dennis Toohey describes how to use jigs to construct multiple copies of items, in this case the framing for a rather large roundhouse.

Es Davies describes a very long term project to build a special load. However, repeating his steps should not take anyone else 30 years!

Peter Schierloh shows how a few minor mods can make a proprietary product look more realistic.

Peter Ennis returns with another in his ongoing series on constructing VR rolling stock. This time he backdates a Trainorama ZLP.

Following on from last issue, Gallery features part two of the feature highlighting significant commercial models of the last half century, covering the years 1979 to 1988, using photos of the display organised by the AMRA (NSW) branch at the 2012 Liverpool exhibition.

Not forgetting Beyond the Fence, featuring rural community facilities photographed by Maikha Ly, and other small articles containing information of benefit to the modeller.

Then the sixteen pages of reviews and new product news should , particularly if you are going to the AMRA (NSW) Liverpool exhibition, help plan your next couple of month's acquisitions! We review the Southern Rail Explorer/Endeavour railcars, overhead stanchions and NDHF concrete sleeper wagons, as well as the Trainorama GM class diesels, a rather clever little video camera that will fit on a N scale wagon and the two latest volumes of John Dunn's history of Comeng.

If you enjoy reading it half as much as I enjoyed putting it together, you will be very pleased!

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 2013

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

The contents of the August issue.

This issue we feature Matt Sawtell's interpretation of NSW's iconic Wolgan Valley Railway, complete with Shays, towering sandstone cliffs and the Newnes pub!

Bob Gallagher's three-part history of AMRM concludes with the story 'to date', including a section by yours truly on how today's AMRM is put together!

This time we have managed to put together a bit of a 'modeller's issue', with some very interesting articles that will, hopefully, inspire some busy workbenches!

The art of cutting up Lima cars is not dead, as Dennis Clarke ably illustrates. This article includes a full page drawing of the prototype from David Bennett.

'The Master', Frank Kelly, shows how to scratchbuild a steam locomotive in brass. The article is accompanied by superb O (¼") scale drawings from AMRM's newest volunteer draftsmen, Lindsay Bennett. Btw, there is no truth to the rumour that AMRM has a policy of only recruiting draftsmen with the last name 'Bennett'!

For those looking for tips on improving the running of proprietary models, Barry Lloyd's experiences with his 'Redhen' railcars may prove illuminating.

Our 'honorary Aussie', Dennis Murphy has provided another easy to follow article on building and 'naturalising' a simple US kit.

We have even managed to include scenery building in this issue, with this simple guide to growing trees from David Bartle.

It is not just the latest models that can benefit from sound and the sophisticated control circuitry of modern DCC chips. Mike Walters shows how easy it can be to fit sound to older models.

Continuing our '50 years of modelling' theme for 2013, this issue's Gallery features the first part, covering the years 1946 to 1979, of the display, organised by the AMRA (NSW) branch, seen at the 2012 Liverpool exhibition.

All this, plus smaller, though no less useful, articles should make this issue another one to remember!

Then, of course, we have twelve pages of reviews and new product news should keep you up to date with developments in the commercial side of the hobby. We review the Haskell/Wuiske QR HOn3½ QLX louvred van and KQJX cattle wagon, Ezi Kits HO scale NSWGR D class locomotive kit, some of the recent NSWGR  11'6" wheelbase vans from Austrains, the 'elephant wagon' variant of the NSWGR CW cattle wagon from IDR Railway castings, DCC Sound's customised Loksound DCC chip for the Auscision 422 class, the latest issue of Byways of Steam and Nick Anchen's latest book Engineman of the Victorian Railways Volume II.

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