Sunday 6 December 2020

Back issue: December 2020 issue of the AMRM

 The December 2020 issue of AMRM is scheduled to be available from all outlets by Thursday the 12th of November 2020.


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

The digital version of the December 2020 AMRM was released by Zinio on Tuesday the 10th of November.




The December 2020 cover.


Contents page



The feature layout this issue is Tim Stewart's Mudgee  layout.  Tim has dedicated a lifetime of modelling to produce an outstanding modelling example of the NSWGR line to Mudgee.

Tim shares his experience to AMRM readers, with James McInerney providing the photographic work for this feature article.




R G Kosmider provides a no nonsense approach to scratch building points.  K G Kosmider encourages the novice to start scratch building points.  He also outlines the advantages of taking such a plunge modelling wise.  This article is applicable to any scale and outlines the tips to producing your own points with satisfying results.



Continuing our cause of encouraging modelers to looks at locations that have amazing operational potential, the AMRM team present a location to model in ultra modern, Bowmans, South Australia.
Covering the history of the development of the Super bunker. includes modelling notes, track and signal diagrams, and a suggested track plan for creating a model.
The AMRM Team also have available additional 140 detail photos for the modeler including close up shots of the facility and ancillary equipment, to enable the modeler to really get their teeth into modelling such a location!



Phil Jefferey presents a timely Detail Hound article on the Victorian Tait cars, their configurations, diagrams and research tips.
This includes 1970's details and a close up look at single car Tait conversion versions.



Following on from Mitchell Campton's Prototype file in the October 2020 issue of the AMRM.
Mitchell Campton outlines step by step techniques for scratch building a NSW Timber Road Overbridge, this is outlines techniques that can be adapted to any scale.



James McInerney returns to the pages of the AMRM with an interesting anecdote on revitalizing your older models



As a companion to Peter Clark's historical article in the October issue of the AMRM, the AMRM Team have developed detailed modelling notes for the BHP Billiton SD40Rs and SD40-2s.  
This article shows you the detail configurations, includes a complete detailed differences table (for example there are three different configurations of ditchlights).  The article also outlines the applicable models available for you to model them as closely as possible.


There is a bumper issue in regards to reviews with three detailed model reviews.






Trevor Hodges pens his regular column In the Loop...

Finally there is News from the Australian hobby world, and Mailbag...

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. 

Thursday 17 September 2020

Back issue: AMRM October 2020

 The October 2020 issue of AMRM should now be available at most outlets. It is scheduled to be available from all outlets by Monday 21st of September.


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:

The digital version of the October 2020 AMRM was released by Zinio on Thursday 17th of September.




The October 2020 cover.






The Contents page





The feature layout this issue is Gary Lamb's North Coast National, Gary a long time resident of Western Australia recreates a generic slice of Queensland in the 1990's, Queensland Railways is where it all began for Gary's working career.  
Gary's focus on realistic operations, and his design journey is a lesson to us all.  Distilling wants and needs that produces outstanding results, so is the adage less is more!



Ultra Modern Modelers are also catered for with an article on modeling GWA's AHGXs, including fading techniques and applying realistic graffiti.  Also included is a configuration table of each member of the fleet, so you can get your models just right.



Jim Hutchinson provides us with great techniques to create very "Australian typical" store fronts.  Including using everyday items to create realistic facades. These techniques are valuable to all modelers regardless of scale or gauge.




David Dunn describes is Victorian Railways branchline layout, WatersideWaterside is proof that you don't need lots of room to have a beautiful and operationally satisfying layout.  A small layout can also be a learning stepping stone, and enable you to focus on the details with outstanding results.


Our prototype file for this issue is thanks to Mitchell Campton as produced scale drawing of a very common sight in rural NSW, a two track overbridge.  However not just content to provide you detailed plans, Mitchell will also provide a how to article to built this bridge in HO in the next issue of the AMRM.




The Pilbara is back!  Many modelers that visit the Pilbara region of Western Australia become inspired and end up modelling some part of it.  To this point, Peter Clarke covers BHP Billiton's motive power gap filled by USA domestic EMD SD40s and SD40-2's, although their operational life was short it's a very interesting history.



And that not all... John Miller, well known Westrail era N scale modeler, outlines a short didy on effectively modelling Tarpaulins, which again can be converted to any scale and prototype.

Trevor Hodges pens his regular column In the Loop...

Further more, this issue we have a stack of informative reviews, we are working towards showing you the details and provide good comparisons to the prototype.  So you the modeler can make an informed decision on your hard earned hobby dollar.




Yes of course there is News from the Australian hobby world...including new manufactures!   Also Mailbag...

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. 

Monday 13 July 2020

Back issue: AMRM August 2020

The August 2020 issue of AMRM should now be available at most outlets. It is scheduled to be available from all outlets by Monday 20th of July.

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:

The digital version of the August 2020 AMRM was released by Zinio on Thursday 15th of July.




The August 2020 cover.



The Contents page
Its another bumper 80 page issue!


The feature layout this issue represents Henry Wadling's life time affinity with NSW Railways replicated in HO Scale, is his North West layout.


Chis Neil builds a useful DCC programming box, a must for DCC exhibition layouts.

Don Bishop concludes his series on building an SAR goods shed.

Ralph Holden, outlines the end of an era for his SAR-EPD and for the prototype Port Lincoln Division.


Brian Shields describes Renmark SA as a great location to model, complete with diagrams, shares the history the railways of Renmark, lots of  prototype inspiration.


Trevor Watson shares his affinity with large scale tramways, and building the Lanyon Valley Steam & Electric Tramway.


Les Fordham takes us on a journey, and shares his experiences in moving his layout into a new home, and all the changes that occurred! Including lessons learned...

Plus lots of reviews and news, as per usual.



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. 

Wednesday 13 May 2020

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:

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




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