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: AMRM October 2017

The October 2017 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 issues of AMRM from Zinio.

The Oct 2017 cover.

The contents page.

The October issue traditionally features the brilliant photography of John Dennis. This issue he is covering the extensive HO scale home layout of Ian Denny, a 'might have been' VR transition era masterpiece set in the far western reaches of Victoria on the main line to Adelaide.

This issue covers topics ranging from how to model that SCT train you saw yesterday, through to the first part of a three-part article on modelling the NSWGR's distinctive 'Deane era' timber trestle bridges.

You saw it go past the other day and Chris Jones tells us what the locomotives and vehicles are and how to model them.

Reliably powering and controlling turntables is a recurring problem and Jack Child shows us a definite 21st century solution.

Picturesque steam era infrastructure is popular with many modellers (even those running modern diesels). Michael Gourlay begins a series on how to model the classic NSWGR transom-top timber trestle with techniques that are transferable to any timber bridge of any size or prototype.

Trevor Hodges' regular 'In the Loop' column delves into planning, construction and operator comfort issues, while David Foulkes presents a very elegant solution to the problem of how to hold models while painting them.

This issue's Gallery foreshadows the AMRM (NSW) Liverpool exhibition with a look at a few of the layouts that appeared there in 2016.

The Reviews section looks at some of the latest HO scale r-t-r offerings from SDS Models; the NSWGR high elliptical roof EHO, ARX/NPAX cement/grain hoppers and the JHG/NVJA goods brake vans, as well as the ready-to-place refuelling depot from Southern Rail, the two new r-t-p buildings from Bachmann Scenecraft and the kit for a classic Australian wind pump from Anton's Trains. Before you can build it, you need to know what it looks like, so we also look at two new books, Cadeco's Shooting the West and Train Hobby Publications' Country Branch Lines Victoria Part 10-Western region: Patchewllock, Yaapeet, Yanac, Bolangum. 

Five pages of News and Recent Releases finish the issue off with a very interesting glimpse into the future... 

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.

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: December 2015

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

As promised, the December issue features part 2
of John Reid's brilliant HO scale Reids Flat layout.

The rest of the contents

Part 2 of Reids Flat has been well worth the wait; John Dennis has captured the 'look' of this layout exceptionally well.

Here are a few more of John D's excellent photos that we couldn't find space for in the magazine.

Double-headed Standard Goods locos approach Reids Flat from the north with a general goods train from Cowra beneath a typical winter overcast.

A view of the forecourt of the station, looking towards the Lachlan Hotel. For some reason, this view reminds me very much of the view looking south on the down side of the prototype NSWGR station at Harden.

However, we can't have an entire issue devoted just to one layout, no matter how good (can we?) and there are lots of interesting articles to inspire you to operate your own layout and/or sit down at your workbench.

David Clark presents another in his series of easy conversions of VR rolling stock, this time showing how to adapt the SEM kit to represent a 'one-off' GY open wagon.

So, you want to build a rock face, but weren't sure how, or want to try a different technique? Ross Hurley's illustrated guide will 'show you how'.

When we think open wagon loads, most don't think beyond coal, so Rod Tonkin has suggested a few alternatives. In a similar vein, Maikha Ly's Beyond the Fence: Kaniva Vic suggests a few buildings to model that aren't houses, shops or service stations!

Scratchbuilding locomotives is a theme covered in two articles in this issue.

Roger Hill gives some practical hints for effectively springing scratchbuilt locomotives and Trevor Hodges presents an entertaining treatise on how he came to be scratchbuilding a NSWGR 20 class 2-6-4T in O scale.

Some practical hints towards getting started in 3D printing are provided by Dain Penman, proprietor of Madasu Model Trains. 

The return of Under Construction sees Brian Shields describe the beginnings of a layout based on South Australian practice that has sound lessons for those modelling any prototype (or none!) 

Also furthering the layout building theme is Jonathan Majer's short piece on the practicalities of adding overhead catenary to the layout.

This issue's Gallery highlights some of the fine work being done in O scale in Victoria.

Then, we review two Auscision r-t-r electric locomotives in HO scale, the NSW 86 class and the Victorian L class, along with the r-t-r HO scale Victorian FX wagons from SDS, an HO scale kit for a standard VR goods shed from Mount Blue Model Co. and two books that should provide much inspiration to VR and SAR modellers.

The Recent Releases and News sections runs to  nearly nine pages, expanded with coverage of the models released, shown and announced at the recent AMRA (NSW) Liverpool exhibition.

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: 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 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