Back Issue: June 2017 AMRM.

The June 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 issue of June 2017 AMRM from Zinio.

The June 2017 cover.

The contents page.

After a few issues of relatively 'modern era' layouts, we are stepping back in time to the glorious age of the tram with John Wallace's La Perouse via Malabar, which recreates, in a surprisingly small space, given the scale, the colourful ambiance of Sydney's eastern suburbs tram network, as it was in the 1950s.

This issue's articles cover the usual wide variety of topics that make modelling Australian railways so interesting. 

A first-time author, Sonya Otway, shows us how to model grass trees, a distinctive item of Australian flora found in many parts of the continent.

Craig Veitch concludes his 'Void to Layout' series by advising that the layout has been dismantled, thanks to yet another house move, and muses on the lessons learnt during its construction.

Another first-time author, John Wrigley, gives us the basics on turntable construction.

Roger Hill, who can build and weather a very fine model, lets us in on a few of his secrets.

The 'old hands' are still producing good stuff as well! Phil Knife, no stranger to the pages of AMRM, tells the story of another interesting WAGR steam locomotive and how to model it in Sn3.5 using a kit that has just returned to the market after a long absence.

This issue's Gallery highlights some historic models from Phil Jeffery's personal collection. 

Trevor Hodges is back with another In the Loop, this time discussing his experiences with social media and model railways.

There are also a number of smaller articles covering subjects as diverse as coaling steam locomotive tenders, hiding the unsightly gap between passenger car diaphragms, modelling a typical accident train and what to do if you have to address DCC locomotives that have letter codes as well as numbers.

The three-page Reviews section highlights Peter Boorman's latest NSW 'Early Days' kit for the BEY bogie flat wagon and Southern Rail's new cement works building, both in HO, plus Eveleigh Press's latest book, the definitive work on the Wolgan Valley Railway, Shale & Shays.

Despite this supposedly being a 'quiet' time of year for commercial releases, the eight pages of News and Recent Releases would suggest that the producers don't agree with that assessment! 

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: AMRM October 2016

The October 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:

Buy digital back issue of October 2016 AMRM

The October 2016 cover.

The contents of the October issue

The October issue's feature layout is traditionally illustrated by John Dennis and this year is no exception. John has provided another collection of superb photos to illustrate the HO scale VR exhibition layout, Fogarty's Gap, supporting the text provided by the layout's builder, Bob Gartside.

Fans of the Victorian Railways should enjoy this issue, as not only is the feature layout a model of Victorian prototype, but we are also starting a major, three-part article on modelling VR timber bridges in this issue.

The first part of David Foulkes three-part series covers the prototype aspects of the longitudinal deck timber bridges, including two pages of superb Lindsay Bennett drawings.

The second part of the article, covering the bridges with transverse decks, is currently scheduled to appear in the December AMRM.

We haven't forgotten the modellers of NSW prototype, particularly those poor, neglected souls who model the 1980s, as Nathan Cox has written a basic 'how-to' on how he has modelled most of the PTC/SRA fleet of Supplementary Interurban Cars, converted from redundant 72'6" wooden cars in the late 1970s/early 1980s to cater for the growing demand for commuter carriages on the services to the west, north, south and Illawarra lines.

Now that more and more modellers are progressing to building layouts, rather than just rolling stock, there are lots of little details that need to be added to a layout for which information is not always easily available. Craig Mackie shows us how to model typical lineside fencing, in this case, supported by drawings of standard NSWGR lineside fences from the AMRM collection.

While many are happy to pull the current crop of excellent r-t-r locomotives out of the box and 'plonk' them on the layout, couple up to a train and drive off, there is still room to modify them, particularly when fitting DCC. Ben O'Malley not only takes us through the steps of fitting DCC to a modern r-t-r locomotive (in this case, a Trainorama 48 class) he also shows how to modify the circuit boards to achieve independent control of the marker lights.

There has been a lot of discussion over the years on how one gets 'new blood' into the hobby. Rather than just talk about it, the Canberra Model Railway Club has done something about it and their efforts are described in this issue by Ron Geeves.

Well, you have built your layout and now you are wondering how it looks from the point of view of a 'scale' person riding on it. Jonathan Majer has utilised a GoPro camera to find out! The article also contains a link to the video on Youtube of the result and you can follow it here: https://youtu.be/tLzha8ceBqY

This issue's In the Loop with Trevor Hodges features a light-hearted look at what can happen when a club exhibits a layout at a country festival and Phil Jeffery takes AMRM's Detail Hound for a walk around Bendigo in 1976, sniffing out some details that would look very good incorporated into a model scene. 

Trevor's In the Loop series is generating some debate and feedback, including Doug O'Loughlin's reply, in the form of an 'Under Construction' article, to Trevor's claim in AMRM Issue 318 (June 2016) that one can have too much space in which to build a layout. Doug thinks not...

Sadly, we have lost a few 'names' from the hobby recently and this issue's Gallery looks back on another lost 'giant' of the hobby, the late Kev Loughhead and his ground-breaking Moping Branch Railway.

In the Reviews section we look at the r-t-r HO scale SAR 'Centenary' cars from Orient Express Reproductions and NSWGR SHG/BHG goods brakevans from SDS. Those that still like to make things themselves may find the review of the HO scale kit for a VR upper quadrant signal released by San Mateo Line to be of interest, while the book, Servo Great Australian Service Stations, will be useful for those wanting to detail a service station scene appropriately and for those looking for something a little 'different', the cardboard cut-out kit for Transport Heritage NSW's 3642 may appeal!

The commercial scene continues to be buoyant with lots of recent releases and news of upcoming models needing to be illustrated/described in the eight or so pages of the Recent Releases and News sections.

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 from the Zinio site:

James McInerney

Production Manager

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: April 2015 AMRM

The April 2015 issue of AMRM is now available as a back issue either direct from SCR Publications or online from Zinio.


The cover...

What's inside...

Thanks to the excellent support from our many advertisers, we have been able to include a bonus eight extra pages in this issue.

This issue's layout article features a fine rendition of one of NSW's most iconic location, Oberon, but with the unusual feature of it having been built in Perth, about as far away as one can get from the real Oberon and still be in Australia!

Our extra eight pages has allowed us to squeeze in a few more articles than usual, covering modelling fixed wheelbase wagons on two systems, modifying a DJH locomotive kit, lighting your layout and another look, courtesy of Peter Attenborough, at the activities of a current era prototype private operator.

The Arnott's biscuit van (ABV) has always been popular with NSW modellers and AMRM editor, Ian Dunn, has put together a guide to the prototype and then followed it up with an article on modifying the r-t-r Austrains CV wagon to recreate the NSWGR's conversion of the prototypes!

Lest we be accused of a NSW bias, we have two articles on modelling Victorian Railways vehicles!

For those who like a bit of variety in their Z vans and want to reproduce some of the variation explored in Phil Dunn's article VR Z Vans in Passenger Service (AMRM Issue 309, December 2014), SEM's proprietor, David Foulkes, shows how to add buffers to his Z van kit and includes a few useful construction tips as well.

Another vehicle popular amongst modellers in all states are the cattle wagons modified to convey elephants. David Clark shows how to modify an SEM kit (the principals would work on an r-t-r version as well) of the VR M cattle wagon to accommodate elephants, plus gives a little prototype information as well. 

Excellent though they are, some modellers find the design of the motor/gearbox mounting in some DJH kits a little frustrating to assemble and then later dismantle for servicing. Alan Templeman has modified another of his DJH locomotives to simplify assemble and servicing, plus the modifications have the added advantage of increasing the locomotive's haulage power! 

Even the best modelled layout isn't much good if you can't see it! Ben Grey shows how to install LED lighting strips to good effect.

And for those who want to know where and why QUBE operates, Peter Attenborough has provided another beautifully illustrated guide to current prototype operations.

Last, but not least, of our articles is this month's Gallery, highlighting some of the magnificent modelling seen at the 2014 Hobsons Bay Easter exhibition. One assumes that the 2015 exhibition will be just as 'mouthwatering'! 

The five and a half pages of reviews highlight two significant recent r-t-r releases, those being the Haskell On30 VR NA 'Puffing Billy' and the Trainorama HO scale NSW 48 class locomotives. Also reviewed are the latest additions to the Southern Rail 'Trackside' series of ready-to-place buildings in HO scale, a very useful carry case for models from Fast Tracks and our latest book, Gerald Dee-The Life and Times of a Remarkable Railwayman by John Fowler, a very interesting and profusely illustrated book that has much of interest to modellers about the Victorian Railways in the later half of the 20th century. 

Then the six pages of Recent Releases and News will keep you up to date with what has become available lately and what is on the way in the next couple of months.

While there is nothing quite like holding a fresh copy of AMRM in your hand (our photos look so good on quality paper) purchased from your local hobby shop or newsagency (if they don't stock it, ask them why not!) those who have fully embraced the digital age can obtain our online version of the magazine from Zinio International.

Contact AMRM 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 from the Zinio site:

James McInerney

Production Manager