Stop press: First sample of Model O Kits O scale NSWGR 36 class locomotive kit arrives

One of the benefits of having this blog is that we don't have to wait another two months to share news that didn't quite arrive in time to appear in the current issue of AMRM. Model O Kits have received the first complete, painted samples of their O scale NSWGR 36 class locomotive kit. More details on their website: Model O Kits

James McInerney

Production Manager

Back Issue: August 2015 AMRM

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


The cover...

What's inside...

This issue's layout article features another of those well detailed, prototypically operated layouts that the South Australians appear to be particularly good at!
This is not quite our usual layout description article, as it concentrates on the operational activity on one station that is part of a much larger layout. If you are looking for inspiration for actually operating a layout, this will be of great interest, and the modelling is very nice as well.

Some may have noticed that we have been doing a little more in the area of 'prototypes worth modelling' in the last couple of issues. After doing a 'train worth modelling' in the last issue, this time we feature a prototype station, something I have been wanting to see in AMRM for many years. Ian Imrie submitted the text some time ago, but was not able to provide photos. However, I have managed to source photos from various collections, including my own, to illustrate it, plus we have created a suggested trackplan for a single car garage and made some extra suggestions to support Ian's text.

With articles like this we always have problems fitting in all the photos we have available, but the advent of the digital age has made 'lateral' solutions possible. About half the photos that were available were printed with the article, while digital copies of those, plus the images we didn't have room for, have been placed on our Picasa site.

You can access the extra images here:

Extra photos for the Crookwell article

We haven't forgotten those who like to scratchbuild vehicles either. Tony Scott has built  a model in N scale of an item of VR service stock that would look good in any scale.

For those who aren't perhaps brave enough yet to start scratchbuilding their own models, a good way to 'learn the ropes' is to undertake minor modifications to r-t-r items. Richard Barrack, proprietor of Train Hobby Publications, has written up his experiences 'fine tuning' the Austrains NSWGR 'dogbox' carriages for his layout.

And now for something completely different...

David Baillie has looked into various methods of laying track to reduce the unwanted noise of moving models. Being a noise and vibration engineer with access to some useful bits of kit, he has taken a properly scientific approach to solving the problem. It also helps that he has made some rather nice models for us to view as well!

Plus, there are the usual spread of smaller articles on various topics, including our semi-regular features, Beyond the Fence, Recycled Rollingstock and Trevor Hodges' In the Loop. The Detail Hound also makes a reappearance after being confined to his kennel for some time!

This issue's Gallery pays homage to one of those many modellers who, whilst never becoming prominent in his own lifetime, managed to bring pleasure to his family and produced a body of work that is also worth noting to a wider audience, not the least for the audacity shown by attempting to model Sydney Terminal and Eveleigh Workshops and running sheds in his front bedroom!

As usual, we make an attempt to keep abreast of the commercial side of the hobby with the Reviews, Recent Releases and News sections. With eight pages of Reviews and Recent Releases, plus another five of News, there will be plenty of opportunities to 'do your bit' for the Economy!

We review the HO scale r-t-r Southern Rail VR FX flour hoppers and Victorian and South Australian Tulloch-built 10,000 gallon rail tank cars, Casula Hobbies LHO passenger brake vans, Orient Express SAR D vans and SDS NSW NRY/NRNY refrigerator cars, plus VR split-spoke RP25-88 wheelsets from SEM and a kit for a QR buffer stop from Queensland Scale Models. We also review two books, TULLOCH A History of Tulloch Engineers & Manufacturers Pyrmont & Rhodes 1883-1974 by David Jehan (Eveleigh Press's latest publication), plus Single Deckers from Newcastle The Cars Built At Walsh Island Dockyard Volume 1 – The Power Cars C3171 to 3220 by Roy Howarth and Glenn Ryan.

There are lots of interesting items mentioned in Recent Releases, as well as updates on the many projects underway in the commercial sector mentioned in the News section.  

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.

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: June 2015 AMRM

The June 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...

This issue's layout article highlights one of the largest layouts on the exhibition scene, both in size and scale, Paul Chisholm's O scale NSW layout, Arakoola.

Modellers of both the traditional steam/diesel transition era and the present day will find something of interest in this issue.

The feature modelling article is from Peter Jarvis and it describes the prototype history of the last batch of the NSWGR's Far West Children's Health Scheme cars and how to model them.

Answering the 'call to arms' in my Comment in the February 2015 issue regarding the shortage of modern era modelling articles is Chris Jones with a description of the private passenger train owned by Boyd Munro and some hints on how to model it.

We haven't forgotten the 'minority' states either, with another of Phil Knife's essays describing a prominent Western Australian locomotive and how to model it using a locally available kit. As with all of Phil's articles, not only is it an interesting read about a prototype that would be unfamiliar to most, the hints and tips in the article are useful for any modelling project, whatever the scale or prototype.

We weren't sure if we should publish this next article from Jonathan Majer (we are of the opinion that Maikha Ly does not need any more encouragement ;) ), but since it is a clever use of an instrument of horror, we decided to do it anyway! (We'll just have to try to keep it from Maikha... )

Rounded out with a useful hint on cleaning locomotive wheels from Ian Barnes and another 'Beyond the Fence' from Phil Jeffery, plus Trevor Hodges semi-regular column, the contents of this issue should inspire some modelling!

As should this issue's Gallery, with even more fine modelling from the VRMS's annual Victorian Prototype Modeller's Forum, this time showing just some of the HO scale models that were on display at a recent convention.

The commercial side of the hobby continues to deliver interesting models to a demanding market and the eight pages of reviews only scratches the surface of what has been released in the last couple of months. This issue's reviews cover the spectrum from the Southern Rail HO scale r-t-r Victorian V/Locity sets, through an HO scale kit from Peter Boorman's Workshop for a NSWGR ballast plough, Ray's Pilgrim's extensive range of 3D printed HO scale NSWGR lower quadrant 'Byles era' signals, SEM's re-released VR UB and UP bogie louvred van kits to another 'first', the Wuiske Models/Haskell Co. r-t-r HO scale QR 1550 diesel locomotive, the first Chinese-made r-t-r injection moulded locomotive for the Queensland market. 

Then the eight pages of Recent Releases and News will keep you up to date with the latest, including the news from Australia's mini-Nuremberg, the Hobson's Bay exhibition.

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

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

AMRM is now on Facebook.

You can now find Australian Model Railway Magazine on Facebook. Like the page and let us know what you would like to see posted on there.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Australian-Model-Railway-Magazine/486890978118754

Melissa Cullen

Office Manager

Back Issue: February 2015 AMRM

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


On the cover...

What's inside...

This issue we return to NSW for our feature layout, highlighting the Guildford Model Railway Group's HO scale exhibition layout based on the Central West location, Wallerawang. The layout, modelled on the prototype as it appeared in the mid-1990s, features trains from the last 60+ years, all provided by members of the group.

Once more, the content of this issue concentrates on activities related to layout building with the main feature being part two of Mal Smith's treatise on the construction of his diorama of the Bell's Grotto area on the Wolgan Valley railway.

Mal describes how to go from slabs of foam to the finished item and then shows how to successfully photograph the result!

Our American correspondent, Dennis Murphy, describes the basics of scratchbuilding a simple structure, the techniques of which are applicable to any model building project.

Phil Jeffery looks at a building in Beyond the Fence that could be just the thing to try your scratchbuilding techniques out on!

"And now for something completely different..."

This issue's extended Gallery features some of the locomotives and rolling stock constructed by well-know light railways expert and author, Jim Longworth, for his Gn15 layout set in the south coast area of NSW.

Jim shows what can be achieved in an unusual scale/gauge combination that has no commercial support, except by accident!

In other items, Trevor Hodges once more keeps us 'In The Loop' with a discussion of some of the issues involved in designing layouts for a long life, both of the layout and the layout's owner!, plus Ian Dunn issues a timely warning about the dangers of attempting to strip paint from models without checking that the stripper is compatible with the material being striped.

The six and a half pages Reviews section covers more of the huge number of r-t-r and ready-to-place models that continue to dazzle the marketplace, along with books to assist in the assembly into a coherent whole the amazing range of items now available to the Australian market. We review the GC open wagons from Eureka Models, the ACX sleeping car from Austrains and the fuel depot buildings from Southern Rail (all HO scale), a new DCC decoder from NCE and the latest Byways of Steam, plus the newly released Sydney Suburban Steam, from our book publishing arm, Eveleigh Press, as well as Railways of Tasmania's Wild West, Up the Straight The Sunshine - Bacchus Marsh - Ballarat Rail Corridor 1980 to 1995 and Ted Payne's Vantage Point, all of which have some stunning images that will inspire any modeller to greater heights.

If you thought that the New Year would result in a lull in new releases and news about future releases, you were wrong! We needed over five pages to contain even brief descriptions of all the items that have just arrived or are due 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