tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40478092114378758232024-03-29T16:00:33.577+10:00The Philden Model Railway BlogPhillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-83537541134839830182024-03-29T16:00:00.001+10:002024-03-29T16:00:00.124+10:00Friday Film Club ~ TRAINS GONE TROPPO - Hot Summer Nights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PhillOverton" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa1ikLCwqbneug01OpavEMvy1pWIE37Zhe96bIvZPkOrcdzvx28eIvPD94ZAmzn8CQZ0Z_KHKTnbClSW2rBxt4IbdvDrpNWuJnllzgIPTj_2RGdruDacXxnrT8Nw6_hSC96DSNAQ5GKjY6PF83aAbHfO0ErOFTTcDbtafN1tbOcUGmkzMit7gh2RaAd8/w225-h400/Philden%20Beach%20FRIDAY%20Film%20Club%20poster%202.png" width="225" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Summer might be officially over, but here's some Trains Gone Troppo on a Hot Summer's night for your Friday Film Club.</h4><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O4ZCzuqB_uo" width="320" youtube-src-id="O4ZCzuqB_uo"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to like and subscribe to keep hearing the joyful vibes of Quincas Moreira!</div></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-39088783968833523222024-03-25T13:00:00.003+10:002024-03-25T13:23:15.229+10:00The sweet new addition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv68QlC9__SVkB6XZsbzSAqgW9fbVWrY4ZDInpq8EL43EqKDBQDNVRu7Ny5HQU33IYu9mk0V4Kh-fC2tSwHPX1BUikGTWSNyqOR82VMom-P4YswlZj2ZXjJyaFTiJUeX_ARfqu2RW9J-TiG6h0BbdL7uZRYOrSs951_BxwD3ydtIQ6MvlX-2eKnhxqbFw/s640/Philden%20Beach%2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv68QlC9__SVkB6XZsbzSAqgW9fbVWrY4ZDInpq8EL43EqKDBQDNVRu7Ny5HQU33IYu9mk0V4Kh-fC2tSwHPX1BUikGTWSNyqOR82VMom-P4YswlZj2ZXjJyaFTiJUeX_ARfqu2RW9J-TiG6h0BbdL7uZRYOrSs951_BxwD3ydtIQ6MvlX-2eKnhxqbFw/s16000/Philden%20Beach%2016.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH5zJZhc3RKc7oooPn-CGa_mucGAVwrj5vGtHNWk8EIhCGcHu63VOz9YZpuzWq9S6G0CNZ8F5PKxNY1pv5l5sAfP6daORaP_Fb3BrP-AKeDW0G22hM63lqj4-hJnvzdjM5IbXlrja12g6kJFVL5EfXrDP4LMKLvuUAbuka_WlRTClOAq7MhI6pOKb2LA/s640/Philden%20Beach%2011.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH5zJZhc3RKc7oooPn-CGa_mucGAVwrj5vGtHNWk8EIhCGcHu63VOz9YZpuzWq9S6G0CNZ8F5PKxNY1pv5l5sAfP6daORaP_Fb3BrP-AKeDW0G22hM63lqj4-hJnvzdjM5IbXlrja12g6kJFVL5EfXrDP4LMKLvuUAbuka_WlRTClOAq7MhI6pOKb2LA/s320/Philden%20Beach%2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My layout is once more feeling 'sweet-as' following the arrival of my new <u><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://auscisionmodels.com.au/C44ACI%20Locomotive.htm" target="_blank">Auscision Models C44ACI locomotive</a></span></u> in the attractive Aurizon 'pineapple' livery, (pineapple field added for effect). Although you would be forgiven for describing the yellow locomotive as a banana given that my layout is set in a town where the Big Banana reigns supreme!</h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">While revamping Philden Beach over these past 12 months has seen my layout's setting become more modern, finding any suitable small locomotives to act as the yard shunter has proven to be a prickly-sweet affair. </span>However, the sweet new addition of loco no. 6025 will only enhance operations on Philden Beach, and it seems I have made a great choice in selecting the Aurizon livered 6020 Class locomotive to join my roster. As was the case with last year's release of the C and BL Class locomotives, the model again comes in the simplified black foam inside liner, making it a lot easier to remove the model from the box given that the model is dripping with details that you would once only dream about on a brass locomotive.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYVs3FUklL95_9Tg9HF4nE9wFw9E-tZxIpbv7hoL6aXxtJ7xpZO3MfCRBqgSZDlmU5iwhdkBwftsX9Ll4-0qE1zAB0rv7PnIJTk-9JBD7OqcVyMFd7pYZjPV0MDoMLs0s6pMAotL8jzF0UewX29dkWz64JkvCwDD-IL8sQZR8OgS53f_z-YmSLs4r5Io/s640/Philden%20Beach%2015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYVs3FUklL95_9Tg9HF4nE9wFw9E-tZxIpbv7hoL6aXxtJ7xpZO3MfCRBqgSZDlmU5iwhdkBwftsX9Ll4-0qE1zAB0rv7PnIJTk-9JBD7OqcVyMFd7pYZjPV0MDoMLs0s6pMAotL8jzF0UewX29dkWz64JkvCwDD-IL8sQZR8OgS53f_z-YmSLs4r5Io/s16000/Philden%20Beach%2015.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bright yellow livery already looks right at home on my Philden Beach shelf layout.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUMHLqyP9Q4tkFfzjOrehY6WV3p0nFjY8avMQBevEHHh4CBbc2EY_bAuP8FVzSijUi0MwTzPZPwa6VvQjMYeqn7LYnSRFMaWDkapVFON3hYDNDgMPuzoVa5ENoRagpSPxkLTuYdv3X5Kx5XLHuFFr0ss4N9nA-NajTcSeOaIOztJQbsqkynNfUYhrUig/s640/Philden%20Beach%2018.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUMHLqyP9Q4tkFfzjOrehY6WV3p0nFjY8avMQBevEHHh4CBbc2EY_bAuP8FVzSijUi0MwTzPZPwa6VvQjMYeqn7LYnSRFMaWDkapVFON3hYDNDgMPuzoVa5ENoRagpSPxkLTuYdv3X5Kx5XLHuFFr0ss4N9nA-NajTcSeOaIOztJQbsqkynNfUYhrUig/s320/Philden%20Beach%2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I've liked this locomotive livery ever since photographing a similar 5020 Class coal variant at Chilcotts Creek on a trip back from the Hunter Valley back in May 2016. Of course, my wife now refers to my model of 6025 as the 'lollipop man train', as she shot the image shown here of 5042 from the passenger window of our car as we slowed for roadworks after <u><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://phillipoverton.blogspot.com/2016/08/ardglen-chasing-chilcotts-creek-bankers.html" target="_blank">chasing the banker units off a coal train from Ardglen</a></span></u> along the New England Highway.</div><div><br /></div><div>The lollipop man gave the obligatory smile once he realised he was going to end up in someone's photo, and eight years on we have a funny story to go with one of the model locomotives on my shelf layout.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbADAf5S_9mbQPvCh3KrFP6DgaTLGuxsSBxvnkCgiIrO-TjD18azOcGiPztInueZe_2ksEEqfIzkIp1lLxtJUxthmmwa2ZW79MvewYH2-FzHpU6PnfKscHykPut71-_qs0vcKPRIu4uvHbdYRGX8Q3mFnSBi66BN0W3iRH8HCOeRRtet8Zx6RKqXQLr8U/s640/Philden%20Beach%2017.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbADAf5S_9mbQPvCh3KrFP6DgaTLGuxsSBxvnkCgiIrO-TjD18azOcGiPztInueZe_2ksEEqfIzkIp1lLxtJUxthmmwa2ZW79MvewYH2-FzHpU6PnfKscHykPut71-_qs0vcKPRIu4uvHbdYRGX8Q3mFnSBi66BN0W3iRH8HCOeRRtet8Zx6RKqXQLr8U/s320/Philden%20Beach%2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This was the same case with the <u><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://auscisionmodels.com.au/C%20Class%20Locomotive.htm" target="_blank">Auscision Models C Class locomotive</a></span></u> that I added to Philden Beach last year. I'd stopped to photograph an SSR grain train at the Moree Bulk Grain Silos back in 2018 whilst driving south to Victoria along the Newell Highway, and amongst the 6 loco lash-up were 3 x C Class diesels idling away, (C504 + C505 + C509).</div><div><br /></div><div>After walking the cotton prickle infested grass corridor alongside the railway line to photograph them all, I knew I was going to want a model of one for my own layout. Even if I was complaining while removing cotton spikes from the soles of my sneakers for the next couple of hours from the comfort of the passenger seat. I ended up ordering the model of C509 in the Cootes Industrial livery as it was the only number produced of any of the locomotives I photographed that day. Although I still get tempted by the thought of adding the SSR pair of C510 in the SSR green & yellow, and C507 in the 40 Year Anniversary SSR blue and yellow livery!</div><div><br /></div><div>Memories. They're prickly-sweet even at the best of times!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMcuFa35aWuBmKliY3b1wpB6f3LXSe5RhsVLKuljt_5O0GgY0wk9TvvMZPnV5QegbaFkeV50ZRRDNEOyuITkR8lvMh-VgXFWsEuumOIhUg2_HXGXDwqqLR-wjxgrUNMHRTmJ6f3X8DdaUTUTlimvC7xl0ONN_STRTRnmbS4JWGWAxFAfYkx8aT68g3k8/s640/Philden%20Beach%2012.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMcuFa35aWuBmKliY3b1wpB6f3LXSe5RhsVLKuljt_5O0GgY0wk9TvvMZPnV5QegbaFkeV50ZRRDNEOyuITkR8lvMh-VgXFWsEuumOIhUg2_HXGXDwqqLR-wjxgrUNMHRTmJ6f3X8DdaUTUTlimvC7xl0ONN_STRTRnmbS4JWGWAxFAfYkx8aT68g3k8/s16000/Philden%20Beach%2012.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My models of a C44ACI locomotive 6025 alongside ex-Victorian C Class unit C509.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwy_gAxkTlRfg6h4njhWjUzwd8Vs6wXQtgK-hD-19dFaVqs8JzJu8VAud3SRjnwdjkkfZiu79D0XriNPBJduX83A6H5WNgl0i3m5fGQtjboYJimweL-4qT9pKMDIZlFDkWeRjmRZdNvusz024SJ9w1ea3j3bm1KpG9_cUT6LGm70v8eAuj165oMcuYJNQ/s640/Philden%20Beach%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwy_gAxkTlRfg6h4njhWjUzwd8Vs6wXQtgK-hD-19dFaVqs8JzJu8VAud3SRjnwdjkkfZiu79D0XriNPBJduX83A6H5WNgl0i3m5fGQtjboYJimweL-4qT9pKMDIZlFDkWeRjmRZdNvusz024SJ9w1ea3j3bm1KpG9_cUT6LGm70v8eAuj165oMcuYJNQ/s16000/Philden%20Beach%2013.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the flared radiator fins on the no. 2 end of the Aurizon 6025 as much as I do the North American comfort cab on the nose of the C Class.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Which brings me to the prickly end of the pineapple. After <u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://phildenmodelrailway.blogspot.com/2024/03/farewelling-my-noughties-locos.html" target="_blank">farewelling my Noughties-era locomotives</a></span></u> and rolling the time period forward on my layout, it's a case of big or nothing at all on the new release front for the foreseeable future.</div><div><br /></div><div>For a 2013+ era layout that is set on the NSW North Coast line, right now we have the NR Class locos available from both <u><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://auscisionmodels.com.au/products_page.htm" target="_blank">Auscision Models</a></span></u> and <u><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://sdsmodels.com.au/index.htm" target="_blank">SDS Models</a></span></u>, along with Auscision's C43/44ACI, C, G and BL Class locomotives. Of these, I already have the Pacific National NR22 + BL28, the Cootes Industrial C509 and now Aurizon's 6025 plying the rails on Philden Beach.</div><div><br /></div><div>Coming soon, or currently available to pre-order are the SDS Models 81 Class and Auscision's GT46-ACe, CLP, CLF and 90 Class locomotives. Of these, perhaps the QR National LDP Class GT46-ACe is the logical choice to pair up with my new Aurizon 6025, given that Aurizon never repainted the LDP's from their QR National colours, and kept them running right up until their lease expired and they ceased intermodal operations at the end of 2017.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdILDbiNnS6GglUK6Z4-YftnQmA3mrTRPShkUKUmDwI13AZxfdldu6BSNjv6GOzf3rVnv2mSED-GvLzArKtUIQkstDUkRcBi-gKwH-fsnxCxkWGgzBKAimtNUJZpHrHSrppYFh9cT7TtJJ5hPCya0hEtpOJ4j-f7tdkcPICBWdUp_Bgro4sm7q10VYMY/s640/Philden%20Beach%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdILDbiNnS6GglUK6Z4-YftnQmA3mrTRPShkUKUmDwI13AZxfdldu6BSNjv6GOzf3rVnv2mSED-GvLzArKtUIQkstDUkRcBi-gKwH-fsnxCxkWGgzBKAimtNUJZpHrHSrppYFh9cT7TtJJ5hPCya0hEtpOJ4j-f7tdkcPICBWdUp_Bgro4sm7q10VYMY/s16000/Philden%20Beach%2014.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small shelf layout that really only operates single loco transfer runs and switching operations doesn't require a big fleet. But even on a fictional layout, I'm mindful to keep everything era appropriate.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>However, given that 4 locos are providing enough ample power to operate my shelf layout, perhaps doing nothing for the time being and holding out for some smaller locomotive models to serve as yard shunters might be the more sensible approach. Auscision Models recently updated their website to show that they are planning to produce the 42 Class, S Class, GM Class and A Class Bulldogs, the NSW Mk II & III 44 Class and the NSW 49 Class locomotives. Of these, a 49 Class diesel in either the Greentrains/Cootes Industrial or SSR liveries would be ideal to complement my C Class.</div><div><br /></div><div>As they have now also archived all of their sold-out models, I'm not expecting an announcement regarding a NSW 48 Class re-run anytime soon either. So it remains a case of go big or go home...</div><div><br /></div><div>Given that I made the switch to DCC sound equipped models in the early days of building Philden Street Yard and have since revamped the layout as part of my series of books, I can't complain about keeping a frugal layout roster when the models I have are all of the highest quality available. With DCC sound models here locally in Australia pushing the $500 mark, right now would be a daunting prospect for any modeller thinking of changing from DC to DCC operation. However, the quality of models available on the market right now is also the best it has ever been. I guess that is the reason why the thought of adding an extra C Class or another C43/44ACI model in a different livery is so appealing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until next time...</div><div><br /></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-996860034628290902024-03-22T13:30:00.000+10:002024-03-22T13:30:00.133+10:00Friday Film Club ~ Maydena Railriding<h4 style="height: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PhillOverton" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pqO_a9FOF0kV2OEJXnCIC3ARJS02iGPcCLyKRpGEly7qsSl_0NudmCPGvHO93Z1FOUviJQgagrETchCnMXvQiOVygcdyuSdBFM21tKjY6J_3PepXxFU9tmItAkFteIVfdKgPxjz7feufW24oiTLOOPbIslyce-k_dkwi-NtniQlvd1iZMzP-HXK7NNI/w225-h400/Philden%20Beach%20FRIDAY%20Film%20Club%20poster%202.png" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Something different for Friday Film Club this week, with a visit to <u><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.railtrackriders.com.au/" target="_blank">Maydena Railtrack Riders</a></span></u>, for a rail bike ride deep into the heart of Tasmania's wilderness!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/POFvKrfr4tw" width="320" youtube-src-id="POFvKrfr4tw"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Subscribe to my YouTube channel so you don't miss out on my exclusive upcoming premieres!</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></h4>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-46493723754765954082024-03-15T08:00:00.107+10:002024-03-15T08:00:00.141+10:00Friday Film Club ~ TRAINS GONE TROPPO - Dirty Diesel Daze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PhillOverton" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa1ikLCwqbneug01OpavEMvy1pWIE37Zhe96bIvZPkOrcdzvx28eIvPD94ZAmzn8CQZ0Z_KHKTnbClSW2rBxt4IbdvDrpNWuJnllzgIPTj_2RGdruDacXxnrT8Nw6_hSC96DSNAQ5GKjY6PF83aAbHfO0ErOFTTcDbtafN1tbOcUGmkzMit7gh2RaAd8/w225-h400/Philden%20Beach%20FRIDAY%20Film%20Club%20poster%202.png" width="225" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">This week's Friday Film Club presents the musical genius of Quincas Moreira in the premiere of TRAINS GONE TROPPO - Dirty Diesel Daze.</h4><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IiGBfq-GM_Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="IiGBfq-GM_Q"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss an episode of this Australian train tropicanza!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-82495484219254267182024-03-10T12:46:00.005+10:002024-03-10T12:48:50.121+10:00Farewelling my Noughties locos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSOfef1HtzLvW4GpijrqRAe19wIaZ1y56Ko5t448nJcRyPnJvmznJIKENZco-BkZA-uUdCBgi4NRdeozTXNLvSLX7uPOAfZZbkDhGISsoMJ4p_nREhMftDmvHKfkXEidmqPSXtWbbNEwcqF3oGoBNpRxSzZ6gC0EabMjj4qZjLHumT2KMyIgQD_N_Jbw/s640/Philden%20Beach%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSOfef1HtzLvW4GpijrqRAe19wIaZ1y56Ko5t448nJcRyPnJvmznJIKENZco-BkZA-uUdCBgi4NRdeozTXNLvSLX7uPOAfZZbkDhGISsoMJ4p_nREhMftDmvHKfkXEidmqPSXtWbbNEwcqF3oGoBNpRxSzZ6gC0EabMjj4qZjLHumT2KMyIgQD_N_Jbw/s16000/Philden%20Beach%208.jpg" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Time doesn't stand still, and sometimes by taking that approach into our modelling we can instill a sense of modelled history on our layouts. After moving-on some model locomotives last month so that I could afford some new camera gear, I have seemingly farewelled the Noughties era of my HO scale shelf layout.</h4><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Just like that, the days of seeing twin National Rail Indigenous NR Class locomotives working my layout are over. So too the sight of twin CFCLA leased locomotives resting in the yard. Retiring certain models from your model railway collection can have an instant impact on the era that you are modelling. In my case, the opportunity to clear out my Noughties era locos and replace them with something from a more recent time period to run alongside my existing Pacific National pairing, now moves the period that my layout is set in forward a decade to the 2013+ era.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFKdG73qBUy9LktWKWaRFCBJqjsdKQ1f2PdQ5Ihq-hUQet1WMku8zV_n3wnuFSkFFELL9k9KAuYo9VEKzr5Zsf0I6dgOGcjHj_UD_KTqdDO6J7QRi3Jc0RCg9_A11Y68QMn2KIedVPIl0cd6iHjbB559wo72Jg9H5juPMdSAoAXSfy0qKWVGa0LqvZuc/s640/Philden%20Beach%207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFKdG73qBUy9LktWKWaRFCBJqjsdKQ1f2PdQ5Ihq-hUQet1WMku8zV_n3wnuFSkFFELL9k9KAuYo9VEKzr5Zsf0I6dgOGcjHj_UD_KTqdDO6J7QRi3Jc0RCg9_A11Y68QMn2KIedVPIl0cd6iHjbB559wo72Jg9H5juPMdSAoAXSfy0qKWVGa0LqvZuc/s16000/Philden%20Beach%207.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farewell my old Faithfuls. This CFCLA pairing were <u><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://phildenmodelrailway.blogspot.com/2022/11/my-weathered-cfcla-diesels.html" target="_blank">survivors from my Philden Street Yard layout</a></span></u>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ByAwBSW9I9vT18gE9nftC_UYmepWeDhs3Q9UNl1oNxRLmZvZwY4pkNo5FzCVedoft9vJEkMbb2nf66SX9RPSwfR_Mr9897gNzPxbCYpQT2_9eOD_lQo-QN9ytzr7mSmsAnVnhYpXif05x-3wE03k1s79iUQ0YQbkFD4Yk9pjR2qJmE5NVqxgVTUYSNs/s640/Philden%20Beach%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ByAwBSW9I9vT18gE9nftC_UYmepWeDhs3Q9UNl1oNxRLmZvZwY4pkNo5FzCVedoft9vJEkMbb2nf66SX9RPSwfR_Mr9897gNzPxbCYpQT2_9eOD_lQo-QN9ytzr7mSmsAnVnhYpXif05x-3wE03k1s79iUQ0YQbkFD4Yk9pjR2qJmE5NVqxgVTUYSNs/s16000/Philden%20Beach%2010.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the second model I had owned of JL406. I originally had a DC version back on my original Philden layout that you can see photos of in the <u><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://phildenmodelrailway.blogspot.com/p/philden-museum.html" target="_blank">Philden Museum</a></span></u>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>With my new camera paid for so that I could continue my photographic studies uninterrupted, I thought it appropriate to capture some final images of my Noughties fleet in action at Philden Beach.</div><div><br /></div><div>NR30 was the first locomotive to depart, and after realising that I hadn't taken a single image of that model on my layout's new North Coast setting, I quickly put my new camera to work to record the other 3 locomotives before they departed for the final time. NR52 was the second Indigenous locomotive to depart Philden Beach, and along with the blue and silver CFCLA pairing of FL220, (the ex-NSW 422 Class) and JL406, (the ex-NSW 442 Class), all are now relegated to history on my HO scale shelf layout.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmyRVMiEnqhskm7dPcbijZkRt4A7UcJYydshj06aQJ9mmcubzQv-iMuEVs7gZQrEm0FT-NgOQTPDEOpq_KfOjg_cPuRmtANgK_HELnp6_2O9voR-bYpjO_rco5Acaso2rxIt-C6duLswclcPTpWu-3-iiw-Ot0hll2VpmHMbzlrbmNG6P0XW0Y504J6Q/s640/Philden%20Beach%209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmyRVMiEnqhskm7dPcbijZkRt4A7UcJYydshj06aQJ9mmcubzQv-iMuEVs7gZQrEm0FT-NgOQTPDEOpq_KfOjg_cPuRmtANgK_HELnp6_2O9voR-bYpjO_rco5Acaso2rxIt-C6duLswclcPTpWu-3-iiw-Ot0hll2VpmHMbzlrbmNG6P0XW0Y504J6Q/s16000/Philden%20Beach%209.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While NR52 may have been a stunning model and extremely rare, the prototype example had been repainted Pacific National blue and yellow by 2008.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In a further example of time not standing still, the first replacement locomotive is on its way as I type this. Adding a single C44ACi model to my small roster moves the layout's modelled era forward to 2013, where it will fit in alongside my Pacific National pairing of NR22 and BL28, and my Cootes Industrial leased C Class locomotive. From there I can gradually return my layout's roster to full strength over the coming year as I save for the next modern locomotive on my hit-list, the GT46ACe. For a small shelf layout, having 5 or 6 locomotives is really enough. After facing a challenging start to the year, it's nice to have a little something to look forward to again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until next time...</div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-87607495333864611202024-03-08T07:30:00.005+10:002024-03-08T07:30:00.157+10:00Friday Film Club ~ Don River Railway<h4 style="height: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PhillOverton" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pqO_a9FOF0kV2OEJXnCIC3ARJS02iGPcCLyKRpGEly7qsSl_0NudmCPGvHO93Z1FOUviJQgagrETchCnMXvQiOVygcdyuSdBFM21tKjY6J_3PepXxFU9tmItAkFteIVfdKgPxjz7feufW24oiTLOOPbIslyce-k_dkwi-NtniQlvd1iZMzP-HXK7NNI/w225-h400/Philden%20Beach%20FRIDAY%20Film%20Club%20poster%202.png" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This week's Friday Film Club delivers a flashback to my visit to the <u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://donriverrailway.com.au/" target="_blank">Don River Railway</a></span></u> in Tasmania during 2011.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rfMErBYBf9U" width="320" youtube-src-id="rfMErBYBf9U"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Don't forget to subscribe to gain access to exclusive early previews!</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></h4>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-41525594844548674322024-03-03T13:18:00.010+10:002024-03-05T08:21:48.503+10:00Layout Revamp Book Launch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_7e4r-BHlTrvBeItyNuGHg6kXLm4JLX8PKGdaoKw3pmUhKbIgABusLMFAvSCD10m0DKvUbsAzPzJ4_qeOih1zD6sw3GFhaxivAAIWMUz5xpkRx7v_y3WzXAQA-FPhGsC_WRrBFupN6KzxMtpPWzlBWRHMrHGGW1tC0NpF_dj0Rvjo11WV4i39-I2zv4/s640/revampanexistinglayoutlaunchplatter%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_7e4r-BHlTrvBeItyNuGHg6kXLm4JLX8PKGdaoKw3pmUhKbIgABusLMFAvSCD10m0DKvUbsAzPzJ4_qeOih1zD6sw3GFhaxivAAIWMUz5xpkRx7v_y3WzXAQA-FPhGsC_WRrBFupN6KzxMtpPWzlBWRHMrHGGW1tC0NpF_dj0Rvjo11WV4i39-I2zv4/s16000/revampanexistinglayoutlaunchplatter%20(2).jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://au.blurb.com/b/11897930-revamp-an-existing-layout" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWTt9uJeOyyz8lbj07hJO2nFFT8AINiJKvxaozyO4lU78fkiUl0ppzhp1ZUqPUx2BofOz9xg2L2F2dBMx78B3xm0VEV7Rbi6WDbbvN5BYaAiLbXK_qt3ktbySk-qrUoGlmvrOlTHGEa6EWk4nbyoznQKbNS__Xo4D5ARz4daN-nd-ri-LVui_UH4ijzI/s320/revampanexistinglayout399.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>Finally there's some good news to share, with my new book <span style="color: #cc0000;"><u><a href="https://au.blurb.com/b/11897930-revamp-an-existing-layout" target="_blank">Revamp An Existing Layout</a></u></span> hitting the shelves of your favoutite hobby shops this month!</h4><div><br /></div><div>This is the book that follows the budget-savvy revamp of my current bookshelf layout. From its days set in the grimy shadows of inner-city Melbourne, to sunning itself on the shores of the New South Wales mid-North Coast, 2023 saw me somehow manage to complete the layout's transformation, exhibit it twice at some model railway shows here in Queensland, Australia, and complete the book before the clock struck midnight to ring-in the New Year.</div><div><br /></div><div>When it comes to announcing the new book is now available for sale, it seems that is only half the story. Distributing, promoting and marketing the book, combined have caused my modelling hours to dry-up in a year where I've returned to full-time study ahead of developing some exciting new projects.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIw9g4fIb8Ew7YTkKluD-cMTbPAU7c0NcTZk3QEyDKvhUKNDO3kSaZk6hzew0RdZkS3FisCVkeOfzIRvhx0AQD4S1qPoemTuG2FKCIH6ET55C2asq3L-jNDi5prh63MHrCwBEe00Grvaqy3PWKlNrb9eefqvmWcgX1JBgWAX9Pq5DMxiShW8cKQnscRa0/s640/revampanexistinglayoutlaunchplatter%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIw9g4fIb8Ew7YTkKluD-cMTbPAU7c0NcTZk3QEyDKvhUKNDO3kSaZk6hzew0RdZkS3FisCVkeOfzIRvhx0AQD4S1qPoemTuG2FKCIH6ET55C2asq3L-jNDi5prh63MHrCwBEe00Grvaqy3PWKlNrb9eefqvmWcgX1JBgWAX9Pq5DMxiShW8cKQnscRa0/s16000/revampanexistinglayoutlaunchplatter%20(1).jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's time to dig-in to my customary Book Launch platter and celebrate the release of another book!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Take the above photo for example. Apart from the stunning bottle of sparkling Shiraz and the delicious meat and cheese platter that will have disappeared by the time you read this, I've been trying to take my photography and editing craft to the next level, including photoshopping the book launch platter into the middle of a swanky waterside restaurant, that we'll fictitiously say is the downstairs bar of my layout's Jetty Hotel.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I wrestle between continuing on with another altogether different model railway media project, (no, it's not another book), or deciding whether the support just isn't there and heading in another arts direction with my time and money, it is time to stop and celebrate what I have managed to achieve during these post-Covid years. And that is a series of six Australian model railway how-to books that have been self-produced and funded off my own back. Totally free from product placement or paid-for-comment and advertising, these are the sort of books that everyone asks for to add to their library. The big question remains, just how many modellers will actually support such an endeavour when it comes to sales?</div><div><br /></div><div>Like any business model that exists within our hobby, releasing a book, a model or product of any kind requires the project to make money. Not just because making money is a much better alternative to losing money, but rather as a necessary means of recouping the cost outlay involved while still being able to have your endeavour provide an income in the face of not being able to earn a regular salary from a regular job.</div><div><br /></div><div>In a niche market such as model trains, it is tricky task to balance. In an even more specific genre such as Australian model railways, it seems there is even less of a chance to get it right. So now as I sit back and develop a series of other projects based around some exciting ideas I have, I need to determine whether the hobby here in Australia is capable of financially supporting those ideas. Or if those ideas would be better supported financially in other arts fields. I guess the next three to four months will be telling.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, if you haven't already considered purchasing one of my books or have been meaning to buy one for some time now, then your model train library will surely benefit from adding the complete set of six Philden Model Railway Presents to your shelf. Ask for it at your local hobby store, and if they haven't got a copy, ask them why not? Failing that, the book is now available direct online, along with all my other titles, from the publisher at the link below.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://au.blurb.com/b/11897930-revamp-an-existing-layout" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip07aHlQDkKGTISto6r5ESc3_a0YMoRCyv1LPo-BA6pJqr-EeZhMI0wuIgB8TJ-498GgYDQl8ae5UDrKJRYtKKgPufgGhMQqs0fA4OltUs4I0GlJquhqLBDUQRCANENSkGIXQEge0BHXGGlxOlx7xNf5Dth32xOwcqIeEIMWANmOEd8kHvNZGsDzWpE9M/s16000/Shop%20icon%20Blurb%2050x50.png" /></a></div><div>It's been a fantastic project to have worked on full-time for the past 18 months, and a series of books that I'm sure will still prove popular for many years to come! Once the excitement of rolling out the book across the country comes to a close, I can honestly say that I'm already looking forward to the return of some personal hobby time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks go out to my loyal readers and supporters, who have championed these books to their friends and model railway clubs across the world. It's heartening when some of my direct online sales come through in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros, and shows the reach that this blog now enjoys around the globe.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy modelling!</div><div>Phill O</div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-61937994636661928332024-03-01T09:47:00.002+10:002024-03-01T09:47:00.129+10:00Friday Film Club ~ The Blues Train<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PhillOverton" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pqO_a9FOF0kV2OEJXnCIC3ARJS02iGPcCLyKRpGEly7qsSl_0NudmCPGvHO93Z1FOUviJQgagrETchCnMXvQiOVygcdyuSdBFM21tKjY6J_3PepXxFU9tmItAkFteIVfdKgPxjz7feufW24oiTLOOPbIslyce-k_dkwi-NtniQlvd1iZMzP-HXK7NNI/w225-h400/Philden%20Beach%20FRIDAY%20Film%20Club%20poster%202.png" width="225" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;">This week's Friday Film Club takes us to Geelong's <u><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://bellarinerailway.com.au/" target="_blank">Bellarine Railway</a></span></u>, and a look at the legendary Blues Train!</h4><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6Xy0MPklh4M" width="320" youtube-src-id="6Xy0MPklh4M"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to subscribe to gain access to exclusive previews!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-32351200721508115322024-02-23T09:00:00.008+10:002024-02-23T09:00:00.142+10:00Friday Film Club ~ Southbank<h4 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PhillOverton" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnfDJzQesK3flWjc-yPgIDbYNfZ8gBytziiOe4p9ngJ04KjyImr-1bhduPikagWZyqedV9GDqD6YXoL8Oep-xQ5Rcn0MbIWzbOWLM6E1Hqsmz5T2IFppDhDFuFj8OnnxY18e4lGzejejbsoifcuYxjBE9iJBP3JehJA5a4C15LJUW9KJ1maP_y45QKt8/w225-h400/Philden%20Beach%20FRIDAY%20Film%20Club%20poster%202.png" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to another episode of Friday Film Club. This time a visit to the creative playground of Brisbane's Southbank Parklands.</div></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8B0gwGYPZno" width="320" youtube-src-id="8B0gwGYPZno"></iframe></h4><div style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to subscribe to my channel for exclusive premieres!</div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-36605245205752476712024-02-21T03:41:00.001+10:002024-02-21T03:44:11.775+10:00Weathered by Philden Showcase 26<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqyVBxzts9zbc6JXtz6WHvZiJotTyDsNS_I5yuQF9NbVoaQqOOlcOBeMWD804LwjHcsXeqIXEbGZTZgAVCWDtC_1alCqNZWGgmgYlBs9ZH50xZK2qr_Xtc1xA61_BXuCVyJDMIzaN46zxHnwnbRa_BzyLbo_u-4avQY4D66CU5WF-dXEW6HhUmH2QF8I/s640/2024-02%20(26).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqyVBxzts9zbc6JXtz6WHvZiJotTyDsNS_I5yuQF9NbVoaQqOOlcOBeMWD804LwjHcsXeqIXEbGZTZgAVCWDtC_1alCqNZWGgmgYlBs9ZH50xZK2qr_Xtc1xA61_BXuCVyJDMIzaN46zxHnwnbRa_BzyLbo_u-4avQY4D66CU5WF-dXEW6HhUmH2QF8I/s16000/2024-02%20(26).jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">This week I managed to fire-up my airbrush and weather a couple of boxes of the SDS Models FX/VPFX flour wagons to list on eBay. These were the very last of my Victorian HO scale models I had sitting aside waiting to for some spare time to give them a light rust spot treatment and general coat of grime, before they found new homes.</h4><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JUnJv7poQsy_Uxyn6R1OBWWSU1wDi1YCgu-20RcTlKNYBTrRAVlReMyDxrrjeUuuhjrcb_kzhrfgYRtTP6mzz7JfdJXsI3eEjDeL-Cz5Ee1Gk877-CQZTC3oBKdr9OIh2_r8nA30dy1WypYvpHvFd2b4E5U5QEhBcuPnkrU_YtlN7HWHaZn1EWY7dPw/s640/2024-02%20(3).JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JUnJv7poQsy_Uxyn6R1OBWWSU1wDi1YCgu-20RcTlKNYBTrRAVlReMyDxrrjeUuuhjrcb_kzhrfgYRtTP6mzz7JfdJXsI3eEjDeL-Cz5Ee1Gk877-CQZTC3oBKdr9OIh2_r8nA30dy1WypYvpHvFd2b4E5U5QEhBcuPnkrU_YtlN7HWHaZn1EWY7dPw/s320/2024-02%20(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Also in need of finding new owners, were my pair of CFCLA diesel locomotives, FL220 and JL406.</h4></div><div><br /></div><div>After providing years of enjoyment on my former Philden Street Yard layout, and then surviving a further year of running on my NSW North Coast Philden Beach layout, the time seemed right to move them both on. Especially as I am wanting to nudge the timeline forward to include some QR National running on the Beach.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnaaXemhCoyVySXJ_ZlSblock37UumZDl1ctikJYxcV2uqgp1ovmpsRnqU48SBtQspey8C6cgMOm5M8PcnVlNV22tPupUZX7LL8eBe3H8McL9esmKArVgxu5MFCawcUCJWU12F3XpwEOapsYQ6W98Gr53G5NQrHFjVgLYXGxxVKpVNCuX-8TPJgrL1Hk/s640/2024-02%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnaaXemhCoyVySXJ_ZlSblock37UumZDl1ctikJYxcV2uqgp1ovmpsRnqU48SBtQspey8C6cgMOm5M8PcnVlNV22tPupUZX7LL8eBe3H8McL9esmKArVgxu5MFCawcUCJWU12F3XpwEOapsYQ6W98Gr53G5NQrHFjVgLYXGxxVKpVNCuX-8TPJgrL1Hk/s16000/2024-02%20(4).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My DCC sound equipped Auscision Models ex-422 Class loco sold first.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ki7z9hXGjLd6a3mjpeaGn2NlYooVlG3WEwydHeXED6VaYp4BgOheV8qX_8GtpK3_htzGtDuUTh2G6qOiVQ9swVDku_MrZwU7GIEb41giO4INf9QDgncy3rpNFuBF02M-ILCFqPRWaPa-yMLk54XR6ttlqoeggsYjIb4MVgpo7GdseSUtlLwxYA6m0Jg/s640/2024-02%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ki7z9hXGjLd6a3mjpeaGn2NlYooVlG3WEwydHeXED6VaYp4BgOheV8qX_8GtpK3_htzGtDuUTh2G6qOiVQ9swVDku_MrZwU7GIEb41giO4INf9QDgncy3rpNFuBF02M-ILCFqPRWaPa-yMLk54XR6ttlqoeggsYjIb4MVgpo7GdseSUtlLwxYA6m0Jg/s16000/2024-02%20(1).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the DCC sound equipped Auscision Models ex-442 Class followed a week later.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWTyOwqzokrC8nYvLNeVbywUmrQOXC7bntB5H2XJPVVCmnJbLQzZkolBBGkutUI1wu_1b2-0cgHovh0ujAK_KsYU3opGElwqgh4MweAf3MXRGulJp1vTfMDYKPq1vDg3LhRF_I8qBFEUfSlsBjdybjeO31bnKCAcctqpN5qYBIyYNBGr98IccrwOQfPU/s640/2024-02%20(8).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWTyOwqzokrC8nYvLNeVbywUmrQOXC7bntB5H2XJPVVCmnJbLQzZkolBBGkutUI1wu_1b2-0cgHovh0ujAK_KsYU3opGElwqgh4MweAf3MXRGulJp1vTfMDYKPq1vDg3LhRF_I8qBFEUfSlsBjdybjeO31bnKCAcctqpN5qYBIyYNBGr98IccrwOQfPU/s16000/2024-02%20(8).jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This SDS Models VPFX flour wagon is finished in silver with the large Victorian Railways VR logo.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeCbAYe-P9WlfdvFpZ_KF87mpBq2WAsYbBE5hja-Juj6NhgnSYO_WXQi8oCqjI00d2NnaBPlHe0PrUCNaxLphi-zZjHlsAqv2Lq7yajrmXK1TZGqzQeG-ujc-vNnmPV6Cueuq6MIAfH731U8aB7Kddbe2V6T73X7goC9BZrmwkxF4Iw2s3zsN8aOf75M/s640/2024-02%20(6).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeCbAYe-P9WlfdvFpZ_KF87mpBq2WAsYbBE5hja-Juj6NhgnSYO_WXQi8oCqjI00d2NnaBPlHe0PrUCNaxLphi-zZjHlsAqv2Lq7yajrmXK1TZGqzQeG-ujc-vNnmPV6Cueuq6MIAfH731U8aB7Kddbe2V6T73X7goC9BZrmwkxF4Iw2s3zsN8aOf75M/s16000/2024-02%20(6).jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While this VPFX flour wagon is painted white with the large VR logo.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXI-dH6iMgjY3AzkAYc1pznTMMeBt5NzFpW1zdDtjuDNgH93AuTX-h6QojdiTlVkTdAZheKTr9Nj6Kf0YhIix11___zhdruQbmVxtLk_sYgm304XH06u-Hg6fGCGXfbI50dUpFdGBTCeXjaLsq3P13MObMCwGLzy85WKXEpPeiy7135tjwSCv0crL6YU/s640/2024-02%20(15).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXI-dH6iMgjY3AzkAYc1pznTMMeBt5NzFpW1zdDtjuDNgH93AuTX-h6QojdiTlVkTdAZheKTr9Nj6Kf0YhIix11___zhdruQbmVxtLk_sYgm304XH06u-Hg6fGCGXfbI50dUpFdGBTCeXjaLsq3P13MObMCwGLzy85WKXEpPeiy7135tjwSCv0crL6YU/s16000/2024-02%20(15).jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an earlier FX flour wagon with the Kimpton's and So-Lite Flour logos on the side.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYtfRM9rh04NEjV3BJVHDw18Gz46Z1SBQr-IgIFLfCi77LRSUMagsDjotBCn2w92CalUgRyvztCwpRakbXNVenkB56WTG9e0b1M-y82exPKF4vxJ4sgNNINYKn_4cqp2EsRdkdvVj6TCcpYKDcb9yvQpAzZOrEeaatZgnUH54-5mkNXtEEJUuZw8WQSM/s640/2024-02%20(20).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYtfRM9rh04NEjV3BJVHDw18Gz46Z1SBQr-IgIFLfCi77LRSUMagsDjotBCn2w92CalUgRyvztCwpRakbXNVenkB56WTG9e0b1M-y82exPKF4vxJ4sgNNINYKn_4cqp2EsRdkdvVj6TCcpYKDcb9yvQpAzZOrEeaatZgnUH54-5mkNXtEEJUuZw8WQSM/s16000/2024-02%20(20).jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This FX flour wagon features the Water Wheel Flour logos.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxKbYvfOCxbHrHZCtCSEX-dUXiFLPRU-gSnOz2hadJ17cC9vZH8bmO5Cb3TccX9ma4lb6wBoprui3BqpDP1bJRKXEDG7PivTEB51EfMgJVVWRX9iL2YMQYyRbgbrS1iYL34tGxY-OSDhEnhZN-c28BGgJENZxaDKlYqB4NC0N2DM7mHf5BHzxjrWu7LI/s640/2024-02%20(35).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxKbYvfOCxbHrHZCtCSEX-dUXiFLPRU-gSnOz2hadJ17cC9vZH8bmO5Cb3TccX9ma4lb6wBoprui3BqpDP1bJRKXEDG7PivTEB51EfMgJVVWRX9iL2YMQYyRbgbrS1iYL34tGxY-OSDhEnhZN-c28BGgJENZxaDKlYqB4NC0N2DM7mHf5BHzxjrWu7LI/s16000/2024-02%20(35).jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While this FX wagon has only a very light application of rust and grime.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Fz29MfFnJA50VQdyYUnNHQvCov3fiql2ObORAC6QFoMqkBrAcHqs69Bdv-V8zadIashBxGRi8vfhL0Qiu4PrFnl5X6DZQ6aooRYaadM2d0QVQgBuUtFiD0tZZV9ClJS2RzuSad3VpiCA44xmW4YpgOc1aUY4UnBGjePDu7aaCo8eho7ExH1trnluSxY/s640/2024-02%20(2).JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Fz29MfFnJA50VQdyYUnNHQvCov3fiql2ObORAC6QFoMqkBrAcHqs69Bdv-V8zadIashBxGRi8vfhL0Qiu4PrFnl5X6DZQ6aooRYaadM2d0QVQgBuUtFiD0tZZV9ClJS2RzuSad3VpiCA44xmW4YpgOc1aUY4UnBGjePDu7aaCo8eho7ExH1trnluSxY/s320/2024-02%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">I guess by moving on my CFCLA pairing of Auscision Models locos, I'm keeping the traffic on my small shelf layout fluid. Both locos ended up going to the same owner, so its a nice thought to know they will be plying some new rails together for the years to come.</h4></div><div><br /></div><div>My thoughts can now turn to planning to introduce some more region-specific power onto my Philden Beach layout and further fine tuning my modern-ish era.</div><div><br /></div><div>My latest batch of weathered flour wagons are now all live on eBay, and take the number of models I have weathered in this little venture to over 250. More importantly, the total number I have sold now stands at 232, which is a pleasing success rate. My next weathering weekend will see me finally attack my sugar hopper fleet for Philden Beach, and 4 lone N scale coal hoppers that I misplaced after my N scale sell-off late last year. The boxes are so tiny I must have missed them! I'm just waiting on my graffitti decals to arrive so I can do a real job on them all.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/usr/phildenmodelrailway" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPduRB4a3SUkvuBACj_oWPGccZhgEXwbtN8VUI87aCoPpJ_atcEVj2lsM4FA_htdRUlQ5OBjSRVmqn-Z7BhK3CIBaURthyI0YQc4NqARtyn6-Y8x6bv3Qs2EcjCLYCH64pdDNzSqS7048HCb1vxWmfdcRUEiwu_Ys9eY8v7QiCqdGUxxEdYg29v6p384/s16000/Philden%20Model%20Railway%20eBay%20Shop%20640%20x%20100.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on the above banner to view my eBay sale...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JEWckHE-_4c5E7uTtwDcVyMPtnitZYAW_I4v5aVnvK_XP2HeYu1yMHPuykbM9lmjwYvBTzEL-I3ZUU4XrFT6Rqx9gzmkuUD3B_7bB7H8xL6aErvH8UDMwNJ9mi724uUTckUjTQmf__PR2yp1fRMSTEhvOarh4yvwTHzN5r2mDbwzSuKa4A3UT1LVJBw/s640/2022-07%20(86).JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JEWckHE-_4c5E7uTtwDcVyMPtnitZYAW_I4v5aVnvK_XP2HeYu1yMHPuykbM9lmjwYvBTzEL-I3ZUU4XrFT6Rqx9gzmkuUD3B_7bB7H8xL6aErvH8UDMwNJ9mi724uUTckUjTQmf__PR2yp1fRMSTEhvOarh4yvwTHzN5r2mDbwzSuKa4A3UT1LVJBw/w200-h150/2022-07%20(86).JPG" width="200" /></a></div>As has been the custom since I started weathering some models to offer for sale alongside my own books, all models sold come with a signed certificate, just so you know that the model has been personally detailed by me. It is just a small way of saying thanks for your continued support as a writer, modeller and general all-round railway tragic. Without the added sales through my eBay shop, ultimately this blog would not be able to continue.</div><div><br /></div><div>For my own record...</div><div>Models sold 232/255</div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-80167737009066262672024-02-16T10:00:00.019+10:002024-02-17T11:31:52.541+10:00Friday Film Club ~ Milton<div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PhillOverton" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnfDJzQesK3flWjc-yPgIDbYNfZ8gBytziiOe4p9ngJ04KjyImr-1bhduPikagWZyqedV9GDqD6YXoL8Oep-xQ5Rcn0MbIWzbOWLM6E1Hqsmz5T2IFppDhDFuFj8OnnxY18e4lGzejejbsoifcuYxjBE9iJBP3JehJA5a4C15LJUW9KJ1maP_y45QKt8/w225-h400/Philden%20Beach%20FRIDAY%20Film%20Club%20poster%202.png" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to the 2nd Edition of Friday Film Club. This time I visit Milton Station, set against the iconic background of Brisbane's famous XXXX Brewery for a spot of trainwatching.</div></h4><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iYv7cIdZxVM" width="320" youtube-src-id="iYv7cIdZxVM"></iframe></h4></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for exclusive premieres!</div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-51638849524822636882024-02-09T07:00:00.029+10:002024-02-12T09:59:32.359+10:00Friday Film Club ~ Bowen Hills<p style="text-align: center;"></p><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PhillOverton" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoh-dqybdtCpWtUB6FIUtOgYxl3d3fjmPwc8Gw7Eq8QVRjULxdPKoGWz6kuYVSX9bLMdF9V3M4FZrwugmjn55_JYG2U4Vy8DIzJptLLLrecO8wyj-wL7isBdM-y5Cn4S-2r7sWw9r_nCNuNz5_jKxxydk5jvC_qbuWW1naqgxfdWcgPfJ7yPgEoaijwU/w225-h400/Philden%20Beach%20FRIDAY%20Film%20Club%20poster%202.png" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to Friday Film Club, where each week I'll be posting a short Philden TV railfan film on YouTube, starting with...</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWcNgDDJ4L0" width="320" youtube-src-id="NWcNgDDJ4L0"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for exclusive premieres!</span></div></h4><p></p>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-41850764947977161492024-02-06T12:06:00.021+10:002024-02-06T16:17:25.281+10:002024 TOP 10 ranking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blog.feedspot.com/model_railway_blogs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="313" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyz3qCt002MnbdIsPCOZbSkncn19uWXP-VFfdJ44N3a4qYu9tIE7TNJw3LmYJEI9R5BVvBs79fvRMTOR_SoCQkKFTJwvngjuZK9uJdeG3u3bhyphenhyphen8YXQpIH-wAGnvebcRMYgAknHUR3qgQm-yPZg3qAvb3SWv-NE7gT_xoLyKL_c-xWgxKPe5AOU6eSLPI/s1600/Philden%20World's%20TOP%2050%20model%20railway%202024%20medal%20313x313.png" width="313" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">It's time to ask ourselves that annual question... "where did January go?" (Although to be honest, I'm still asking myself where 2023 disappeared to?) However, after a year which saw more changes in my modelling preferences and circumstances than perhaps ever before, the Philden Model Railway Blog has featured in Feedspot's 50 best model railway blogs worldwide list for the third year running, holding its 8th place ranking from last year.</h4><div><br /></div><div>I find that amazing. Firstly because over the past 3 to 4 months I removed close to 150 old posts that were no longer relevant to the direction that my modelling, and this blog, were headed. That in itself caused a small blip in viewership while I archived posts that I wanted to keep, and performed a rolling refresh that included adding new pages that by their own definition take some time to show up in search algorithms. Secondly, because for the best part of 2023 I was busy writing, self-producing and releasing 4 model railway books. That in itself leaves very little time to put towards writing blog posts.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAHP-F0NVpdvE_kPhp1IHWnVep7poF96clYsF49YkEqGkfp3TL2wC1D8iJu1MEWoXJ9KqO_ZB6SX7__pDVeV6hL6fHFZxuvxnXvTd9pYCEWN8qemcUnHtfv_qutk4ovgpSJmHJEbrMxpiOsr90cSMhfv3axlsAcY1SwL6K2hPus3jXx8KuRUx9o5_KvQ/s640/Philden%20World's%20TOP%2050%202024%20(5).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAHP-F0NVpdvE_kPhp1IHWnVep7poF96clYsF49YkEqGkfp3TL2wC1D8iJu1MEWoXJ9KqO_ZB6SX7__pDVeV6hL6fHFZxuvxnXvTd9pYCEWN8qemcUnHtfv_qutk4ovgpSJmHJEbrMxpiOsr90cSMhfv3axlsAcY1SwL6K2hPus3jXx8KuRUx9o5_KvQ/s16000/Philden%20World's%20TOP%2050%202024%20(5).png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPEf2umQ-Csb00uU-hPNTzM2cQot7VW7Vc3DmYdkGX-Jp_SfN5dUQ4gqRD7gGnbV01KanKerEgwhTOXGraeWh6y5AGiRudMCNrQ6KGAtfwIam7iNrDxWpmbWoLmpzy4ymbUy2vgTH53VYnIQzEjtTHPc9h5UW7jhYHcaIYaD62tZEtHzLNi0NBfabtUg/s640/Philden%20World's%20TOP%2050%202024%20(6).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPEf2umQ-Csb00uU-hPNTzM2cQot7VW7Vc3DmYdkGX-Jp_SfN5dUQ4gqRD7gGnbV01KanKerEgwhTOXGraeWh6y5AGiRudMCNrQ6KGAtfwIam7iNrDxWpmbWoLmpzy4ymbUy2vgTH53VYnIQzEjtTHPc9h5UW7jhYHcaIYaD62tZEtHzLNi0NBfabtUg/s16000/Philden%20World's%20TOP%2050%202024%20(6).png" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Despite the great news of another TOP 10 ranking, the costs of self-producing 6 model railway books while writing full-time for the past 18 months have financially piled up on the whole Philden Model Railway enterprise. After ensuring that each book was properly financed and then proven to be profitable before committing to anything more than the next one, the whole cost of living shebang necessitated I finish with a 6th and final book.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not that I didn't have any ideas for further volumes. More so because producing any further books or expanding upon the whole Philden thing, would involve a dedicated 2 car Titan garage to set up a professional photo quality work studio, and also house a larger layout to provide the neccesary material. Since 2021's release of Build a Bookshelf Layout, the numbers say I'm no closer to affording to move out of the 2 bedroom city apartment that my wife and I share. Not that we'd want to anyway, as that in itself would involve risking everything we have on an idea that is essentially a hobby.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which brings me to January. I like to take notice of the business success within the hobby, and given 2024 saw UK institute Hatton's Model Railways close their doors after 77 years of serving the hobby, there are definitely financial factors at play behind closed doors that most modellers wouldn't be aware of. Trying to project sales figures in advance for models that can take up to 4 years to produce overseas, global economic factors and worst-case war scenarios that can effect supply are all modern day business considerations.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yet despite being registered as a business, I am just a one person operation. That means that you have to afford everything personally, and returning to studying photography full-time at TAFE this year has seen me hand over money for course fees, a new laptop and a more advanced camera body. On top of this has been the cost of financing the new book Revamp An Existing Layout. After ordering the first advanced copies at the end of last year, unfortunately the entire shipment of books has arrived damaged and now needs to be scheduled to be reprinted. Hopefully that will happen sometime in March.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's times like these that dictate where your hobby stands in relation to more pressing issues, such as hitting some wildlife on a highway and now also needing to come up with the insurance excess to commence repairs. Instead of drooling over what new models have just been released or announced, you ask yourself what prized models you can afford to part with, which is what I had to do to get through the first few weeks of study. (Hopefully my Indigenous NR Class loco is now being enjoyed by its new owner).</div><div><br /></div><div>The timing of my new book seems entirely relevant to the modern day modeller, revamping an existing layout for a budget of <i><b>zero!</b></i> Producing the book however has come with a huge financial burden, one which I now must attempt to recoup, (along with seeing to some car repairs) before I can look at replacing the few prized locomotives that I sold recently with hopefully just one newly released model that I'd dearly love to get. Then, and only then, can the hobby finally return to being just a hobby. From this point onwards I'll simply leave any future book ideas to any other modeller brave enough to attempt it!</div><div><br /></div><div>So thanks to everyone for sticking by this blog through thick and thin! I've been told my open style of writing makes each post more relatable to the average modeller. At the end of the day, all this blog was supposed to be was a little bit of fun alongside my initial small shelf layout. Yet somehow it became so much more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until next time...</div><div><br /></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-88115766594405418252024-01-28T16:40:00.000+10:002024-01-28T16:40:06.823+10:00Weathered by Philden Showcase 25<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVADXCZaQEl9zAHsM_wtO4K9ckpcbNvm9zUuiXr_a-7U0kOMQLvC3aVnf-OrORT4HP7s0vmiV0lgb2xVnkH5ViBEh27khxoX8BYqB6TLNgv6VWgIHaUJYaQ83FaY0H9is_afZWLFreEHRYOqUWVNNZc0-GgT4VZi1LGlUTz3dKbyd073Wnn5nM-2jLTA/s640/2024-01%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVADXCZaQEl9zAHsM_wtO4K9ckpcbNvm9zUuiXr_a-7U0kOMQLvC3aVnf-OrORT4HP7s0vmiV0lgb2xVnkH5ViBEh27khxoX8BYqB6TLNgv6VWgIHaUJYaQ83FaY0H9is_afZWLFreEHRYOqUWVNNZc0-GgT4VZi1LGlUTz3dKbyd073Wnn5nM-2jLTA/s16000/2024-01%20(2).JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Every now and then I weather a model to the extent where I surprise even myself, such as these <u><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="https://auscisionmodels.com.au/Infrastructure%20Wagons.htm" target="_blank">Auscision Models NDCH/NDMX Railcorp infrastructure wagons</a></span></u>. While Auscision did a great job producing these models, the one colour rust/grime on the inside of the open wagons called for a rust job worthy of the ages. So, over the course of a week using whatever time I could spare, I weathered my set of infrastructure wagons to resemble a late 2000's era works train.</h4><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppQ3dAsTTxNVjnU1-A-7AQ77W6qznb9MiPTq59Q5hBBMsbmQ5eRkWlIuma1lVEyxQN7Y62FjIrI54zsyCwEnS4z9vdfeFOdC-L58UaCBtuePcmYte_VP2YmTJKdfRnOTPIV45Oha_Z4heYv-nh7Z8bg6vM5hsxyNaytXpuwfTw-8S0l1tgoCJgav-b9k/s640/2024-01%20(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppQ3dAsTTxNVjnU1-A-7AQ77W6qznb9MiPTq59Q5hBBMsbmQ5eRkWlIuma1lVEyxQN7Y62FjIrI54zsyCwEnS4z9vdfeFOdC-L58UaCBtuePcmYte_VP2YmTJKdfRnOTPIV45Oha_Z4heYv-nh7Z8bg6vM5hsxyNaytXpuwfTw-8S0l1tgoCJgav-b9k/s16000/2024-01%20(4).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Auscision Models NDCH spoil wagon is the Rail Services Australia version.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The two different style open wagons were purchased individually on eBay. In the real world however, these infrastructure wagons were all rebuilt from former NSW NOBX open wagons. The NDMX wagon was repainted orange for Railcorp around 2005 along with the NQJX flat wagons, of which a fleet of 20 were made available to be leased to private operators. While the rusty-looking brown NDCH with the ribbed side panels and fresh white painted side-striping was a hold-over from the late 1990's Rail Services Australia era, prior to the formation of Railcrorp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For my Philden Beach layout, the set of four NQJX container wagons can be swapped in and out of my intermodal service. While two individually weathered pairs of the SB spoil bins will also enable me to fit out a pair of the container flats complete with spoil bins to move across onto my infratructure train, joining the orange NDMX and rusty NDCH open wagon to make a 4 wagon set. This versatality will ensure the set of six wagons stay in constant use on my shelf layout, and now that they are all weathered they look the part.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaJJEba25lcPUtNUJWhiCTuOR38f8jA7zMkkhJY02ezOluC0wXihnherqPBPI6dDfbm7FwCr7jS2LMfGuvwGKwRyeAb7wr6Ha2D17PQ2IOuLEpeX3HqV4MjK0Rmmb88zu-YDIJQiWhVjrGC1FE6bM4hv_KctV-p3-QFv-mrCsU-fVmFz9ObK086_oJuY/s640/2024-01%20(14).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaJJEba25lcPUtNUJWhiCTuOR38f8jA7zMkkhJY02ezOluC0wXihnherqPBPI6dDfbm7FwCr7jS2LMfGuvwGKwRyeAb7wr6Ha2D17PQ2IOuLEpeX3HqV4MjK0Rmmb88zu-YDIJQiWhVjrGC1FE6bM4hv_KctV-p3-QFv-mrCsU-fVmFz9ObK086_oJuY/s16000/2024-01%20(14).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While this Auscision Models NQJX container wagon has two SB spoil bins positioned on top.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaT8ooD-LnOho2JzUUM_nKZTWIlue-U0-17ENoH8cEsmzcuwPc1mtLXdRn0X0-ss0apGSpJRODajpVC_eh2iZdHel1VtRkZ4_HwqTWDCrbMgVQHAfC4J94-tQ4RoMcK849cQRGt9ApYTpsu-rsRt7fNqe43coZkAN4oojXwyJ_uV0tu3F3YenbhB2R0Y/s640/2024-01%20(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaT8ooD-LnOho2JzUUM_nKZTWIlue-U0-17ENoH8cEsmzcuwPc1mtLXdRn0X0-ss0apGSpJRODajpVC_eh2iZdHel1VtRkZ4_HwqTWDCrbMgVQHAfC4J94-tQ4RoMcK849cQRGt9ApYTpsu-rsRt7fNqe43coZkAN4oojXwyJ_uV0tu3F3YenbhB2R0Y/s16000/2024-01%20(11).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another example, only with a subtle difference of colour on the axle bearing caps.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eZQAIm5_JgLfl4Ua-TafOEyv5O0yH0orXXnr94Evq2ZaTuA6M0qG64-982yuxbQ-JW-g5drXIf3BjgLP1-A2JksDHA2a5DdnvNpfkA8SWoD-eNgDKhLNY06CR9-oW30sxilHmL9MNwmR7WaYpxhdupCoFDWgvayd5nsJui2wrX9LbdxIGNHWs0zb0Xw/s640/2024-01%20(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eZQAIm5_JgLfl4Ua-TafOEyv5O0yH0orXXnr94Evq2ZaTuA6M0qG64-982yuxbQ-JW-g5drXIf3BjgLP1-A2JksDHA2a5DdnvNpfkA8SWoD-eNgDKhLNY06CR9-oW30sxilHmL9MNwmR7WaYpxhdupCoFDWgvayd5nsJui2wrX9LbdxIGNHWs0zb0Xw/s16000/2024-01%20(8).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The NQJX wagons were weathered separately, so that the spoil bins could be swapped for containers.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnQKZxopb4U9ATxUM-tcLEIZAnXAAINkfWa3U7GQzPgNTsHvMzlTE_HFgQ4RJo9iZ9ngCW-r7XQ_KeMOHaWcsB5aCJ2zQCdkfU2x3SClP4ofozedCpYpihp_si7NQVgbQLyqXZ3QfWoEgn5StfQB52TBbE2CcTlsqAU7G9HyvXF2SKhpSVZ5meG5SNTI/s640/2024-01%20(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnQKZxopb4U9ATxUM-tcLEIZAnXAAINkfWa3U7GQzPgNTsHvMzlTE_HFgQ4RJo9iZ9ngCW-r7XQ_KeMOHaWcsB5aCJ2zQCdkfU2x3SClP4ofozedCpYpihp_si7NQVgbQLyqXZ3QfWoEgn5StfQB52TBbE2CcTlsqAU7G9HyvXF2SKhpSVZ5meG5SNTI/s16000/2024-01%20(5).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four NQJX wagons can then be moved between my intermodal or infrastructure trains.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next on my weathering hit list is a small batch of Victorian Railways FX flour wagons I had purchased some time ago with the intention of weathering them up to sell. So I might be able to make a slow start on these between study periods over the next few weeks to keep some new items coming to my eBay store, before I start on my own set of NSW NGGF sugar hoppers for Philden Beach.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm particularly pleased with how my set of infrastructure wagons turned out, and if I had the spare money I would probably invest in a couple more sets to make another batch available for sale on my eBay store. Time will tell once I finalise the release date for my next book. More on that to follow.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/usr/phildenmodelrailway" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIMLPVQBK3v_-ZEOP85NfcK4vIKaysRRK9PjFReV5FH0Luiqccmp4ZKFBYqERJpfAJRNRW7_qE8lEhtdKvMZEadWJapUv9Mp0o39aUFaFZa81QlHZk-zo_l2FmMItnxgv4_PwzVpMctfpctuNFwGAr-0MWDWUJhbRY2lBB7J6y2b0qeV7K7A4yrFicmA/s16000/Philden%20Model%20Railway%20eBay%20Shop%20640%20x%20100.png" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/usr/phildenmodelrailway" target="_blank">Click the above banner to view my eBay listings.</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHL1CeKTrSe0WRy9eisrCQUfavJ8K-wdHd9VruC1GyP47FNhPJ3isEUkUlRbC99S56D1Aecj6txE2N7H84UjZAxnWmLxvmQ8dCMTGuD3Wb6NR1_w-m0Zy15K-cGdmEHCrgQMZ8coPzDK3aVINw71m5YJChyphenhyphenxV11PphdeuN1UUKXsI3dqs6PSrjjx15Z08/s640/2022-07%20(86).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHL1CeKTrSe0WRy9eisrCQUfavJ8K-wdHd9VruC1GyP47FNhPJ3isEUkUlRbC99S56D1Aecj6txE2N7H84UjZAxnWmLxvmQ8dCMTGuD3Wb6NR1_w-m0Zy15K-cGdmEHCrgQMZ8coPzDK3aVINw71m5YJChyphenhyphenxV11PphdeuN1UUKXsI3dqs6PSrjjx15Z08/w200-h150/2022-07%20(86).JPG" width="200" /></a></div>All of my weathered models that are still available for sale may be found by clicking on the banner above. As always, each model comes with a signed certificate to ensure that they have been personally weathered by me. It is simply my way of saying thank you for supporting my writing, and this blog, as this is now my main income stream while I undertake a year of full-time study. So thank you to all who have now helped me reach the 200+ models sold milestone. It is very much appreciated!</div><div><br /></div><div>For my own record...</div><div>Models sold 216/249</div><div><br /></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-21679973958466943362024-01-23T15:49:00.000+10:002024-01-23T15:49:28.518+10:00Weathered by Philden Showcase 24<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OBBScdt6qTGpsI_Fa6ApjAgQtIwXf9Md03a_06LTPC9KRbIKRxl2Y3ySx25ZsGJ90UCiQsRwYs3aTFF7TyOj6Iz2fkMwIZWtQ_ETFirdqXAIP1MLECGjfUN7A94aqlChciL2icX16905o7_U0_UGyFWcGIIJeAk9Md_ofhhW9yWgu_xDK8ydWv27Ugo/s640/2024-01%20(42).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OBBScdt6qTGpsI_Fa6ApjAgQtIwXf9Md03a_06LTPC9KRbIKRxl2Y3ySx25ZsGJ90UCiQsRwYs3aTFF7TyOj6Iz2fkMwIZWtQ_ETFirdqXAIP1MLECGjfUN7A94aqlChciL2icX16905o7_U0_UGyFWcGIIJeAk9Md_ofhhW9yWgu_xDK8ydWv27Ugo/s16000/2024-01%20(42).JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Another quick weathered update to share the final few Queensland Railways models I have listed for sale on eBay. That's all. Finito. Over and out. My few years spent collecting and modelling Queensland narrow gauge has now come to an end. The only models now sitting beside the spray booth awaiting an airbrushing of grime, are my own. And that is only if I can find the time amidst full-time study and preparing to release another book. Time and money, two things that just don't seem to be my friend!</h4><div><br /></div><div>Right now, after thinning my own personal collection down, and moving on anything that doesn't belong on either of my two current layouts, I really need to afford some new camera gear and update my computer as I move away from writing about model trains, and into studying a new creative field. One that is proving to be just as expensive!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WNowslLi-b0VmEP7aBNxcWNZeNN73DcpFSCoU_RfR479CYd99MelnpFXkfgS1mSY9knHPo9WaRsjmINSlrq_jjTLufLk-5745jF3paAbB9-2vrADepy0lJg92baBwpkZ7bzpYWrTpmma_jJ2Iv2m5Rt1iKrlBpyzPeo3fAPIRH-O0gzx_gIPuNROCUI/s640/2024-01%20(47).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WNowslLi-b0VmEP7aBNxcWNZeNN73DcpFSCoU_RfR479CYd99MelnpFXkfgS1mSY9knHPo9WaRsjmINSlrq_jjTLufLk-5745jF3paAbB9-2vrADepy0lJg92baBwpkZ7bzpYWrTpmma_jJ2Iv2m5Rt1iKrlBpyzPeo3fAPIRH-O0gzx_gIPuNROCUI/s16000/2024-01%20(47).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These Wuiske Models QSC tautliner wagons now need to find a new home...</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDRQs6ZMurPHBFURVmaWxGvuYJb79AYBE9oSaY52pr8bRs6bm5UxttDW4iWaimxdtgXRpGDomnDgKDGYAZnbU9Pan-RlEVfc1zFf1WS0C7xlrnhozCf3CJh6sa2_9S-5V1RYrIkmrzvS0bxVtDAxLrUxGIs_2CpphCwGsb3weW07rW3BTQs9jJC9tPRM/s640/2024-01%20(52).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDRQs6ZMurPHBFURVmaWxGvuYJb79AYBE9oSaY52pr8bRs6bm5UxttDW4iWaimxdtgXRpGDomnDgKDGYAZnbU9Pan-RlEVfc1zFf1WS0C7xlrnhozCf3CJh6sa2_9S-5V1RYrIkmrzvS0bxVtDAxLrUxGIs_2CpphCwGsb3weW07rW3BTQs9jJC9tPRM/s16000/2024-01%20(52).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...as does this SDS Models refrigerated container, this one lettered for QR's RACE exchange fleet.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja387nE2w-MlfBlxrSEYp9O6oyJ4goaHzPwXtqy4Fj9qwu8Ot-Xf2uuawLK1_WNGjO2rC9GEA5ExTaBXtZyUUO_7f1KXLj18VikHMmb91Q-vvucykKTH8zYWTt2fYELhGHBt2M9uk2pCdJ2GE1Sa5o6IV4XeYP7hIjmSV4LsYTCuQc62kUjfOOPqxM2lE/s640/2024-01%20(57).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja387nE2w-MlfBlxrSEYp9O6oyJ4goaHzPwXtqy4Fj9qwu8Ot-Xf2uuawLK1_WNGjO2rC9GEA5ExTaBXtZyUUO_7f1KXLj18VikHMmb91Q-vvucykKTH8zYWTt2fYELhGHBt2M9uk2pCdJ2GE1Sa5o6IV4XeYP7hIjmSV4LsYTCuQc62kUjfOOPqxM2lE/s16000/2024-01%20(57).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And these Wuiske Models QLX vans will be sorely missed...</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTswy5TY7viwvsU-_7KifHWNzGNvwXe53in8D-OP9DpZ5Rx9gqLq6ZvBQme6_bI8EC8j4N-oO7tHZZm_0n1U95lhrJJQF6OwxI0uJL9GW1nPmA_1v_7Gq2xkhWOLIYWQqTBx8eZFW7bRjLpXPY-Kmv-80BakejCjm_HyzlkEE4pXhHWra8HyhTdNjcHfA/s640/2024-01%20(62).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTswy5TY7viwvsU-_7KifHWNzGNvwXe53in8D-OP9DpZ5Rx9gqLq6ZvBQme6_bI8EC8j4N-oO7tHZZm_0n1U95lhrJJQF6OwxI0uJL9GW1nPmA_1v_7Gq2xkhWOLIYWQqTBx8eZFW7bRjLpXPY-Kmv-80BakejCjm_HyzlkEE4pXhHWra8HyhTdNjcHfA/s16000/2024-01%20(62).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...as they were one of the reasons I originally was drawn towards modelling the QR.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since the beginning of this blog back in May 2015, I've lost count of how many models I have bought and sold as a result of building new layouts and changing eras, not to mention the 140+ models I purchased and weathered as part of writing my <u><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://au.blurb.com/b/11637387-model-railway-weathered-wonders" target="_blank">Model Railway Weathered Wonders</a></span></b></u> book last year. Along with the weathered models I have listed, there are over 1,000 items in my eBay shop to keep you interested in looking through. Link below...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/usr/phildenmodelrailway" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEunzk1KIFkwyVSDdIf807jj0Bw8w7ImVEc4ujlKNT_rlEIcilOJ3VRoRP5emp-zyeuAP9cTFKWnRhA0r9SahIxVXyuRYnSIlPLgEgnuKFtvS_7EWJJEornsGSMkKtrzIcfSY4I2jyRGZDkLWQk2tbRFbdAIDl7m0v_RuQac2lt42XvOQksRk5PqWbbh0/s16000/Philden%20Model%20Railway%20eBay%20Shop%20640%20x%20100.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on the above banner to view all of my items listed on eBay.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6C0dFac1c5N2AtlCYTfo07p1SOCsbdyeMT-HQh4Y6I2dEPZOTTjlzpg5OkLC-A5VCAUVXwcQWx_9QVH_8fMFVLnX_tltxblhnPqMby-suE-qKCkHmHU9VIFucYncSo4Yfn-hFOIYzQdSQUTJIneCiHKINm6adKyUPFwZ9ufMxqbZs1sGSvOv-9wA8JA/s640/2022-07%20(86).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6C0dFac1c5N2AtlCYTfo07p1SOCsbdyeMT-HQh4Y6I2dEPZOTTjlzpg5OkLC-A5VCAUVXwcQWx_9QVH_8fMFVLnX_tltxblhnPqMby-suE-qKCkHmHU9VIFucYncSo4Yfn-hFOIYzQdSQUTJIneCiHKINm6adKyUPFwZ9ufMxqbZs1sGSvOv-9wA8JA/s16000/2022-07%20(86).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each weathered model comes with a certificate of authenticity to thank you for your support.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>For my own record...</div><div>Models sold 199/239</div><div><br /></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-77698774821711673022024-01-22T19:34:00.003+10:002024-01-23T15:53:00.562+10:00Weathered by Philden Showcase 23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Mbdrrd_2D0AJjTP1JiftYqgvaKP8qU-UO-jpYvIWwgfCoTEzxgrntL2ENUO-wSPHNIquHUpxC_rqaQJya59zhnqkU_N-0iXpIFbMsljW6nMoNiCjsFQIiDwi609syl_LKnOiEra0PripOGpRemev2_n9LqDSH5qi6iOALcPf6nZvDB1niy_VqRNCr4s/s640/2024-01%20(34).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Mbdrrd_2D0AJjTP1JiftYqgvaKP8qU-UO-jpYvIWwgfCoTEzxgrntL2ENUO-wSPHNIquHUpxC_rqaQJya59zhnqkU_N-0iXpIFbMsljW6nMoNiCjsFQIiDwi609syl_LKnOiEra0PripOGpRemev2_n9LqDSH5qi6iOALcPf6nZvDB1niy_VqRNCr4s/s16000/2024-01%20(34).JPG" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">With every Queensland modeller currently excited about the CGL/SDS Models joint release of the QR 1460/1502 model locomotives, I've gone and done the opposite... I sold my pre-ordered model to a friend, and have just finished weathering up the last of my Queensland 12 mm gauge HO scale models to list for sale this week on eBay.</h4><p><br /></p><p>I guess for me, my QR modelling days are now behind me. The HJS Wuiske Models open wagon (above), and the following QR models I have photographed below, are waiting only for a batch of QLX and QSC wagons that are currently drying downstairs in the garage, for my QR fleet to be dispersed.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8-ju1lVvd8Ryce5I80osCtx9n9NuXn02LDOccHO4F-e7k3dyZ3Aun3jpeirARdt7q5A_yyUTUt56n32j8ZLKX7S7r8w9TtqbmPKcWn5BfcRY2Lbcr4b0j1hChOnGhV_d-ht3OSiVdYs1lWnBWWSM74IZUbUh5aouKsNPDYzraocYIZJnmPCIlCpBpI8/s640/2024-01%20(28).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8-ju1lVvd8Ryce5I80osCtx9n9NuXn02LDOccHO4F-e7k3dyZ3Aun3jpeirARdt7q5A_yyUTUt56n32j8ZLKX7S7r8w9TtqbmPKcWn5BfcRY2Lbcr4b0j1hChOnGhV_d-ht3OSiVdYs1lWnBWWSM74IZUbUh5aouKsNPDYzraocYIZJnmPCIlCpBpI8/s16000/2024-01%20(28).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Wuiske Models PCS container flat wagon.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKY7KGDbKtoJM30adwd6ogwVNtzw24xco_Zoh1RUVACPBgSq9fCcjlUgJtP8YPFNmQPdxElvsXBbNmpnHE6ceTmEd3iLy2yTv633bBnj2TLg99xqvR25LxtxWNlQGG_BBv3tCMY947sVavSP-wk_It_OInB9P9tECZ-wlQGKUR4oG3fMHyKz6KZY5hqk/s640/2024-01%20(16).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKY7KGDbKtoJM30adwd6ogwVNtzw24xco_Zoh1RUVACPBgSq9fCcjlUgJtP8YPFNmQPdxElvsXBbNmpnHE6ceTmEd3iLy2yTv633bBnj2TLg99xqvR25LxtxWNlQGG_BBv3tCMY947sVavSP-wk_It_OInB9P9tECZ-wlQGKUR4oG3fMHyKz6KZY5hqk/s16000/2024-01%20(16).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Southern Rail Models ALY louvred van, painted yellow and stencilled for Poison Spray - Roma St.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DLPVp5H4mX5vQJtAT3S8cRrY-wdh0lGyE4Zx5mgeq5_mt-piPJ4ZVjxZc7sqUru6tC1r6eDhLlY3tpn-MUbQvcL3a4w5m_IbX6F9aTvszbUsnHbjWbcQVLaNMgoMa_DNcqITnx7TddMhNAJCKDopLb79ArQXScfm7qloSdP3bwJGTeANYQIiUvhidj4/s640/2024-01%20(22).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DLPVp5H4mX5vQJtAT3S8cRrY-wdh0lGyE4Zx5mgeq5_mt-piPJ4ZVjxZc7sqUru6tC1r6eDhLlY3tpn-MUbQvcL3a4w5m_IbX6F9aTvszbUsnHbjWbcQVLaNMgoMa_DNcqITnx7TddMhNAJCKDopLb79ArQXScfm7qloSdP3bwJGTeANYQIiUvhidj4/s16000/2024-01%20(22).JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Southern Rail Models ALY/T van, this one with ARHS stencilling and a subtle yellow side sill.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6C0dFac1c5N2AtlCYTfo07p1SOCsbdyeMT-HQh4Y6I2dEPZOTTjlzpg5OkLC-A5VCAUVXwcQWx_9QVH_8fMFVLnX_tltxblhnPqMby-suE-qKCkHmHU9VIFucYncSo4Yfn-hFOIYzQdSQUTJIneCiHKINm6adKyUPFwZ9ufMxqbZs1sGSvOv-9wA8JA/s640/2022-07%20(86).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6C0dFac1c5N2AtlCYTfo07p1SOCsbdyeMT-HQh4Y6I2dEPZOTTjlzpg5OkLC-A5VCAUVXwcQWx_9QVH_8fMFVLnX_tltxblhnPqMby-suE-qKCkHmHU9VIFucYncSo4Yfn-hFOIYzQdSQUTJIneCiHKINm6adKyUPFwZ9ufMxqbZs1sGSvOv-9wA8JA/s320/2022-07%20(86).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Once more, I will list each model for sale only through eBay, and each will come with a signed certificate as a way of saying thanks for your support over the past couple of years of writing full-time. Instead of regretting letting my Queensland stuff go, I'll still get to enjoy watching some of my former models turning laps on my friend's layout each time I visit.<p></p><p style="text-align: left;">As for the rest, I should have the last photographed and listed by the weekend, so be sure to follow my eBay seller page on the link below. With time commitments pressing in 2024, I won't be weathering as many models for sale as I did last year.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/usr/phildenmodelrailway" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A_ZuiZ_B_vEuzh6xh1eNyosbBxepFvGlTJWLjBnFFj3qNITYz1zB2-7Cmrv5b9qLtoH0e4CvHusQ0kTZYR_EktG8itMLkUDtKePSznNSmCAGjr12oU0DEhQEkLiZJ1OzhryGJ-2Jq_2sl1QMOVlzqd1P4rUE6VZcNTj9edr8dAwc5dvuO5H1QJafQxo/s16000/Philden%20Model%20Railway%20eBay%20Shop%20640%20x%20100.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click here to view my latest listings, with all my ex-QR models going live this week.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>For my own record...</p><p>Models sold 199/234</p>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-62384162318365343122024-01-04T12:35:00.010+10:002024-03-03T13:20:45.011+10:00The Summer of regrowth...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuhZrOKhOwSXzMDFHiwJKeuan060uUBIV6llAHXWfQSKjCEI6J8aM8KwwDCQZsAshrz8y41DbPcUZdjjQ14L0eT1nWI57h9g9MafsDThuAFnZJVjJfHSqNzfJRyifoYaVetmpDn1aWTYGZhZDLVPqiN_s4VdUKgskbGf0riqXBkVIqWumwDXUlvvQQQs/s640/Philden%20Beach%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuhZrOKhOwSXzMDFHiwJKeuan060uUBIV6llAHXWfQSKjCEI6J8aM8KwwDCQZsAshrz8y41DbPcUZdjjQ14L0eT1nWI57h9g9MafsDThuAFnZJVjJfHSqNzfJRyifoYaVetmpDn1aWTYGZhZDLVPqiN_s4VdUKgskbGf0riqXBkVIqWumwDXUlvvQQQs/s16000/Philden%20Beach%201.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">It has been a summer of regrowth on Philden Beach. Both literally and metaphorically. Exactly one year after starting down the path of converting my HO scale Australian shelf layout from its former inner-city Melbourne setting to a slice of railfan paradise on the New South Wales North Coast, the layout's transformation is now complete.</h4><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWTt9uJeOyyz8lbj07hJO2nFFT8AINiJKvxaozyO4lU78fkiUl0ppzhp1ZUqPUx2BofOz9xg2L2F2dBMx78B3xm0VEV7Rbi6WDbbvN5BYaAiLbXK_qt3ktbySk-qrUoGlmvrOlTHGEa6EWk4nbyoznQKbNS__Xo4D5ARz4daN-nd-ri-LVui_UH4ijzI/s399/revampanexistinglayout399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWTt9uJeOyyz8lbj07hJO2nFFT8AINiJKvxaozyO4lU78fkiUl0ppzhp1ZUqPUx2BofOz9xg2L2F2dBMx78B3xm0VEV7Rbi6WDbbvN5BYaAiLbXK_qt3ktbySk-qrUoGlmvrOlTHGEa6EWk4nbyoznQKbNS__Xo4D5ARz4daN-nd-ri-LVui_UH4ijzI/s320/revampanexistinglayout399.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;">Behind the scenes, it has been an exhausting year of navigating a layout revamp as the focus of a new book, trying to keep a full-time writing career financed, and working through some personal health issues that I previously hinted at in my </span><b style="text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://phildenmodelrailway.blogspot.com/2023/04/philden-streets-curtain-call.html" target="_blank">Philden Street's curtain call</a></span></u></b><span style="text-align: left;"> post.</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">I'm glad to say that <b><u><span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://au.blurb.com/b/11858513-revamp-an-existing-layout" target="_blank">Revamp An Existing Layout</a></span></u></b> went live on my publishing platform Blurb, in the early hours of December 31, 2023, keeping to my goal of completing book 23 in the year '23 by the barest of margins! Having grown up a huge Michael Jordan fan, there was a feeling of personal satisfaction in being able to call time on a writing career with the same number of books as his famous number 23 jersey. To me, it's as close to perfection as I'm likely to ever get.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGq46Y4Oe0P4FYmRgTWmskQ9HpEvzoIjpfIvT6diBMUIO3jaKDxNN3yAiG1P-1uyXdjclSUq8eopO_SgPW3gOQ6QsWL0jVVT8KFhFZ7JLpBnyWT9IjvT8CW54ngSs05e2a1SAgM3vL3g-3hNkT-wZt7XKObMUz3meQhvgltAtTzfEZZjk8E05mzxRyLJ4/s640/Philden%20Beach%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGq46Y4Oe0P4FYmRgTWmskQ9HpEvzoIjpfIvT6diBMUIO3jaKDxNN3yAiG1P-1uyXdjclSUq8eopO_SgPW3gOQ6QsWL0jVVT8KFhFZ7JLpBnyWT9IjvT8CW54ngSs05e2a1SAgM3vL3g-3hNkT-wZt7XKObMUz3meQhvgltAtTzfEZZjk8E05mzxRyLJ4/s16000/Philden%20Beach%202.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My layout now has a clear green signal with it's new North Coast setting.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The layout revamp has turned out to be just as good as I had imagined, and my new book takes the reader through each of the steps in identifying existing problems, costing-up a layout revamp and finally a series of budget-savvy projects that will help you re-imagine your own layout. Philden Beach's revamp cost a total of zero dollars, and didn't involve lifting up a single section of track!</div><div><br /></div><div>Amongst the many improvements to my layout, the above CTC signal I installed at the exit of the secondary track from staging has really enhanced my switching layout's operations. Trains would need to come to a halt here anyway, beside the former marker post that once stood where the signal mast now does, to wait for a clear track to run around in the yard. Now they have to wait for me to change the signal from red to green before proceeding.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaw9SN1cBca4FPUy3eoespCSdumJd9it16Yp1JVCBdH-CD7zCVwDkE6B2JHTeey6cfsoC3KF4AGWOiTm_empzpXrzSqs_3coCUR7BkCnxgLdvcIyargz8S0E9XoIXitdadpVF5GxvrUU0jxFATB4VZLCDKDsDjBpP5aLQpKbF-vlpOXMBDSs4oSn3RHWQ/s640/Philden%20Beach%204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaw9SN1cBca4FPUy3eoespCSdumJd9it16Yp1JVCBdH-CD7zCVwDkE6B2JHTeey6cfsoC3KF4AGWOiTm_empzpXrzSqs_3coCUR7BkCnxgLdvcIyargz8S0E9XoIXitdadpVF5GxvrUU0jxFATB4VZLCDKDsDjBpP5aLQpKbF-vlpOXMBDSs4oSn3RHWQ/s16000/Philden%20Beach%204.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There has been a lot of new growth around the layout, including these Norfolk Island pines.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Around the layout, there has also been a lot of regrowth that has occured since my <b><u><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="https://phildenmodelrailway.blogspot.com/2023/03/welcome-to-coast.html" target="_blank">Welcome to The Coast</a></span></u></b> post back in March last year. With my much-loved NSW Goods Shed now surviving onto its third layout, the former sign to the left of the structure has long gone, and in its place a towering Norfolk Island pine has seemingly sprung up out of nowhere.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ-A8bcNhJUX99NzwTa8BMCbrtZqwB9OGr9lq_rS0xRaj_lBCpCFI4tPT-nArhXLQRsfwZNS7VLv637oGiaKkU9Ge33jKUMgyMy3mNl7wShIdzWIrwHTBT5wCiXJOTox0v040TNPxzK-UNjnVXWjuVzIqh1QwLgAlJT3FPANeW1szLQ0E6V9askswmNQ/s640/Philden%20Beach%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ-A8bcNhJUX99NzwTa8BMCbrtZqwB9OGr9lq_rS0xRaj_lBCpCFI4tPT-nArhXLQRsfwZNS7VLv637oGiaKkU9Ge33jKUMgyMy3mNl7wShIdzWIrwHTBT5wCiXJOTox0v040TNPxzK-UNjnVXWjuVzIqh1QwLgAlJT3FPANeW1szLQ0E6V9askswmNQ/s16000/Philden%20Beach%203.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These banana trees were rescued from my previous Philden Road layout.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Of course, these latest summer improvements were in addition to my original <b><u><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://phildenmodelrailway.blogspot.com/2023/05/trees-by-harbour.html" target="_blank">Trees by The Harbour</a></span></u></b> update from May last year, and needed to be completed for inclusion in the book. Given the dramatic coastal backdrop, it was important for me to tie all the colours in with those of the backdrop. And despite not having room for a banana plantation on the layout, I can't think of Coffs Harbour without picturing banana trees growing on the surrounding hillside. So I added a few wild plants growing alongside the rail corridor just to channel that vibe, including the above examples which were returned to me after being carefully pried off my previous Philden Road module.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's taken a while for me to finally get to my happy place of simply enjoying some model railroading by the sea. Producing 4 model railway books over the course of 2023 strangely <i>hasn't </i>helped. Not when I've needed to cost every hour spent working on the layout, photographing, writing and then editing the final results. Add to that the time I have poured into this blog over the past few years, and it leaves you with little to no time to actually enjoy running some trains.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ER7Mir5mqA5djK3GAbWSRaHi12jcL4xJkrHv9503CAwFhxNvOu9canYEyxQFGAp2k58t13jeczv_gS4H3j58YZG91j6SXjBnFlnEars6mbYhGElA4TUwa3JzzdIr4FkPaDwmaio2udjdcYvJquOJ4g27noTu0Vf6czIFegFmWXQqu_MM6GH2_WJnMB0/s640/Philden%20Beach%205.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ER7Mir5mqA5djK3GAbWSRaHi12jcL4xJkrHv9503CAwFhxNvOu9canYEyxQFGAp2k58t13jeczv_gS4H3j58YZG91j6SXjBnFlnEars6mbYhGElA4TUwa3JzzdIr4FkPaDwmaio2udjdcYvJquOJ4g27noTu0Vf6czIFegFmWXQqu_MM6GH2_WJnMB0/s320/Philden%20Beach%205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>Either side of taking a vacation for the first time in three years, there were a lot of days where I somehow survived on four hours sleep while working on my latest book. Knowing that I needed to complete the final instalment before TAFE started in the new year was a big motivator! Yet despite the success of the previous five Philden Model Railway books, self-financing and producing all six have left me mentally, emotionally and financially drained.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyone thinking that being able to claim a new model locomotive as a tax deduction sounds like a good thing, would not be aware that my royalty return for self-funding all of this averages out to $4 AUD per book sold. If I simply factor in the costs associated with producing each book, bulk purchasing wholesale stock and covering the distribution costs, then my books have all proven to be succesful. However, once I factor in the income I have lost since winding-up my previous small business to concentrate solely on writing full-time, then I still need to sell another 25,000 copies to be able to fully recover. That is a big ask.</div><div><br /></div><div>From a summer of regrowth on the layout I now head into a year of regrowth for myself. As I have already mentioned when signing-off on my <b><u><span style="color: #783f04;"><a href="https://phillipoverton.blogspot.com/p/news-events.html" target="_blank">Author blog</a></span></u></b>, the time of writing as Phillip Overton is now over.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoCFVqDNdvpnezEVvXX6y0lTS_vvn-Ph7qHWH6lKq-aGN1sUZkWU_if8Ea9nUoTRhQnm05Vq7RknV6SNqUehNPcIvsFd9ruxyBVL1PmVGiioPiKRxgYqVUPkcXHMIxda6-wGY5lQaSo4XEe9Rx8Fyyb8LQtk7sx11ADjZsUnZWg5JAhoGTlx0POucRqw/s640/Philden%20Beach%206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoCFVqDNdvpnezEVvXX6y0lTS_vvn-Ph7qHWH6lKq-aGN1sUZkWU_if8Ea9nUoTRhQnm05Vq7RknV6SNqUehNPcIvsFd9ruxyBVL1PmVGiioPiKRxgYqVUPkcXHMIxda6-wGY5lQaSo4XEe9Rx8Fyyb8LQtk7sx11ADjZsUnZWg5JAhoGTlx0POucRqw/s16000/Philden%20Beach%206.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final revamped view looking back over Philden Beach.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>While I hope to keep my occasional model railway ramblings continuing here for the foreseeable future, I'm unsure what that may look like on the other side of all this. Already, in the background I have removed well in excess of 100 outdated blog posts, and completely overhauled the design and layout of the Philden Model Railway Blog to ensure it remains a strong and relevant source of information for years to come.</div><div><br /></div><div>What I am sure of however, is that in time, I will look back on my series of six Philden Model Railway Books with immense pride. To be able to have combined my two passions of writing and model railways into the one project, and self-fund, self-publish and self-distribute a series of books that proved to be profitable, is a great legacy to leave behind.</div><div><br /></div><div>The most important project for me to work on at the moment however, is myself. That starts with a return to full-time study of visual arts and photography in the coming weeks. For me, it's a chance to recharge, reinvent and rebrand myself away from writing, and is equal parts exciting, and a little scary, to see where my creative side will next lead me outside of the world of model trains.</div><div><br /></div><div>News of the new book's official launch date will follow soon, with early pre-order copies available for purchase now through <b><u><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://au.blurb.com/b/11858513-revamp-an-existing-layout" target="_blank">Blurb</a>.</span></u></b> Expect copies to make their way into your favourite hobby stores from February onwards.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, do I dare say it? Maybe I'll power up the layout just for fun...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-1529972017489684252023-12-27T11:41:00.004+10:002023-12-27T13:06:02.566+10:00Sticking with my plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_NO3eQdBdOxK2C5mo3BGZc3exhdCz14EhLPusFyxcRtexZgQPn1yX_9wPJsu1v6MPB6Tz60DAChMaifTytTNjqDPZTKzYWNb-1yvyEHiNCYlwyIk1kfXHLV-5s-SpbLe9FLHO1X9pq7sttyvvtHFLgxhJtl6aSUwO9CvD-hSSo0wDEqppoH6Qvh9zb8/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2034.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_NO3eQdBdOxK2C5mo3BGZc3exhdCz14EhLPusFyxcRtexZgQPn1yX_9wPJsu1v6MPB6Tz60DAChMaifTytTNjqDPZTKzYWNb-1yvyEHiNCYlwyIk1kfXHLV-5s-SpbLe9FLHO1X9pq7sttyvvtHFLgxhJtl6aSUwO9CvD-hSSo0wDEqppoH6Qvh9zb8/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2034.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Finally the track for my small OO9 Christmas layout has been laid. The day <i>after </i>Christmas! Still, I was thankful for the few spare hours on Boxing Day to glue the final sections of track in place that had been teasing me over the course of the past two weeks. I was supposed to have this layout ready for Christmas. But in sticking with my plan, I now have a 12 month head start on completing this layout in ready in time for Christmas 2024.</h4><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCxWQo8pCV2mhiPV3hYj1en8j-k3y9dsBQly6sbAVYtP8UHUzsVC_ve6FcmKLGJlPvw1ie5ZdaqjsK6_k1YPCXFiYrPPcFDl778BkgrAXmKB8Wg18KiCzXqJy3ulpJgf6TVFIKw6c4jCXyPiLuePXJJsgTZE_HCn8vmBcY8f6NJ7RK8Pd085NLLR2_m4/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2030.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCxWQo8pCV2mhiPV3hYj1en8j-k3y9dsBQly6sbAVYtP8UHUzsVC_ve6FcmKLGJlPvw1ie5ZdaqjsK6_k1YPCXFiYrPPcFDl778BkgrAXmKB8Wg18KiCzXqJy3ulpJgf6TVFIKw6c4jCXyPiLuePXJJsgTZE_HCn8vmBcY8f6NJ7RK8Pd085NLLR2_m4/s320/Bryn%20Nadolig%2030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The track was glued into position using some extra strength Tarzan's Grip wood glue, I simply ran two thin beads along the outline of my track plan I had drawn onto the plywood layout top.</div><div><br /></div><div>The set track curve and two small turnouts were clicked together to form one piece, and the the glue was spread evenly with an old flat artists paint brush, not left as you can see in the accompanying picture.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_i9UHQ24EVwgHRnSaalJLB9n31EbSz0wg2Q5SoBviU_cBYTYrJxlLniLAqS0UfpZF8WKecja5ruttwEHBuFw1owHOoTPoHmk7qpnOKuzNma2laGH8ZU3VTOpAcSVA9_e1Sr4mHIYRCLeKeOJMEBTqwPZZ8Bj31ReJDAOfDiNpqo080tYUJuVSLKTNaA/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2031.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_i9UHQ24EVwgHRnSaalJLB9n31EbSz0wg2Q5SoBviU_cBYTYrJxlLniLAqS0UfpZF8WKecja5ruttwEHBuFw1owHOoTPoHmk7qpnOKuzNma2laGH8ZU3VTOpAcSVA9_e1Sr4mHIYRCLeKeOJMEBTqwPZZ8Bj31ReJDAOfDiNpqo080tYUJuVSLKTNaA/s320/Bryn%20Nadolig%2031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Over the Christmas holiday period I worked on one section at a time. The first curved section to be glued into place included the two turnouts, and I pressed these down firmly to ensure they were embedded in the glue and sitting flush and level on the layout surface.</div><div><br /></div><div>While waiting for it to dry, I tore a sheet of baking paper to lay across the section...</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFFqpLRUKGq59qbU3v8iU9SikxARh1qKqoXiTeX_zgvhFxN27kJEtB7_etdrAm_s8XHQPw9G_N3xumJPHDIMQ6lS7XI4tHGdfrflwOLOEIjFiLvQ6bw0u7pYITvAbGsZ3SpbO8MUmAOQVvlm-q7Gia1cV1JiyExyU5eG3jP6sbS7tNxoLQqFUG8yM5x8/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2032.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFFqpLRUKGq59qbU3v8iU9SikxARh1qKqoXiTeX_zgvhFxN27kJEtB7_etdrAm_s8XHQPw9G_N3xumJPHDIMQ6lS7XI4tHGdfrflwOLOEIjFiLvQ6bw0u7pYITvAbGsZ3SpbO8MUmAOQVvlm-q7Gia1cV1JiyExyU5eG3jP6sbS7tNxoLQqFUG8yM5x8/s320/Bryn%20Nadolig%2032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>...and weighed it down using my trusty Michael Portillo Great British Railway Journeys hardcover books. [Insert free, not-paid-for Michael Portillo plug here. You're welcome and I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!]</div><div><br /></div><div>The books kept the section in place while the glue dried overnight, and once the section was dry and firm, I could repeat the process with the opposite end curve.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once both of the end curves were anchored firmly in place, I could then join the two curves using some PECO OO-9 flextrack, and follow the wiggly outline of my track plan to create a gentle, winding transition from one end of the layout to the other.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Q7SIh0-4I_CbMvuiZLLWnLZ6YxRuO0a9nIo0bR2AcK_korG6Xmh6dErdLPmB3VYMl0awhHYAeXnW52YqEa802dURwjxnDmEFnSMn9kKrtuOZ4f2IvTvkTYiE-y4jyJLldOP6UrjLVEhLZaXSgoi2W3-xPxUOFGerlLH07EXRMxhyphenhyphen3sis6u220qtO1hg/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2033.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Q7SIh0-4I_CbMvuiZLLWnLZ6YxRuO0a9nIo0bR2AcK_korG6Xmh6dErdLPmB3VYMl0awhHYAeXnW52YqEa802dURwjxnDmEFnSMn9kKrtuOZ4f2IvTvkTYiE-y4jyJLldOP6UrjLVEhLZaXSgoi2W3-xPxUOFGerlLH07EXRMxhyphenhyphen3sis6u220qtO1hg/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2033.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gently winding flextrack section between each curve will add a lot of visual interest.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyliXfjj6L4zQAXT7l_9km5MIITOnNudif346oQXJ-JXVhNvUfvYTqxkE6kqK7-SSyr2S-vQPy6XnIhEdV54Y8iyCBXsTBAHSqgW_7Vhs-MQWYeLtrqJCWRlVuR0mLvyBDhR8F-6-zNMl8FcFZpZV_EKMNJGoxE_Sk4ama3F8ISPqjpCkAghylcwhdQsE/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2035.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyliXfjj6L4zQAXT7l_9km5MIITOnNudif346oQXJ-JXVhNvUfvYTqxkE6kqK7-SSyr2S-vQPy6XnIhEdV54Y8iyCBXsTBAHSqgW_7Vhs-MQWYeLtrqJCWRlVuR0mLvyBDhR8F-6-zNMl8FcFZpZV_EKMNJGoxE_Sk4ama3F8ISPqjpCkAghylcwhdQsE/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2035.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outer passing loop curve shows the difference between the PECO flextrack (outside) and set track.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So with another Christmas in Australia now come and gone, my thoughts now turn to having this layout ready for next year. With a few busy weekends infront of me, I'm not sure exactly when I will be able to wire up the layout and get a train trundling around Bryn Nadolig. Especially given that I am frantically trying to complete the final Philden Model Railway book before I commence full-time study in January. Whether I do or not will determine whether the book's release will be in February, or August 2024.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwhwcmQLj549Qj5meycum6aysRfCrFeIQqP6B3zoAubW_RvH9F85er8LqqQGnkWFGTVM6bKWsF_pSeiycVyZ3yes6EMgBVm_Kabghxx4WXs0QNSzuyadZFq5_jjdQR-mqtmggiRhe1ecXVy2xCCHX5qAspdJk8zZn6Hxc1c2khYfyu6yUGvDhOeBYi7o/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2036.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwhwcmQLj549Qj5meycum6aysRfCrFeIQqP6B3zoAubW_RvH9F85er8LqqQGnkWFGTVM6bKWsF_pSeiycVyZ3yes6EMgBVm_Kabghxx4WXs0QNSzuyadZFq5_jjdQR-mqtmggiRhe1ecXVy2xCCHX5qAspdJk8zZn6Hxc1c2khYfyu6yUGvDhOeBYi7o/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2036.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too late for Christmas 2023... but I now have a 12 month head start on having this layout ready for next year!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, if you like what you read, please leave a comment below, or better still... show your support for this blog through any of the suggestions to the right. Come 2024, this blog (and my writer's life), is going to powered solely by your generosity. So, shout me a cup of coffee...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway</a></b></span></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Till next time...</div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-42187641481947328522023-12-22T10:41:00.001+10:002023-12-22T10:41:11.259+10:00Christmas Spectacular 1st Anniversary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fAMBs14yYVs" width="320" youtube-src-id="fAMBs14yYVs"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Can you believe it is almost Christmas again? What a year 2023 has been. I'm pleased to say that I haven't let personal challenges get in the way of releasing 3 new books over the course of this year, and revamping my model railway in the process of working on a 4th title. That means that my above Philden Street Christmas Spectacular YouTube video this week also celebrates it's 1st Anniversary. So I thought it timely to haul it out for everyone's attention once more, and wish you a truly wonderful Christmas Holiday. See you all next year...</h4><div><br /></div><div>Merry Christmas, and the Happiest of New Years!</div><div>Phill O</div><div><br /></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-63755347827549042672023-12-18T13:46:00.004+10:002023-12-18T16:01:46.449+10:00G... 2023 went fast!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzqR375FCMakyPRYO09Gsi0TId0OeskghbxCYcnW1c0lqANpRcU6-sJVKCIeU22vNXP8pvlEuXy8abn33Eeoxn-6_yvgFHT3JqqIZ0nhoRiBtlMNh4u89DVxTusbPVkJT8byhot5adued1Cf31kZtvKKGscgBQY9GHOw5XBHVLMFhvSsL31Rw6qPDgxA/s640/Philden%20Coast%2074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzqR375FCMakyPRYO09Gsi0TId0OeskghbxCYcnW1c0lqANpRcU6-sJVKCIeU22vNXP8pvlEuXy8abn33Eeoxn-6_yvgFHT3JqqIZ0nhoRiBtlMNh4u89DVxTusbPVkJT8byhot5adued1Cf31kZtvKKGscgBQY9GHOw5XBHVLMFhvSsL31Rw6qPDgxA/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2074.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">It only seems like a few weeks ago that I turned my inner-Melbourne HO scale shelf layout into a slice of the NSW North Coast. Now here we are at the beginning of another hot Australian summer, and while looking through some of the photos I had snapped at Philden Beach during the course of this year, I had to stop and calculate exactly how long ago it was that a G Class locomotive paid a visit to the shores of Philden Beach?</h4><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Py9N1Me1WSZ_om0IjYJkj-hzsNQP-R5bjCxGnq0FRqxKnyv8cnR6lbM4pwPALIoXJnzTTq1pr2oNaGXUbCDgkq7S3BezIHuf-dF9EsC49KZXSdbi7_S4AvTs2kyE3Jj7FASRaxHmFlam-huqut03u0mfJjaMJVqUcyb8zuE-WKXat8JvFY25iqtsjsw/s640/Philden%20Coast%2075.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Py9N1Me1WSZ_om0IjYJkj-hzsNQP-R5bjCxGnq0FRqxKnyv8cnR6lbM4pwPALIoXJnzTTq1pr2oNaGXUbCDgkq7S3BezIHuf-dF9EsC49KZXSdbi7_S4AvTs2kyE3Jj7FASRaxHmFlam-huqut03u0mfJjaMJVqUcyb8zuE-WKXat8JvFY25iqtsjsw/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2075.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of 2023's new release models from Auscision, an SCT livered G Class and my Cootes Industrial C.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>It was way back in early January that I transformed my Philden Street Yard layout into my NSW North Coast Philden Beach affair. That's now close to 12 months ago. During that time, there has been a steady stream of newly released and re-released models over the course of 2023, many of which have made their way onto my layout's roster.</div><div><br /></div><div>It started with the re-release of <u><b><span style="color: #bf9000;"><a href="https://auscisionmodels.com.au/NR%20Class%20Locomotive.htm" target="_blank">Auscision Models NR Class locos</a></span></b></u>, (late 2022), of which I added NR22 in the 4 star Pacific National livery around this time last year. Then continued with March's release of <b><u><span style="color: #674ea7;"><a href="https://auscisionmodels.com.au/BL%20Class%20Locomotive.htm" target="_blank">Auscision's long anticipated BL Class locomotive</a></span></u></b>, my choice being BL28 in the intermodal Pacific National livery. Moving onto some rollingstock, I added <b><u><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://auscisionmodels.com.au/NGTY%20Page.htm" target="_blank">Auscision's re-released NGGF sugar hoppers</a></span></u></b>, and their <b><u><span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="https://auscisionmodels.com.au/Infrastructure%20Wagons.htm" target="_blank">NQJX container wagons and NDMX spoil wagons</a></span></u></b>. And then in July, an <b><u><span style="color: #274e13;"><a href="https://auscisionmodels.com.au/C%20Class%20Locomotive.htm" target="_blank">Auscision Models C Class locomotive</a></span></u></b> turned up <b><u><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://phildenmodelrailway.blogspot.com/2023/07/c-by-seashore.html" target="_blank">by the seashore in the form of C509</a></span></u></b> in the Cootes Industrial leased green and gold livery. Things were beginning to look settled until... the above <b><u><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://auscisionmodels.com.au/G%20Class%20Locomotive%20(Series%201).htm" target="_blank">Auscision Models SCT G Class</a></span></u></b> locomotive suddenly popped its head up in one of the back sidings of Philden Beach. Like, what was that all about?</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCCob-B6KWcCeaDr8Blot8AzvbJCDyCpGuN-kjL3C1c34pOXZUcNMDzJ2b2Ow3Pglcu3NBHmCpYJagvsumdOS3sb8FbSTqW244-RJrBX57-isaZ2-6hJ9bQI0DZ4bSimAB5D4MJlAmM7wVPIGDBtjhioVn-eR6nQ4NvUAob3o7ASzbehyphenhyphenAHcs6b2DFQs/s640/Philden%20Coast%2076.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCCob-B6KWcCeaDr8Blot8AzvbJCDyCpGuN-kjL3C1c34pOXZUcNMDzJ2b2Ow3Pglcu3NBHmCpYJagvsumdOS3sb8FbSTqW244-RJrBX57-isaZ2-6hJ9bQI0DZ4bSimAB5D4MJlAmM7wVPIGDBtjhioVn-eR6nQ4NvUAob3o7ASzbehyphenhyphenAHcs6b2DFQs/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2076.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only SCT PBGY multi-freighter wagon to ever appear at Brandon Industries.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Well, sometimes you just try out different things on your layout, just because you can, like the <b><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://trainworld.net.au/collections/railmotor-train-world" target="_blank">Trainworld/Rail Motor Models SCT PBGY van</a></span></u></b> above. As you can see, a single van was long enough to completely fill the back dock of my Brandon Industries warehouse. At 27 cm long over the couplers, the PBGY van remains the longest thing to ever run over my layout's rails. Coupled to the G Class, umm, perhaps a little too long! It didn't stop me however from jumping right in and weathering the pair to turn that pristine red and white livery into a dirty slice of diesel delight!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC574lYNlJ8rsEwbWXJvGov-9h_Cx7dtYPQezG5Hfh81mrEV9JJp4jRciqfSe6R_VdeeFWiSSZdUtcf1qppU_fDW-CIyPSNRVRi-hNbaSW3s1p-ZmVIlMUpE_EpOYeUE0rJI8VMgBh1D17gswAAaU0azDDkYmlDIx1gtcXYly8p7qgUnEDRl6CdqVXsds/s640/Philden%20Coast%2079.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC574lYNlJ8rsEwbWXJvGov-9h_Cx7dtYPQezG5Hfh81mrEV9JJp4jRciqfSe6R_VdeeFWiSSZdUtcf1qppU_fDW-CIyPSNRVRi-hNbaSW3s1p-ZmVIlMUpE_EpOYeUE0rJI8VMgBh1D17gswAAaU0azDDkYmlDIx1gtcXYly8p7qgUnEDRl6CdqVXsds/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2079.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the time it was collected from the back sidings of Philden Beach, it was looking pretty grubby!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The G Class loco copped even more of the same treatment. Perhaps if I hadn't already released my book <b><u><span style="color: #bf9000;"><a href="https://au.blurb.com/b/11637387-model-railway-weathered-wonders" target="_blank">Model Railway Weathered Wonders</a></span></u></b>, the G might have made its way onto the cover! It turned up a filthy treat! I think I took these photos around August. The loco sold quickly afterwards and the PBGY van is <b><u><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/usr/phildenmodelrailway" target="_blank">available now on my eBay page</a></span></u></b>.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlvwqqsBBdj35CX_orepK7g3pwlDy0Gnd9_C6WBupHpH4qDluxU19mIo1skODeNsz0_r5FUygc3X8I8Enr61nzbM8e9jXa3r2tGZo2tbgEodbHyMLy-2-1_2kLnzJW0D_EcuzNKCZcw-t5sX0NTrqstm0rD6OUw808cE-vXegdksYbRAkfQpdO0OHhpU/s640/Philden%20Coast%2080.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlvwqqsBBdj35CX_orepK7g3pwlDy0Gnd9_C6WBupHpH4qDluxU19mIo1skODeNsz0_r5FUygc3X8I8Enr61nzbM8e9jXa3r2tGZo2tbgEodbHyMLy-2-1_2kLnzJW0D_EcuzNKCZcw-t5sX0NTrqstm0rD6OUw808cE-vXegdksYbRAkfQpdO0OHhpU/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2080.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G513 was in a filthy state by the time it left Philden Beach!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Amongst all of my incompleted projects for 2023, I discovered some video footage I'd shot of a heavily weathered G513 working the yard around Philden Beach.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOHh7Df-GcN7pj-kM6Swazu1Z1N1YVVzJ5hJDD-ElWJBmQpUQgc9uoKlX_TqdTI9goEp1zDyaCXbh8MpAVFCHvcsQ_-G-2gYYi2UIkWQppTTQ-x_IHOcyQP_JoZDQOfsiyyGcm8NpyH2MwcL0XioBHHw1ZQtYUA9VwsQ_1T31jFKazVNaYHkeAWFZRlw/s640/Philden%20Coast%2077.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOHh7Df-GcN7pj-kM6Swazu1Z1N1YVVzJ5hJDD-ElWJBmQpUQgc9uoKlX_TqdTI9goEp1zDyaCXbh8MpAVFCHvcsQ_-G-2gYYi2UIkWQppTTQ-x_IHOcyQP_JoZDQOfsiyyGcm8NpyH2MwcL0XioBHHw1ZQtYUA9VwsQ_1T31jFKazVNaYHkeAWFZRlw/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2077.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G513 no. 1 end showing...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHiC29BxEtv2_Wu6rPifPYreNE1MDfqaEOZ6rKbhbkP3dliC7kULtj0ftIckfKNTdbTmdTFsXa0rAcTEA3NKJz1iYnanp-5Nhjt_lGEVEN3plY2H5jusgdMoWGH4Pm9Q72vwmTK-lIabwdWb0DAa5w2dDo-DvbLytvu9JuHWyiE7F7-bes_F0xOzjxVU/s640/Philden%20Coast%2078.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHiC29BxEtv2_Wu6rPifPYreNE1MDfqaEOZ6rKbhbkP3dliC7kULtj0ftIckfKNTdbTmdTFsXa0rAcTEA3NKJz1iYnanp-5Nhjt_lGEVEN3plY2H5jusgdMoWGH4Pm9Q72vwmTK-lIabwdWb0DAa5w2dDo-DvbLytvu9JuHWyiE7F7-bes_F0xOzjxVU/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2078.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and a nice side-on shot as the loco idles away.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I think I vaguely recall my plans for 2023 were to purchase a new model, weather it and then film it operating on the layout for a short YouTube video. Then when the fun was over, list it for sale on my eBay page and repeat. Time never permitted me being able to do this more than once, and while the above loco has since found a new home, I haven't even found the time to produce a single YouTube video during the course of 2023.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1rDfRqL8j3E1KQeEqCUtRRzBvDyVas8xcP16yo-NIC2X63OuAPznOgZpLfr8Bp-QMnrzXiJx24TKRwvYii7MEMlYi4ZRKGwIYJ4wo1Rbwa8L99O7G2onxL0A_SMUoq5UBdUlJaZ3o0O1q6Xv_msID4ZmjKSXpcPH0XWQWV50dsryvN7wg0Xw45VaIc4/s640/Philden%20Coast%2082.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1rDfRqL8j3E1KQeEqCUtRRzBvDyVas8xcP16yo-NIC2X63OuAPznOgZpLfr8Bp-QMnrzXiJx24TKRwvYii7MEMlYi4ZRKGwIYJ4wo1Rbwa8L99O7G2onxL0A_SMUoq5UBdUlJaZ3o0O1q6Xv_msID4ZmjKSXpcPH0XWQWV50dsryvN7wg0Xw45VaIc4/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2082.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a very brief spell in the Harbour Yard, G513 has now long departed. That's 2023 in a nutshell.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Before I can say, "gee the year has gone quick," it is now almost over. I suppose that's been the case for many folks. For myself, I've forged ahead with writing and releasing 3 books over the course of 2023, yet still find myself disappointed that I won't get the 4th book finished before the year is out. The plan was to finish on 23 books in the year 2023 before seeing where next year would take me. As of the 18th December that target is looking rather unattainable.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, with this little reminiscing post now posted, perhaps I am better off talking about what I'd like to achieve layout-wise in 2024. There are some small ideas such as;</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Re-lettering the layout front with some stick-on vinyl names that reflect it's North Coast New South Wales location.</li><li>Completing the street market scene atop the Philden Street overpass, (yes, the name seems to have stuck from the layout's previous incarnation).</li><li>Adding a quality bluetooth speaker beneath the Jetty Hotel to stream music from my iPhone.</li><li>Starting work on building/modelling some drop-in scenes on either side of the track as it transitions to staging.</li><li>Scenicking the staging yard tracks without the need to add a backdrop or structures that would be protrude above the staging shelf's raised outer lip.</li><li>Anticipate the arrival of my pre-ordered <b><u><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://auscisionmodels.com.au/NPHH%20Cement%20Hopper.htm" target="_blank">Auscision Models NPHH cement wagons</a></span></u></b>?</li><li>Expect a further announcement regarding the Auscision NSW 49 Class announcement?</li><li>Expect the unexpected?</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps that last point is all I can be certain of.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyavVCSmxye9oBoDo2MRw5MlSjIyQJKvSfVoDWZ-UOBPtcYyPXdXQWHGu1XlvBS8jufostX2Y7PXPQYpvbJB27wju0BqjI8dZ4TJ7F-mBU4j12tdiXxlMQADjklNjXv02M44BrJ2jnqQxQzE5Pg_oDVKsm1MEsQq27YBZhAupCIcSQO742zG_euponDZU/s640/Philden%20Coast%2081.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyavVCSmxye9oBoDo2MRw5MlSjIyQJKvSfVoDWZ-UOBPtcYyPXdXQWHGu1XlvBS8jufostX2Y7PXPQYpvbJB27wju0BqjI8dZ4TJ7F-mBU4j12tdiXxlMQADjklNjXv02M44BrJ2jnqQxQzE5Pg_oDVKsm1MEsQq27YBZhAupCIcSQO742zG_euponDZU/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2081.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's wait and see what new arrivals 2024 will deliver on Philden Beach.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>With the G now a distant memory in 2023, I need to wait until the heat of summer is over before I can get busy weathering my Pacific National pairing of BL28 and NR22. I plan on making the pair my workhorses of the layout, along with the mighty C Class. The NGGF sugar hoppers will follow, with an extensive spell in my airbrushing booth planned to get them looking authentic, and my spoil wagons and container flat wagons will also get treated to a light dusting before I jump into restocking my eBay store with a few more weathered models as time permits in 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, so long as this hot weather continues Down Under, the AC shall stay on and I will remain perched behind my laptop writing, in the off-chance that I may get the final Philden book completed before New Years Eve...</div><div><br /></div><div>If you like what you've read, feel free to leave a comment below. Or better still, show your support by buying me a coffee... <u style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 15.84px;"><b style="color: #af6c0f;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway" target="_blank">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway</a></span></b></u></div><div><br /></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-41041867354367163142023-12-15T13:38:00.004+10:002023-12-15T13:46:01.948+10:00The Violalakenslip layout frame<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaV_orF45aSnUwL4QTZMkbpbve52mHsP_pKpnMHImye50LVgnWfJEHAE-AM6otM3rpCwPstISDMcd0AfPRiDjcBY8lTnt9ylgUFztGYUSTRkdwOpJ8n4FnsLfxsja7yu5YuTHpnHC5gWqQNLIsSP1oegev_e1iUiET8VTCuR0oy1c0KZ-Aq1kootZDsFQ/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2029.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaV_orF45aSnUwL4QTZMkbpbve52mHsP_pKpnMHImye50LVgnWfJEHAE-AM6otM3rpCwPstISDMcd0AfPRiDjcBY8lTnt9ylgUFztGYUSTRkdwOpJ8n4FnsLfxsja7yu5YuTHpnHC5gWqQNLIsSP1oegev_e1iUiET8VTCuR0oy1c0KZ-Aq1kootZDsFQ/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2029.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">In keeping with my IKEA themed model railway layout that occupies one wall of our loungeroom, I colour matched the small layout frame that I built for Bryn Nadolig with the IKEA Eket display cases that this little OO9 layout will sit upon. When I sent a pic of my finished 1150 mm x 550 mm white and clear pine effort by phone to my friend AV with the single word <i>viola </i>beneath it, Anthony's reply came back that it looks like a Violalakenslip. Aisle 25, section B12 at IKEA....</h4><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5MBRsk7-Kz5iGes5yM7AwQDTe-3d-yj5KxnsNiY8wqaIcAVDqY-ARngNqSjlE3ZI6BwNdiGJb8xofQj_855E8aWd7bFye5_ZMw04647YWntxE1DJGTDSkhePv2NOiV3blmIa6KfLOc8WFEJ4MIInZVCQKLtwslaxCZoDIVXJqw6kSe2nowC8eQiJZsw/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2020.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5MBRsk7-Kz5iGes5yM7AwQDTe-3d-yj5KxnsNiY8wqaIcAVDqY-ARngNqSjlE3ZI6BwNdiGJb8xofQj_855E8aWd7bFye5_ZMw04647YWntxE1DJGTDSkhePv2NOiV3blmIa6KfLOc8WFEJ4MIInZVCQKLtwslaxCZoDIVXJqw6kSe2nowC8eQiJZsw/s320/Bryn%20Nadolig%2020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I love it! But the truth is, this is one of the easiest little layout projects I've done to date. It started with a 596 mm x 1200 mm x 7 mm single sheet of plywood that I first cut down to a size of 550 mm x 1150 mm as outlined in my previous post <u><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://phildenmodelrailway.blogspot.com/2023/11/sacrificing-length-for-functionality.html" target="_blank">sacrificing length for functionality</a></span></b></u>.</div><div><br /></div><div>To build the frame, I bought 2 lengths of 30 mm x 18 mm x 2.7 metre long FJ primed pine from my local Bunnings Warehouse, and cut the sections to fit.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gtmRzrPqUEIx-YzmX4pTqFLaQstY9lQYI5-Afn32dbbIQBZKPYUsWCXvHk_Y73m_nQk_CDLbT3SXR2AlXTdPSqY45GkgWUgPk8_JWRGR8BfQEVvlBuEkkiA0r5Bz6cLOaNzuBLIGWIMIuZtf6DRLFh_4L2w_UiIPlLbPZkFIQRguzm6gpKQ_aocg2KY/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2021.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gtmRzrPqUEIx-YzmX4pTqFLaQstY9lQYI5-Afn32dbbIQBZKPYUsWCXvHk_Y73m_nQk_CDLbT3SXR2AlXTdPSqY45GkgWUgPk8_JWRGR8BfQEVvlBuEkkiA0r5Bz6cLOaNzuBLIGWIMIuZtf6DRLFh_4L2w_UiIPlLbPZkFIQRguzm6gpKQ_aocg2KY/s320/Bryn%20Nadolig%2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There are no fancy corner joins, simply 2 sections cut to a length of 1150 mm for the long sides of the layout, and 4 lengths cut to 514 mm (550 mm minus 2 times the 18 mm width of the timber), to use as the short side ends and additional supports.</div><div><br /></div><div>I glued one section at a time to the underside of my plywood board using extra strength Tarzan's Grip wood glue.</div><div><br /></div><div>As this glue grabs hold very quickly, just make sure you have test fitted each section before stringing a line of glue along the plywood. A clamp placed at each end will hold it in place as you work, and to ensure there wasn't going to be any warping or risk of a stray section of timber slipping out of alignment, I drilled and countersunk some holes through the plywood to anchor the framework in place with some 25 mm wood screws.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj211hrlso1BX3LcFajFYNALHptEqHRF5QCN1y4QHUk1_47SRBe0PL93MV3CZj-gKVQLJ3jy-FG8W980D3ecC_VTUUdQQi9GyyCKQ2sAH6GIJIpCYfnHvNo0BNLRJijkSzJIwBgjdnTr-IxrSUusNcFs49A0k_7bvPt9JvGoxcFyKGc4qjTk969tmx8guo/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2022.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj211hrlso1BX3LcFajFYNALHptEqHRF5QCN1y4QHUk1_47SRBe0PL93MV3CZj-gKVQLJ3jy-FG8W980D3ecC_VTUUdQQi9GyyCKQ2sAH6GIJIpCYfnHvNo0BNLRJijkSzJIwBgjdnTr-IxrSUusNcFs49A0k_7bvPt9JvGoxcFyKGc4qjTk969tmx8guo/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2022.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plywood sheet was glued then anchored down with a few countersunk 25 mm long wood screws.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnMRcV2JxLCGzaccn4qHFgIaDG0dOc0JH3JvyfSX4JziSExHEyyMpLjA9z-IDW99JotG0EjtwTc413PAsIf5McTYjGgoFmQSy5I0X93x-v40YBb_oku-JJ57bdM2TlM_ksQ6TSeSe7Ec2QjCgSIZipchTmxGKGtCwNlq4NZSKbQkmSqc2YJyy1df5tYM/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnMRcV2JxLCGzaccn4qHFgIaDG0dOc0JH3JvyfSX4JziSExHEyyMpLjA9z-IDW99JotG0EjtwTc413PAsIf5McTYjGgoFmQSy5I0X93x-v40YBb_oku-JJ57bdM2TlM_ksQ6TSeSe7Ec2QjCgSIZipchTmxGKGtCwNlq4NZSKbQkmSqc2YJyy1df5tYM/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2023.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The screw holes and any gaps between each join were then puttied and left to dry overnight before sanding.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Any good finish is only as good as the preparation you put into it. So I sanded the entire frame edge using an orbital sander until it was nice and smooth. Although I could have just painted the frame edge and underside in the one colour, I thought 'why not make the edge strip of the plywood stand out by finishing it with some clear wood varnish?' The only extra work it involved was a 2 step process using some masking tape as outlined below...</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPveizAaTW7-iyLx94T0M0c-fWvlLnJBOYNSINimtOo3SNIiQykmzwHqXfH21MCPzuuhmqt3FcIxvn45Y4xNUxhw9xGOoVvCpsm9nekL0GJ21QR-YYJ-dUSbbM84inhLTylCpaBuPTNTRnHPunDuBQG9JabiggG2bN3lSQBY9f3R5430-EiQVh_xOqzU/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2024.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPveizAaTW7-iyLx94T0M0c-fWvlLnJBOYNSINimtOo3SNIiQykmzwHqXfH21MCPzuuhmqt3FcIxvn45Y4xNUxhw9xGOoVvCpsm9nekL0GJ21QR-YYJ-dUSbbM84inhLTylCpaBuPTNTRnHPunDuBQG9JabiggG2bN3lSQBY9f3R5430-EiQVh_xOqzU/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2024.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I clear varnished the edge strip of the plywood by masking off the primed white timber beneath it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCZcqyilgZlDLswAFV8vxMciEtpOhb1nYPJ4SS5P2j0cWfePfYgl3Jduc6VmwShDYROgNc0RvMoNRUj5svF440tI8i0PYhW16VsRZAd_Ci8sG68ph9b0T3tIAxZsciyubxdFTaPZPLl7UMcJyxLM9PyMDWcdNmzDLxUhT1clyw3S6gRGai4243qQF690/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2025.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCZcqyilgZlDLswAFV8vxMciEtpOhb1nYPJ4SS5P2j0cWfePfYgl3Jduc6VmwShDYROgNc0RvMoNRUj5svF440tI8i0PYhW16VsRZAd_Ci8sG68ph9b0T3tIAxZsciyubxdFTaPZPLl7UMcJyxLM9PyMDWcdNmzDLxUhT1clyw3S6gRGai4243qQF690/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2025.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The masking tape could then peel off easily leaving a sharp line of clear varnished plywood.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmz67Ak9EwQOcsrdMknCQ1iTAV0WIYaxo3gI4R9BB2_4YVp_V5shkuOFHh0K169TJIP6vX5Ju4Ip_6Doj0cc12EdEDfglbyVq83b4beE84BLTXNbWxQFKxKbJo7EhsmN4PAU24nQTQTx93uPBKkUFmhEbUdMnNu0u7nHm8z0PZCguRU2jAe8szKjx-xw/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2026.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmz67Ak9EwQOcsrdMknCQ1iTAV0WIYaxo3gI4R9BB2_4YVp_V5shkuOFHh0K169TJIP6vX5Ju4Ip_6Doj0cc12EdEDfglbyVq83b4beE84BLTXNbWxQFKxKbJo7EhsmN4PAU24nQTQTx93uPBKkUFmhEbUdMnNu0u7nHm8z0PZCguRU2jAe8szKjx-xw/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2026.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once dry, the reverse was done. The plywood edge was masked off and the timber painted gloss white.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAiaYLzwkmnzH6VZXux7zD-XgErJL_vvnpdP5HrzfHr3SFSbVLbuAit5eP1c1zLtc-laKRVMdJR26ngKtEvZM9o9juQILSyNUVE9MExVOLIVtctqwto7hRxzAMqK7WmtFsJiUI1d7Qu38a4XyuSL1NnDnmOw7SGEZr6GCXJRQZ27o660huHfrVVdzFms/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2027.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAiaYLzwkmnzH6VZXux7zD-XgErJL_vvnpdP5HrzfHr3SFSbVLbuAit5eP1c1zLtc-laKRVMdJR26ngKtEvZM9o9juQILSyNUVE9MExVOLIVtctqwto7hRxzAMqK7WmtFsJiUI1d7Qu38a4XyuSL1NnDnmOw7SGEZr6GCXJRQZ27o660huHfrVVdzFms/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2027.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The masking tape pulls away leaving a sharp line between the gloss white and clear varnish.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I applied a total of 2 coats of clear varnish to the plywood edge and underside of the layout board. While for the primed FJ pine I applied 4 coats of water based gloss white, the same colour that I used when building my Philden Beach layout frame. The finished result is a uniform appearance once the OO9 layout is sat atop my IKEA furniture as can be seen below...</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjdVYKOEmyLBNTIMO1JnD1YURtOhqKRxbMKDzkXCalTWQ1ZJGWlZctMNthLtwznALn81MUgxGAe4E-MshevWo1ImL_SlYa8HjetnaWGCeQnQohIBc1QynQycyu_L3MuTwIVf3Ies5ldz8YsrMlFARadeorBZSzyDdCufCgl36zbsHa9HJmOyRhh46IsY/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2029.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjdVYKOEmyLBNTIMO1JnD1YURtOhqKRxbMKDzkXCalTWQ1ZJGWlZctMNthLtwznALn81MUgxGAe4E-MshevWo1ImL_SlYa8HjetnaWGCeQnQohIBc1QynQycyu_L3MuTwIVf3Ies5ldz8YsrMlFARadeorBZSzyDdCufCgl36zbsHa9HJmOyRhh46IsY/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2029.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viola! Bryn Nadolig's finished framework is finally ready to have some track laid.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As this layout is a small table top affair, there is going to be no backdrop added to it. I know, I know, you're probably thinking why given that I wrote a book on <u><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://au.blurb.com/b/11568965-model-railway-backdrop-basics" target="_blank">Model Railway Backdrop Basics</a>.</span></b></u> However, given that the layout will come out from its display position beneath Philden Beach at Christmas time, I want the layout to be able to be viewed from all sides whenever the family is gathered around the table. Including a backdrop will make that impossible. My next task is to build the hill in the centre of the layout using some insulation foam board. It will slope up gently from behind the slate station building, ending in a rock cutting against the railway line at the far left side of the layout. Rather than incorporating a backdrop, the hill is going to act as a visual divider.</div><div><br /></div><div>A layout is meant to be fun, and this one will be no exception. Given that this is both a small table sized layout, and a Christmas themed model railway, I'm unsure if there will be enough material, or interest for that matter, to start planning another book around it. So, instead I'll use these blog posts to gauge people's interest and preserve the step-by-step process just in case I ever change my mind. Modelling in another scale compared to my decade long HO Australian efforts, is proving to be a welcome escape as I write my next Philden Model Railway book. Now that my Violalakenslip layout frame is complete, over this Australian summer I'm planning to flit between working on my next book and this little layout. Depending on how I feel each day.</div><div><br /></div><div>My time writing model railway books is drawing to an end. So please, if you like what you've read, then feel free to leave a comment below. Or better still, show your support by buying me a coffee. Simply click on the blue coffee cup to the right and send a struggling writer a small tip... <u style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 15.84px;"><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway</span></b></a></u></div><div><br /></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-85264669007634154912023-12-12T13:48:00.009+10:002023-12-12T14:27:11.412+10:00December AMRM Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3rpiPetG-OmK_p7sbUCZy2NwTn6FplhI9Tav6klMSpEfNnD1v_hR_o_v4TXxwcn67BxEZ7Un_N-VDgUoJhqlas-xB0AViFphpAsuJdvj9wXaMiY2HBjvem_Dy_hd1Nc65oqHk8RwziQ0Lq5LVzuTL5JI0yCVjNDTj6t3YJ3d7JjYH7ohKawPZoMdcik/s640/AMRM%20Review%20Issue%20363%20December%202023%20640x448.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3rpiPetG-OmK_p7sbUCZy2NwTn6FplhI9Tav6klMSpEfNnD1v_hR_o_v4TXxwcn67BxEZ7Un_N-VDgUoJhqlas-xB0AViFphpAsuJdvj9wXaMiY2HBjvem_Dy_hd1Nc65oqHk8RwziQ0Lq5LVzuTL5JI0yCVjNDTj6t3YJ3d7JjYH7ohKawPZoMdcik/w280-h400/AMRM%20Review%20Issue%20363%20December%202023%20640x448.JPG" width="280" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">The December issue of <u><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://australianmodelrailwaymagazine.blogspot.com/2023/11/december-2023-issue-of-amrm-available.html" target="_blank">Australian Model Railway Magazine</a></span></u> features two of my books in the reviews section.</h4><div><br /></div><div>My latest title Model Railway Weathered Wonders and this year's Model Railway Backdrop Basics are still recieving a lot of exposure, thanks to readers of this blog and the continued exposure by way of a book giveaway over on Will James' YouTube channel. However, it was a good friend of mine who contacted me while I was on holidays to break the news of my books being featured in this month's issue of Australian Model Railway Magazine. At the time, my wife and I were heading south to Victoria, so we pulled in at Goulburn in New South Wales to see if we could find a copy.</div><div><br /></div><div>I always buy my copies of AMRM at my local newsagency in Brisbane, as I still believe it is important to keep the hobby present on a magazine rack for casual passers-by to discover. Turns out, First Inland City Newsagency in Goulburn had a pile of almost 20 on display. Thanks go to the AMRM team for the kind mention and outline of what each of the two books cover.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZBZK5F0_BqnPXqDBt2CIgd3HpclcvaaYhkoV2p_s2A5Uubt9f6je1S2GrcafJIgZZE38IcL9JX6D7e22-3alhoXWO982Yr7wIbeHsAgrHGq5c5eQdo2f11PaDSL3LScrfmrbsli3jJUKWiOMvsn01olNQrg7rx0GvpFNR6lCBEQRZ3-TjPqZHReeE0o/s399/modelrailwaybackdropbasics399.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZBZK5F0_BqnPXqDBt2CIgd3HpclcvaaYhkoV2p_s2A5Uubt9f6je1S2GrcafJIgZZE38IcL9JX6D7e22-3alhoXWO982Yr7wIbeHsAgrHGq5c5eQdo2f11PaDSL3LScrfmrbsli3jJUKWiOMvsn01olNQrg7rx0GvpFNR6lCBEQRZ3-TjPqZHReeE0o/s320/modelrailwaybackdropbasics399.jpg" width="209" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzUZtbUi9d4cwA9iQQYN3alzBRfu8ePPl0OGU3LUCqV_taSlsUhpeRVn3o54XKvTei1m7Xw9Ow2rBQCNpPfTfpk7jTh2Z-5-ZzzZBKTx83cwIn5ZiD9r5_FuiJhaB-sJQICOQhpr2bA7sCK_nfHjxH5U1uav1QU-DADWe_4qBEZ7cHrszsynxLcZqOSI/s399/modelrailwayweatheredwonders399.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzUZtbUi9d4cwA9iQQYN3alzBRfu8ePPl0OGU3LUCqV_taSlsUhpeRVn3o54XKvTei1m7Xw9Ow2rBQCNpPfTfpk7jTh2Z-5-ZzzZBKTx83cwIn5ZiD9r5_FuiJhaB-sJQICOQhpr2bA7sCK_nfHjxH5U1uav1QU-DADWe_4qBEZ7cHrszsynxLcZqOSI/s320/modelrailwayweatheredwonders399.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As part of my holiday plans, I disconnected from the internet, social media, emails and paused my eBay shop for a little over 3 weeks. Sometimes you just have to do that, even if it means completely ignoring any Black Friday sales, new model announcements and the such. While the break did me a world of good, I still did manage to take a few railway related photographs of some stations and trains that I'd never seen before in my travels, including the <u><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><a href="https://www.thebluestrain.com.au/" target="_blank">Blues Train</a></b></span></u> on the Bellarine Penninsula and the <u><span style="color: #04ff00;"><b><a href="https://www.btm.org.au/" target="_blank">Ballarat Tramway Museum</a></b></span></u>. Until floods and a landslide cancelled our plans for the <u><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b><a href="https://www.walhallarail.com.au/" target="_blank">Walhalla Goldfields Railway</a></b></span></u> in Gippsland. (More on them as time permits...).</div><div><br /></div><div>So fresh back this week from my trip down south, I've been busy posting out hobby shop orders that were waiting for me, and individual copies that started selling like crazy over the weekend once my eBay shop resumed as normal. To the point where I've almost sold out! I'll now need to wait until late January before I can place another volume order with the publisher to replenish my stock.</div><div><br /></div><div>With only 6 weeks before I commence full-time study in the New Year, it seems I have a long list of projects that I know I simply won't finish before my free time disappears completely. One of which unfortunately includes completing my 6th Philden Model Railway book by the end of the year. It may now have to wait until a late 2024 release. So, if you're after any of my 5 titles in the the lead-up to Christmas, then try stores such as Trainworld in Melbourne or Australian Modeller in Sydney. There are links for each title on my Bookshop Page.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until next time...</div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-79408290056471251332023-11-13T12:13:00.002+10:002023-11-13T12:13:38.152+10:00Removing the tram tracks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHg0d5U1pOvhmyj4Y__wVviB1GquckkSM4oW0gPMBT8Tz4x_Os8-xGEdqQmwX6cDgdZ6ulV2Ltqy3M6p2WkpgPVDqjRr_SQERaysOqSu7mks7lzYGIMivVbtYM9rLSMEW8TpArSMqfK9Wu2hE378crVtptXhJWhlu8vI-VGVPKPv5h2F17J1iD4DSLOY/s640/Philden%20Coast%2068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHg0d5U1pOvhmyj4Y__wVviB1GquckkSM4oW0gPMBT8Tz4x_Os8-xGEdqQmwX6cDgdZ6ulV2Ltqy3M6p2WkpgPVDqjRr_SQERaysOqSu7mks7lzYGIMivVbtYM9rLSMEW8TpArSMqfK9Wu2hE378crVtptXhJWhlu8vI-VGVPKPv5h2F17J1iD4DSLOY/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2068.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlunA0m4n8UCO_NdfQxXZTWlNr-kaz5jAkGYI3eIHgaOPnKP60Ws5CYDOEjrb1XN3xEwIofXZWJJ4Lf1H7DFCG3w5LXC6XbcS30xcA4bxrotF4Cr7-Xd6lj1SMYIcvFgTcLa3q30Wor5YZjM6bakZuZz3s5migFZZg4MeI6Mb-OtpO-qpztDoEg7zVdU/s640/Philden%20Coast%2066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlunA0m4n8UCO_NdfQxXZTWlNr-kaz5jAkGYI3eIHgaOPnKP60Ws5CYDOEjrb1XN3xEwIofXZWJJ4Lf1H7DFCG3w5LXC6XbcS30xcA4bxrotF4Cr7-Xd6lj1SMYIcvFgTcLa3q30Wor5YZjM6bakZuZz3s5migFZZg4MeI6Mb-OtpO-qpztDoEg7zVdU/s320/Philden%20Coast%2066.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>One of the trickier tasks I faced with transforming the setting of my inner-Melbourne HO Scale shelf layout to the NSW North Coast, was removing the tram tracks that once ran down the middle of the Philden Street overpass. They were anchored down to the bare MDF board good and well using Super Glue, meaning they were always going to call for the road to be completely resurfaced. So long as I didn't damage the MDF board base of my road bridge in the process.</h4><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G0M07LF_ayQ2y62Hz1n_-3V3Au_nur94HIbAtxui2KpQWdm1PdAYDLQEOGdLItvxgku1vAQhcuoo_fTb0zMdFq6Cpg-Z8vAbo-PuKTozTuRXTdN9Dx1F-WCiaf_Vn5OfR23bKIKOh8NaQFSKwUKwFSjuAfxpKUpL8ukv4zC6mVRWFDrczvyH0HVcZeg/s640/Philden%20Coast%2069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G0M07LF_ayQ2y62Hz1n_-3V3Au_nur94HIbAtxui2KpQWdm1PdAYDLQEOGdLItvxgku1vAQhcuoo_fTb0zMdFq6Cpg-Z8vAbo-PuKTozTuRXTdN9Dx1F-WCiaf_Vn5OfR23bKIKOh8NaQFSKwUKwFSjuAfxpKUpL8ukv4zC6mVRWFDrczvyH0HVcZeg/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2069.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I removed one track at a time to first assess what the damage was going to be.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jCBgwTeP0nE1I313V0lT74GuI7Ly5pX7g0gypukfcru3mQdPy4_GMT9ZubF-o_2wtYQTYMVreiKHLyAaRjaPUltg4uTFPCaIA3ZBa3icnxvDQv0AGK-gxbHv_b9RcSgzSzFT-E_ITo0Xla_v-GYq44Af2VPfJeOu4ojE3s7Jw4Y9O0qCAem35YsnE0Y/s640/Philden%20Coast%2070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jCBgwTeP0nE1I313V0lT74GuI7Ly5pX7g0gypukfcru3mQdPy4_GMT9ZubF-o_2wtYQTYMVreiKHLyAaRjaPUltg4uTFPCaIA3ZBa3icnxvDQv0AGK-gxbHv_b9RcSgzSzFT-E_ITo0Xla_v-GYq44Af2VPfJeOu4ojE3s7Jw4Y9O0qCAem35YsnE0Y/s320/Philden%20Coast%2070.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Using a pair of small long nosed pliers, I was able to wiggle the strips of rail using a little bit of force until they came free from the base of the road structure. Lifting them directly upwards as they pulled free limited the damage, but they did leave a deep indent in the surface of the road that needed to be filled with some wood putty and then sanded.</div><div><br /></div><div>With the footpaths and bridge structure built in place, I needed to be super careful not to damage the bridge sides. Fortunately the Jetty Hotel and Haunted Bookstore structures were not yet anchored into place, so I could remove the buildings and see to all the messy work while the layout was still resting downstairs on the garage floor following its <u><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://phildenmodelrailway.blogspot.com/2023/09/exhibition-10-sunshine-coast.html" target="_blank">last exhibition outing at the Sunshine Coast</a></span></u> in early September.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pYgePBn1CIwhHFbOjjgkpJi6fDqPPXGn56OKDaO0MBXTj6goDmky3y4wYUs3igqQvyDGbAhIO9mNl3l_It8DFnHwoQeg3zP5Ei2-jteRrXll2prYEthb9H9dxIWieUGehXGk2owz7zDSKkPB2ne71BNH6w2INxUk6LGU6qtlCmEu_RNx-2qtU9Fjo0c/s640/Philden%20Coast%2071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pYgePBn1CIwhHFbOjjgkpJi6fDqPPXGn56OKDaO0MBXTj6goDmky3y4wYUs3igqQvyDGbAhIO9mNl3l_It8DFnHwoQeg3zP5Ei2-jteRrXll2prYEthb9H9dxIWieUGehXGk2owz7zDSKkPB2ne71BNH6w2INxUk6LGU6qtlCmEu_RNx-2qtU9Fjo0c/s320/Philden%20Coast%2071.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Once the patched-up tram track cavities were dry, I could sand them smooth using a small square of sandpaper and wipe the surface clean with a damp disposable cloth before trying to match the paint colour of the road surface.</div><div><br /></div><div>I next painted some darker grey highlights over the patched-up strips of now removed rails using acrylics. As the road surface was originally brush painted using a stippling effect rather than long continual brush strokes, it was a whole lot easier to match the paint to the original colours I used on the overpass. A hodge-podge array of grey colours was achieved simply by mixing some black and white acrylics onto an artists palette, and then stippled over the top of the darker highlights I'd just used to paint over the now removed tram tracks.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgN7xSZAk_wEexRBu19OgYMedNP8jf92fOSsRKuTIow8AbT32NB1RHCZEySQmow9a44YMLdi5MDIcOlRk9cgTTgO7OhIUZYFS_WsG9teHZo7dMeMwJjsCyZWFhOfc6mEgWaBPWVQri2G7oah9S8bZzKbQOT6_f3ABPEpXe55J0IJCJINILf4KSNUQc5c/s640/Philden%20Coast%2072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgN7xSZAk_wEexRBu19OgYMedNP8jf92fOSsRKuTIow8AbT32NB1RHCZEySQmow9a44YMLdi5MDIcOlRk9cgTTgO7OhIUZYFS_WsG9teHZo7dMeMwJjsCyZWFhOfc6mEgWaBPWVQri2G7oah9S8bZzKbQOT6_f3ABPEpXe55J0IJCJINILf4KSNUQc5c/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2072.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I highlighted the old tram tracks using some darker paint before repainting the road surface.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGB0RaMvA1S3H21tHCr5dZWlWrVgFgTwMRrx9xZ-Uho1JekON3N3TBNYavOzLPL12rQfEVEltKU2PepsfTQFgz66vkpSkKoPp_1k4O_OE6Os7X_RPfCKGPorMcMGkEj354visVE0m_IA2k0JLPZsWPBv0Ndjs92ygJJBEPis3LSb6yz-ZiPoK_DVAgNs/s640/Philden%20Coast%2073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGB0RaMvA1S3H21tHCr5dZWlWrVgFgTwMRrx9xZ-Uho1JekON3N3TBNYavOzLPL12rQfEVEltKU2PepsfTQFgz66vkpSkKoPp_1k4O_OE6Os7X_RPfCKGPorMcMGkEj354visVE0m_IA2k0JLPZsWPBv0Ndjs92ygJJBEPis3LSb6yz-ZiPoK_DVAgNs/s16000/Philden%20Coast%2073.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished effect was made by stippling, (using a dab-dab dot painting method), rather than applying brush strokes.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Stippling a road surface is an easy way to blend worn tyre track highlights and achieve a patchy road surface, as opposed to painting an all-over single colour of grey. As you can see in the photo above, I was able to curve the worn tyre lines towards the bottom right of the scene. This is where the Haunted Bookstore will stand and will help the road appear to curve down and behind the structure when viewed from the front of the layout rather than just ending hard against a blue ocean backdrop.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is just another example of what has been involved behind the scenes of revamping this layout over the course of 2023. Consider it a preview of what you can expect to find in my final Australian Philden Model Railway book, which will be available sometime next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you like what you read, leave me a comment below. Or better still, click on the blue coffee cup to the right and buy me a coffee... <u><span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway</a></span></u></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-70123221783010839622023-11-10T14:52:00.001+10:002023-11-10T14:52:12.120+10:00Sacrificing length for functionality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Dy9kp8FKMkp5chJntq__w0u0d1h09xvYqx3fJg7rR-lHxCCz9YMxuEAEpaIkOxm2XlF-Ln6mNOBRZDYZlyBMhfPNdXegDTjPkkOs7VB5EyLoZKZMRSoL7gwFpUydZ43aAd7E4IB2N384PdxLDYBgHZ1i4jPW3efkvJNsCfvn0g8lEKu_cCOkGrlCc4Y/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Dy9kp8FKMkp5chJntq__w0u0d1h09xvYqx3fJg7rR-lHxCCz9YMxuEAEpaIkOxm2XlF-Ln6mNOBRZDYZlyBMhfPNdXegDTjPkkOs7VB5EyLoZKZMRSoL7gwFpUydZ43aAd7E4IB2N384PdxLDYBgHZ1i4jPW3efkvJNsCfvn0g8lEKu_cCOkGrlCc4Y/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2019.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">For a small and simple layout such as this, it wasn't really necessary to draw a track plan on paper before I started constructing the layout. All I needed to do was draw the track plan directly onto the sheet of 596 mm x 1200 mm x 7 mm plywood, and mark where I was going to cut the board down to size.</h4><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUbzZWOjXmMGj329IhgQ5EduMduq2gdgsAbClIZupDizSWk5ki-Yxa0pOW8JcJISCT601z8vCVnXb6ynF5HSGFyiiWLzhECgxibkHS_lp-iPX7iEZZJdvErFSzydBX_D77o-hgVvwha8jZD-eco09c3CsQAwFZYq4GUItZs43vL4Bs8W351vxbY183S0/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUbzZWOjXmMGj329IhgQ5EduMduq2gdgsAbClIZupDizSWk5ki-Yxa0pOW8JcJISCT601z8vCVnXb6ynF5HSGFyiiWLzhECgxibkHS_lp-iPX7iEZZJdvErFSzydBX_D77o-hgVvwha8jZD-eco09c3CsQAwFZYq4GUItZs43vL4Bs8W351vxbY183S0/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2016.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see above, the board will now be cut down to a size of 550 mm x 1150 mm.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>After already writing about the reasons for my needing to keep this layout within the confines of 1st Radius curves, (<b><u><span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://phildenmodelrailway.blogspot.com/2023/11/keeping-within-1st-radius.html" target="_blank">see previous post here</a></span></u></b>), I still had to decide how much of my twin IKEA Eket cabinets' length could be taken up by my small model railway. Although I had a total length of 1400 mm to play with, as it is going to sit beneath the staging shelf of my Philden Beach layout, there were a few key issues which led me to sacrifice the layout's length for some added functionality.</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>I'd already promised my wife there would be room for a Grandbuby photo to go on display beside the layout.</li><li>As you can see in the above photo, the throttle cable from the layout above it dangles down at around the 1150 mm mark, and I didn't want it getting in the way or damaging the corner scenery.</li><li>Without leaving 250 mm of space clear, there would be nowhere to put anything down when operating either layouts without placing it directly across the staging tracks above it. Think of the 2nd DCC throttle whenever a friend calls around to run some trains, that cup of coffee or glass of wine your wife hands you when you've got the control throttle in your hand, or a set of operating cards.</li><li>See point one again, because life's just so much better when you keep your spouse happy.</li></ol></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVc6c6w1ns1HrR8QWcToe3wRVGKhf4ellWbh-JxMpOk6_KXqHA9AlYWaGDRUGW-AC-uRR5zjnwzZ-46w8ladfzLhMDT84kFd0yfx98bgWSQJLUC5WCeY0Y6Fceh3fEtZtE8CCZplwVLcd4ZZs1Uls5SYz3NdJOwh5qGYSCMvTbZNdj_pDLYHysOM_aWg/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVc6c6w1ns1HrR8QWcToe3wRVGKhf4ellWbh-JxMpOk6_KXqHA9AlYWaGDRUGW-AC-uRR5zjnwzZ-46w8ladfzLhMDT84kFd0yfx98bgWSQJLUC5WCeY0Y6Fceh3fEtZtE8CCZplwVLcd4ZZs1Uls5SYz3NdJOwh5qGYSCMvTbZNdj_pDLYHysOM_aWg/s320/Bryn%20Nadolig%2018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Once again, I marked a 40 mm buffer from the edge of the layout board to the outside sleepers of the track, and as promised, I traced around each sleeper profile so that you could see the track outline better in the photos.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I'm using flextrack for the long straights at the front and back of the layout, I incorporated a slight wiggle over the 500 mm length before the line met with the next 1st Radius curve. It will provide some interesting modelling opportunities with things such as slate retaining walls and lineside fences, compared to simply leaving it as a straight line.</div><div><br /></div><div>The compact layout leaves me with a final size of 550 mm x 1150 mm. It's the layout's width rather than length that is going to limit what I can do scenery wise, but it does leave me enough space to model a few village buildings to create my Christmas scene, which is the sole purpose of this layout build. I'll just work within the space I have available and be confident in the knowledge that the extra 250 mm of length I had just sacrificed wasn't going to make that much of a difference anyway.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbEiILxy13G6c3XJXtPWnplyNg9km6_aLfHx92EwhR7MwCmMcuoE3FpUeD3Jxjenn23zeLoen2OdLQnDzCw9_bppPHHr_SBmHCzCuMgyXLEnnFRCLFJ1ZjplQ7Ex_Eg4GHBxGhFAZAFPG73m8Fl4ke4ENf8xNl3G6FthKnBSM721MV26GC_z5DUUNOEc/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbEiILxy13G6c3XJXtPWnplyNg9km6_aLfHx92EwhR7MwCmMcuoE3FpUeD3Jxjenn23zeLoen2OdLQnDzCw9_bppPHHr_SBmHCzCuMgyXLEnnFRCLFJ1ZjplQ7Ex_Eg4GHBxGhFAZAFPG73m8Fl4ke4ENf8xNl3G6FthKnBSM721MV26GC_z5DUUNOEc/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2015.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The layout board will now get 50 mm trimmed from both the front and end closest to the decor plant.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As you can see, this isn't a layout for those dreaming of a room size empire! Also, this Christmas layout definitely won't be ready in time for Christmas this year! However, if time does permit between now and the end of the year, I can get to building the framework for the layout board now that I have the dimensions locked in place.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you like what you read, leave me a comment below. Or better still, click on the blue coffee cup to the right and buy me a coffee... <u><span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway</a></span></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047809211437875823.post-63909738224165861982023-11-07T03:04:00.004+10:002023-11-07T08:56:48.439+10:00Keeping within 1st Radius<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcKyA1yESTKDdqgQVkn_rPbpoL9ZZp-perNJUT4QgYAlZ1tZdN1KbYsf_KJTIKholNysr7ZcJ32nuUL1-SRGq5Xt9IWzXUt9s__7ZofaJkzeWgcthYgbP5kBEPRfgrLCVQKnDH2cGFoznXtxbF6octkvnLdWmqEEFmTT2yytxW0tvLqCENs008aR87sQ/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcKyA1yESTKDdqgQVkn_rPbpoL9ZZp-perNJUT4QgYAlZ1tZdN1KbYsf_KJTIKholNysr7ZcJ32nuUL1-SRGq5Xt9IWzXUt9s__7ZofaJkzeWgcthYgbP5kBEPRfgrLCVQKnDH2cGFoznXtxbF6octkvnLdWmqEEFmTT2yytxW0tvLqCENs008aR87sQ/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2010.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">For some modellers the sight of a 600 mm x 1200 mm x 7 mm sheet of plywood isn't going to do much to excite the senses or go too far towards completing the benchwork in your walk around model railway plans. So when the sheet measured only 596 mm wide x 1208 mm long and I was already wondering how much I could trim the board down to and still keep within 1st Radius curves on my new OO9 layout, its fair to say that this series of posts isn't going to be about building a large model railway...</h4><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7rN40spErXmry4eAdkqpV1CrAoQUEFIQ_VXsSTVjF7eYiPOWXDxJRn-zud1dwInQuGCv0qvOBHZLHdksRA7paHymfh1CdppQk3RnqleTRkygsolBHXNz9UEsFDtBXDNc9s1xMVyPvW4nX9A2N9YykhKu755YQ6RqPwMDVELGeXBxU2hlrttUBbbwpU0/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%201.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7rN40spErXmry4eAdkqpV1CrAoQUEFIQ_VXsSTVjF7eYiPOWXDxJRn-zud1dwInQuGCv0qvOBHZLHdksRA7paHymfh1CdppQk3RnqleTRkygsolBHXNz9UEsFDtBXDNc9s1xMVyPvW4nX9A2N9YykhKu755YQ6RqPwMDVELGeXBxU2hlrttUBbbwpU0/s320/Bryn%20Nadolig%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>While my idea isn't to build the smallest layout possible, the space I have available to keep my little model railway on permanent display, is sitting atop a pair of IKEA 700 mm long x 350 mm deep x 800 mm tall EKET display cabinets. These inturn stand beneath the staging shelf portion of my HO Scale shelf layout. And the reason for me to construct this layout using OO9 Scale HOe 9 mm track, is to simply enjoy watching some trains running continual laps of the layout.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPuCjd6zXRQg2K4NcDwulb4dp9GilnHb8M6SC_59NK87r4sDz1oR9p_Q4rVBmy2N_B_YIo7wDE2TP_ZEfuWJtx_h8C2Mo4pQ49OWnXeFt18C7fIhbpe4dtz_nfc6lzMigC2lLFOo1aoAaYmjNlRnDW_fRTYSMjInV6z4ArgTwuWdO6ppKPyQE-8_BaI8/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%207.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPuCjd6zXRQg2K4NcDwulb4dp9GilnHb8M6SC_59NK87r4sDz1oR9p_Q4rVBmy2N_B_YIo7wDE2TP_ZEfuWJtx_h8C2Mo4pQ49OWnXeFt18C7fIhbpe4dtz_nfc6lzMigC2lLFOo1aoAaYmjNlRnDW_fRTYSMjInV6z4ArgTwuWdO6ppKPyQE-8_BaI8/s320/Bryn%20Nadolig%207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The success of any small layout utilizing a loop of track comes down to one thing... being able to accommodate the curvature within the width available. As you can see in the image to the right, to keep the OO9 layout sitting flush with the front of my HO Scale shelf layout, it would need to overhang from the rear of the IKEA display cabinets. With the framework of my shelf layout free-standing 10 mm off the wall behind it, that gave me an availble width of 550 mm to play with.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">So, how much room do you really need for a 1st Radius, 228 mm curve in OO9 Scale?</h4><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOunxmQTLPi3KWk8n24DApaQFizcL1Rz06njcf9FC_FTh0EBzhE80U7IvIB-N-x4QTvoMWKsG9pP_etmFVuSCTbiKHtuMN6Y6da2j1AaKRCI2s7kLYmgRQlsBY1aKSdEdal3uXem3XtDTFAxS0iypVPM6qwr27DJmEVpXn9bCiu8Y-hZy3mMTXa6-uJyA/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%208.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOunxmQTLPi3KWk8n24DApaQFizcL1Rz06njcf9FC_FTh0EBzhE80U7IvIB-N-x4QTvoMWKsG9pP_etmFVuSCTbiKHtuMN6Y6da2j1AaKRCI2s7kLYmgRQlsBY1aKSdEdal3uXem3XtDTFAxS0iypVPM6qwr27DJmEVpXn9bCiu8Y-hZy3mMTXa6-uJyA/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%208.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a 1st Radius curve centred between the minimum recommended layout width of 500 mm. (See pencil lines). This doesn't leave any room to accommodate the overhang from your longest carriage and would leave your models running right along the edge of the layout board.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiZ1lnRKZHfUVYRkdCG-ux2JTCN8ybKoqJQMcWoaJWB5YbRi4rYTZy9Xo1our7yD0iOvj1FypcvNzeswgX_vSmGAx15_qtwb2sqCZshW8eTVmeQjGhrhmDwv5XtIjTJVwOmUhsBNuMpOp5D9Zc8wC1axND43ywMW1rgcxkXLNKUmxh8W-nz1s1EZL3gY/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%209.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiZ1lnRKZHfUVYRkdCG-ux2JTCN8ybKoqJQMcWoaJWB5YbRi4rYTZy9Xo1our7yD0iOvj1FypcvNzeswgX_vSmGAx15_qtwb2sqCZshW8eTVmeQjGhrhmDwv5XtIjTJVwOmUhsBNuMpOp5D9Zc8wC1axND43ywMW1rgcxkXLNKUmxh8W-nz1s1EZL3gY/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%209.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the same 1st Radius curve, only this time centred between a layout width of 550 mm, (see pencil lines). Note how this does accommodate the overhang from the longest carriage while still leaving a 30 mm buffer to the edge of the layout.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://au.blurb.com/b/11224609-model-railway-trackside-tips" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlLp3jDlxNRw4nD_UHiTnSvJbMHgsOTxT85uSVMpxEjpv6PNKL6Si3O_Y3Z9EbyZTzrDj7ZdiZZcPL-h4GO1nW-RBvZu9_NQ_EILQ7YcC7KlgXhf9h3B9vF3G8LuuVnKaB5UW5AJUHEdlF4WQF1o-AAox_Lx4yBcu8QjsluUzABx_NL0nmzT6IiBsghE/s320/modelrailwaytracksidetips399.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>I outlined in my book <u><span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="https://au.blurb.com/b/11224609-model-railway-trackside-tips" target="_blank">Model Railway Trackside Tips</a></span></u> the reasons why it is important to include a minimum 40 mm buffer from the outside of the track to edge of the layout. So being my first time modelling in OO9 Scale, it was a pleasant surprise to discover that the 9 mm HOe gauge track could actually yield a tighter radius (228 mm or 9" inch), than what I would recommend for today's N Scale 9 mm counterpart, (249 mm or 9 3/4" inch).</div><div><br /></div><div>I find that incredible, given that I am able to model scenery and structures in OO 1:76 Scale, within the confines of what has traditionally been considered N 1:160 Scale track curvature.</div><div><br /></div><div>The longest carriage that will see action on my OO9 layout, is a PECO 160 mm long Ffestiniog passenger coach. It is actually longer than my largest Double Fairlie steam locomotive. So a 40 mm buffer from the edge of the sleepers on the track to the edge of the layout, still provides a 30 mm gap as the passenger coach swings around the curve. I can live with that.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J9lo2BnWgmcUnpfvFf6GIYZeKFQkmoSo4Sf7MZX0FGUKSLSPMTCcn1Ee-9QMxe_r8RxyynuGX6acrZqke4iIaJVv25Rote4NIMh1i6ZZRa0UTGgTVboxpHiz0f_cS2t8BLSSQKUPNg0GId4_fWXF_V09OQ0N-RCONsft6g6lUfOhWd3GckeFrXct_3Y/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2012.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J9lo2BnWgmcUnpfvFf6GIYZeKFQkmoSo4Sf7MZX0FGUKSLSPMTCcn1Ee-9QMxe_r8RxyynuGX6acrZqke4iIaJVv25Rote4NIMh1i6ZZRa0UTGgTVboxpHiz0f_cS2t8BLSSQKUPNg0GId4_fWXF_V09OQ0N-RCONsft6g6lUfOhWd3GckeFrXct_3Y/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2012.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next step was to draw the station scene and passing loop on a curve at one end of the layout.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>While for this project I could have been happy to have just modelled a small oval of track running around a Christmas Village scene, I went as far as including a short passing loop as part of the station scene at one end of the layout. There are plenty of examples of these rail height island platforms on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, and it simply allows me to park a short train running in a clockwise direction and release a second train running in an anti-clockwise direction. The simple track plan calls only for a 1 x right hand PST405 set track turnout, 1 x left hand PST406 set track turnout, 2 x PST402 1st Radius Double Curve packs, (enough to make a full circle so that I can trace the track plan), while the missing sections will be modelled using 3 lengths of PSL400 Code 80 irregular flextrack.</div><div><br /></div><div>The station building is the Bachmann Scenecraft Harbour Station Office and Gents building, which is one of three sections they released based on the Ffestiniog's Harbour Station at Porthmadog in Wales. I purchased the ready-made station building, the Ffestiniog passenger coach and both of my sound equipped locomotives along with a book directly online from the <u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://www.festrail.co.uk/shop/" target="_blank">Festrail Shop</a></span></u> at Harbour Station. It is my way of supporting a Welsh heritage railway from the other side of the world. All profits go towards the operation of the <u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://www.festrail.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways</a></span></u>, and their service saw my parcel arrive in Australia within two weeks!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dujNaY0Rbi-O2nEB6EnfUXSJMmJmQeOYkkTy46BnlIpmsrCsaN9TUiCYsA6LmJpOgUBPZRkPlsg_Y047cbhyphenhyphenu1O-KB4YHBN2ziUyRlM4pZt6vFt3IUy0yk1DIYgfaUHyCwcUI96krmtjkxNT-BoKsCiF_t20m-7wOLR7Xjg_nYQIgml-lWP43ViPfoo/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2011.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dujNaY0Rbi-O2nEB6EnfUXSJMmJmQeOYkkTy46BnlIpmsrCsaN9TUiCYsA6LmJpOgUBPZRkPlsg_Y047cbhyphenhyphenu1O-KB4YHBN2ziUyRlM4pZt6vFt3IUy0yk1DIYgfaUHyCwcUI96krmtjkxNT-BoKsCiF_t20m-7wOLR7Xjg_nYQIgml-lWP43ViPfoo/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2011.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once again, using the longest carriage I was able to pencil draw the platform clearances from both the centre of the passenger coach (for the inside clearance), and the end of the same coach (for the outside clearance).</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>With the curved platform, passing loop and station building positioned so that I had optimum viewing angles of the scene, I could then trace around the pencil lines with a fine tipped felt pen, and move onto playing with pencil sketches for the locations of houses, village lanes and rising hills. Not only will this make it easier to see the track plan in future blog posts, but I can use an eraser a thousand times for all my other sketchy ideas, without erasing any of my track plan.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU90_wrhQEqmpBpHjZDa39d3nKqcq0uQLksvyzVaFZSzadTKeeT26d58zMgfVAj8LBjVMsvdYvBri2Az9aEi3ZVL91N1TG75Ik5oMT1GYhB93ssapPV8vxzyj43niD6wnF3naGXf04jPUJgd6DSiY_ZLDio3CHh4Nm89WlFjfynnnAvQXIVv3HYHpLy4w/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2013.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU90_wrhQEqmpBpHjZDa39d3nKqcq0uQLksvyzVaFZSzadTKeeT26d58zMgfVAj8LBjVMsvdYvBri2Az9aEi3ZVL91N1TG75Ik5oMT1GYhB93ssapPV8vxzyj43niD6wnF3naGXf04jPUJgd6DSiY_ZLDio3CHh4Nm89WlFjfynnnAvQXIVv3HYHpLy4w/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2013.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's no need to trace each sleeper with a felt-tip pen! I'm just doing this so that you can see the track outline better in my future blog posts.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8i9PCEIkGaMWHnbz-yy3OU2Zbp9_r4UcYcpMH19-TRI2Oi0niJC0W2jAJmOwQwk7KRVFiTHdWcK3bi5N8KR5XQe7RmD5r1iSDiPienja6iYUcMSxeQbM0gkENuZMPmRwfBaF_irEQqGV3CuXvFXWBksHMa-2jNLJx0ibDHnY-i6HEdLWmEQVxf7xj3s/s640/Bryn%20Nadolig%2014.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8i9PCEIkGaMWHnbz-yy3OU2Zbp9_r4UcYcpMH19-TRI2Oi0niJC0W2jAJmOwQwk7KRVFiTHdWcK3bi5N8KR5XQe7RmD5r1iSDiPienja6iYUcMSxeQbM0gkENuZMPmRwfBaF_irEQqGV3CuXvFXWBksHMa-2jNLJx0ibDHnY-i6HEdLWmEQVxf7xj3s/s16000/Bryn%20Nadolig%2014.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And there you have it. You'll now be able to see my track configuration better across my next updates.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>So there you have it. I'm up, up and away and now tasked with making this Christmas scene as interesting a story as possible, all while keeping within 1st Radius curves. 550 mm wide by.... umm, something long. I guess you'll have to tune in next time to find out.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you like what you read, leave me a comment below. Or better still, click on the blue coffee cup to the right and buy me a coffee... <u><span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway</a></span></u></div><div><br /></div><div>Over the coming weeks I'm going to start transferring some premium model railway pictures over onto that platform as a way of helping put myself through full-time study next year, (it's either that or starting an OnlyFans channel...) So I sure appreciate any support, be it through purchasing one of my books or browsing my eBay fundraiser. Until next time...</div><div><br /></div><div>See also; <u><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/phildenmodelrailway" target="_blank">Narrowing my modelling projects</a></span></u></div><div><br /></div>Phillip Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04990609007154024839noreply@blogger.com0