The Philden Model Railway Blog

Coffs Harbour Railway Station. September 2024. Sometimes a modeler's hobby and personal life come together in a full circle moment. For myself, another holiday in Coffs Harbour has come and gone, and while I never meant to grow old, age has quietly crept up on me. You see, this visit marked almost 30 years since my wife, and I first ventured to Coffs Harbour on a family holiday shortly after welcoming our first child back in 1995. Despite returning 10 years later with 2 children in tow, (pictured left), and again in 2007, 2009, 2014 and 2018, heading back for the first time as empty nesters to a place that has long been synonymous with being a happy family holiday destination, took on a different feel. After those initial family holidays became the catalyst for my venture into modelling Australian HO scale outline, it felt like I'd arrived at a full circle moment. Look at the top photo taken in September 2024, and you will see the fenced off expanse of grass which is all that r