Spring time modelling begins!

It's been some time since my last post and even longer since I did any work on the layout, I've just had too many other things to get done, plus it's been cold over winter.
But spring is here and it's time to get crackin'

One thing that had stalled my layout progress was needing some extra track to finalise the trackplan, catchpoints specifically.
I had ordered these from the UK, as the local outlet here in Sydney had recently put them up in price,shame.

I got 3 left hand sets, as per the Cronulla track set-up.

I have pondered the other things that will need to be done, like scenery, ballast..etc, but I've got to get the trackwork sorted before the plaster comes out!

MORTDALE CLUB

I recently revisited the AMRA over at Mortdale one friday night,  not sure if it was structured running or not, but I turned up with my Roco HO Munich S-Bahn sets(blue & orange).

There were a few guys running NSW freight and the club president appeared to be running NSW steam locos.

Unfortunately, neither of my S-bahn sets responded when put on the track, at all.

I checked the switch for the overhead/track power, but still no?

I have had the sets for about 15years but had'nt run them for a while, but they run flawlessly, I know they do, like all Roco. 

Strange stuff....I still need to retest them here at home, I'm sure their fine.

Anyway here is some of the pics I took, many of the last ones are of the clubs "N scale" layout which is largely finished minus some detail still to be added....

One of my "stabled" S-Bahn's

Some of the NSW freight workings..

N scale

Large layout with sweeping curves, based on North-western NSW if I remember correctly..

Honey, I'm home!

Bee right there...

Nice detail for such a large N scale layout.

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Modelling Diorama tips

It seems that there are an increasing number of people wanting to get into modelling (model kit and diorama building) these days. Most of these are people that built kits years ago and some are first-timers. Their skills may be rusty or non-existent. We would like to assist you with helpful suggestions on building, painting and detailing.

  Many models, even cars, can be put into a simple diorama setting adding a new dimension to your modelling skills by adding a story. For example, you just finished a car model and you put it on your shelf. Nice. Now picture it sitting on a piece of thin wood painted in a tarmac or concrete colour, paint in 2 yellow lines and you have a parking lot. This sets the car off nicely, and it was simple to do.

You could just as easily make a roadway base. Add some Woodland Scenics dirt and grass and you have a country road.

This idea of putting your models into scenes is where modelling and trains (building model railway layouts) meet. Both use the same materials and skills. A model train layout is basically just a big diorama, just a little more work & imagination.

    As a hobby shop host for our guests, it is not only our responsibility to provide the materials the modeller needs but to provide the knowledge on how to create the effect they are looking for. There are the basic techniques and materials that are commercially available but we have found over the years that many modellers have found other ways to create using different ideas, many of which have nothing to do with traditional modelling.

   We invite any modeller that has different ideas and/or techniques to share this with other modellers by emailing your idea or YouTube video so we can post it with your name (if you wish). We also invite train modellers to share what the have discovered over the years. The more knowledge you have, the more enjoyable modelling is.

~~This post is by Al B. at our South store. He has been doing various model and diorama builds for over 30 years. This blog is his opinion on how he views modelling.

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