Moree 2012

The Moree Show was on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of April. We headed down on Friday morning and arrived in the afternoon. On the way we did stop at Boggabilla and took a few happy snaps. Setup went fine we had a good spot in the hall and were able to setup with the rear of the layout  (the short blank end) against  the wall. That gave us room beside to setup our table for some modelling if time allowed. 

The other layouts were well into setup or finished when we had. A-Tracktive effort, Kyogle, Swan Vale, Jembaicumbene, and a Thomas U-drive for the kids. A good range of layouts for this first show at Moree. I did wonder how much of a crowd would be present come opening time. At about morning tea time things did pickup, in fact I thought the number of people through the hall over the weekend was pretty solid, certainly more than I expected, especially on the Sunday.  

The weekend went pretty well. I do need to get some more track down before the next show, and I'd like a couple more of the planned buildings in place. During the weekend we had a bit of discussion about 'where to' from here, and just what adjustments to planning need to be made before T'ba. It was good to bounce ideas about whilst running the trains about, kept us busy that's for sure!

The New England Club certainly made us feel welcome over the weekend, with breakfast and lunch provided, and bottomless coffee and tea as well. So thanks to all of those involved for making it an enjoyable and friendly weekend.

I will put a plug in here to for the New England Convention on again this year on the 17th-18th of November in Armidale. They've organised a great list of topics and demos for the weekend, I wouldn't miss it.


  It's taken a few days to unpack and get things away since arriving home from Moree. Darren, Brendan and I stayed till Monday morning rather than heading back after the packup on Sunday night. Then a couple more days to upload the photos, and some clips. I do need to improve the camera work, believe me these are the best of the clips I took, gives you a bit of an idea anyway. Click on this link to have a look, 


            http://www.youtube.com/user/sprfr8r

At the few country shows I've been to there is definitely some great people out there who love to share their personal experiences with the railways with you. I met a couple who grew up not far from the line at Premer, and they shared some stories of visiting the Station Masters home, and having to take off their shoes before entering. As a child this guy could not understand why he had to take his shoes off, as the only room in the house that didn't have dirt floors was the kitchen. Things you learn!

So thanks to Darren and Brendan for their company, patience and friendship. What a hoot of a weekend! Can't wait till Toowoomba in June. To Warren, Don and everyone else responsible for the Morree Show, thanks we had a great time, and look forward to the next one! 

Oorroo! Geoff.

Five days to Moree!

This photo of the Moree yard from  I.A.Dunn's collection (with all due thanks for this photo being available) I found whilst surfing the net awhile back. I'd spotted this photo in print in Ron Preston's book 'Day of the Goods Train', since then it has been one of my favourites. It is taken around 1900 a period long lost to all of us who are alive now. The scene is alive with everyday events of the time, something you have to try to imagine if you model that period. It is the perfect photo for the start of this post. The Moree yard is probably (;-)) just a little different now. It might be worth trying to see just where it was taken from.


The time has come, the Show is almost here, the last minute list of jobs are being completed. If you know me you'll know that I'll be trying to do just a bit more before we arrive,and then at the same time kick myself that I didn't organise myself better when I first found out about that we would be going.

Darren and Brendan are great company, and these shows are a great excuse for us to get together. I enjoy attending Shows especially the chats with the general public. The knowledge that is out there for us to learn from is fantastic, and a bit of fun also.

Now I've gotta head back out, do a bit more. The New England Club runs a great show, so if you're down that way next weekend, please drop in I'm sure It'll be a hoot!

Oorroo, Geoff. 

SSC layout track plan... so far

The Blog lists I follow are all about the passing on of information. A new part of that for the Blog writers is the ability to look at the 'stats' of the blog you write. So to satisfy the blog readers out there who've been searching for my home layout plan, here they are.

 The first drawing of the layout was all about trying to get some of the basic ideas of the layout on paper. I wanted to create a layout that didn't have me working for years and not seeing much progress. The way to solve that was to have as small a layout as possible whilst still meeting the other requirements of the plan. In no particular order:

• I wanted something easy to transport that included the loading/unloading and setup of the layout, to be comfortable for two people.
• Layout needed to have some interest on each side for operators and the viewing public.
• The rail system to be 'in' the environment not 'on' it
• The viewing to be on at least two sides, but ultimately three sides.
• The track plan to be simple and still enable the operators to have some fun.
• The layout to be single track Branch line of the 'pioneer' style (that being simple basic structures and equipment).
• The track work to be hand laid and follow NSWGR concepts.
• The operation of points to be mechanical to stop any possible 'wiring' issues ( K.I.S.S.)
• The area of the layouts environment to be wet, not dry, heavily vegetated, not sparsely.
• The layout to be DCC
• The layout to eventually be steam era, and early years also. As the kits and scratch built projects are completed.

The first plan was the initial concept plan, without any restraints like radius size, siding length, turnout size or actual angle of track divergence. The second one has had some extra thought put in. Rather than just the ramblings of someone whilst drinking T'ba coffee. There is also some extra thought as to names and history of the second plan. There is also some thought as to it's reason for being there, the town names, how they began, founding people, you get the idea.

The next two are really to enable me to explain to H just what I was trying to do. I wanted to illustrate how the modules would look, how the landscape would change. I also wanted to record the ideas that I'd had because they change over time and it is great to look back and see just where it started. 

I do struggle with sketching, but at least you get the idea. You can see the name also, spotted out on the road heading to the New England Model Railway Club's Ebor Convention years ago now, was it 2006? I'm sure someone will let me know! There is talk of another on e this year in Armidale, would be great if that one goes ahead, wouldn't miss it!

From all the drawings one thing is clear, that the initial idea has stayed pretty well the same all the way along. There has been some changing of some of the sidings use and the landscape has had to change the way the track worked it's way through the scene.
Thats probably enough for this post and should keep the blog searchers happy.
have a good week,
Oorroo,
Geoff. 

Shrubbery

Things of a leafy nature are on the job list at the moment. I've sprayed some roots from one of my unsuccessful plantings in a couple of tones of grey and a bit of brown. A while back I purchased some gear from 'Treemendus' in the UK ( on my suppliers list) just to give them a go. I particularly like a product that they supply that is actually used in wig making. They suggest it as useful for fine branches, bushes and the like. So I gave it a go.

 Please excuse the poor photography, I was in a bit of a rush, you know squeezing  the modelling between other events of the day. The photo below shows my new hair... well maybe a lighter shade would be better. All I did was spray the roots with a matt adhesive spray then I cut off a piece of wig about 25mm long and teased it out. I put it on the roots, then gave it another spray then on with some ground foams.

 I don't mind how they came up, as some scrubby overgrown stuff they seem ok. I do need to trim them up and tease them out a little. I'll leave them to dry tonight and then give them a touch up tomorrow. I like the wig, might have to try some on some trees next!

Happy Easter, Oorroo!

Geoff.

Just a couple of weeks to Moree!

A while back I mentioned that there was a show being presented by the New England Model Railway Club in Moree. The Show will be held over the weekend of  the 21st & 22nd of April, yep just twenty days to go.
Darren and I were at the last show held by the NEMRC at Inverell, with Darren's layout 'More'. We had a great time, everyone mixed so well, and we were well taken care of. The layouts were excellent, a top weekend. 
So with the Moree show arriving so quickly I suppose I'm getting a little excited and inquisitive. Just what layouts will be there? What shops? Will many make the trip? Will I be able to park the trailer? You know all the important questions.
If you're planning on going, let me know and we'll look out for you. Darren, Brendan and myself will be there...can't wait.