V/Line VOHX

This wagon is modified from one of the Powerline ELX "family", this time from an RKUX to one of the later VOHX variants with AMK log bunks in the I-girder style. Loading is removable.

V/Line VQOX

This is modified from a Powerline RKBX with a modified Infront Models tautliner container. Infront supply a prototypically correct rubber strip to place at the upper edge of the tautliner, but in retrospect I didn't do so well with it and would use thin strip styrene next time.

V/Line VFHX

VFHX (ex-VFNX Prairie) is modified from SEM's SFX with AMK ex-Tasmania style log bunks. I wanted the loads to be removable so train can be run loaded and empty, this was tricky but less than expected.

BHP Whyalla DE (G12, Modified though unrebuilt)

For one of BHP Whyalla's DE's in their last days before rebuilding or sale, I used Auscisions' T413 as a base with modifications including cab roof extensions, footplate reduction, new pilots and stairwells, exhaust silencer and airconditioner, new handrails and decaling and myriad smaller details. Two pictures here and also (for fun) a comparative of this model with other G8/G12 derivatives, and one fiction narrow gauge type (far left).

ETSA MDH 6whl Shunter

 

A HO scale model of the ETSA's MDH shunter as used by them for the (now demolished) Power Station at Port Augusta built using Comrail Models' 3D Prototyped body and a Hollywood Foundry mechanism with detailing as can be seen in part in the "in build" picture. I have packed quite a bit of weight into the spare spaces and this loco both runs and pulls very well.

Bendigo Rail Models P Class - Detailing

Bendigo Rail Models' (Auscision) V/Line P Class detailed through mostly paint-detailing, weathering and adding a more realistic crew.

MLM&R (Abt Railway) Tasmania O Class coaches, 4mm scale

Two coaches scratchbuilt in 4mm scale from my own masters then castings running on Steam Era Models bogies. these were built for an exhibition celebrating the railway in Queenstown Tasmania and donated to same. Styrene and wire detailing and "Hornby" type couplers to match the stock on the exhibition layout.

BHP Whyalla Bogie Ore Wagons

 

Ore bogie wagon has a Tichy Trains kit as its base with Styrene overlay, styrene and wire detailing and Steam Era Models bogies. This produces a slightly short but credible model of BHP Whyalla's wagons.

BHP Whyalla MKA Rebuilt DE Class

HO scale model of one of Morrison-Knudsen's rebuilds of BHP Whyalla railways DE Class. Chassis is a quite modified BRM VR T Class, body is primarily a CAD/Rapid Prototyped shell with styrene and brass detailing. Decals were own design, produced by Signs of All Kinds in SA.

North West Railway (India / Pakistan) C Van

A standard Indian (later Pakistan) railways C van in HO scale, this one intended for the North West Railway. Construction is styrene sheet for the van walls with a modified Steam Era Models (SEM) U van roof, and a modified SEM Z van chassis. Detailing is in strip styrene (I didn't worry about the many many rivets this time!) with the ribbing formed with sectioned U channel bent to shape. Buffers and brake ratchet also from SEM. the van remains in brown gloss as I haven't yet decided on the lettering, so dullcote and weathering awaits decals.

Some Visitors

My "Glenburn" layout has been fortunate to host some different runnings often for modellers who don't have their own layout at this time. I may add in more pictures as these events occur.

"Glenburn" hosted Phil Dunn's exquisite Micro Metakit model of a Bavarian S1 which other than the wheel arrangement and detailing is surprisingly close in many of the main dimensions to the VR's V Class.

Below are some pictures showing NSW rolling stock either built by or owned by Grant Djung:

 Showing Victoria and NSW's different approaches to the same task.

 A few 1970s cars and Grant's Weico Sydney Bus (must find out what sort it is) change Faith Street to somewhere more recent and quite a bit North

Grant's C35 and some nicely loaded and weathered NSW 4 wheelers

I deliberately kept the Down running line through "Glenburn" with a more generous loading gauge through the platform to allow larger rolling stock to run. Here, Grant's AD60 is seen "wrong line" so as to fit on the layout. The below-solebar bracing etc. for some of the Sydney Single Deckers didn't allow them to transit quite so well...

V/Line VOFX Superphosphate Open

The VOFX is built up from an AMK Engineering kit (with Steam Era Models bogies) and added detail - handrails, additional fine tarp rope railings, brake chain and motion, air hoses, tarp and card tarp supports, decals and Kadee #58 couplers. Other than that it's a pretty standard build of the kit. I have included some pictures below showing the progression of the build.

 Showing the added tarp rope railings per several VOFXs seen on Shepparton-Scoones Siding (Kyabram) traffic in the late 1990s.

 Showing card formers cut out to the shape of the "lower" style of tarp support gear.

 Tarp formed and printed from PC drawing of same and weathered with wagon again in accordance of VOFX's seen in teh Shepparton area as mentioned above.

 Brake end.

Non-brake end.

New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad EF-1

This New Haven Railroad EF-1 is a brass model dating from c.1968 which was purchased in the condition shown in first two pictures above. After a fix/repaint/re-decal, it has come up quite well given the model’s age. Paint was Scalecoat Pullman Green for the body, and a mix of sprayed and acrylic black for the roof and chassis. Decals are an excellent new product by Model Memories, lenses are by MV, and the body has a finishing coat of Dullcoat.

For the layout pictures I set the loco up with the closest Victorian Railways wagons I had, however while the first was a VR version of a US pattern, they don't suit as well as a "proper" US rake would.
I had intended to give the EF-1 an occasional run on my layout "Glenburn" however sadly the layout shots show why I may well have to sell it - The pantographs exert too much pressure on the catenary leading to slippage and wire tangling, and running without pantos up just isn’t much chop. I don't want to mess with the springs or replace the pantographs as that will affect the integrity of the model. It has nonetheless been an enjoyable restoration of what to me is an attractive prototype.