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Season greeting to all.

Wanko SWR

Wanko SWR

 

NSWR Network on the SWR is a single track main line with two stations with crossing loops.

 One station, “Winbin” is hidden and is used to store a train out of sight.  This station is at the bottom of a 1 in 50 grade to allow the QR network to go over the top.

 Wanko is the divisional headquarters of the NSWR network. The station yard is down one end of the layout with the sidings wrapping around both sides. The yard consists of the main line with a station platform, a dock platform suitable for connecting rail motor service. The crossing loop extends on both ends, the northern end extends to the grain terminal as Grain Road #1. The terminal has two sidings which includes a location for the company locomotive. It has a separate controller and can be used as a shunting puzzle to reverse the train. The silos are scratch built along with the weight bridge and inspection platform. The inspection platform was modelled off photos taken at Warwick.

 Beside the crossing loop is two sidings which also extend both ends, one siding runs into the grain terminal as Grain Road # 2 and is the loading road. Cross overs connect both roads. The other end become an industrial branch serving a “Shell” depot and a transport depot on one side. On the other side is a tranship siding with a cattle transfer race, a tranship shed, overhead travelling crane, and a loading bank for wheeled vehicles. The section of track beside the loop is used as a head shunt or a transfer road to get engines from one end to the other. The loop can be used for this traffic if required.

 The tranship road becomes the second road beside the loop and is used for “hold backs”. The grain terminal end of the siding becomes a loco road to store three locos.  A small coal stage is located on the siding, which was scratch built. Points on this end of the yard are operated by a Modratec lever frame using wire in the tube method.    

 The main station building is a kit with an added “out off” room on one end and a platform awning on the dock end. The shopping centre is a mix of kits and scratch build.  

 All track is Peco code 100, main line loop points are # 8, points leading to siding are # 6, and # 4 for sidings. If I was building a new layout the # 4 would be # 6’s. Main line points have Peco point motors, operated by push buttons on the control panel. Siding points are controlled by slide switches with wire in a tube. The DC system has two cabs allowing for main line running with the second cab for shunting in the yard.     

Up to seven trains can operate on the network. Two can be shunting trains for the tranship sidings, one running with the other in the sidings. Crossing Loops hold equal to about 45 x 4 wheeled wagons.

 Rollingstock can cover various eras, all steam, mix of steam and diesel, or a all diesel era. Various train sets operate on the network which includes a container train, steel train, grain train and general goods trains. Rollingstock available allows for changes to be made to each set from time to time. A selection of passenger cars allows for various passenger trains to be made up when needed. Rollingstock is a mix of RTR, kits and scratch build.

Currently an all steam era is running with loco 6026 hauling a goods train of 45 four wheels and a van. This is a set train and stows in the loop at Winbin. Loco 3313 in a highly polished state is working a rail motor passenger replacement service with two cars, this train stables in the dock. Loco 3813 is rostered on the express fruit train. This train is placed in the tranship shed after the departure of wagons from the crane. Loco 3649 is working the grain train. Extra grain wagons are in the hold back road which are cut in or out from time to time. Loco 5271 is the shunt engine and worked an extra goods train made up with wagons from the tranship road and other sidings. As much as possible, locos 3813, 3649 and 5271 work to and from the loco road.    

    Overview of Wanko. Shell depot and Transport Depot out of view bottom L/H Corner

 

Transport Depot, model from photos of the CRT depot at Acacia Ridge.

 

Shell depot is free lance to fit the location

 

 Tranship side bank for wheeled vehicles

 Travelling crane for Transhipping NSWR to QR

Transhipping shed modelled on Hospital Shed at Clapham

 

Cattle transfer race

 

Current roster of Locomotives on the NSWR

 

 

Loco Road

 

Grain Terminal

 

Overview of the Northern side of the yard.

 

Overview of Station and Town

 

Modratec Lever Frame for controlling points around the Grain Terminal

8 wheeled Timber Framed Wagons

UW Water Wagon

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

 SML Motor Vehicle Wagon

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

 



 SJ Molasses Wagon

Scratch build using styrene for the frame, Acrylic Rod for the tank.

Caintode Flats Bogies

SJ Molasses Wagon

Scratch build using styrene for the frame, Acrylic Rod for the tank.

Caintode Flats Bogies

UWP Weed Spray Wagon

Scratch build using styrene for the frame, Acrylic Rod for the tank.

Caintode Flats Bogies

U Weed Spray Wagon

Scratch build using styrene for the frame, Acrylic Rod for the tank.

Caintode Flats Bogies

U Weed Spray Wagon

Scratch build using styrene for the frame, Acrylic Rod for the tank.

Caintode Flats Bogies

C class Box Wagon

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

 

C class Camp Wagon

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

KKB Cattle Guards Van with Drover compartment.

PGC Kit.

 

CL Passenger Car

Scratch build using styrene

Far North Hobbies Bogies

BC Baggage Car

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

 

PH Platform Wagon

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

P Platform Wagon

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

SMS  Motor Vehicle Wagon

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

 

C class Box Wagon

Caintode Flats Kit

 SBC Bulk Cement Wagon

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

SML  Motor Vehicle Wagon

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

30' S Timber Wagon with Bond Wood Hut load.

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

26' S Timber Wagon with Bridge girder load.

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

26' S Timber Wagon with sawn timber load.

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

32' S Timber Wagon with log load.

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

SML  Motor Vehicle Wagon

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

SMS  Motor Vehicle Wagon

Scratch build using styrene

Caintode Flats Bogies

Scratch built coupler box and lead for platform wagons.

 

Static Grass

Static Grass

 

When visiting the Toowoomba Model Railway Exhibition back in June, I visited the Modellers Warehouse stand. Dave was selling static grass applicators and 2 packs of grass as a show special for $ 80.00. Static grass has been around for years, I’m just a little slow on the uptake. I guess the cost of the applicator to date had a bit to do with also. The Wacol CEO was with me and indicated he would go halves with me and we could share the device.

 

Some months later the purchase was still in the plastic bag sitting on the book case unopened. At the “Model Railways of a Day” a few weeks ago I attended Dave’s presentation on Static Grass, he made it look so simple. It was great to see the various steps demonstrated. A couple of weeks back I attended the Gold Coast Model Railway Show and had to confess to Dave that nothing had be done. In looking around the stand I purchased another packet of grass.

 

Currently I’m doing some alterations to the Wyandra area of the layout and there is a small block of land near the station that could do with some refreshing.  It’s time for me to learn a new skill and attempt applying static grass. The surrounding area not requiring grass was covered with newspaper before starting. With the instructions read and understood, it was time to start. Ground Up Scenery products were used. First the Oliver (3 mm) a dark green was applied, later in the day the Dead Grass (3mm) as added, and finally the Summer Blend (5 mm) was applied and let dry. The scenery director was called and the job passed with flying colours. The area is different to others grass lands near by which adds verity to the layout.

A new fence was added, a gate was scratch built for wire, a “Rail in Scale” bill board was cut down and shorten so it wouldn’t over power the area, and some finishing scenery effects was placed at various points. The grass looked that good a cow was added under the tree.

 

Yet again another new skill was learnt, what a great hobby.  I guess I put it off in fear that I would muck it up, when I should have been done long before I did. Seeing the demo at the convention also helped heaps.

Wyandra. SWR

Wyandra

Wyandra is the other station on the QR narrow gauge network on the SWR. A few years back when you could travel by train from Charleville to Cunnamulla on the Westlander, the first stop for safeworking (Staff & Ticket System before 1980’s) was Westgate, the junction station for the Quilpie Line. Travelling 77 kilometres south towards Cunnamulla is Wyandra. The crossing loop is a shorty at 39 units. Wyandra on the SWR is nothing like the real one between Charleville and Cunnamulla.   

SWR Wyandra is a basic crossing station with a couple of sidings for operations. Station platform is located on the Main Line and a Loop Line is available for crossing trains. Off the loop line is a run through siding with a side loading bank at one end. The other end can be used for grain traffic or general freight. Running off the Main Line is a siding serving a standard Goods Shed with a crane and a sawmill. On the station end of the siding is a short dead end that can be used for visiting camp wagons.

The loop points were laid on the curve for two reason, one was to have a yard that was not all straight track. The other season was to give a longer sidings with curves.  The photo below gives an overview of the station.

 

Wyandra looking west showing the various sidings.

Wyandra is an area on the layout that was not completed to the standard I was looking for, it looked completed. I used what I had or had been given many years ago. Plus, I wanted to use it before I finished it off completely. As built the station platform was a shorty, it could accommodate two carriages.  That was OK for rail motors, but with the increase in passenger number, and with more engine and car working, a longer platform was required.

Each year after holidays with the rollingstock still packed away I spend time refreshing, cleaning, dusting, cleaning track, and vacuuming the layout. It’s a plan to have the next 12 months with trouble free operations. I also use the time to make any alterations or repairs needed.   

This year I decided to extend the platform. Plus during operations the short dead end could be a little on the short side, often wagons were foul of the crossover. Yes, it add more to the operations session, but I do not want to make it to hard for new comers.  You can always add wagons if you wish to make it tougher at a later date.

 

 

With the short platform, two or three stops were required for passenger on trains worked by engine and cars.  

Less than ideal, poor customer service.  Plus, it shoots holes in the Time Table.

Many stations with low level platforms also have a short length of high platform. This feature doubles as a side and end ramp for unloading vehicles. Another use is loading/unloading small consignments of livestock, horses etc. The local grazier drops the door on the wagon and leads this animals to his truck. This quicker than shunting the wagon off the train, plus their is less down time for the wagon being out of traffic.  

The extend platform now bring the Guard’s Van on stopping trains to the clearance point for the Loop Line.

The vehicles parked at the station are new from Road Ragers Cooee Classics Models   

R.029 1958 FC Taxi Yellow Cab

R.030 1961 EK Special Sedan Twiligth Turquoise               

R.034 EH Premier Sedan Kalgoorlie Gold / White two-tone. 

Platform lights were added to bring the scene to life. These were scratch built using K & S 1 mm brass tube, Grandt Line shades and the lights are from DCC concepts (protowhite Nano LED-NLPW). 

A light pole was also added near the rail ambulance shed to make life much safer for the ambo’s at night.

  The Goods Shed is scratch build from styrene with foil CGI added. The crane is a Peter Boorman’s Workshop NSWR brass etch.

The sawmill is scratch build largely based on Grandchester, the steam boiler is Uneek # 472 and twin steam machine is also Uneek # 475. The derrick is a VR 6 t yard crane that came from The Buffer Stop.   

Loading VJMG grain wagons with scratch build grain augers.

Construction of the Grain Augers can be found in the NMRA MainLine Magazine Vol 33. No 5. November – December 2016 issue. http://nmra.org.au/mainline/index2015.html

On the Loop Line side of the yard there is a single man quarters for visiting Track Inspector and a Trolley Shed for the local fettering gang.

The standard gauge sidings for loading NSWR grain wagons is part of the Wanko standard gauge yard. The next part of the project is to add a new station building. I’m looking for something like Landsborough or Yandina without the cabin attached with an outside entrance into the waiting room. Will look through a few photos to see what I can find out in the SWD. Maybe Chinchilla, Miles, Mitchell, Morven may fit the bill, Oakey is something different and is still there for some photos ?????

The station is used in two operations plans using a switch list type of arrangements with a fast clock. The station can be attended with a Station Master on duty or as many were on the QR as an unattended station in accordance with QR Rules 229& 442. In short, the Guard of the first train to arrive become the Office in Charge until his train leaves. May be more on that at a later post.

Till next time, happy modelling.