NMRA AR - Division 1. Bus Trip Southern Downs.

Saturday 12^th and Sunday 13^th of October 2022, approximately 33 members with partners had weekend on the Southern Downs around Warwick. The first port of call was at Ballandean to visit a couple of wineries and lunch.

I have driven through the town many times, I feel the Post Office building would be a great model on the layout in a small country town.

Postmaster house at the rear of the building ??

Post Office in 1996.

The Station and Goods Shed are still in town, but have move closer to the highway.  In my photo albums I have a few photos of the building from the 1996’s when a regular shunt ran to Wallangarra. Staff had been withdrawn for some time, most the structures were still in place. 

 The station is similar to the one I have on the layout at Wyandra on the layout. 

Westgate - South Western Rail: August 2020 (westgateswr.blogspot.com)

A plan, more photos and an article on the Goods Shed can be found Australian Model Railway Magazine.  May/June 1975 Issue 72. 

ARHS Winelander

A few trains in the area, mid 1990's.

Devils Elbow just to the south.

Mid-afternoon leaving Ballandean for Warwick the bus ride became was much better, some 32 carton of wine have been added to the luggage compartments.

Around 4 Pm it was down to the Warwick Railway Station to meet up members of the Warwick Model Railway Club for a dinner train trip to Clifton.

A few photos of the Warwick Railway Precinct taken a couple of weeks earlier when returning from the Armidale convention. 

The train was hauled by DH 45 with 5 Davison Cars. The train was full to capacity and all three pubs in Clifton were booked out by the tour. 

The train tour was run by the "Southern Downs Steam Railway" 

Downs Explorer | Heritage Railway Experiences

A couple of photos of Clifton station in 1996.

Sunday morning it was down to the Warwick Railway Precinct for breakfast hosted by the Warwick Model Railway Club (Southern Downs Steam Railway Model Train Association Inc). They were very happy campers, and announced that their grant for a new club building (12m x 10m) had been approved. After breakfast it was time for a look around the place. The group was split into two, one checking out the Warwick MR Club rooms and the other Southern Downs Steam Railway.

First up for me was down the club house. 

  

After a cuppa, it was time to check out Southern Downs Steam Railway depot.

The L/H bay is used by Westco for servicing there locomotives.

Cottonvale Station

C 17 971 in for repairs, wheels to be turned. 

WW water wagon.

Former Mackay Harbor Bulk Sugar Terminal Shunter. Com–Eng built in 1958 

DownsSteam Toowoomba Tassy Railcar in for modification, "Out of Gauge" for the QR network. 

Watco Australia lease part of the deport to service their locos 

Enjoy, a great weekend.  

Back to modelling next month with some new rollingstock.

Arthur H.