Merry Christmas

Hi All

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Remember to drive carefully throughout the year!

How to double your space

Today, Craig came over to see my layout first hand. After seeing his layout it really inspired me to get away from that flat plywood look. Pondering in the shed on what to do, I noticed my shelving which is 40cm under my layout which is where I store my wagons, I arrived to the idea of using this area as staging! This would free-up valuable space on the otherside of 'Myrtle' rather than be full of track and parked 'staged' wagons. Problem was how to get to the normal layout height from 40 cms below. This would required at least a 4% grade!

Craig suggested to take a T class and create a 4% grade. To my surprise, the T started to wheel-slip with about 10 wagons and a 'good' load on the short track we mocked up. Then it hit me - why don't I use the space under the whole layout and gradually climb the 40cms - this would reduce my gradient to about 2% and under, as well as give me extra mainline running ! So this is the current plan, to use the space under the main board to stage as well as climb to the top of the layout. Off course, this means the lawn-mover will need to have the handles put down and me bending over alot lower to enter and exit the shed. Well let's see how this turns out....

Craig's Shed - Visit

I had the previlige to visit Craig's shed on the weekend and was astounded to find a club size layout in his shed! The one thing that I was really impressed with was the amount of thought that went into the layout - and this is not the track plan, but rather how the baseboard/s were created to demonstrate gradients, curves, and overall operation. Off course the track plan was also well thought out and I became easily lost finding my way from Cassino to Acacia Ridge. Anyone's dream layout! I also was kindly allowed to video some of the layout and here is some action at 'Cassino'!



Cheers
Shelton.

Another Video of the real stuff :)

Another interest

I have started to do what I use to do days gone by - trainspotting! With the advancement in camera/video technology, this has given me huge motivation to video trains. So, being spring/summer I thought best to use these seasons for some photography and today I happen to capture my first train.

The below video shows two LDPs on an Interail service to Melbourne I think. These two locos were hooked up and idling at Acacia Ridge since at least 1500 local time. They were supposed to depart yesterday Sat 30 Oct at 1520 Local, but a visit to Acacia Ridge (AR) today saw them ready for departure. I quickly setup my camera and took this footage. LDPs only unfortuately - no CLPs or CLFs - but who knows maybe one day I may get lucky and 'catch' something out of the ordinary :)

Cheers!

Another Video and Some Photos

Here is another video of the layout and some photos. Hope you like them.

Small Video from my new Video Cam

Here is a small video from my new video camera, including post production.  Hope you like it.