Rain Rain Rain and an Op Session

For the last three days, it has been raining incessantly.  We must have received about 100mm+ over that period.  Unfortunately, a visit to the shed today revealed the ply at some sections of the layout had absorbed water and buckled.  Spent most of the day fixing those sections.  Don't know why I layed down 3mm ply. It seems to absorb the moisture like a sponge.  Good thing is I had the time to fix most of it.

Also spent the last two days decaling some wagons.  Still have a few GYs to do and the cattle and sheep stock.

Friday 18th Jan, I had my first operating session with another VR modeller.  We had approximately four hours to run to a schedule.  We didn't have time to complete all movements, but did have alot of fun!

A few enhancements and ideas came out of the session.  Some photos (in no particular order)
We did run the Dimmy pass and since we don't have a Walker Rail motor, ran a T Class loco hauled pass for the branch line service.

Thanks to Anthony for provding the extra motive power and rolling-stock.  Looking forward to the next one.

Dear Diary

Dear Diary,

Wednesday Dec 4 1974

Decided to spend the afternoon train-spotting and photographing near the station.

The first observation was the Fast Goods ex Melbourne, usually with BMX and BP vans, was seen arriving at Dimboola with VLX vans at about 13:30 hours.  This train usually conveys Newsprint.

No. 142 Goods from Dimboola to Ararat was seen departing late, headed by a B Class.  This train left from what they call "siding A"

At approximately 15:00 hrs No. 36, which is the Fast Goods ex Dimboola, was seen departing.

About a hour later, a single T Class loco was seen running No. 164 Goods, ex Serviceton to Ararat with shunting at Dimboola.  The resident Y class shunter had an engine failure and a T was seen on shunting duties.

An ad-hoc movement, but not surprising to see in December, was a wheat train with shiny new wheat wagons.  The wagons were shunted to the silo road. 16:20 hours.

At about 17:00 hours, the RoadSide Goods No. 61 ex Ararat and terminating at Dimboola, was seen arriving headed by a solo T Class loco.  This train took road 4.  A loaded cattle train was waiting patiently on road 3.

The cattle train was seen leaving, climbing the small grade out of Dimboola. at about 17:10 hours.

Had to then leave for home.

SD

The End of the year 2012

Well its the penultimate day of 2012 and I wonder whether I have finally found a suitable trackplan which I have currently deployed and borrowed heavily from Dimboola in Western Victoria.  I guess time will tell.  Here are some more photos.

Wishing you all a prosperous 2013.

My legs hurt

Spent alot of time today in the shed making some minor changes to the track work which is a continuation of the changes I began last week.  Spent alot of time standing which leads to sore legs!  Anyway, here's hoping the effort is worthwhile.

Here are some photos - hope you enjoy them.

S311 brings in a mixed goods from Melbourne whilst the yard pilot looks on from the Dock Road.

A VLX and GY are shunted to what will be the Goods Shed in "bas relief"

Some Sightings

A Grain train gets marshalled.  This will followed the 'jet' to Melbourne which is expected to arrive shortly.

A few minutes later, an Adelaide to Melbourne 'jet' arrives and stops for a crew change.  Plenty of Horsepower in the form of a C and B class locomotives.  Once the jet has cleared the section, the grain working will follow.

Some Photos

Here are some photos of the new track plan and layout taking shape.  I wont say what location the layout is based on, except to say that it is in Western Victoria and has a branch line.  See if you can guess by looking at the photos what the location the layout is based on.  

Major changes to layout.

Major changes to layout.


Like warmed-up cabbage served at each repast, The repetition kills the wretch at last.  Juvenal

• Undergone some changes to track design and operational elements.  
• Staging yards have been mostly eliminated.  Using said space to add extra scenery and shunting possibilities.
• Layout based on a country station in Victoria.
• Shunting still major focal point.
• Previous layout idea was good but became too repetitious and monotonous,
• Plus lack of scenery added significantly to a mundane look and feel.