Scenery Started

Hi all,
Jut a quick post to show that there has been some update with the scenery

Bathurst end 1

Bathurst end closeup

Overall Bathurst end board

Special thanks to Peter R for the excellent back scenes.
Hopefully post up next week some shots of the Sydney end once completed.
Until then.

Alco

Station building underway and addition to roster

G'day all,
Progress on the main station building for Tarana has commenced. It is a A6 station kit from Modelsnmore. I painted the walls before assembly with some Taubmans silk - Lady in Red. I have still to paint the numerous detail parts, in a suitable shade as yet so hope to start the assembly over the next couple of days. After that will be the windows frames that will be painted white.
The only thing the kit doesn't come with is the glass, so will have to source something suitable for them.
Below are a few progress photo's.

Front view

Toilet end view

 

Bag of detail part (very fine work on the roof supports and air vents)

Roofing and corner stones





Also, I have added an addition to the roster, AD60 class, 6041. It came with QSI, but after numerous problems, have now fitted it with a Loksound V4. The sound is great. Now only sound to be fitted to my D50 and C36.

Until the next update.

Cheers
Alco4401

 

Scenery started and wiring done and buildings started

Hi guys,
Just a an update, all of the wiring has been completed, tested for operation. Scenery has started with the ballasting completed, and the platforms underway.
The control of the points is being done by a CPD (Control Panel Designs) which after a programing issue has been sorted out by both Brendan and Ralph from CPD. Their customer service has been second to none.

CPD panel for Tarana Yard

 

 

View of yard west bound

 



 

Livestock Siding

 

 

I came across a web site a couple of weeks ago, called Models and More, which had listed quite a few buildings for NSWGR in both HO and On30. They had an A6 station that was a good representation for Tarana, so I decided to part with $148.00 and bite the bullet. Tarana is based on an A6 but has a number of differences to the standard. I have started putting the kit together this morning, so will post a few photo's up as it progresses. At this stage I don't intend to modify the kit to be Tarana as it is prototypicaly, as my scratch building skills won't be up to it at this stage, and feel the compromise won't detract from the viewing or operation of the layout.

Until next time

 

 

Regards

Paul (Alco)







 

 

 



Powering up for the first time

Just a quick post to advise all that the layout has been turned back over after doing all the points and control panel wiring.
A successful test was run with both a 49 and a 421.
There remains a slight problem with the three double slips however, as the centre frogs are dead and need someone with some electrical skill more than I have to attend to.

The scenery can now start!!!!!
I will post up some photo's this week to show the progress so far.

Till then, remember when you see black smoke it is  ALCO country!

Regards
Alco

Getting the feel for the track plan

Hi all,
Just a quick update on Tarana. Front base boards have been finished. Track has been placed temporilay to get the feel.
A couple of pics of the progress so far. Also showing the Bunnings pallet racking used for thr frame work.

Until the next update, after some track laying on Friday night.
 hopefully on the weekend
Till then
Cheers
Alco

New layout start

Hi all,
Just a quick update to advise all that the beginnings of Tarana are underway. Base boards have been started and purchase of requirements have commenced. Still have to get a couple of code 75 catch points and all is good to start laying the track.
The control panel from CPD has arrived today, the cobalt point motors have been here for a week already as well. The only thing holding up a start is some free time. Will post some progress photo's in the next day or so. The intention is to give an weekly update from the time it starts to the time it is made operational, with the committed view of displaying at the Perth show in 2013, so I have 9 months to have it completed.
The base frame has been set up, thanks to Bunnings. I am using their pallet racking set to 900mm with  the base boards at another 240mm on top.
Until the next update.

Regards
Alco

Line closure

Sad times are quickly approaching, the closure of the "Main Western Line" is fast approaching with the sale of our current house.
But 2 good pieces of news is at hand, with the new premises brings hope of a new beginning.

 1. Plans have already been started for the NEW "Western Division". The current plan is for the site of "Tarana" to be built with the branch line to Oberon included. It will be 5.7 m x 3 m (not including the branch, which will be modules extending out of the shed into the drive way for running, expect it to be 4 m long x 1 m wide).
So stay tuned for more updates as they come to hand. There has been a "Last run Session" planed for the line before its closure.
2. The sale was also subject to the "Layout being included in the sale" so the line will live on with thw new owners (saved me pulling it down).

Catch you all soon
Regards
Alco