Weekly Hapenings with Pictures

This week started with a delivery from eBay for some more Arduinos.  My plan was to test a concept I had to gang up the common from two of my level crossing flashers to install an Arduino single Relay.  So I tested this on a some code that flashed two outputs, and wouldn’t you know it.  It worked!  So the alternating flashes, will hold the common ‘on’ so it can control a relay to lower the level crossing gates at a level crossing.  So that enhancement will be added to my level crossing circuit for future level crossing systems I sell.

On Friday I went over to Aurora Hobbies for a browse.  While there I ran into Gary Lamb from Western Australia.  We used to chat online while Wuiske had his whereby site operating.  With Yeerongpilly station out of action for its rebuild I gave Gary a lift to Yeronga Station so he could get to his next place on his travel itinerary for the day.

I went to the Club on Saturday and had a chat with a few people, as you do while at the Club.  I cooked the snags on the BBQ while someone cooked the onions.  The meeting was uneventful, but enlightening allowing members to understand what is going on inside the Club.  That is why we pay the executive the big bucks (haha) to run everything. 

I did see some really nice VJM wagons (I think) sitting in 12mm staging sidings at the Club.  One set was extremely well weathered by Mitch.  Another set was decaled, but not yet weathered.  They also looked very micky mouse.  Another item that took my interest was an area of scenery that has had a backdrop added.  It fits in very well.  I offered a couple of suggestions to really bring it up to spectacular.  I will work on a section of fencing that I will take to the Club next Sunday and see if I can splice it into the scene.

The 3D printed wagons all weathered up.

Once you blow this scene up, you see the koala fence in the background.

Adding a scratchbuilt fence to this scenery will look fantastic.

On my way home from the Club I stopped off at PK’s place.  You would not believe it, but his clothesline is real.  I had to take a picture to prove it.

The non-fictitious clothesline.

PK even exists as well.

This arvo I started to make a signal level frame for my Kyogle Signal Box.  I have cut about 16 lever slots in a section of curved styrene and I will add the levers tomorrow.  I found two staff machines that I have previously painted, so I just need to make a couple of chairs and table for also installing into the signal box.  The box still needs painting and the door and windows need to be fitted.

I have also just glued all my 3D printed people to a piece of balsa wood so I can undercoat them, and then paint them over the course of this week. 

Sydney Trip

Well, this week I ventured down to Sydney to attend the Rosehill Model Railway Exhibition.  I was joined by 4 fellas from Toowoomba and Tyler from Launceston.  On Thursday afternoon we all met up and travelled to Campbelltown.  We stayed in a nice little motel.  Pretty basic but it was about a 1km walk to the RSL for dinner.  On Friday morning we jumped in our hire car and we went south.  We got some coffee and something for breakfast.  First stop after that was Alan’s place followed by a trip to Gary’s place and then a trip back to Peter’s place.  Fantastic hospitality and great layouts to see.  It was about 6 years since I visited all three layouts.  That was when we attended the Modelling the Railways on NSW convention, and the day's events were organised by Marcus.

We got back to West Ryde about 7:15pm and checked into the motel for the next 2 nights.  Saturday morning we went and got coffee and something to eat then off to the Train Exhibition, at Rosehill.  This was my first trip to an Epping Model Railway Club Exhibition.  I ran into a couple of Queenslanders.  Jack, Merv and his wife, Scott and then Andrew.  I bit later on I saw Peter and his daughter.  I also caught up with Warren and Kathleen, Rohan and plenty of NSW mates.  I suppose I need to also mention Tyson and Marty were there flying the Queensland Flag.

I was most impressed with the number  of NSW outline layouts and the general quality.  Some parts were ordinary, while some were very, very nice indeed and inspirational.  well done to the organisers for the exhibition.  Food was slightly dearer that normal, but cheaper than some shows that I have attended.

We pulled up stumps early and headed out to see Australian Modeller.  I took the opportunity to trawl up and down all the aisles as well as have a look at the layout in the Australian Modeller.  Well done to Ian, Alan and the third person (sorry I forgot who) who all together built this fantastic display layout.  Loved the scene inside the shed, especially when the train is going over the level crossing.  Boy he has some stamina.  This reminds me of a scene on Bob Hardings layout, but Bob's had sound effects.  Also the scene where Mr Wilks had his chain saw was funny.  Also the body found in the trees – which is very hard to see, was good as well.

Saturday night we visited Marcus’s place.  We had dinner and then a run on the layout.  Two of our crew Tyler and Paul had not been there before.  They were blown away.  We had some brilliant discussions.  It is great therapy attending here and having a chat.  Thank you Marcus.

Sunday we had a bit of a sleep in and then a good breakfast and then went train hunting around Enfield.  I got a couple of photos.  We then went to the airport, returned the car and Tyler left for the Virgin Terminal, while everyone else went to the Qantas terminal.  The 4 Toowoomba guys were on the same plane to Brisbane and I was on one a couple of hours later.  My plane was early backing out and early landing in Brisbane.

I will need lots of time to put together all the 3D printed kits I picked up at Rosehill.  i also might have acquired a seconds RailBus.  I will see how it runs tomorrow.

When I met up with the boys from Toowoomba on Thursday, I got some feedback about they want more pictures on the blog (I know some of them can’t read).  While talking to Marcus on Saturday at the show, (and also talking to the other person of the same name – he spells his name wrong), someone else advised they wanted more photos in the Blog.  Maybe I can do that in the future with my upcoming change to new work hours – Hehehehe.

Thanks to everyone in our travelling posse, for a great weekend.  Lots of laughs, a great learning experience and very good company.

The Crew from Saturday Night.

Everyone trying to run trains.