Daily Model Rail News

Sydney Model Train Show 2010

2010-07-23T19:56:00.001-07:00

Sydney Model Train Show

An annual event – at Liverpool in Sydney's southwest

The annual Sydney Model Railway Exhibition is held each Labour Day long weekend.

This year's exhibition will be held 2–4 October at the Whitlam Leisure Centre in Liverpool.

It is the longest running model railway exhibition in Australia and with around 80 stands, it is the largest in New South Wales. The layouts on display cover all scales and prototypes, and come from all over Australia. It is the diversity and quality of the entrants that make the Sydney Model Railway Exhibition one of a kind.

Over the three days many thousands of people of all ages and interests attend. They see not just layouts but commercial stands and demonstration clinics. Also exhibiting are many kindred organisations including the Sydney Tramway Museum, Railway Transport Museum and the Australian Railway Historical Society. Thomas the Tank Engine rides are available.

Brisbane Model Train Show

2010-07-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

Australia's biggest model train show a hoot

Source:	7pm TV News QLD
Published:	Sunday, May 2, 2010 9:59 AEST

Brisbane hosted Australia's biggest little train show on the weekend, where exhibitors prove it is all about the detail.

Click Here For ABC News Video

Model Train Show Faversham

2010-07-23T19:38:00.000-07:00

TRAIN enthusiasts charged full steam ahead to the Alexander Centre, for the eighth annual model railway exhibition to be held in Faversham.

Town mayor Anita Walker blew the whistle and waved the green flag to start proceedings at Kent's Garden Railway Show, which showcased model locomotives and trains from Britain, Germany, Austria and the USA.

The event, run by Kent's G-Scale Society, featured scale representations of trains powered by electricity, batteries and live-steam, provided by organisations such as East Kent O-Gauge Group, which is based in Faversham.

Children's favourite Thomas the Tank Engine made an appearance with his friends, much to the delight of the youngsters, who were even allowed to drive the trains themselves.

There was also a raffle, with a top prize of a G-Scale starter set, as well as various stalls offering books, videos and other railway-themed items, and scale accessories from the world of dolls' houses.

Assistant show organiser Ross Shimmon said: "It went very well indeed. We had more than 300 visitors, some of them regulars, but also many who had never come along before.

"People were particularly impressed with the models that ran on live steam, which isn't something often seen at model railway exhibitions. It proved to be a big draw."

Model Trains At Duluth

2010-07-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

Model train enthusiasts descended on Duluth Thursday.

The National Association of S-Gauger's is holding their national convention in Duluth.

Contrary to some belief not all model trains sets are the same.

Certain manufacturers use a different gauge for the tracks.

This week's convention celebrates fifty years of the S Class gauge which is used by the American Flyer Model Train Company.

Convention Chairman Walter Jopke says model trains harken back to a piece Americana that is sometimes forgotten, "It's an art form that brings many people to it, the ability to finely scale reality down to something that's quite a bit smaller and the nostalgia of what it was like when we were children."

This is the 50th year of the S Gauge Model Railroad.

Godwin-Alco DL531 the 48/830 Class Diesel-Electric locomotive

2010-07-23T19:31:00.000-07:00

Godwin-Alco DL531 the 48/830 Class Diesel-Electric locomotive.

Ok you all know about the two versions of this locomotive in Australia, the NSW 48 Class and the SAR 830 Class, and I am sure you all know that NSW had the most in 4 different versions, mark 1, 2, 3, and 4. Many of you I am also sure have read numerous books on the 48 Class but I am very sure that very very few people would know how many differences, variations, modifications and differences there are from locomotive to locomotive. Virtually every locomotive in the 48 Class fleet is different. We have yet to find two identical locomotives.

Powerline Models Pty Ltd is doing the 48 Class in 4 marks and the 830 Class. Different bodies, cabs and details have been designed and produced to try and produce as many variations as we possibly can whilst also trying to reproduce actual locomotives as closely as possible. This project has been more work then I ever envisioned with differences, variations and modifications appearing the deeper we delve.

The first production run will be NSW Tuscan and this will be followed by a new livery every 6-8 months as well as the 830 Class and its choice of liveries. The locomotives will feature a well detailed body, metal chassis, centre mounted 5 pole can motor, twin flywheels, all wheel
drive, all wheel electrical pick up, directional lighting and DCC decoder equipped.

A release date is yet to be set but the release date of late 2010 is at this stage possible. All liveries will be produced over time with the new model allowing us to improve on the accuracy and finish of liveries we have already done to such a high standard. The plan is do all 48 Class marks in all possible liveries with special details or accessories added where possible, i.e. air vents, air conditioning, GPS, Snorkel and different cabs and cab windows.