North East Victoria Railway

[Tropic Blunder]

With winter looming over us and work picking up in hours advantage has been taken in using the track a lot more at night time. So the DE was recently fitted with headlights and step lights for the crews safety.

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The DE seen here waiting for its next assignment. As its fitted with dynamic brakes its regular assignment is the mine run but its days in the sun will be soon over as its replaced by larger 6 axle power...

Following some excellent high frequency performances by the visiting Sentinel steam rail motor it as again put in perspective for management how a reliable diesel railcar could revolutionise passenger services on the line and so a concerted effort was made to finish the articulated DP

The Tasmanian government railways had a long history of using different varieties of railcars dating back to 1912 but are perhaps best known for the variety of different railcars from Commonwealth engineering which used power bogies from Drewery car company. Built from 1939 onwards They came in a variety of sizes and they and their matching PT trailers were a common sight around Hobart. I will confess I don't know much about how they were used but I believe they were designed to run in multiple car sets (DP, PT, PT, DP) in suburban service and I believe there were even a pair of trailers that had mail/baggage handling facilities. DP26-30 were the last ordered and were of a larger articulated design originally for use on the "Tasman Limited" They were replaced on those duties by loco hauled services and passenger cars to a similar design. Following a long and successful service life they were disposed of. Quite a few of the original single car DP's are preserved around the country and of the 5 Articulated units 3 are preserved. 26 at TTMS in Hobart and 28/29 at Queenscliff In Victoria

My model is based on Leon Kernans models available off thingiverse with some extensive "digital kitbashing" required. I cut the body of the regular DP available here https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4401047 to the correct number of windows and end for the "trailer" end of the car and then rearranged the model of DP 13 available here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4401047 to get the other end correct. Its not perfect and I'm sure length wise its not quite right but I'm happy with it. Alexander (Melbournesparks) Produced the power bogie for me using his usual method of axle hung traction motors the same as on his W class tram. At the moment it only has two axles powered but I will power the middle bogie to assist it with climbing my 1:30 grades. It currently has Deltang RC fitted as is standard with everything I run. This one will never get sound but I'll finish the interior and fix the windows once I finish my current program of passenger carriage printing.

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On a test run rolling down the hill from Marysville

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Stabled at Port Melbourne. Seems the port sheds have finally been demolished since we were last here.

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Now fitted with lights. There is nothing more on this earth that I despise more then wiring other then finding my grease gun has an empty cartridge. So when I started wiring lights into the DE I figured I should strike while the iron was hot. Literally. As there's no interior I didn't fit any lights inside it yet but that will happen at some point.

That concludes this months rollingstock happenings.

[Old Man Aaron]

Quite like that railmotor, it's got a ton of character already. Never thought I'd say this (here in Aust) but it has been a weirdly short and cool Summer, hasn't it..

I recognise the paint on those points in the last shot..

[ge_rik]

Very smart looking railcar

Rik

[Tropic Blunder]

Quite like that railmotor, it's got a ton of character already. Never thought I'd say this (here in Aust) but it has been a weirdly short and cool Summer, hasn't it..

I recognise the paint on those points in the last shot..

I was wondering if anyone would notice the points had changed The old aristo points had excessive wear on the check rails and frogs so everything would derail when propelling into a siding. Absolutely not ideal when its the main yard on your line. The Peco track is fantastic and the smaller rail height makes a huge difference. thanks for the opportunity to upgrade!

[Old Man Aaron]

I was wondering if anyone would notice the points had changed The old aristo points had excessive wear on the check rails and frogs so everything would derail when propelling into a siding. Absolutely not ideal when its the main yard on your line. The Peco track is fantastic and the smaller rail height makes a huge difference. thanks for the opportunity to upgrade!

Yeah, that might be an issue! Did you get the Aristo used, or did you wear 'em out?

Thanks for taking the Pecos off my hands. Wish I could've put the money straight into 32mm replacements, but if memory serves, I think you ended up paying for my car's wheels being blasted and painted.

[FWLR]

Nice.

[StuartJ]

Very nice work on the railcar. Instantly recognisable.

[Lonsdaler]

That railcar is very smart, and strangely familiar - in memory, it might even have been from one of the Ladybird travel books (Peter & Susan? freeload on Dad's business trips )

[Tropic Blunder]

Evening all. Few pics from running last week. I've managed to finish ballasting Marysville now but am still seriously slacking in the buildings department. These will be the last for a while as I'm travelling to the UK today for a few weeks. Hoping to see some cool things and maybe come home with a full suitcase when we attend Llangollen garden railway festival


DE at Badger Creek by Jake GP, on Flickr

The Northeaster by Jake GP, on Flickr

DP at Marysville by Jake GP, on Flickr

DE at Marysville by Jake GP, on Flickr

DH at Badger Creek by Jake GP, on Flickr

Cross at Marysville by Jake GP, on Flickr

Marysville ore train by Jake GP, on Flickr

Port Melbourne by Jake GP, on Flickr

[FWLR]

Nice train that.

Have a great holiday and hope you can get some bargains at the show. I did last year, you will really enjoy it. One tip though, get there early for parking, there is loads of parking but some of it is on grass and unfortunately its forecast rain...

[Tropic Blunder]

Thanks for the advice Rod! I don't think the hire car people would be particular happy about getting their hatchback full of grass

[Old Man Aaron]

Exciting! Grab us some photos along with the bargains.

[Andrew]

Looking good! Your line has a proper "real railway" feel to it, I reckon...

Talking of real railways, if you get the time to ride the Llangollen Railway while you're there, do! They've had some tough times recently, but it's a wonderful ride through glorious scenery...

[Phil.P]

How do we recognise you? - Other than the accent, I assume?

Then we can say hello..


Phil.P

[Tropic Blunder]

Thanks for the kind words gents. Its very slowly getting there although It very much is missing the people aspect along with buildings to house them. taking pictures with fences, bins and full size bins in the background isn't much fun at all!


I've got a full week in Wales so not sure which bits of the wardrobe will escape unsoaked Phil but I'm about 5' 10 , Large build with black facial hair. and I'll probably be wearing a white and black flannel shirt with a blue denim jacket and a new Statfold Barn beanie. I Imagine the Australian accent will be the easiest tell though

Had an excellent day seeing K1 and taking advantage of "driver for a fiver" today as well as the full tour of Leighton Buzzard yesterday. Its been an excellent trip so far!

[Tropic Blunder]

Few pictures from the Llangollen show, seemed to be an extremely healthy turnout with some fantastic traders. We didn't realise there was a delayed opening for purchasing tickets at the door and so waited quite a while to get in but that's alright. Would highly recommend people buy the "early bird" tickets if they're going to go in the future.

Quite a good range of traders on show and I did briefly wonder if I should have built a SM32 garden railway. Bole Laser and Plateway models had some lovely kits that I hadn't come across as did 16mills. Luckily I managed to sway myself out of any purchases other then a Phil Sharples kit for a simplex. There was a Bundaberg Fowler for 1300 pound which considering domestic prices is an absolute steal! If I'd managed to get rid of the LGB/Magnus YG before the trip I'd say there would have been potential.

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Not one but two LGB NGG16's! I've never seen one in the flesh before.

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\
Boston Lodge junction was another interesting shunting layout with some beautifully made locos running around.

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A Scratchbuilt (?) Class A climax. Couldn't get any details about this one unfortunately but I figured it'd be of interest to some of the other Australians on here. It was quite nice to see the array of historical locos in this display. The hobby really has come in leaps and bounds since those early days.

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This beautiful gauge three layout was amazing to look at.

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Some of the traders on show and one of the live steam layouts in the centre.

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A highlight of the show was seeing this beautiful Welsh shunting layout. Its a joy to see scale rollingstock puttering around at walking speed going about their business as opposed to seeing a rake of pristine carriages behind a live steam engine doing a narrow gauge re-enactment of an mainline express. But that's just my opinion

Apologies as always for the potato photos. There wasn't too much point taking too many as the crowds prevented being able to see too much anyway!

[Lonsdaler]

I did look (and listen!) out for you Jake with the intention of saying Hello, but I clearly missed you. As you say it was a hive of activity. You have managed to capture a photo of one of the guys I was there with though!

[FWLR]

So glad you had a fantastic day Jake.

I couldn't get there this year and you have shown us some great shots of some brilliant locos and displays. The Welsh slate works is superb.

[Old Man Aaron]

What an exhibition!
When you factor in shipping and customs fees, that Bundy would've been a thousand AUD cheaper than mine turned out!

And give yourself more credit, they're excellent photos.

[Phil.P]

I will pass on your comments, to the lads from the WHHR, who were on the slate workings layout..


Phil.P