So the show at Thornlee was quite interesting. Found a few good buys, was surprised at the lack of exhibitions.

First find was a proto 1000 budd car, while too big to be accurate for the NSW version it serves its purpose as a look alike. I removed the lettering, sprayed the underframe black, added the gangway connections, turned the inward door access steps into body mounted ladder style steps, blackened the grills and painted the cowling red.

 As it looks now.

 My best stop was with Austrains. They would have to be my favorite company to purchase from.
Its always great to talk to John and the Boys.
I was lucky enough to find 3526 to add to my preserved steam loco fleet.

 Austrains had air freighted in a few boxes of their newest run of NR class. I just couldn't help my self i ended up with 4 one in each scheme they did. I regret nothing!

 AR kits was another good stop for me, I inquired about the Coote Industrial decals.
They should be available in the up coming months. My 80 class will be complete soon.
I did pick up a few flush glaze windows and a LIV car. I have since added the vents and flush glaze windows to it.

 Ran into a good friend of mine at the show. He was down sizing some of his collection. So I picked up a VR F class from him.

 With all the new editions my display case was over crowded so 4 new shelves had to be added.
to save money I opted for plywood not glass like the others.
this is how it looks at the moment. More shelves will be needed soon.....

 The view of my current steam fleet.

 The growing fleet of NR's

Still more work to go. The shed is slowly getting there so Argyle/Goulburn layout should start in the up coming months.
Until then with chilly weather keeping me indoors two boards were attained to build a small branch terminus. Will post more as work progresses.

So as mentioned in my last post I was working on re-painting an Austrains 80 class into Coote Industrial green.
Well that has been finished, or at least up to decal stage.
I am hoping to get the decals at the Epping show this June long weekend.
First task was to obtain a second hand 80 class.
I got it through the an Aussie model train buy swap and sell page on facebook.
With the 80 I also got a 442 for a re-paint project as well.

Both locos turned up looking very good in their freight rail blue. It seemed a shame to paint them.

 But the first victim on the block was 8005.  So window glass removed and off she went to the paint shop

 My first attempt resulted in a very drab olive colour using Tamiya mat green. The photo makes it look brighter than it was.

 So cleaned up and second attempt was tamiya park green. this one being way too bright I thought.

 Finally third try I used an old bottle of green acrylic paint I had sitting around and would you believe it looks bang on.

Same photo this time with out the flash.

 With the green settled at long last i masked off and applied the yellow. Tamiya yellow was about right.

 With the coote 80 always seeming a little glossy rather than the usual mat colour of most locos I sealed it with a coat of Tamiya semi gloss.
After that I set to work with my brushes and blacked over all the vents and grills. re-fitting the hand rails.

 Adding the little things like black number board, marker lights and MU sockets.
This is the currently how it looks.

 With any luck I will find the decals at Epping to finish it off. Then on to my next challenge turning 44228 in freight rail blue into CFCLA 44208.

Heritage locos taking over Goulburn for an afternoon.
With the CFCLA S class locos returning from a tour train and change of motive power at Goulburn to return the 3801 Limited coaching stock freshly restored 42101 was due to haul the train for the last leg of the journey. Due to an ICE radio failure 4464 was brought in to run as lead unit.

CFCLA S300 and 311 looked wonderful back to back as they arrived.

 42101 sitting in the yard waiting for the S classes to remove the sleeping, power and private cars from the train.

 With green trains RL class, Coote 80class and ex independent rail 14 class on the sidelines.

 The Coote green scheme 80class is a modeling project currently underway for the Argyle layout.

 3801 LTD coaching stock ready at platform one.

 4464 at the ready to provide the ICE radio as the lead unit

 42101 and 4464 paired and moving to the head of the train.

 Was great to see these wonderful locos back in there old stomping ground with a heritage service.
Now with Auscisions upcoming release of the 421's perhaps 42101 should be added to Argyle's heritage roster.....

A new post at last!
I do apologize for being so slack.
Sadly Argyle is still sitting in storage, but hopefully space should be made by the end of the year.

I have added a few new locos to the fleet, the Kaleen exhibition saw to that lol.
The Goulburn model rail club attended Kaleen again this year with there layout of Binabeen.
With other commitments I sadly was not available to help as an exhibitor with them.
Sadly Binabeen suffered some damage in transport and as a result was only operating at half its capacity. It has been put back up at the club and will spend quite a while undergoing major repairs.

As well as this the local hobby store here in Goulburn  Morton Brothers Jaycar and hobbys (formally toyworld) located on Auburn Street opposite Belmore park is now stocking Austrians products.
Making it the closest retailer to the ACT stocking any Aussie HO scale trains. If business goes well with this the store owners have mentioned they may look to expand beyond just Austrains. So support is greatly encouraged. The more interest in the trains they get the more they will stock.

Now on to what you all want to see, the new additions.

Adding more to the electric fleet with two new 46 class. As everyone knows you can't just have one.

Also the pride jewel of the NSW railway the big green girl herself 3801. 

 A great find at Kaleen From Austrains, 35class on sale! how could I resist.
As well as yet another Austrains 81, making 3 now. With more to come no doubt.
Always a pleasure dealing with John Essy.

 Ron Cunningham had me sold the moment I found R707. While not a NSW loco still an amazing model. Besides it will keep the streamlined S class company for my  growing VR loco fleet.

Lastly the way and works set, one of the first products our local shop brought in. With every yard needing a works train it was a must have for the Argyle layout.

With the pockets now empty I will have to start saving for the Exhibition at Thornlee in a few months. I will have to make sure I am not so slack and make another entry again soon.

Stock and Locos in Goulburn yard.

With the busy christmas season well and truly upon us we all seem so short of time.
however as busy as we are the rail yards are even more so. As contractors rush to move thousands of tons of goods all over the country before the public holidays take hold make it very expensive.
With the increased number of trains passing through Goulburn I have been taking the opportunity to photograph some of these. As well as the usual string of odd locos that linger around platform 3.



First up is the AK test cars. these former Brisbane limited passenger cars are a frequent visitor to Goulburn. Usually with different motive power every time. This time with one of the most well known class of diesels on the main south line the 81class. Along with one of CFCLA's CF44's just ahead.

 Now we move on to the Canberra rail heritage Christmas special this was a very interesting mix of a train. With 4403 hauling ex Aurora  (also ex countrylink) PHA2393  and RMS2360, along with former RUB  TDS2247, ex N set buffet RFN1739, the converted dance car BVS2166 and FS2021.

 

A PacNat wheat train rolling through.

The AK cars are back again this time working push/pull with CFCLA motive power of FL220 and EL53.  FL220 and HL203 having only just returned from working tour trains from Thirlmere the passed few months .this AK working went  down the Canberra line and back. Its interesting to note that use of an EL on the AK cars is a first. EL53 left FL220 at platform 3 the following day and headed to sydney with the AK's on its own.

 4403 returned with el53 to Goulburn the following day.

Every class of CFCLA's fleet are often found milling around the station. With CFCLA using the Gouburn locomotive workshops it provides an endless supply of  locomotives.
today with this being VL353 and GL110.

 Stray motive power of Chinese built BK locos 001 and 002. These locos were in Goulburn for signal testing and crew training. All of this done by Qube who have 10 of these type of  locomotives currently being built for them. A very interesting build of locomotive, being the only 4000+ horsepower locos with dual cab.

 With testing complete they were marshaled up with Qube loco 1440 for the return home.
The 14 class were imported MZ class locos from Denmark and have changed ownership in Australia several times.

And lastly the usual twin AN class working on the Sydney/Tarago garbage train.