April Ops on the GSD

Ron Said to me "Its been a while since you did a post mate". So I thought I would put a few words down about the last month. As I opened the Blogger App I noticed a Draft January and Draft February file that didn't get posted, so March has to be a doozy.

Developments

New trackage has been laid in Blue Lake with an extension of the K&S siding and moving the Goods Shed south so the old Goods Shed siding could become the Dairy Siding. Well The Blue Lake Yardmaster had different ideas and thought it would make a great little run-around track for his operations, bugger the new industry. Well we will see about that. However the new trackage seems to work well.

TrainController 11 Gold has been purchased to upgrade the 9 Silver so a good deal of work is being done to get that up and operating correctly. There is so much more to learn because of the extra option now at my fingertips, particularly around Schedules and block management.

On the 3D design and print side of things I have been drawing my version of the Bridgeport Hotel based on a 1970's picture I found on the net  which is coming together slowly. I am also drawing the top building and ground infrastructure for the Wirrega Silos to the I can complete the scenery in that town.

I thought I would try my hand at decal printing so with so many RB Insulation Cars, OBf and Y open wagons printed and painted I thought I would give it a go. I think they came out pretty good. I did have one observer ask if they were Orient Express Models. I said you need glasses son.

Scenery wise I am trying to focus on Wirrega at the moment and needed some Mallee Trees. No one makes them for a reasonable price, so I thought I would make my own based on the tried and true wire armature covered in No More Gaps and covered with Woodland Scenics fluffy stuff. So far I have made four with two red gums in the making.

I continue to work on 520. It runs well but I still need to work on the raer trailing truck which hits a step on curves and derails.

Operations

Enough of the gloating lets talk about the Operating Session Friday AM run on the 15 April. The usual crew assembled for Helens Apple Cake at 10.30 for coffee. A quick brief of the changes to operations which included the addition of a Staging Yardmaster in the Wild Creek Model. Primarily to assist the operators to find and park their trains and take the pressure off the Dispatcher to work out what tracks are free etc. Yours Truly took on the role which seemed to work well. Dispatcher for the day was Geoff T, Operators Ray, Ron and David and Blue Lake Yardmaster and engine Hostler were Pi and Geoff M.

Ops ran pretty well, although commitment to the fast clock was absent in the odd operator. Unfortunately 254, the Adelaide bound Bluebird had a failure in Wirrega, so was hauled to the passing siding and a bus service using Wally Jackson's 1946 Austin Motor Bus was used to ferry passengers to Adelaide. He must get around to restoring that one day. Speaking of old vehicles I did buy a 3D print file of a Commer Knocker as I remember the old Commer tracks as a kid, but I digress.

The session had the added complexity of the western point at Wirrega decided on a sickie, so a quick Jemmy rig saw the offending point revert to digit control. A small list of issues around coupler heights and  block detectors flashing will keep me enthralled for another month before we get together again on 20 May for the Friday PM session.

Ray switching 75 in Bridgewater

905 departs Bridgewater for Murray Bridge

Ron trying to work out how to acquire J519 for VR56 for its run to Dartmoor

Geoff T reviewing the Master schedule while overseeing Operations in Traincontroller 11 Gold

Geoff M taking S315 for a spin on the Blue Lake Turntable before parking it in the locomotive service tracks

281 the Blue Lake bound Bluebird makes a stop at Upper Sturt

AN833 switches the Apcel Paper Plant in Snuggery

A rare sight, the bluebirds pass each other in Wirrega. 259 had failed earlier requiring passengers to take a very slow and uncomfortable ride to Adelaide

A quiet Running Session on the GSD 28 Jan 26

 This morning our small Wednesday Group gathered to run a sequence session based on the Tuesday/Thursday Timetable, but without the clock. Operators Steve Weedon, Geoff Tynan and Michael Robinson gathered to run a selection of trains across the layout. Below are some pics of the session. It was the first session for the new bridge across the door and the new Turnable in Blue Lake. Both worked flawlessly. Unlike the only double slip left on the layout which for some reason decided to short out every train that ran across it.

VR J class 519 sits on the Turntable about to hook up to its train later in the day.

SAR train 333 heads enters Bridgewater on its way to WIRREGA to drop off empty OB wagons at the silo.

VR train 89 switches Dartmoor

Michael guiding SAR train 390 clears the cutting before heading over the viaduct to cross the Murray River flood plain

VR train 16 flies through Dartmoor on its way to HEYWOOD

SAR train 261 ‘the Apcel switch’ passes through Tantanoola on its way to Snuggery

SAR train 82 flies across the Murray River flood plain on its way to Dry Creek Yard

Across the river now,  82 crosses the River road switch area, before entering Murray Bridge.

VR train 9142 headed by C Class 510 crosses the Glenelg River Trestle as it enters Dartmoor on its way to Heywood 

A New Year

 Happy New Year All.

This hobby of ours is a wonderful thing. The variety of elements to it are endless. As you may know I have been looking to produce my own rolling stock and building across my layout through designing and 3D printing my models. 

Over the last weekend I had plenty of time to undertake some design work as I monitored the Sea Rescue Radios at Edithburgh. I had two 5 hour shifts and as most of the punters had gone home after the Christmas break there was not a lot happening on the water. So I took my laptop, some drawings, photos and as much information as I could gather about the SAR Employee Sleeping Vans, Particularly ESV8131, the restored .van at the Port Dock Museum.

Armed with my info I set about converting measurements off a 1971 drawing, which I only had online, my Sketchup make 2017 CAD program, an Excel spreadsheet to to the relationship calculations and scaling calculations.

The resulting drawing, I think, came out OK

The real test comes though when you get home, put it in the slicer and then print the model. So here is my first attempt. There are few issues  but the overall look and feel isn't bad. I think the scaling is not quite right and it sits a little high, but for a weekend's work. I'm happy. BTW the CPG is my design as well, that was last weeks work. 

Most importantly they run well.

Keep them trains rolling

The Commish.

Scalpers Bridge

 Sol badgered me to report on what’s happening to the scalping bridge. I have reviewed many styles, had advice from a wide range of ‘advisors’ and tried different approaches. ChatGPT came up with a couple of 

I have tried cabinet hardware, heavy duty drawer slides and piano hinges. All failed. The one major oversight of my ‘advisers’ is that, well it’s like this, my carpentry skills are less than optimal, indeed I can’t even cut firewood straight, so to create an engineering marvel that would make a visitor say ‘wow, that’s neat’ is, well just plain impossible. 

So we have at the moment a swing up bridge that drops into place and is held up by a short piece of chain. The top of the structure collides with the curtain rod and pelmet, but it works, kinda. I am thinking I might be able to slice it in half so the top half folds down onto the bottom half when raised so it folds back to 90 degrees rather than the 75 it currently comes back to. 

Operations Session 17 December 2025 - Thursday AM

 The faithful gathered for coffee and Christmas cake at 10:30 on Wednesday last to participate in the inaugural Thursday AM Operating Session of the GSD. I had installed the bridge across the door to save a bit of time, I figured the bright red and white safety tape would be enough warning to 🦆. But, before the kettle had boiled, Ray did a George Custer and tried to scalp himself by not ducking long enough. After first aid was administered and suitable PPE provided, the session  commenced.

Crew for the day was:

Dispatcher : Geoff Tynan

Operations Director: Geoff Mathias

Blue Lake Yardmaster: Steve Weedon aka the Tantanoola Porter

Operators : Ron Solly, Ray Brownbill, David Orr

After a few teething issues trains began rolling and generally ran on time throughout the day.  Steve seemed happy with his instructions on activities required for Blue Lake Yard, although I did hear one train, I believe 214, departed with two incorrect cars on it. Ron had 185/186, the Apcel Switch, for the third time and despite confusing instructions regarding warehouse door numbers managed to spot most cars on the correct tracks.  Geoff M kept his keen eye on the integrity of the timetable  and clarified a few prototype loading matters that I had wrong. Overall I think the day was very enjoyable. 

Ray cradles 161 over the mighty Murray River and it’s flood plain heading to Wirrega for shunting

Geoff T managing business

Ray shunting 161 at WIRREGA while Steve marshals 214 at Blue Lake

Dave shunts 87 in Murray Bridge

Ray coaxes 240, the Overland past 87 in Murray Bridge

853 sits at Snuggery loading passengers for Blue Lake

214 enters the yard at Murray Bridge

Bluebird stopped at Upper Sturt heading to Blue Lake

Nearing the end of the session local passenger trains for Millicent and HEYWOOD await the arrival of the Adelaide train before departing

Ray brings 240, the westbound Overland into its scheduled stop at Bridgewater

Model Railroading Can Be Fun - Other times it can be a PIA

 Hi All, 

 It's the end of November and work on the GSD continues. 

I was having a cup of coffee with Geoff T the other day and I said to him "Mate, there is so much to do here, what do you think my priorities should be?"  He said " Reg, you need to get your track running  reliably, get your point motors in, get your droppers in so trains cruise through the layout without dead frogs and  jerky locos". Fair enough I said. So I started a program of getting point motors fitted in Adelaide and installing droppers along the longer sections of track.

I got point 80, 84, 85 , 86 in ...... this is a doddle, I thought to myself. Next came Points 82 and 83. The Double Slip. Well, little did I know the poltergeist that resides in these inventions of Satan. I sent six hours over three days, naffing around with Tortoise switch machines trying to get the alignment correct, to have the throw arms move smoothly. after drilling, what seem like 65 holes for securing bolts to go through to get the alignment right. Remembering I am mounting these under Adelaide so had about 100mm to work with and...... Long story short, the Double slip has finished up in the bin and the track alignment changed to eliminate the need for these offspring of the devil. I never want to hear the words Double Slip mentioned in my presence again. That is if you want to live a long and happy life, or meet Emma the Trauma Nurse.

The new alignment in Adelaide Station   

       Not moon craters, Reg trying to align.

Yeah yeah yeah I know, not an Engineers……..On to a brighter Subject.

Op Session.

On 19 November we had an abridged Ops Session (Wednesday PM). As I had a specialist appointment and Steve had a funeral, so we ran for an hour then had lunch, proving once and for all the boys only come to my place for Helen's cake. The trains are something to do between food sessions. nevertheless we had some fun. Reg has a list of things to do to continue to improve the operation of the layout. I couldn’t take photos as Steve’s phone had some problems so he used mine. so I'll keep it brief. Main change was Geoff M and Steve played Yardmasters at Blue Lake. My instructions left a bit to be desired so a bunch of wagons were sent to Mile End early and a car for Wirrega which should have gone early was left high and dry. Not that was a problem as it was an Insulation car, Ice melted and the frozen crayfish from Port MacDonald went off.

 Next session is scheduled for 17 December when we will be running Thursday AM services.

Bridgewater Road Bridge

Many months ago I designed and 3D printed parts to scratch-build a road bridge as a scene block for the eastern end of Bridgewater yard. it has been sitting there as an eye sore since so I thought I would ease the tension of trying to install said poltergeist by doing something i really enjoy. So i I set about building the bridge. Background scenery is yet to be completed but I am happy with the way it is coming together.

This Blog

I am developing new pages for this blog which will detail the way operations are conducted on the GSD and details the activities in each town and the job of each train for each session. Look for the links on the sidebar.

Operating Session Wednesday AM Session 15 Oct 25

 The faithful gathered at Hawthorndene for another running of the GSD running the Wednesday AM services. 

Dispatcher : Geoff T

Supervisor: Geoff M

Blue Lake Yardmaster: Steve ( latterly of Porter at Tantanoola fame)

Operators: Ray, Ron and David

Observer: John F

Things got off to a good start with everyone complaining about something; a good sign everyone was happy.  Blue Lake became busy very quickly with the two Jets arriving for Loco changes shortly after ‘clock on’.

The timetable as planned proved good with no problem other than a bit of paint scraped off the Overland as it passed 905in Wirrega. 905 was just one car too long for Wirrega Siding

All trains ran to order and without major incident, it was such a relaxing day I forgot to take photos except for one when 905 arrived in Blue Lake and 240 about to cross the mighty Murray.

The day finished with a task list of things to fix before next month, just to keep me off the streets.

Good Running 930’s

 There is no doubt it is pleasurable to drive a smooth running locomotive. I have been frustrated with the performance  of my Traino 930’s. As it happened I can across a YouTubd video by one of my favourite modellers who goes by the handle Boomer Diorama on getting smooth running locomotives. Inspired I set about Alco 948 .Boomers advice was ‘it’s all in clean gear towers.”

Stripping Traino 930’s is not for the faint of heart, particularly the bogies. Oh well onward snd upward. I stripped the gear towers down, cleaned the caked grease off with IPA anc now have s beautifully running 948,

Operations Session 24 September 2025 Tuesday PM

 Today we ran the fourth Schedule in the Timetables drawn up by CEO of the BDR. Tuesday afternoon.

After coffee and listening to 1PM1 blasting along the rails through Blackwood we entered the Tardis to run the first half of the session. Seventeen Trains were scheduled to keep the troops out of The Commish's hair. The Team was as follows:

Dispatcher : Geoff T

Blue Lake Yardmaster: Steve

Operators: Ron, Dave and Geoff M

The sky was clear the sun shining and its was all go  at 1400hr with the Roadside Goods from Heywood VR89, the empty grain from Dry Creek  Train 333 and Train 390 from Blue Lake a loaded grain train to start proceedings.  390 was a bit late getting away due to a technical hitch with the drivers phone connection. Once sorted there was no stopping, except for the pickup in Wirrega of course. 390 was the crash test dummy for my recently painted 3D printed OBf cars on their first tour of duty.

The day went without any significant mishaps, although a range of challenges that only pop up when the layout is under full pressure have been set for the maintenance crews before next session. The most significant event though was the CEO of the BDR ( an avid steam train critic)  seemingly enjoying running Train 793/858 the regional passenger  from Adelaide to Murray Bridge and return; hauled by an SAR F Class with sound. The shrill of the Guards whistle was heard at every stop and the blast of the steam whistle echoed through the room  prior to each departure. I did note a broad grin at one point.

The Proof

The Commissioner has had a formal complaint from the Blue Lake Yardmaster, something about the task being too busy to have trains ready to run due to overwork, poor instructions and insufficient trackwork. Taking a leaf from the Donald Trump School of Management I understand the former Yardmaster is now Station Porter at Tantanoola. problem solved.

A few Pics of the days events.

Blue Lake Yard is busy with VR89 sits on Yard track 1 after arriving from Heywood while Geoff brings in 152 from Millicent on its way to Mile End after a bit of shunting here.

After crossing the mighty Murray River David guides 312 into Murray Bridge for shunting duties.

David is the picture of concentrations as he guides 312 through Bridgewater

833 waits in the Blue lake Yard for the call on 261 to shunt the Apcel Paper Plant in Snuggery

Train 9127 has arrived in Blue Lake off the VR. The Yardmaster backs 702 on the head end for the trip to Dry Creek while VR C510 heads to the loco depot for refueling.