Not All Holiday

 Just spent two weeks in Bali. A week of diving and a week of relaxation, well it wasn’t all relaxation. Still being in the process of developing the supporting paperwork for operations and having run the Monday AM and PM schedules. I spent many hours in my hotel room writing, or typing, out the paperwork for the Tuesday AM scheduled, getting ready for a June Operating session. Train Orders, Station Timetables, Blue Lake Switchlists etc. I also spent time processing images of my locomotives to use on the Traincontroller interface. 

15 years Operations of the BDR

 May 3rd, 2025 saw most of the BDR team, past & current assemble for the 15th Anniversary of BDR commencing regular operations

Geoff, Steve Ray, Bob , Don, Reg, Craig, Connor , David & myself  to a lunch time BBQ all wearing the Border Downs T shirt.  

Snags, onions & coleslaw with buttered bread & a choice of sauce - very nice followed up with a chocy cake that slid down very easily.

The Boss cooking up onion.

Some tall stories of all types

On a board were photos of the various stages of building the BDR

 a record of events

   and some notes from the History book

Reg. Bob. Steve, Ron,  Craig at the far end, Connor, Ray, David, Don - gunzel Geoff

this time Gunzel is Kris, the Boss according to Geoff

A very enjoyable period of time.

remember crew for May 8th

Geoff - main line driver

Steve - Train Control

Ray - Border Downs Station Master

Craig - poison train plus

Connor & David , the other crew members.

I now have two records to my name  - on both Wild Creek & Border Downs, I have the most operating sessions just behind the railway Company owners.

Sol

The Wolf Creek and Western Expansion

 Geoff has decided to expand the WCWRR further creating a little congestion on the layout. He has moved that layout around so that the Largest town, formerly Bristol is now in the centre of the layout, renamed Eagle. Now stay with me, Eagle is now Bristol, Bristol is now Eagle, Hudson is now Independence, Greenville is now Hudson, Franklin is Greenville, and Clinton and Dayton are Dayton and Clinton. The new area above Aaronsberg Yard is Franklin and Indepenence is either Jesus or Jehovah’s, I’m not sure which, maybe Jacksonville or Jump City. Anyway things have changed in the WCWRR. 😱😩

Bristol, I mean Eagle Yard

The new Franklin above Aaronsberg Yard

Dayton, or is it Clinton, 

The SAR finally hits the South Penn

 Imagine my surprise as I entered the Train Room expecting to see Carlisle in my face and there staring at me was the town of Jamestown, half way between Gladstone and Peterborough. 

Like me, Steve is finally taking the plunge to come home. He has redesigned his layout from the ‘once planned but never built South Penn’ to his real passion ‘Gladstone’. As luck would have it, his layout design facilitates a section of the standard gauge line that ran from Broken Hill to Port Pirie, intersecting with the narrow gauges at Gladstone , to Wilmington, and at Peterborough, to Quorn and of course the Broad Gauge to Adelaide. His Staging conveniently acts as Port Pirie, Adelaide and Broken Hill.

The modelled section commences in Peterborough (formerly Bedford) with the Narrow Gauge Branches to Quorn (Narrow) and Adelaide (Broad) up through Yongala (formerly………), Bellalie North (formerly Summit), to Jamestown ( formerly Carlisle), down through Caltowie (formerly…….. ) to Gladstone with its Branches to Wilmington (Narrow) and Adelaide (Broad). Jamestown has a Branch to Bundaleer North (formerly Pine …..) for the extensive logging traffic to Port Pirie.

Welcome home Steve.

835 and 848 haul a string of OB loaded with wheat from Caltowie to Jamestown and on to Port Pirie for export.

Later in the day the 830’s are seen hauling a mixed goods towards Gladstone

Monday PM Schedule 16/4/2025

 Today saw the second running of the GSD as an Operational Model Railway. Seven brave souls entered the Bear Pit and undertook to run the Monday PM timetable. Sixteen trains, only one Passenger, 166, and that was a mixed.. The relative positions were:

Train Controller Geoff Tynan

Blue Lake Yardmaster : Steve Weedon

Operators: Ray Brownbill, Ron Solly and David Orr

Operations Quality Supervisor : Geoff Matthias

Commissioner: Yours Truly

Things got off to slow start with phone logging on issues and general orientation to paperwork and the layout orientation, but they soon started to settle down. The slow start did put a few trains behind schedule but over all most worked through the issues and good few hours was had by all.

The Bear Pit being ‘Geoffed”

I was expecting problems as it is only when the whole crew is here that the layout is put under pressure and weak point break. This was only the second time the layout was put under such pressure.  We had problems with power to some points in Wirrega,  Murray Bridge and Bridgewater, some of my paperwork was less than salubrious, for instance one Operator noted that he had to take a crossing loop in Tantanoola to cross his own train (Doh!). The timetable worked pretty well and each of the train gave the operators plenty to do. Thanks to Geoff. Steve worked Blue Lake hard and made a few suggestions to improve its workability. That’s always a good sign we are getting there. All in all though I got the impression everyone had a good day, even though I finished with another long list of things to do before the next session in June.  They all said they enjoyed the cake.

Steve and Ray in Blue Lake

All trains movements were completed and clock only stopped twice due to delays.

One major issue was the Train Orders did not have enough info on them to be useful so I have set about rewriting them based on Geoff M suggestions.

Whilst I appreciate the patience of the operators I feel I took another step forward toward a reliable Great Southern Division.

Train 731 has left Dry Creek Yard nd passes Mile End on its way out of the city to begin its long haul to Melbourne.

Train 9127 crosses the Dartmoor trestle heading in to Blue Lake to pick up an SAR loco for its trip through SA to Dry Creek

312 passes Bridgewater station on its way to Mile End

42

Greetings

 In his book Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams posed the question "What is the meaning of life, the Universe and Everything?" scientists fed the question into a Kray Computer which took 10,000 years to come up with an answer. The answer 42.

Well its been a long time since my last post on this site. Not 10,000 years, but Life, the Universe and Everything have played their role in the absence of reporting.

So where am I at with the GSD?

After a few visits by the thought police, advice was given regarding 'improvements' that could be made to the layout to enhance its operational functionality. In addition Geoff Mathias has provided me with a full set of operational schedules that will see 16 and 17 trains operate over a 12 hour timetable covering four sessions, Monday, Wednesday and Friday AM and PM services and Tuesday and Thursday AM and PM services. I have also sought to improve my 3D printing skills and have built some half decent models for the layout as well as completed some projects for friends.

Dry Creek Yard

Geoff M suggested I put a four track yard in on the opposite wall to the Mile End Yard to give extra staging tracks for the Adelaide end of the layout. This would require the installation of a bridge across the doorway and changing the area in which i do my 3D printing.

Whilst all tracks are not yet in, the base board, points and some tracks are now operational, so the Melbourne Jets will arrive and leave from Dry Creek.

Blue Lake Livestock Loading area

The Blue Lake livestock loading area has been moved around the corner from its original position to better service the Borthwicks Abattoir..

Murray Bridge

To make Murray Bridge more interesting Noske Bros have built a large Flour Mill on the edge of town and have contracted the SAR to deliver bulk grain to the mill in open wagons and take bagged flour in covered and out.

Timetable

With all the work Geoff m did on the timetables I have had to prepare all the paperwork to support its delivery.

I have printed temporary Carcards & Waybills for all rollingstock to cycle through 4 movements, as well as spares to support cars moving to different areas over time. I have printed Train Orders with a timetable on the reverse so operators know what is required of their train. I have developed Switching documentation for the Blue Lake Yardmaster that tells him what has to go where and from where a car is coming albeit industry or incoming train. And, I have drawn up the movement diagram for the dispatcher

3D Printing

Dartmoor Goods Shed

I printed, painted and set a goods platform and shed at Dartmoor

Insulation Vans

I have finally completed an RX Insulation Van from design through 3D printing, painting, decals and running. RX 9025 Celery Sue is now operational.

OBf

The design of the OBf wagon is still not 100% but I think its getting there. a bit more fiddling to do.

Locomotive Repair

One of the problems of buying second hand locomotives is you buy other peoples problems. But these machines are just simple mechanical beings that just need simple repairs. tighten a screw here, solder a wire there, easy..........

I have had a group of Trainorama SAR 930 locos on the shelf for some time needing new gears on the axles. I had replaced many already with a wide white gear I bought on eBay, but they proved less than satisfactory. I saw Australian Modeller had a better version similar to the NWSL gears I installed in Geoff M's 930's. So a couple of packets of those and viola, 930's running much better as a result.

The 520 I bought has been lying idle for too long. I started rewiring it and thought I would try some new sugar cube speakers to enhance the sound. Erm, as I hooked them up to the decoder tester I accidently put the metal parts across the track which led to the decoder becoming a steam engine in its own right. Poof, so I am up for a new decoder, but I have used the opportunity to install a Decoder Buddy I bought from NixTrainz in the US. These clever little boards sit in  the tender facilitating a plug in decoder. I have also converted all the wiring to the correct NMRA codes for functions. I have contacted Pete Mickalelk  to try and get the original sound file as he built the model and the original sound file was brilliant. Otherwise I shall have to load a US Mountain type loco file. 

Wirrega RIP

 Saw this on Facebook the other day. Removal of Silos at Wirrega August 2024

Melbourne Model Railway Exhibition

A little video of my visit to the AMRE VIC Train Show in Melbourne last weekend

https://youtu.be/ibPB2t1nHJA?feature=shared

 

The Acid Test

 July 17th became the day the GSD was put through her paces by the crowd from the Northern Suburbs. Ray, Ron, Dave, Geoff M and Geoff T gathered for lunch at 12 followed by their introduction to the GSD.

Once the food was digested I reminded the crew that Happiness = Expectation minus Reality, and it was in their control as to whether they would have a happy day.

After a brief introduction to the layout the task was set about to hook up phones to the Command System, I use a YaMoRC YD7001  and Traincontroller to dispatch, although today TC was rested. The crew then oriented themselves to the Operating format, which included Train Orders and Manifests. I use Manifest Creator, a back end product the runs from the Operations Pro element of JMRI. Operators don’t have to carry Car Cards and weighbills as the computer tracks rolling stock movements. It took a little while to get hooked up, but eventually with guidance from the GSD’s technical adviser, Geoff T, all operators were running trains with their phones. Oh,all except Ron, he opted for the DT602 throttle which, whilst it is the same colour as his NCE Throttles, that’s where the similarities stop. 

This was the first time the GSD had three WiFi operators and one Throttle operator working simultaneously. Four trains operating at the same time in different towns. I am pleased to say she held up pretty well. I warned operators that there were some deceased Frenchmen at some points, operators were very kind to point out certain issues that cropped up, but none were show stoppers.

The main comment was not enough Staging…….. Duh! There is never enough staging, Geoff T has 14 staging tracks at each end of his layout, and guess what, it isn’t enough. 

That aside, there were some track work issues that are easily fixed. Locomotives ran relatively smoothly, and people seemed generally happy (expectations did not outweigh the reality) with the day. I think they see more potential to expand the Operations a bit more than I have at present.

Alas I forgot to take pics to include in this report but you can’t have everything.

The session was topped off with Tea and Coffee and a Mandarin cake with Cream (provided by the delightful Helen)

It was agreed next month down south will see the crew put the Wolf Creek and Western put through it paces.

I wish to thank the boys from out north for indulging me and special thank you to Geoff T for his able advice and assistance in troubleshooting.

The Commish

Addendum 

It seems Ron took some pics so here are some from his collection

3 level staging Millicent at the bottom, Heywood in the middle and Adelaide/Mile End on top

The view down to Wirrega

The Up Mixed awaits departure in Blue Lake Yard

David’s edges his train onto the Murray River Bridge

Blue Lake Loco Yard with its Digital 👆🏻 Turntable

Dartmoor VIC with Tantanoola siding at the lower level

Blue Lake Yard looking West

EOFY Update on the GSD

 As most of you know June was a difficult month for me as I had too many balls to juggle to participate in external model railway activities. Whilst I missed the BDR and Wild Creek. It looks like a I dodged a bullet with COVID spreading its tentacles amongst the group. The biggest disappointment in my decision though, for me, was introducing the Eskimos (the northern indigenous people of Adelaide) to the GSD. That event, COVID willing, will occur now on July 17th.

Whilst I may have been AWOL from other layouts, things have progressed on the GSD. Adelaide and Mile End staging trackwork is nearly in. Both are operational with limited manoeuvrability, still some crossover tracks to put in, They both seem to function well. I have not yet put in the point motors so all are digitally operated with the right hand index digit. 

I have divided the trackage into two sections, three tracks are Adelaide Station and three tracks Mile End freight yard.

I came across a FB post on the South Australian Railways HO Scale page by Gavin Thrum on his Adelaide station scene on his layout, and thought to myself, ‘I can do better than that! God what a sloppy modeller’ (for those that don’t know Gavin’s work, its exquisite modelling, extra fine detail all scratch built, very inspirational)

Gavin’s Adelaide from his FB Post

 Then reality set in, who am I kidding, but I thought why not have a go, so based on his achievement, I have set about designing and  printing three platforms of the old Adelaide Railway Station, with a low relief building in the back and the famous Adelaide Station Signal cabin as trains depart. One of the things I love about Gavin’s work is his attention to detail and inclusion of the small things. So I am working my way through designing and printing, the small yard disc signals, power distribution boxes, signal rodding etc etc. 

Adelaide on the right, Mile End to the left.

Scenery

I have undertaken more mountain building and scenery detail, as well as painted some back scenes to add some interest to the layout. My pine forest on the Millicent Branch, whilst not up for any Art prize, seems functional. The addition of scenery material along the track side will soften its harshness. 

My Pine Forest

Motive Power

With the help of Geoff Tynon, I have fiddled with all the locomotives on Decoderpro. All those that were running intermittently are now running very smoothly by turning off BEMF. ‘ Why, you ask, when BEMF is supposed to smooth things out’, well all I can say is ‘that’s Model Railways’.

I am having trouble with the gear towers and wheels on some of my Trainorama 930’s and VR S Class rounding some curves and crossing points. All wheels are in gauge but they just pick the points. They are barstards to get apart, but I will tinker away and hopefully resolve the issue.

Rolling Stock

I received the stone hopper loads for my 3D Printed stone hoppers which are starting to look reasonable. I have not yet found the right screws to hold the bogies on, I was hoping Burfitt or Aztronics might have them at the show, but alas no. Looks like I will have try Temu or Ali Express and guess my way around. 

I had to pack up my spray booth for June so a number of paint jobs await, including my Cafeteria Car, the Green and Cream Insulation car and the remainder of the stone hoppers. Maybe July. 

Traincontroller (aka Railroad &Co)

During June I resolved to increase my knowledge of this product. Initially I thought, screw this,  I want to change as I don’t like the way it drops out during running sessions  and everyone on forums is raving about iTrain. So I down loaded iTrain, drew up the layout, put in the sensors and ran some locomotives, changed points etc, All good. That was the first nine videos of the 108 videos in the training series. I am 73 years old, I fugured I’d be 93 before I got iTrain to the point I already had Traincontroller. So screw that. 

The GSD in iTrain

Calling on the IT knowledge of Geoff Tynon again, he determined I was a Fwit, as I had Traincontroller using two connections to the same Command Station which he thinks (I don’t) were conflicting. Time will tell who is correct. 

Anyway upshot is I am sticking with TC 9 Silver until I get totally p’d off with it.

The GSD in Traincontroller

Operations

I continue to refine how I plan to run operation sessions. I installed TrainOrder boxes in locations where trains start so operators pick their train from the list on the Crew Call Board, go to the departing Depot and pick up their train order. Upon completion they place the Train Order in the box next to the Call Board. 

I plan to stick with Operations Pro in JMRI and Manifest Creator to determine car movement. I continue to develop my knowledge of these great programs to refine the specific requirements of each industry and create interesting jobs for operators. 

A Typical GSD Manifest

Well that’s about it for June. The GSD conquest to develop, and I am truly enjoying the peace this hobby brings to my life. Until next time.

The Commish

Oh one of the stresses I had this month was getting Council Approval for a verandah off the front of the GSD shed. All done and under construction, should be finished tomorrow.