The May
Meeting of the NSW DCC Modellers Group was at Yarramundi, 10 kms south of
Richmond. I offered to take John, Andrew, Erik and Spencer in the Boss’s Honda Civic
for the trip of a lifetime, first to the Model Railroad Craftsman to
pick up some goodies then onto the Meeting, a 90 minute drive. Thanks to Spencer, we were not as jammed in as we would have been, if I drove. I guess Spencer wanted make
sure he was comfortable. Thanks Spencer for taking us.
Google got us there and also gave
us a bird’s eye view of Craig’s layout where I've made a very rough track plan, hopefully correct, below.
All of us were all gobsmacked with what Craig has done on his layout.
Craig’s layout is a Live Steam railway with all of our favorite NSW Steam locos in 5 inch gauge which is 1-1/8 to the foot. There is 1000 Metres of main line with a Tunnel, Trestle Bridge, Coal Stage, 20 points and Lower Quadrant Semaphores which are basically route indicators, on 4 acres. The track has two "Sprung Points" one at the end of the dual main line where it turns into a Single line and the other at the Return Loop around the Pond. This allows continuous running, without changing any Points. All others Points are manually operated with Levers.
Craig has 4 Steam locos, a 3008, 3654, 3805 and 5905 all with magnificent sound and one non sound Diesel, 42205. I did discuss how to add a sound decoder and a big speaker to 42205. A set of 6 R Cars made with Styrene and about about 60 4 wheel Wagons (my guess) and a couple of bogie Guards Vans. 3654 and 42205 were the locos rostered for us to "play" trains on the day.
Craig, thanks a lot for the invitation to your layout.
Craig adjusting the decoder of 3654 with an Engineer in training alongside the Coal Stage
Loco Turntable with the 3 Elevated Service Tracks in a Lighted Shed with the Crew Room and Workshop at the rear.
The Controls of 3008.
For some video of the Craig's layout, click on the photo below.
For a 6 year old YouTube of Craig's Live steam, see:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ0RgH-Tu-Ym5O6F2uiee3g
Thanks Craig, Vicky and our engine driver, for a fantastic day.