MURRUMBIDGEE MAIL

Issue 2 A Second Issue? Who would have thought you would all like this electronic rag?
Many have offered assistance with articles, how to essays and pictures to share. Some
CONSIST
help and ideas were also received in regard to basic layout and page set up.
Notice that the header flag at the top of this page is now based on a popular NSWGR
* GOVERNOR’S colour scheme. I have a series of different ones to use for the sake of variety. Thanks
CAR Dale for that idea. You will also notice the top of page flag on the back page depicting
a home signal of the NSWGR.
* WAGGA SHOW
ROUNDUP You will see more than the 4 pages of the first issue. Two specific pages are set aside
for comment from the Club President and a Club Musings page that I would hope dif-
* FROM THE ferent club members may take upon them selves to contribute to. This issue, it contains
ROOMS come back ground and planning ideas for our permanent railway which is available for
casual running on club nights or by invitation.
* MEET THE
MEMBERS My discussion last issue of the Tumut Group was met with some interest and so a
Meet the Member column has been added. This month we meet our Club President,
* HISTORY Graeme Hearn. That will keep us going for around three years, so we need some more
members.
* HOME SIGNAL
I have been asked about the photo above, just below the title flag. It is an Andrew
Browne Photo. It was taken during an exhibition in Melbourne and is of the station
board on Stockinbingal. The station buildings are Andrew’s work and were built to
SUBMISSIONS: plans provided by the Railway Engineer’s department at Wagga and built using vari-
ous sheets of scribed styrene. Adjustments were made to the plans based on on-site
To the Editor observations. The back drops painted by our founding President, Garry Walden, set
Ian McIntyre them off nicely. The Assistant Station Master’s residence is also built to plans by
ianmac57@bigpond.net.au yours truly as was the Fettler’s gang shed. Compression was used to fit everything in,
Preferably in word format
and pictures in JPEG for- but it is hard to pick how without being familiar with the township. Locals have com-
mat separately. A flash or mented how realistic the scene is. Notice the pains taken to not leave a straight edge at
thumb drive may be used the base board front. There is not much variance from straight, but the edge is softened
or CD. These will be re- as ground level variation is accentuated. The eye sees a gently rolling diorama.
turned.

This document is provided free to share without modification or addition. The docu-
ment remains the property of the Wagga Wagga Model Railroaders Inc. Where possi-
ble, photos and articles used are with the owner’s permission. Reproduction in part
without the permission of the owners may contravene copyright laws.

Wagga Wagga Model Railroaders

PO Box 6340 Wagga Wagga Business Centre
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

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 The GOVERNER’S CAR
(President’s Page)

WAGGA WAGGA
MODEL RAILROADERS A Club Newsletter! A lot has happened in the short time since the
INC. first one. We have had our 9th Annual Model Railway & Hobbies Ex-
PRESIDENT hibition and some of us are still recovering. All Club Members &
GRAEME HEARN Volunteers performed well and a lot was achieved. We introduced a
VICE PRESIDENT few changes & identified a few more that are needed before the 10th
LES WEST Show. I will not name people as I could forget someone so I will just
SECRETARY say “Well done to all!”
STEVEN RAVENSCROFT

TREASURER The hard work over the last year has been worth while and the
FLEUR WEST club is once again vibrant. It is also very good to see so many people
PO Box 6340 enjoying the facilities of the club and indeed helping to develop them.
Wagga Wagga This is what a club is for. The number of people “dropping in” is a
Business Centre testament and reward to the new Committee and members.
NSW 2650
Monday evening at the Club is going well with a good atten-
dance & plenty of running on the layout under construction. A pleas-
ing thing here is that most seem to be using it or joining in whilst oth-
ers do. The show and tell of some of the participants has been very
interesting. I would like to encourage all members and visitors to
bring something along to run on our social meeting nights. That way,
we can all share and learn from one and other.

The ladies of the Club have taken it upon them selves to ensure
that a cup of tea or coffee, along with a biscuit is available each meet-
ing and I would like to thank them for that. A “lady’s place may be in
the kitchen” but don’t be scared to go and lend a hand in the kitchen.
(I am going to get hung, or worse for that). One of the early choices
this club made was to introduce a gold coin donation to cover petty
cash type costs. (Macca take note a Gold Coin) This practice has
been revived and it is this donation which pays for these biscuits and
so forth. Maybe we can get a cake or a pack of party pies every so
often. Also we are thinking of banning any discussion of Scalextric
The Club meets so- LOL.
cially, most Monday
evenings from around
7.00P.M. at the BEST
RESERVE HALL for
running on the perma- COMING EVENTS
nent HO layout under
construction. Members Keep in touch as a Christmas
are encouraged to par-
ticipate in the con-
Party will be held during De-
struction. Guests are cember at the home of Barry
most welcome.
Jones.

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 MODEL SHOW ROUNDUP
As usual, a lot of running around and just fixing things or doing jobs as they arose, getting
bread, empty a bin, wash up and serve lunch, but as one of the ladies said to me, “we got it
done!” And we did it without any real issues. Lots of
frayed nerves, but no issues. Yes we did. I have not
seen final figures yet but it seems from what Graeme
Hearn has told me already, we may have even gotten
over the line. A study of the figures will obviously
highlight areas we can improve on. And they will be
available to members during the show round up
meeting which will be held once the accounts are all
in.

An Official Opening! What will they think of next?

The attendees, traders and exhibitors were all sur-
prised by that but saw it as a natural part of the show.
With our tenth show pencilled for next year, the part-
nership now formed with our chosen Charity, the
Cancer Council, and hopefully some new major
event sponsors, will allow us to implement some me-
dia promotion thus expanding our door and of course
the size of the donation made to the Cancer Council
by our Club from collected donations and a portion
of our own profits from things like the now famous
Wagga Wagga Swindle. Dr Ted Wolf, Regional Chairman of
Cancer Council Advisory Commit-
One of the hard tee, speaking at the official opening
things to do Saturday morning. President Graeme
when you act as Hearn stands waiting to present the
an event man- WWMR Life members with com-
ager is to actu- memorative plaques.
ally slow down
and smell the
roses so to speak. I probably saw less than 10% of
what was on offer and now look forward to the next
show just to “have a look”. I did manage to make a
few small purchases as I am sure you all did. Show
and tell is every week at the hall.

Of note was the model of the trailer on its’ side on the

Epping layout, Brunswick Park based on the accident
coming to Wagga in 2007 with Brisbane Water. You
gotta laugh. How cool was Midsomer Norton? I once
modelled the GWR and so am familiar with 4mm
modelling. This concept of the small circular layout
was well executed and the scenery was fabulous. It is
a lesson to all that a good exhibition layout does not
MIDSOMER NORTON

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have to be large and to be honest, that would be nice in
the spare room.. Eskbank looked a treat with its’ period
rolling stock. 12th Street Yard entertained the Yankee
fans and Broadford starred again with long trains. Wili-
gobung with its classic NSWGR flavour was popular as
was Tumut, lots of comment on the growth of that dis-
play and from what I saw it was running nicely as well.
Dirt, you just want to stand there and take it all in and
still miss half of it. So much trains and so little space, so
much sound and lights and I am starting to dribble now!
Toot’l had a few running issues initially, but many peo-
ple stopped to see what was actually happening as the
guys cured their first show nerves and teething problems.
A good first effort for a young fellow and the good thing
is that the group did not give up, but continued to work
until they got things running. Stone Creek and the Can-
berra Monaro “N” Scale Group waved the flag brilliantly
for our smaller cousins showing us what this smaller size
can do. Who did not stand in awe of those ships? Task A diesel switcher toils away on the
Force 72 and the Canberra Shipwrights should be com- back street roads which form 12th
mended for their efforts and display supporting our show. Street Yard.
With trains and cars, I don’t know if I can afford another
hobby. Now, where to get some planes for next year?

Thanks to Keiran and Darryl for stepping up and running the Saturday evening function and
frivolities for me. We have some spare MRA magazines to pass around so please see
Graeme if you can use or distribute any.

Memorable moments Competition Results

Brett, son of Founding President Gary
Waldon, tied the knot with Natalie
Sutton on Saturday afternoon, Novem-
ber 1st. WWMR members wish them
both well for their future together.
Dale Richards from the Mckenzie in
HO Land stand popped the question
during a family reunion at Binalong on
Saturday evening. The young lass must
have said yes as she was sporting a rock
on Sunday . Congratulations from all of
us and best of luck for your future.
Aaron Denning of the Epping Club managed to
win the 2008 Andrew Browne Memorial for Im-
proved Rail Models, for the second time.
The Corvus award for Scratch Built Rail Models
went to Michael Holiton of the Hobson’s Bay
Model Railway Club
Our new One87-1Scene diorama trophy and
prize went to Matthew Herriot of Canberra for
an interesting before and after of a Victorian
Powder van.
John Herriot, runner up for the Andrew Browne
Memorial, publicly thanked our sponsors and
encouraged all present to prepare an entry for
next year, so how about it?

A huge thank you to all who helped out over the weekend and thanks espe-
cially to our commercial sponsors who have again helped to make the Wagga
Wagga Model Railway and Hobby Exhibition the best in Country New South
Wales. Without these people, these weekends simply cannot occur.

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Musings from “The Rooms”.
We should probably start discussions soon to name some of the locations and indeed the railway being mod-
elled in our club room. Maybe this is where we can honour past members or indeed achievements. I would
propose “Ryan” in honour of Kevin, who spent a few years with us and passed his final years enjoying our
hobby and company. “Brunswick” the shade of green used by the “Pennsy”, Andy Browne’s road of choice, or
we could use “Andrews”. Either would tickle Andrew. Why don’t we all have a think and see what we can
come up with. It would be good to be able to refer to stations with their name rather than to say “the station
near the bridge over by the fan”.

We also need to begin some scenery. The track work at the city end of the layout is pretty well as it will re-
main. Platforms need to be cut and fitted. We have more than enough ply now to get involved with that. Once
fitted, buildings and details can be planned and added as required and ready. If you feel that you can handle a
particular project or would like to have a go at something, then feel free to claim that project and discuss it,
after all it is a Club project. Some of the items currently needed include station building, signal box and associ-
ated bric-a-brac, a couple of road bridges maybe a pedestrian bridge over the platforms and a number of inner
city type buildings to represent a suburb around about the style and importance of say Liverpool or Parramatta.
An effort needs now to be made to complete the point machinery installation at “City” so that the extruded
foam we have collected can be cut and installed to become the scenery and base for these models. Permanent
wiring will follow. Control panel location will also need to be discussed as we do not want to be moving them
later on.

Some discussion has also

occurred at the hall as to
the design of the station to
be laid on the new bench
work near the kitchen. The
current theme outline al-
lows this one to be repre-
sentative of a single line Southern main station. It will be a junction station as our branch will depart here, en-
tering the spiral to gain the necessary height to separate it from the existing railway. The branch will terminate
above and to the right of he existing City station area. Items needed will include a silo, goods shed maybe a
crane as well as basic loco facilities, water column and tank, coal staithe and maybe a turntable and small shed.
The plan above is based on those discussions. The Main is the widest line with the branch exiting top left. The
small yard may do mixed duty being wagon roads as well as possible loco servicing roads for branch locos.
Two platforms are indicated, but an island may suffice, or the branch could even continue behind the upper, or
“up” platform, still allowing direct access to the main. A further crossover would possibly be needed to the left
of the platforms for correct prototype operation.

Although basic, this sketch gives an idea of treat-

ments possible for the City Station and the associ-
ated business district. The track would run through a
cutting with a road overbridge and Main street just
beyond. The operating pit is provided for the branch
terminus which will be above the area between the
two marked tunnels. Track will still be accessible for
maintenance or re-railing of rolling stock. The plat-
forms are indicated as black boxes, the white boxes
represent buildings. A variation of this would see the
main building spanning the tracks sharing space with
a road overbridge. Waiting rooms, rest rooms and
vendors such as news stands could be present on the
platforms.

5
 Meet the Members
Many would know Graeme Hearn as the proprietor with Jan his wife, also a member,
of Iron Horse Hobbies. Graeme has had a long standing professional interest in model
trains having once been a representative for Hornby and also operating a Model Rail
Business at Penrith NSW. You cannot work this long in the hobby and not have some
interest in it.

Iron Horse Hobbies, apart from the obvious second hand items, provides a wide range
of very hard to find spares for Hornby, Lima and Tyco amongst other brands, both well
known and not so well known.

Graeme is currently the President of our club and brings his business expertise as well
as his club experience gained whilst managing the Yerong Creek Bowling Club to the
role. His easy going nature allows him to not only govern the Wagga activities, but also
to enthuse our members. Whilst not being known as a modeller of any note, he more
than enjoys being entertained by those who can model. And those who know him, know
that Graeme is always up for a chat about trains or his history in the hobby.

The Club Yahoo News Group is a product of his method of management, being a way
to contact and allow constant communication between most members. An off shoot of
this new direction is this news letter, the inception of which Graeme supported and en-
couraged.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP
During the annual Wagga Wagga Model Railway and Hobby Exhibition, Founding Mem-
bers were honoured with Life Membership. It was a huge surprise to me personally when I
was informed of this plan and I was personally humbled to think that the club members felt
that way about me. Discussions I have had with other recipients, discovered great pride in
the awards and humility in receiving them. This is not something any of us aimed for nor
asked for. We formed the Club to gain some legal protection as a group whilst enjoying this
marvellous hobby and the fellowship it provides.
Recipients: Gary Walden, Alan Paterson, Wayne Armstrong, Rodney Smith, Peter Parsons,
Barrie Price and Ian McIntyre.

Thanks and a BIG Thumbs up!

The Tumut crew would like to thank Tumut Metaland for the much appreci-
ated assistance with transport arrangements for their “Tumut Branch Line”.

Assistance was gratefully accepted towards the construction of racking to

house the various panels in a trailer to allow safe, secure transport.

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History Lesson
It has been said that the character of a group is derived from the characters within the group
past and present. This is so true. We are currently seeing a shift in priorities within our club
never before seen as possible. Activities over the last year have seen me taking a good look
from the outside in and I have noticed a lot, most of it very good. The most self evident fea-
ture of the club now is the strong committee. Running evenings are fun again with people
laughing and sharing a hobby which is so diverse and dynamic that we can never hope to
support more than a portion of the current interests. This does take me back in time a little
to the early 80s when I began to mix with a group of model rail enthusiasts who I met
through a client of mine at that time. Little by little, over the next few MMs, I would like to
introduce our current members and readers of this tome to some of this Club’s History.

The Wagga Wagga Model Railroaders Inc was formed in the early 90s. It was formed to
provide a level of legal protection in conjunction with a suitable Insurance policy for the
circle of friends involved building Stockinbingal. But the story does not start there, in fact it
started years before.

The Riverina Trainmasters was a group of local rail enthusiasts holding regular home visits
to model railways in the district which was well in operation during the early 80s when I
moved to Wagga Wagga. I am sure someone will come forward with more information on
this group later and I will be happy to hear and share that. Arthur Robinson, a Junee resi-
dent and signalmen had an FO passenger car in his back yard full of N scale trains. Arthur
managed the visits, keeping a calendar and arranging next years’ calendar well into the 80s
when it was managed by what was to become the WWMR group. Arthur’s travels in retire-
ment became more frequent and further afield, his son is tied up with the live steam remote
control group near Berrima. Some layouts of note from that time are those of Russell Willis,
Jack Turner, Barrie Price John Strudwyck and John Pratt. Struddy is an insulin dependant
diabetic and supplied us with syringes for loco oil. A practice probably very much frowned
upon today. He favoured the LMS with it’s bright Red pre British Rail steam Locomotives.
No, not because he liked red, but because it made it difficult for his lovely lady to conclude
that he had bought a new loco or 3 since she last checked the railway room.

The best weekends of the year were AMRA NSW/Bowral in October and AMRA VIC in
Sullivan Country, Camberwell. These weekends were planned for over many weeks with 2
maybe 3 carloads of us travelling together and meeting up several times during the day at
different feed or shopping times. The way our group was welcomed and treated at Bowral
by Peter and his group was to become a pattern for us years later at our first and subsequent
shows. A couple of new layouts appeared, Andrew Browne and Gary Walden started to
come along on running nights, Peter Parsons flew in on a RAAF posting for his second stint
in Wagga, the RAAF probably supplying our largest number of short term members to the
group. Our numbers at any time being somewhere between 10 and up to 30 plus at different
times, playing trains and being fed some tasty suppers by the wives on many occasions. We
all had a favourite layout but looked forward to each monthly visit to any layout just to run
trains.

The camaraderie, the trips away and the very real shared interest went through many
changes but remained with us and helped to sustain our passion for the hobby. It was this
group passion which made some of us realise that if we harnessed the various skills within
our group, we could build an exhibition layout. To be continued…………….

7

BURNHAM PETROLEUM
Just to prove that the Yanks do not hold a mortgage
on recycled items of rolling stock, I submit this shot
of Burnham Petroleum. The bowsers are long gone
but the scene is recognisable as a service station. What
looks like a derivative of the MHG type NSW brake
van serves well as office and showroom for this facil-
ity. The skirt under the car looks to be painted tin and
concrete steps allow access. The immediate forecourt
is also concrete with gravel approaches, all sheltered
under a very basic corrugated iron roof which is sup-
ported by the van at one end and a single RHS post
between the now non existent petrol bowsers at the
other. This would not be hard to reproduce and to be
honest, the correct van would not matter. What an
interesting mini scene!
New Products
BERG’s Hobbies are set to release
their long awaited Sydney electric
Suburbans.
KR Models has released a sheet of
accurate brass loco numbers for the
South Maitland locos. These include
bolt detail and are a must for that
accurate finishing touch.
HOME SIGNAL
WESTBY STATION
Westby is the former terminus of The Rock to Pulli-
top branch line. Located in rolling pastoral land
South of the Livingstone State Forest, it is probably
the least well known of all NSW branch lines. Closed
in the 60s, most of the buildings still exist though the
rails are long gone. Mangoplah is the only township
along the line with isolated rural stations being the
rule. Most were only a small waiting room but
Westby boasted loco facilities including a 60 foot
turn table.
Brand new 92 class at Goninan’s
Newcastle. Late September 2008
ERRATA:
Last Issue I wrote that Andrew Lawson was the
2008 Barrie Weatherall Encouragement Award
recipient. Well of course, no-one knows who that is
as yet as it has not been announced as yet. Andrew
picked up the 2006 award and won a loco in the
swindle in 2007.