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| After having taken a month or so to put
fingers to keyboard, I have plenty of news to report after having put
many hours of work into the layout. |
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Firstly, I have been
playing around with static grass. I must say that after you have
tried this, you will never want to use any other form of scenic
material. I have been using a brand called Polak which I picked
up from Modeler’s Warehouse. I’ve been using a 6mm grass mixed
with a couple of different types of 2-3mm grass.
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The woodland scenics “skaker box” material also works
well with the grass applicator.
With a price tag of over $300, a lot of people I have spoken to have
been scared off buying a static grass applicator.
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All I can say is either give it a go or build
one from one of the many forums you can find with a quick search
of google. If you are going to make your own applicator though,
it is worth advising that you exercise some caution as playing
with electricity and fingers isn’t really a great hobby.
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| My applicator was supplied to me by a friend
up in Townsville and works a treat. |
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With the new sections of the layout
I decided to make the front of Summiton yard appear more run down.
Like a seldom used section of the yard, leading to the branchline.
That being said, it is a perfect test area for the static grass.
I’ll let the pictures do the talking but I am very happy with the
results and it only took an hour |
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medium. |
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Whilst waiting for my new grass to dry, I started
putting in some more trees. I must say that I love our new trees,
mainly because I don’t have to make them. The root systems on
these trees look great with the static grass as well.
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As it is that time of year again,
Jade, Keith and I are getting ready for the Brisbane Miniature Train
Show. As it has been for some thirty years, the show is being held
at the R.N.A show grounds in Brisbane over the Labor Day Weekend.
This show is always the biggest and best show of our year and this
year promises to be no different. |
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As always, we will be releasing a few new kits
at this years show. We will be proudly releasing our 13th locomotive
kit. The 2300 Mark II kit is one that many of you have been asking
me to produce for a while now. These kits cover the locomotives
numbered 2352 through to 2399. If you check the prototype info
section they are listed as a 2350 class.
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This year we also have a few new wagons
coming onto the shelves as well.
The VO coal hopper is one that has been unavailable for a while
and has been cleaned up from the original pattern to produce a more
accurate model. |
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We also have the SW water wagon. These are essentially
just an S class wagon fitted with two metal water tanks. The finer
details on these kits (such as the drainage taps) is nicely done
and makes into a uniquely Queensland wagon.
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Again after many requests, we have
released the H class open wagon. This time we have made it with
a one piece body. It even has interior detail. With being one of
the most common wagons used by QR up until the early 1980’s the
H wagon is looking like it will be a very popular kit. |
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Last but by no means least we are re-releasing
the QLX louvered box wagon. I’ve been planning on remaking the
underframe for these for some time now. In the process I decided
to give the kit a one piece body as well. For the first time,
the new version of the QLX kit features an accurate underframe
with correct brake fittings.
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| Initially, the modern version (post 1973)
of the QLX is being released with a few other versions to follow soon.
The kits still includes the complete decal set for those who like to get
their wagons as detailed as possible. |
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So now with all of those shameless
plugs out of the way, I feel I should mention that for some reason
little Keith has developed a fear of my DH model. Maybe it is due
to the greenish colour striking a nerve (I’m going to leave the
rest of that comment go I think). |
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| No matter the reason, when I brought Keith into
the layout room, he was happily watching 1741D and 2123F going about
their duties… But as soon as he saw DH02 exit the tunnel at Holman
he started crying uncontrollably. So if Jade and Keith have their
way, there may be a cheap (if possessed) DH appearing on eBay. I
sincerely doubt it though. |
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In other layout news, I have managed
to complete a couple more wagons! After having sat on my bench for
nearly a year, I have finally gotten around to finishing my two
LSR shunter’s wagons. As the LSR now contains complete decals, I
decided to letter the two for our layout for Sumiton. |
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I have also managed to finish off a pair
of SX coaches for the layout. At some point before I turn ninety, I am
intending to build this into a full seven coach set. However as always
time (and Jade) is a killer.
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As many of you already know, after making the
recent changes to the layout, I have found a rejuvenated passion
for working on it… That and it is a heck of a lot more enjoyable
than sculpting Keith’s nappies.
The next step is to install a few more trees on the layout and plaster
the new mountain that covers the helix. |
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| As always, we shall see how we go. |
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