Part 1
Awards awarded in part 2.
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Semi-Retired Foamer!
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The Grand Queue of Rosehill
It was another fine Saturday at Rosehill Racecourse — fine, if you count standing in a kilometre-long queue as a form of cardio. There we were, Kevin, Ben, the asawa and myself, blending seamlessly into a line that stretched further than some branch lines ever did. You could practically see people ageing in real time as we shuffled forward at the speed of a X200 with a fully laden rake of steel coils. Still, spirits were high — or at least Red Bull-assisted — as we joined the congregation of the faithful, all bound for the sacred halls of the model train exhibition.
Oh look, it's the famous Mr Kevin Medley.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Photo: Brad Peadon
If you ever want to see the full spectrum of humanity, skip the airport and come to a model train show queue. There were dads herding small children like wayward wagons, elderly gentlemen discussing the correct shade of Indian Red on 42 class, and teenagers pretending they were dragged there against their will (but secretly fascinated). The air buzzed with anticipation, and smelt a little of racehorse dung — and also with actual flies, which took turns reminding us that we were indeed outdoors, and in close proximity to aforementioned racehorse dung. Sweat, small talk, and the occasional whiff of BO combined into a uniquely Australian waiting experience.
Oh look, its a preserved Westbus bus.
Photo: Brad Peadon
They keep saying the model railway hobby is dying. Funny, because if this crowd was any indication, it’s more alive than ever — and possibly breeding (now there's a scary thought).
Thousands of us, willingly enduring dehydration and sunstroke just to see miniature worlds in motion. By the time we finally crossed the threshold, we were half delirious, half triumphant, half starved, like explorers discovering new land. Inside, the sound of tiny locomotives humming away was almost drowned out by the collective sigh of relief. The hobby’s not dead — but after that queue, a few of us nearly were. :-)
Thousands of us, willingly enduring dehydration and sunstroke just to see miniature worlds in motion. By the time we finally crossed the threshold, we were half delirious, half triumphant, half starved, like explorers discovering new land. Inside, the sound of tiny locomotives humming away was almost drowned out by the collective sigh of relief. The hobby’s not dead — but after that queue, a few of us nearly were. :-)
Above and below.
Just when we had about given hope of finally getting inside, or being able to squash enough flies to make any difference the airborne torture, we found ourselves inside and forking out some dosh to have a squiz.
Photos: Brad Peadon
This is something I was once involved in, a worthy cause that aimed to help the families of kids suffering this horrible disease.
Sadly, some hobby individuals worked hard to force me to give up helping these families, but thankfully MrX keeps the candle burning.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Having been forced into early retirement from the hobby , I don’t really make it to many exhibitions these days. In fact, this could very well be my grand farewell tour of Rosehill — my “last run to the terminus”, if you will. Still, I pop in occasionally for the social side of things. There’s nothing quite like being reminded just how many friends you’ve accumulated over the years — so many, in fact, that a single lap of the exhibition hall can take longer than a cross-country passenger service. Who needs exercise when every three metres someone stops you for a chat about ballast or bogies?
Here we have Rodney 'the not so fat controller' Smith and Sean Foyel.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and two below
The very impressive Lego based Bricklandia layout.
The 48 class below was particularly impressive.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and five below.
Strathburn was an impressive Adelaide Hills based layout with some beautiful South Australian operations.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Dr Cooties and I talking to the legendary Phil Badger of Gopher Models and Ixion Model Railways.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
Southern Highlands is another beautiful looking layout, based on the popular area around Werai to Exeter.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
One of my favourite layouts given it's also one of my favourite locations :-)
Photos: Brad Peadon
Waterfall.
Based on, hardly surprisingly, Waterfall on the NSW Illawarra line.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The windows give a lovely view out across the horse racecourse.
Photo: Brad Peadon
90 Mile Beach is loosely based on New Zealand but using Marklin trains and some interesting automation of road vehicles.
The little yellow van at the bottom of the photo was driving across the layout. Something that will be more apparent in my YouTube video of the event.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Another of my dearest friends is fellow South Maitland obsessive Mr Nathan Chapple. Always a special treat catching up with him.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Photo: Brad Peadon
Mr & Mrs Ian of IDR Models, makers of interesting items such as the NSW 70 and X200 class, Victorian F class and DERMs, and the Queensland SX suburban carriages.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Mr Steve Pracy and SDS Models.
He makes English Electric models like these which on it's own makes him a top bloke.
However he also makes quality models of lesser locomotive manufacturers :-) and they can be all found on his website.
However he also makes quality models of lesser locomotive manufacturers :-) and they can be all found on his website.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Rollingstock On The NSWR.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The terrific, and fellow English Electric aficionado, Mr Zane Maber.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and three below.
I was particularly interested in this layout given my having a thing for the South Maitland & Richmond Vale Railways , the later of which this is based on.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Mr David Kirklansd, is probably the railfan I have known longest given we both grew up in the same St George suburb, and attended the same school.
Oh, and his interest in my main passion nowadays, the Moreton Sugar Mill system, means he has pretty good taste as well.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and three below.
Brigadoon is owned by Scott Fitzgerald and based on the Avon Valley area of Western Australia.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Photo: Brad Peadon
Great to meet Mr Jason Macklin who I've seen many many times on Facebook, but came up at the exhibition to say g'day.
Greatly appreciated mate.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Another dear friend, and internet superstar, Bradly 'Dr Cooties' Coulter, or for two days Brock Emmett according to his badge.
For the weekend he took a break from his SRF Youtube and Australian Locomotive Roster duties to help out on the Railway Coins stand.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
Electric Car Sheds is another particular favourite.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Also great to catch up with ol mate Lindsay Lucas for a chat.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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A second dreadful part to this momentous occasion will be dropping soon.
Not to mention a video that you will also have to eventually endure.
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Note: Coming up on our SRF YouTube channel is a visit to the the 2025 model railway exhibition at Rosehill Racecourse. A good look around, with footage of the utmost lowest quality you have come to demand.
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Epping Model Railway Club.
Ones Patient Asawa.
All my many friends who I had a ball catching up with.
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All The Smutty Details Group (Detail Photos)
Australian Railway Detail Photos (ARDP)
Semi-Retired Foamer: Travel & Aviation Blog
Railway Coins - For The Serious Collector
Semi-Retired Foamer: Travel & Aviation Blog
Railway Coins - For The Serious Collector
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When I was training to be a kamikaze pilot, the instructor was demonstrating the moves.
He told us...
"I'm only gonna show you this once."
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