Coming in part 2.
Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking.
"Good grief, he's taken his sweet a*** time getting this post online."
And you'd be absolutely correct. After all, I've already covered the 2026 Rosehill Exhibition, yet here we are, only now arriving at the 2024 Melbourne Exhibition at the Showgrounds.
Firstly, though, I'd like to politely request that you be a little less rude. :-)
In all seriousness, I will freely admit this post is somewhat overdue. So I'm going to dust off the old "better late than never" chestnut and hope it makes the situation sound slightly less embarrassing.
Now comes the part where I desperately attempt to justify myself.
The 2024 Melbourne trip unfortunately marked the beginning of several rather unpleasant months health-wise, with the following six or seven months seemingly spent as a permanent resident of various hospital waiting rooms, wards, and departments. As you can imagine, that left me well behind on both work and blog writing.
To add to the fun, one particularly moronic—and unfortunately well-known—railfan decided that making light of my health issues was a splendid idea. That little episode soured my enthusiasm for revisiting the trip, so Melbourne quietly got shoved into the "I'll deal with it later" basket.
More recently, however, I've found myself digging back through the photos and memories while preparing a number of upcoming Australian Locomotive Rosters projects. That finally gave me the push needed to finish what should probably have been written about eighteen months ago.
For me, this was my first Melbourne Exhibition. I've visited the southern state plenty of times over the years, but somehow never managed to coincide with exhibition weekend.
It was an interesting experience. Different state, different venue, yet I still seemed to spend half the day bumping into fellow New South Welshmen. At times it felt less like Melbourne and more like Rosehill with slightly different scenery.
The exhibition featured a great selection of layouts, many of which I'd never seen before, along with plenty of traders eager to assist in reducing the contents of visitors' wallets.
This two-part model railway extravaganza will take a look at the layouts and trade stands before concluding with the hobby's least anticipated and most unnecessary honour: the SRF Awards.
If you even find some moderate amount of enjoyment would you consider giving us even a little bit of
Malmsbury.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Penzance 1913.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Metro Hobbies. Website
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
Borderline.
Presumably based on the South Australian / Victorian railway.
Photos: Brad Peadon
I do love timber industry layouts and Kinmont was a new one for me.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and three below.
Winch No.3 being another.
Winch No.3 being another.
Great stuff guys.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Four Letter Press (Get The Met). Website.
As an obsessive of the Met era, I was pretty wrapped to learn of this business.
I believe they have since put out another book based on the railways. Hoping there are tram and bus ones coming also.
I believe they have since put out another book based on the railways. Hoping there are tram and bus ones coming also.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Orient Express Hobbies. Website.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Piping Shrike Models. Website.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and four below.
Beechy.
Based on Victoria's former Beech Forest line.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Went to the exhibition with Mr Kevin (K-Med) Medley.
Bumped in to ol mate MrX (in the middle).
A HUGE thanks to K-Med for the Met book.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Another line of particular interest is Sydney's former Carlingford (and Sandown) line.
I'm always happy to see this one again. But am wondering when they plan to convert it to light rail.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Argyle Loco Works. Website
Photo: Brad Peadon
My dear friend Phil Badger from Gopher Models & Badger Bits.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Ffarquhar.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Two-Mile Creek.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Cinnamon Port.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Train World. Website.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Rumour has it that the Auscision stand is the second brightest thing in the galaxy following the sun.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Junction Models. Website.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Photo: Brad Peadon
On Track Models. Website.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Stay tuned for the illustrious SRF Exhibition Award.
Coming in Part 2.
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Ones Patient Asawa & Kevin 'K-Med' Medley.
All my many friends who I had a ball catching up with.
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All The Smutty Details Group (Detail Photos)
Carlingford/Sandown Railway Archive
SDS Models
Gopher Models & Badger Bits
IDR Models
Carlingford/Sandown Railway Archive
SDS Models
Gopher Models & Badger Bits
IDR Models
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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