Random Bollocks From A Semi-Retired Foamer!: Scale Models

Showing posts with label Scale Models. Show all posts

Friday, July 26, 2019

BLI BLI model of Ed Millington. Photo: Brad Peadon

BLI BLI (MORETON MILL)

It is no secret that I am more than a little obsessed with the railways that served the former Moreton Sugarmill that was located in Nambour. So bad is the obsession that I still often return to the area, to research the system, fifteen years after it was closed and ripped up.
The obsession has seen me set up the Maroochy Shire Tramways SIG website and Facebook group, both dedicated to sharing the history of the system and the latest news.
I also like to keep up with new modelling items that would be of use in modelling the system as it was. While quite a few things are available, they do range over many different scales. These can be found on the website mentioned above.

At this years Rosehhill Racecourse exhibition, I finally had a chance to inspect the new HOn30 BLI BLI model kit, a joint venture between Badger Bits and Lyndon's Trains. It is made to fit the chassis of a N scale British 03 class locomotive.
I have not had chance to put one together as of yet, but have seen the finished result and it looks great.
Can only hope that sales will be good enough to warrant further Moreton locomotives, the bogie Baldwin COOLUM or, even better, the Comengs. Both types would have much use for cane (or just industrial layouts in general) modellers, not just those obsessed with Moreton Mill. :-)

Moreton Mill cane bins.

The year after the system closed, I returned to the area to get some final shots of surviving infrastructure and the track removal train.
The removal train was normally stabled at Philbrooks siding (a little north of Bli Bli cutting) when not in use. So it was on the 2nd September 2004 when I stopped by.
I took a number of detail shots of BLI BLI on the day. These shots, along with some others, are seen below.

Don't mention it.

Today, BLI BLI is know known as Lautoka #16 in Fiji.
Seen here at Navo on the 29th September 2018
Photo: Chris Stratton

Related Items Of Interest.

Other BLI BLI Related Content.
Badger Bits
Lyndon's Trains

Maroochy Shire Tramways website.

Maroochy Shire Tramways group.
BLI BLI and pals at Bli Bli (Video)

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Rosehill Racecourse 2019

The 'Epping Model Railway Club' put on their excellent annual model railway exhibition over the June long weekend. It was the second year at their new venue and 'Rosehill Racecourse' (Sydney) and is regularly regarded as the best on the Sydney, even New South Wales, exhibition circuit.
The Epping club has been very good to our 'Trains For Kids With Cancer' fundraising project over the two years that David Xuereb and I have been doing it and we are greatly indebted to them for their continued support.
Part of this involved allowing us to set up a stand at the exhibition, this seeing us raise around $1500 towards this years donation to the 'Kids With Cancer Foundation Australia'. This certainly helps us with our goal to exceed last years $5040 donation.

This was my first exhibition, well, as an exhibitor anyway.
Been to many as a paying attendee, but never truly appreciated the huge amount of work people put in to these things, just so we can have a few hours enjoyment.
Despite only doing the install on Friday night, and two full days Sunday and Monday, I was a wreck by the time it came to pull it all out on the Monday arvo.
Great respect for those who bring their stuff over long distances, stray the entire time and then have to take it all home again.

The set up team: Brad, David, Dennis and Another David.

While the train guff is what mostly motivates us drag our sorry parts to these events, for me it is the catching up with many, many friends from all over the country. Some of them I only ever get to see on these occasions.
Being there for so much time, meant that I would do an awful lot of said catching up, even with one fan I used to hang out with around two to three decades ago.

Model railway icon, Mr Phil Badger (Gopher Models)

But, as I say, it is the train guff that encourages us to attend and this show certainly had some fantastic layouts to drool over, some risking the electrical from doing so.
Like so many others, it felt great to see the classic layout 'Stockinbingal' back on the exhibition circuit. The new owners down Wagga have really done an impressive job fixing it up and giving it a great refresh.
There were the impressive Maryborough and Goulburn layouts, as well my personal favourites, Mungo Scott, along with the one based on Boorowa (the name of which escapes me right now). On top of this, there was my first viewing of 'Blue Mountains' and 'Bricklandia', both exhibiting incredible talent from their respective builders.

Semi Retired Foamer Trophy

However, the 2019 non-existent 'Semi Retired Foamer' trophy for first place goes to the new layout Wingello.
It captures my favourite Southern Highlands town so very well and the owners have saved me the effort of doing it after years of consideration.

Congratulations guys, feel free to right click and save your trophy.

At 3.30 on the Monday afternoon, we held our 'Trains For Kids With Cancer' raffle, with nine model railway prizes won by people attending over the weekend.
We were overwhelmed by the support from so many in the model train industry, without whom, we could not possibly have had so many wonderful prizes on offer.
We thank each and every one of you, together you have shown how great this hobby can be.

Big thanks to Andrew Tailby for your support.

A huge thank you to everyone who may the weekend such a huge success, the manufacturers/retailers, the attendees who dropped by our stand and the Epping MRC for the mammoth effort you guys must put in to make it all a success.

The Semi Retired Foamer Youtube channel will soon have video coverage of the whole event.

Brad Peadon