Went with my better half out to the AMRA Model Railway Exhibition at Liverpool today. We usually leave it until the Monday to go, hoping to beat the crowds. It was busy, but relatively easy to move around, and there was more to see!
The Australian Model Railway Association NSW were celebrating the 50th exhibition here in Sydney, so they had hired a large tent(like a long circus tent!) to complement the usual large sports hall used.
I may not have mentioned before, but apart from my modern electric multiple unit interests, I have a keen interest for narrow gauge models and layouts.
The quality of NG modelling/modellers is well known, both here in Aust. and in Europe,US..etc and I find most are considerably skilled modellers in the areas of, scratchbuilding, painting/weathering, scenery, water effects..etc and border on being "3D landscape" artists
There had'nt been many/any at Liverpool for a few years, so I was hoping for some, and I wasnt let down.
I'll jump into the pics, there are a few, I am usually conservative with photographing, but not this time.
First is
Bluetop Salvage Co., a narrow gauge mini layout. I had a strange sense when I saw this that I had seen it on the net and thought it originated from Europe/UK?? But no, it is the skilled work of local Kim Marsh.
I talked to him for quite a while, but forgot what scale he said it was, I think it was 0n30.
Next is several shots of Museum, a Sydney Electric Suburban layout I had seen before, but never could get close enough for photos.
If you have been to Museum station in Sydney, you can tell the layout represents it finely...I can almost smell single deck suburbans' brake dust...
Next is a few pics of Yendys, again Sydney Subrban based, which I had posted shots of from the Epping Exhibit. but took a few more..
There were many people trying get nice photos but this guy seemed familiar...it's James McInerney from Australian Model Railway Magazine getting shots of Yendys.
The next few are from layouts & stands,
Australian houses and shops..
Stargate
Mortdale Club 3-Rail O scale stand
When I first walked up to this stand, the man pictured gave me an exasperated look which amused me, he was working on fixing the mechanism/underside of an O scale railcar and I've "been there done that". Fixing fiddly working parts on models take much patience!
Victorian VR models
Sydney's Central Station
Architectural modelling styled N scale, very fine!
Wallerawang
Boggy Creek
I think it was 1:20 scale, large Shays, short point to point with lots of fine detail and those valve gear are mesmerising!
And lastly, Smuggler's Cove, an incredible, finely detailed diorama/layout. I loitered here for some time and came back later and stood longer. I heard one guy standing transfixed nearby say "The trains are almost an after thought?"
Judging by numerous comments by viewers, many people were stoked at the quality of the modelling.
I hammered one of the operators with as many questions as I could think of...he told me that it is the work of several builders, each capable. Almost all things were scratchbuilt apart from 1 of the boats, the figures and the window frames on the buildings.
I considered this diorama scale modelling at it's finest and was floored to see it in person. I hope to take some of this influence to my Cronulla layout.
The scale was(I think) 0n30, although the operator told me they had used smaller things toward the back, including smaller gauge trains to give a forced perspective of depth!
These modellers have successfully merged scale modelling ideas with art composition/colour ideas,
Oh and I believe he said the subject is based on coastal Maine(US) ... enjoy.
The operator I spoke with.
Foreground tram/train passing the waterfront..
smaller gauge train passing at the back
