In the last article (AMRM No.358 February 2023) I briefly detailed the loss of my layout in a fire and what the aftermath was, both in terms of damage to the layout and dealing with insurance. So now, we are re-established in our house.
During the period since the fire, consideration was given to my future in modelling. It didn't seem likely that I would give up modelling. The question was what to model and that didn't seem to extend to other forms of model making. No other form of modelling offers the diversity of model railways. That bought me back to building another layout.
Brief consideration was given to modelling in a different scale and/or narrow gauge. I have always liked narrow gauge so that temptation was strong. Knowing what is available commercially and what was recoverable from the previous layout, continuing in HO seemed a sensible and logical decision.
Scale chosen, the next decision was what to model. I remain partial to Australian outline, particularly New South Wales (NSW) and, to a lesser extent Victoria and then other states. As mentioned in the previous article, I had started to repair items and build some NSW kits recovered from the fire. Several buildings have been repaired and repainted. Some cattle wagons have received new bodies from Casula kits, a few other pieces of rolling stock may be repairable using a similar approach, which reduces the time spent on chassis construction. A 44 class received a new body and several other locos are operational chassis needing new bodies. A brass 32 class mentioned previously still refuses to be separated from its paint. Some other items may yet be salvaged. Given these things, prototype chosen.
The layout space had already been decided as it was rebuilt, recarpeted and lighting installed in the course of insurance repairs. So, I have a space, approximately 12m × 3.6m
The next thing to consider was what/ where to set the layout. The Western slopes and further West of NSW are always popular with modellers, but I have always leant towards the coastal areas. It means solid gradients and relatively tight curves, which limited trains right up into the 1980s when high horsepower locomotives and longer passing loops started to appear. I have previously, and decided to continue, modelling pre 1973 which allows early diesels and some steam to be used. The coastal environment means shorter trains due to all the above factors’
