Photos and the operation of The Main North Layout.

Under major construction as of Nov 06.

 

Introduction -  If you’re impatient, Click Here.

 

As the layout is under major re-construction, there are no photos with scenery. It is very difficult to have impressive photos of the layout, when it is in first stage of construction in many places. I just have to start with the In Progress Photos somewhere. The scenery just does not appear as soon as the basic formwork (if I can call it that) goes up. So these photos are very elementary, giving a three dimensional view of what I am doing.

 

The sequence of the photos depicts a train travelling north, starting from the Gosford/Sydney staging where there will be an immediate operational requirement for steam hauled trains on my Main North. These trains were hauled from Sydney, down the Cowan Bank across the picturesque Hawkesbury River then to Gosford. This is not a part of the layout, but in the lower return loops staging. With the arrival of most of the steam hauled trains at Gosford travelling south to Sydney, there was this change back to the 46, in the case of the operator on my Main North, his last chore, prior to finishing the running of this train, was to change over the loco prior to the train being staged in the loops.

 

After leaving Gosford then through Fassifern, Sulphide Junction, Wyee, Tickhole Tunnel, Waratah, Hexham, East Greta, Muswellbrook, Murrurundi, where again after single loco operation that was normal on the NSWGR till a helper was required. Helpers or double heading was required to assist the train over the Liverpool Ranges. This was done at Murrurundi. Ascending the range, through the Ardglen Tunnel, the summit of the Range, to Ardglen, then to Willow Tree. As this was single line with slow running trains on either side of the Range, many passing loops were provided. One I have included is half way up the Range at Pangela north of Murrurundi. Once again at Willow Tree, single engine operation once again prevailed. Then into Werris Creek. If the destination was Gunnedah, then to Breeza then Gunnedah. Staging is also provided for trains travelling further north on the Main North to Armadale.

 

These engine additions, removals and changeovers that happened on this section of the Main North, due to single engine operation is one of the major reasons for modelling this area. I want to do as much operational running as possible. Makes for more interesting running. To have a layout with a high proportion of operation, (building up and “killing” consist for double heading anywhere), my obsession to have on board sound  and  individual engine control, with radio control, the only way I was going to have all of this, was to go DCC (Digital Command Control).

 

I already had individual engine control with the Aussie Infocom, command control system. There was only one DCC system in 2002 that allowed this type of operation, anywhere on the layout with approved Radio Control here in Australia. This was NCE DCC from North Coast Engineering in the States.

 

So this is how my obsession started, when I went to DCC.

 

At the moment, Nov 06 all of my fleet of 35 locos, most are fitted with decoders and 90% have sound Some 48s need mechanisms and body repaints). My favourite loco the NSWGR AD60 Garratt from Eureka Models here in Sydney, three have arrived. The great thing about them is that they are ready to run (RTR), complete with a QSI sound/motor DCC chip that was only A$90.00 extra. How good is that, when I have been adding after market sound, ranging from $60 to $350.

 

Back to the layout! I always get easily distracted when building or thinking about the layout.

 

With each improvement on the layout, I will update that particular photo. Keep re-visiting, but really feel free to take your time, because something for sure, it will take me heaps of time. I cannot afford a RTR Main North, quite yet.

 

 

Warning I’m already creating obstacles, what is the future of the Main North?

 

 

Already thinking about it. Don’t many layout builders do this.

 

After discussion over the past few days in Nov 06, with a few of the gurus in the hobby and a retired train driver and a compulsive track drawer/doodler, I am already thinking of modifications to the layout. Eliminating the section from Newcastle to Gosford and spreading out the section from Newcastle to Gunnedah. The locations will just move down the track, to ultimately make Port Waratah where Gosford is now. You might say and I bl..dy agree, what about the Double Headed Garratts with 1,200 ton loads from Newstan Mine to Port Waratah. Without this train operation I have too many Garratts. Anyone wants to buy one or two. Gee this is getting really serious now. Less Garratts on the Main North, what’s happening!!!

 

This will NOT happen until I have completely laid the 1,000th plus railroad plan and at least finalized it into at least, a real basic completed end to end layout, even if it is single line, from Gosford to Gunnedah. I must see if the track plan works. I have already identified potential problems. It has been suggested, I am trying to model too much, by a few train friends.

 

I must get this set up, as I want to operate trains. I need the layout even in it basic form, to evaluate my dream layout in the confines of the available space. This is not always desirable, but show me a modeller that has all the room he needs

 

Anyway dream layouts can be changed. Also I am killing a few years as the extra inhabitants (not including the boss) of the this house decrease (kids leaving) to the point that I may be able to takeover the downstairs rumpus room (basement for you Yanks) adjacent to my train room. The train room would then be part of the rumpus room and the garage goes back to being a storage for cars, boats and plenty of stuff that should have been thrown out years ago. That’s another story. I am a compulsive “Steptoe” of Steptoe and Son fame. I cannot throw out anything. You ask the boss. For the sake of layout progression and family harmony, I should become a little more ruthless. Nobody told me I has to change this much.

 

After building the basic track and operating it, many structures have to be built. These can be moved to a new layout with the locos rolling stock and much of the trackage, as well in my case, as ballasting most probably won’t be done for years, but the fact I don’t build with modules may hinder this facet.

 

Maybe I should not have joined these groups and stayed to myself, but no this is one area that I really do enjoy with all the camaraderie of my new train fiends over the past 5 years or so, has transformed my life, totally setting me after the aircraft life. My career in aircraft as an avionics engineer has taken second place and so has house maintenance. My attitude is “Don’t fix it until broken”  has taken precidence.

 

 

 

Lower Deck – Gosford/Sydney staging to Murrurundi.

 

Considering this was a completely separate garage, my son as been totally disappointed with my layout taking over the garage, as the 1975 speed boat he has inherited from his dad (me), now lives outside in the elements until he builds or convinces me to build a new garage for his cars and the boat.

 

Larger Track Plan.

 

 

 

 

Dimensions: The train room 10 x 12 feet.

                  Garage 19 x 22 feet.

 

Construction: The Main North is at a very basic stage. In some areas it is just a rough bench outline to give a three dimension view of the layout.

 

The lower deck section has been redesigned utilizing the existing lower Port Waratah and Hexham and upper deck sections of Willow Tree, Werris Creek, Breeza, Gunnedah and the loop sidings for the abattoir and the Black Jack coal mine.

 

The lower level of the Main North is shown at the left with the location of all the photos. Use the original track plan to give all the names.

 

 

 

1. Looking towards the Gosford/Sydney staging area that may be located under the house. Possible relocation of the staging area will a right hand turn at the wall and the tracks will be across the garage wall.

 

 

2.  Looking from Fassifern station towards Newstan Mine. The elongated hole in the wall is where the track will run under mine to Newcastle from Sulphide Junction.

 

 

 

3. Looking across the lower peninsular where Sulphide Junction will be. Above is (this side of back scene will be Ardglen and the side is Gunnedah. This peninsular has caused a little grief as the trackage is dual mainline with 22 and 24 inch radius curves creating a tight aisle ways of 20 inches at East Greta and Muswellbrook. 

 

 

4. Back of the work bench, in its normal messy state. The hole to the left of the multimeter a the shelf with the locos, is where the track come through from Wyee, through Tickhole Tunnel. The shelf with the multimeter and power supply may be a very small Newcastle terminus station 600 mm long and 200 mm wide, just enough for the 620/720

 

 

 

5,  Port Waratah facilities will be located on the rear. The coal stage will be located in the other corner next to the Roundhouse and turntable. The track in the front with the stationary passenger coaches, will be the line passing through Waratah to Hexham. Coal trains from Newstan will travel through Waratah.

 

 

6. Port Waratah, the vertical brace will be where the roundhouse and the loco will be. The front of the layout here will have to be extended to facilitate the 24 inch radius loop into Port Waratah behind the Roundhouse. Dual track will veer off the loop at the front to continue on to Hexham and north.

 

 

 

7. Hexham – Exchange sidings from the Richmond Vale Railway and the Oak Milk Depot will be located here. This will be a little difficult as there is a 2.5% grade here to gain the correct height at Murrurundi.

Richmond Vale lines will not have any workings only empty and full non air hoppers will be worked onto the main to Port Waratah. The Coal Preparation Plant would have been nice to model here.

 

 

8. East Greta – This is the junction of the South Maitland Railways. This railway, predominantly serving coal mines in the Cessnock area will run around under Muswellbrook and will rise up to middle batten. To the right in the corner will be Cessnock. The upper brace is the height of the ceiling due to the opening of large panel lift door restricting the headroom

 

 

9. Looking at Muswellbrook from the Newcastle end. I hope to install a small loco depot or Muswellbrook Mine in this corner. It will be a tall ask to fit either. I favour the mine as there will be no real reason for a depot apart that there was one here. More coal operation is a better alternative.

 

 

 

10. Werris Creek end of Muswellbrook. Where the 45 degree brace is located, will be the Muswellbrook “the Oak” Milk Depot, that will be located on a siding instead of a loop, due to the single mainline starts the 1 in 50 grade to Murrurundi. There also will be a Fuel Depot here somewhere for more operation - shunting.

 

 

 

11, The immoveable Honda, my wife’s car, that cannot be moved out of the garage yet, so my layout for the time being has to built around this object, just like some modellers in the U.S. have furnaces and heaters in their basements. This is my basement for the time being. 1 inch of clearance. The new purchase of a car will certainly create a hassle, but it may be a godsend, it may not fit in the garage. Outside at last. What then.

 

 

 

12. The northern end of Murrurundi station with a turntable and a small loco is one of the focal points of my layout.

 

 

Murrurundi operations.

 

  • Murrurundi is where all the banking and double heading operations start, for the trains going north. Not sure of all the different combinations. Typical bankers were 53s (steam) and I think if a 48 (diesel) was used, it was at the rear banking or at the front in a double head. I will soon learn about this.
  • Going south the double heading loco (consisted loco) would be removed at Murrurundi.
  • This will be a busy place with a turntable, a small loco shed, goods shed and a few sidings.
  • South running bankers would “drop off” at Ardglen.
  • Banking and double heading is going to provide a great operational procedure that I have based my purchase on the NCE DCC system on the fact that consists can be made or broken up any where on the layout.
  • For banking duties, the skill of the second operator will be tested to keep the some pressure on the rear, but not too much to cause a derailment. I wonder what will be done to the driver in the event of a derailment – sent to driving school or something. Hope no engines make the trip to the concrete floor.

 

 

 

13. The track veers left from Murrurundi on the section attached to the garage door that lifts up with the door. There will be some form of interlocking for the right hand “gap’ missing track, so that when trains are operating – no door operation.

With the door open, it had to give easy access to the outside now that where all the work will be done on cars and the boat, while all the tools and equipment are in the garage. I maybe build another garage, but how many “Garratts” (my fantastic new AD60 locos) will that cost. Always thinking in train terms now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14. The garage door fully open, with the track still attached. The left hand track joint is just a cut in the track that is staggered that gives trouble free operation so far. The right hand track gap went through numerous trials and broken trackage due to the door swing while still in close proximity to the layout. Because of the physics it did not happen on the left side as the door opened. For the right side, the only solution was to connect a section of track in, each time I want to operate, not desirable but it will work for the time being.

 

 

15. Pangela Loop with the signal box. This will be a long passing loop as many trains will be held here due to the long climb over the Range.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16. The climb to Ardglen Tunnel on a narrow shelf with step hillsides densely packed with Gum trees. The entrance to the tunnel is at the far end.

 

The Upper Deck – Ardglen – Werris Creek – Gunnedah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

18. Looking back past where Ardglen station will be toward Ardglen Tunnel on the right. The Ardglen Quarry will diverge off to the right and will be located next to the tunnel. Not how it was but with the points facing towards Werris Creek, this will be the correct operation. There will be a loop, but the siding will e behind the station. Will have to think about this.

 

 

Ardglen Operations.

 

  • Bankers, would drop off on trains going south at the banker ran through Ardglen and two thirds of the train was in the tunnel as the peak of the Range was just one third the way in.
  • Ardglen Quarries supplied much of the ballast required around this area, so a parked ballast wagons will be evident here. I’m not sure what loco did the shunting to the quarry, most probably a 53 banker in between banking assignments.
  • Small station, a passing loop and a siding (probably only for the excess ballast wagons from/for the quarry) was all that was at Ardglen.

 

 

 

19. The end of Ardglen over Sulphide Junction, with the track curving through under the line that goes to the Gunnedah Black Jack coal mine. The line passes behind the back scene to the rear of Gunnedah. The building on the upper deck is Bruntons Mill in Gunnedah. The track in between the two is a loop allowing continuous running of the upper deck track.

 

 

 

 

20. The entrance to Willow Tree that comes under the coal mine line. Nor like the prototype but there had to be another compromise. A mainline and a station loop will just allow for all the turning of steam locos for banking duties. If a helper is determined for the operation going south, then the front coupling will have some form of guard over it to prevent it from coupling to the guards van, so that it can “drift off’  at Ardglen.

 

 

 

21. Willow Tree with the sillos in the wrong place. The wagons above ar parked at the Gunnedah Abattoir. The station here will be a very narrow platform with the building at the end, next to where the Goods Shed will be.

 

 

 

22. Willow Tree from the Werris Creek end, the silos turntable and the Goods Shed. This was the only place for the turntable. that will be used a lot to turn the steam locos for banking duties back to Ardglen and Murrurundi.

 

Willow Tree operations.

 

  • The major operation at Willow Tree, were the turning of locos for banking duties over the Liverpool Range.
  • Willow Tree on my Main North is a real compromise location.  I had to have it to complete the Banking Duties and this had to be done before the trains arrived at Werris Creek.
  • A large silo complex here for a few RUs.
  • Not much shelf width for Willow Tree and the branch line to Black Jack. The aisle width and it’s closeness to Werris Creek compounds the problem. Trains shunting in Werris Creek will be using Willow Tree as the shunting neck. This are now has become a bottleneck. We’ll just have to operate it as my dreams have dictated so far and see if it is all possible. So for now, we’ll wait and see. May have built another layout by then or something else more drastic……

 

 

 

23. The entrance to Werris Creek yard. Just visible is the Elevated Coal Stage behind the Good Shed. An Oil Depot will be set in the empty foreground.

 

 

 

24. Werris Creek Yard with the Elevated Coal Stage and the turntable. Missing is the Roundhouse that will be located beyond the turntable. A 19 Class is on top of the Coal Stage shunting some LCHs to be emptied.

 

 

25. Another compromise, Werris Creek has been “elbowed” to fit into the existing space. Werris Creek has been here for about 5 years. So you now can appreciate my frustration about building a layout. Too much DCC stuff and lower level extensions. My original plan was to vacate this room and give it back to the house. I was only going to use the garage. This train room is much more comfortable to work in for building all the necessary rolling stock and structures. So it stayed because Elley’s (the BOSS) car had to stay.

 

 

 

26. Looking back into the “elbow” past Werris Creek station. The track next to the 45, goes to Breeza and Gunnedah. The back track will go to Armadale staging. Both these tracks will cross the lift up bridge. The single staging track wil go behind the Black Jack coal mine to the return lops across Ardglen Tunnel in the garage. This section of the upper deck may be widened to facilitate a bigger station and a better track arrangement including track to the silos.

 

Werris Creek Operations.

 

  • A 30T Steam loco was double headed to the Glen Innes Mail and at Tamworth the train was spit up and the 30T operated the Barraba branch line. Adding this loco to the train before the whole train entered Armadale staging for extra operation.
  • The North West Mail from Werris Creek to Narrabri via Gunnedah on the Mungindi line.
  • Both the Glen Innes Mail and the North West Mail from Werris Creek to Sydney.
  • Goods trains broken up in Werris Creek yard to go to either
    • Tamworth – Armidale continuing on the Main North.
    • Gunnedah - Narrabri on the Mungindi line.
    • Binnaway on the Binnaway Werris Creek line. This may be hard.
  • Wheat trains from Gunnedah could be sent to the Werris Creek large silo complex or
  • Marshalled together for a bulk wheat train to Port Waratah/Sydney.
  • Many other goods trains from Werris Creek to Port Waratah and Sydney.
  • Coal from Gunnedah’s Black Jack coal mine marshalled with coal from the Werris Creek mine, then to Port Waratah.

 

So many more operations, but research to get the correct names, numbers, consists of the trains and all the relevant information will be fun collecting. Many of my new train friends, will obviously help here – hullo Bob, Colin, John R, John P etc. I will join the NSW branch of the Australian Railways Historical Society to utilise all the archives and their services.

 

 

 

 

26A. The missing bridge from Newcastle to Waratah (lower) and the bridge from Werris Creek to Breeza. This bridge was a temporary bridge that has survived well. The shown silos should be much bigger as there was a very large version at Werris Creek. Forgot the number.

 

The door is the only access to the train room and the  garage at he moment. This will have to go, but when?  

 

 

 

27. Breeza with a goods shed, silo and Fuel Depot. Breeza is mounted above my work bench that I often hit my head on. I wish I had more hair.

 

 

29. Gunnedah looking north west, with Bruntons Mill in the background and the silos. Loading bank in the left foreground. Namoi Mills with the Water Conservation and Irrigation Works and a fuel depot in the empty area.

 

 

 

30. Gunnedah station and the goods shed and the branch line at the rear going into the train room through a hole in the wall just above the yellow Sheel tanker.

 

Gunnedah Operation will include:

 

  • Coal was, and still is a major industry in the Gunnedah area. I agonised for a long time on how to arrange the Black Jack branch as I wanted to copy the operation exactly how Bob Gallagher wrote the article in AMRM issue June 91.
  • Along with the Feb 91 AMRM issue about Gunnedah silo, this is what started me to model NSW and to pick the area of Gunnedah as the nucleus of my layouts for the past 10 or so years. Not much progress since, but Gunnedah has weathered the storm and with Black Jack, still remains today in the same locations.
  • The setting back, running around, breaking up or making up the load from/to the mine will be another great operation.
  • A Grain trip from the Gunnedah Bruntons Silo will be included.
  • Namoi Mills will send out plenty of loads of “other stuff” along with grain in.
  • Along with the Loading Bank, Water Conservation and Irrigation Commissions sidings and a few oil sidings, Gunnedah will be a very busy location. 
  • Somehow I was not able to fit in the Stock sidings, but I am sure a marshalled stock train will be in the Gunnedah yard to Sydney.
  • Wagons for the Gunnedah Meatworks were included in the coal train to Black Jack.
  • So much to research. Lots of fun. I’m sure I will add something and leave some out.

 

 

 

 

31. Gunnedah silos, goods shed and Bruntons Mill. The coal branch line runs from the next photo to the Black Jack coal mine in the train room, behind Gunnedah.

 

 

 

31A The branch line to the Black Jack mine leaves the main line with the Gunnedah Meatworks/abattoir here also. The front upper track doubles up as the loop with the Mungindi line that at the moment is a dead end. I will add a motorised bridge (another dream) that crosses over the aisle at the entrance to the garage for trains to be turned and staged.

 

 

 

32. The use of the main line due to the narrow space available, will allow for the run around operation at the loop for the mine.

 

 

 

33. Black Jack coal mine (located above the work bench) at the moment, is a Walthers Cornerstone HO model but will be reduced in size significantly, as this was just a small mine on the side of the hill and I have got two of these kits.

 

 

That’s it. I hope you now have a clearer (clear as mud) picture with these photos of what I am doing and what I am up for. I am sure all of you that are building a layout, whether a club or personal one, are going through the same delusions.

 

One day I may have a better track plan with 3rd Planit or similar, but for now, my “Paint Plan” will do.

 

My latest (200th plus) change to the layout.

 

Life is like this, all good things “evolve”, so our layout must change with time.

 

These changes will make for a more pleasant much better operation, especially for the taller members of my group. I have provisionally moved Gunnedah. It will now be Willow Tree. This means the train comes from Ardglen around a similar peninsular as the track below. This change will:

 

·        Eliminate the duck under while operating a train from Gosford to Newcastle – how good will this be.

·        Eliminate the “closeness” of Willow Tree to Werris Creek that was a problem when shunting in Werris Creek.

·        There will not be much of a run from Willow Tree to Ardglen (opposite sides of the upper peninsular). So the double head or banker operation won’t be too long, but WILL be still done. An alternative to this to give a longer run, would be to place Ardglen above Fassifern. Ardglen was a problem before with its 1700mm height from the floor, so not much could be done here. Now with Ardglen in it’s original location, we will be standing on the 300 mm false floor and this will give a very pleasant 1400 mm track height, where “operations” can be easily done.

·        “Switching” into the Ardglen Ballast Quarry will be great but the Quarry will be 1750 mm from the floor, so just a run into the Quarry behind Ardglen will be it. Stored ballast wagons will be in the siding at Ardglen – just like the real thing in ’65.

·        The direction through Werris Creek will be reversed – northerly trains into Werris Creek will pass the station FIRST. I will not change the layout plan of Werris Creek as I need the larger area of the upper deck at this location as the yard area. When building a layout, there are many compromises when trying to replicate a particular area, like I am.

·        I will have to build a 300 mm high false floor around the peninsular/s. I already had a false floor to the end of Gunnedah/Willow Tree but due to the duck under, this ended here.

·        Extra trackage can now be added to the upper level that will provide a long run (above Hexham and East Greta) out to where Gunnedah will be – above Muswellbrook.

·        I am really happy what this 200th plus change has bought. It needed a few visitors to the layout to see this problem. I am only 5’7” and I handled the duck under o.k. but I had to.

·        Will draw the plan later.

 

As mentioned in the introduction, I am already considering the removal of the Port Waratah to Fassifern section, to expand the Murrurundi to Port Waratah section that will provide a train running from Port Waratah NORTH to operate over the whole layout instead of just 60% but this will eliminate Newstan, a major location. On Jan 5 2007 I visited the real Newstan Mine and Fassifern and this is the only place in the state with double Garratts, I am loathe to eliminate. Another compromise may be “in the wind”.

 

Please email me with your comments.

 

Regards

 

Marcus