Mini-Nook

My friend Professor Klyzlr built a pair of Mini-Nook layouts using foamcore to demonstrate both the material and compact layouts to a wide audience. One of the layouts, ChicagO Fork, was in O scale to try and get some of the NSW O scale fraternity to actually do something apart from whingeing, or at least that's how I saw it.

The smaller layout, ChicagHO Fork, is, per the naming convention, in HO scale, and now resides with me. Inglenook Sidings is a shunting puzzle beautifully described here. A mini-nook is a more compact version, holding five wagons instead of eight. Prof's version uses one Peco turnout and a sector plate for the lead and other turnout, and is about 120cm (4') long and around 20cm deep.

It's great to be able to hook up a pair of wires to an ancient H&M Clipper for DC locos, or occasionally my DCC rig for locos thus equipped.

The NSW 73 class is my favourite diesel loco, and this plastic Auscision model is a superb example, in a unique livery that really looks the part.

Goods rollingstock is all USA 40' prototype at the moment, one Model Power RTR reefer and the rest Accurail kits in use. Wheels have been swapped for cheap Chinese metal wheels via eBay and kadees fitted to most. After years decades of trying to create anything much in 1:43 scale on 14mm gauge, it was like a drug being able to assemble such easy kits in minimal time. You could purchase enough rollingstock for this layout within 15 minutes on Ebay, and any hobby shop that sells trains would have enough to fit you out as well.

As well as Auscision 7344, my HO diesel fleet also consists of a Con-Cor SW7, Life-Like Proto PA1 (totally fish out of water in a freight yard), SDS X200 rail tractor and a DCC sound fitted Atlas S2.

I made simple car cards to shuffle and randomly select. The white hook is a handle for moving the sector plate.

The layout is supported by a fold-up keyboard stand when in use or on a shelf when stored.
I think i'd like to build a full 5-3-3 Inglenook in N scale too!

Portable steam

It may seem quiet, but not all is lost. Currently steam power is the focus, with two such projects underway.

First and most complete is a Langley Models OO scale Foster Portable Engine. This engine will power a sawmill, quite common in Australia. Indeed, the finished sawmill may portray a small portable mill, as many mills were moved from valley to valley as areas were cut out and new leases opened. Timbertown, at Wauchope NSW uses a portable engine to power their vertical sash gang saw.
The Langley kit builds a circa 1907 era engine, so it's not new in my preferred era. But it is earning a living and thus is maintained to a reasonable standard.

It's my first time using Vallejo paint. Previously I have used Humbrol enamels, Games Workshop Citadel acrylics and Tamiya acrylics. They all have their strengths, but I dislike cleaning up after enamels.
Two quick trips to the hobby shop later and I have almost enough Vallejo colours for this model! Had to use some GW metallic silver and Humbrol metallic copper for a few details. Mixing enamel and acrylic, ooh nooo! Works fine.