Lots more done

Moving along nicely

     Lots on new stuff on the Monarch Branch over the past few weeks. The weather has been all over the shop here in Melbourne when its in the mid 20C's its okay to work in the garage however this past week has been horrible in the 40C on a few days and really bad bush fires in almost every state of Australia. Hundreds of thousands of Hectares burned of bush and almost 1000 homes destroyed. The really sad part is that several people have died in these terrible fires.
    That said I have made steady progress so here are a few images to keep up to date.

Backdrop painting completed and scenery started at Cimarron.

   I added an additional track for the coal loading on the left so it did not foul the stock yard. This is  my first effort at using static grass at Cimarron. I am very happy with the look it gives to the scenery by adding height.

The water tank pump house is scratch built.

  More has been done however I will leave that for the next post.
I hope you all have a Happy New Year in 2020.
Rod.

Video of new Garratt on Puffing Billy R

     Had the opportunity to catch the new Garratt on its inaugural run as it was the lead with G42 as they headed to Menzies Creek on the 18th December. It has taken 25 years since the first thoughts of purchasing this Loco from South Africa to this moment. Of the 25 years it took 15 years to fully rebuild and re-gauge from 2 ft to 2ft 6 inch. It looked fabulous as it crossed the trestle just out from Belgrave and sitting in the hot sun 37C on Wednesday. It so happens that this day marked the Puffing Billy Railways 119th birthday.
    Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
Have a Merry Christmas.
Rod.