Fiddler on the Roof.

Finally, the last major task at Glenburn station is the roofing for both the up and down platforms. These in progress shots show the completed major structure (Evergreen styrene corrugated sheet with styrene bracing) prior to detailing, and temporarily put in position to see how it looks - starting to look like a station! (nb. the girder supports have since been straightened!)

Don't fence me in.

Fencing of the Up platform (that's a big drop over the side!), some of which is billboards per prototype, and completion of the cupola with protective spear fencing.

iTrain 1.2010 (with apologies to Vegemite)

I have been looking to replicate the classic interwar jumble of I wagon types on a goods, and now have just enough to do it justice. D2 heads up a rake of IA (Tommy Bent)+IB (wood)+IB (steel)+I (steel) +IA (Shandy - wood/steel)+IB (wood)+ I (Tommy Bent) + IG (steel, drop door) + IB (wood).

........................Ltd

Behind the Up platform I had originally intended to place a couple of house frontages however a closer at Glenferrie/Auburn showed the immediate buildings to be non-residential so I put together this fascia from spare Rix parts, scrap details and corrugated iron. Being so close to the backscene there's no room for a name!

Up......Stationary!

This Christmas break I concentrated on building the Up Station building which is now (finally!) complete. Building uses Walthers styrene brickwork, Victorian Model Railway Society Marseilles tiles with styrene and wood detailing. The building will be attached to the Up platform (also completed during the break - again finally!) once the surrounding area has been finished.

Details, details..............

Not sure whether these two interwar types are chatting or disagreeing.

A "Work in Progress" view of the subway lantern on Glenburn's Up platform. When complete it will be placed over the black patch simulating the opening. The lantern has a styrene frame with clear perspex windows that have been deliberately frosted using Dullcote.

A rather modified Fiat 612 serves as a factory delivery truck.

The protective railing covering the Up platform subway ramp.

Postbox on Glenburn Rd. courtesy of a cut-down UK model.

I have'nt been able to find a decent version of this pattern of VR fencing so it's scratchbuilt from styrene, this is the Dn end of the Up platform.

The spear fencing protecting the buildings as per prototype - this from a Scalelink etch.

Some chaps backdated to interwar styling - amazingly none of the HO scale figure makers seem to cater for this period so modification to figures clothing, poses and colours is needed.

Consistency

M-D consist, common on suburban branches and on lighter patronaged lines during off-peak

M-T-D consist, as used on lighter graded lines

M-D-T-M consist, a standard 4 car set for lighter patronaged lines and off peak services

M-M consist which seems to have been used as a "locomotive" primarily for train haulage like those below

M-M consist providing an "E train" service, in this case with a short G-B-C consist for an outer suburban or country destination beyond the wires

M-M consist providing goods haulage capability

Mr Clapp would be happy.

Some further detail behind the Up platform - The VR made significant advertising revenue from billboards such as these during this era, and the posters I have used are from the period - including the opportunity to "Fly with Ulm" referring to flights by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's co-pilot.

Wal Larsen

I was deeply saddened recently to hear of Wal Larsen's passing. Wal was one of the stalwarts amongst Victorian Railways early enthusiasts. He was also a faithful and devoted Christian. While I had known for some time Wal was not well, this was a sad moment, not sad for him because I know he is with the God he worshipped throughout his life, but sad for us to have lost such a generous link with the past.

I never met Wal however I contacted Wal many years ago seeking information about the Cudgewa line. He was happy to take the call of a stranger and generously help how he could. He had'nt visited the area much but that did'nt stop him forwarding me a couple of pages of recollections he had accumulated over the years.

I tried to contact him again more recently regarding liveries. His son kindly apologised noting he was'nt well enough to help. I knew it must have been serious to stop such a spirit from helping.

Wal lives on for enthusiasts through the books and articles he published, none more so for me than his "Change Here For", perhaps the seminal work on how the Victorian Railways was to an enthusiast in the late 1930's and 1940's. His recollections make the era alive, and have been greatly influential in my choosing the early era for my modelling. The book is redolent with interest, character and flavour of the times.

In honour of Wal I assembled this short train and gave it a few laps around the layout in the down direction, heading out of town. It is typical of the kind of trains he enjoyed and described so well. From his book:

"Branch line travel in the days of steam was a wonderful way of life for the travelling rail fan.

One was never in a hurry and could relax at his window seat in the inevitable ancient carriage that, having outlived it's declining years on a slow and easy once-a-week branch line.

The fan would not just have the compartment to himself, he would often have the whole carriage...

...The train rumbled through the rural scene......The carriage would gently sway along, creaking at times....There would be the smell of smoke drifting back from the engine mingled with the never-to-be-forgotten odor of hot sun on the leather seats......"

(Excerpts from p. 39,40 - "Change Here For")

Rest well Wal, I look forward to meeting you one day.

Protection from the elements.

The temporary (well, 50 odd years....) protection for passengers exiting the South side of Glenferrie and Auburn station has been built for Glenburn per the VR's plans.

The Wall & Thank You Ada

Have commenced work on the Up (South) side of Glenburn station. Knowing that the Box Hill line would one day be tripled, VR kept this side of both Glenferrie and Auburn stations in this state from their building until the triplication. I have'nt found too many pictures that clearly show this side, however it is clear from plans such as that below what the layout was. This overall look will be replicated on Glenburn.


Non-existence of photographic record is a fact of life for modelling this era, however some sources do exist. In 1934 a gifted Melbourne artist placed her easel down, probably in the original (now) Swinburne University building and painted the following brilliant composition which is an excellent source of both detail and colour (Note that the scenery to be emplaced will cover up much of the base of the Dn end of the foundation wall).

(Courtesy & Copyright State Library of Victoria)

Sincere thanks to the late Ada May Plante.