Calling all steam railway fanatics!

[robbotd5]

G'day all.
I have many passions/interests. Some include Motor vehicles, tropical fish keeping, caravanning. But one on my passions is defiantly steam locomotion. In all forms, road, rail, marine and stationary. It Facinates me to no end. These machines are really alive and have many charactoristics of living things. The breathe, snort, excreet water and at speed, sound like a racehorse at full gallop. Whenever I hear a whistle it stirrs emotion and has me running for the nearest vantage point to see the loco go past!. I particularly love the older engines such as the NSWGR 12 class 440 of the 1870's. I am currently looking very seriously into starting to make my first scale live steam model, an 040 tank. Love the ride on gauges, there next!!!
So who else on AULRO shares this obsession with steam and rail??? Love to hear from you!!!
Regards
Robbo

[dullbird]

I dont share the obsession but I live pretty much next to the thirlmere railway museum and I do love it when the train goes past on the weekend the the smoke fills my paddock when the wind is blowing the right way

does that count?

[isuzutoo-eh]

Well...my full time job involves designing and making model trains, so you could say I am up to my neck in the enthusiast side of railways... but i'm not much of a gunzel. On the desk in front of me is a trial laser cut of a wooden box car, a photoetched brass flat car that I'm having manufactured in S.E. Asia and some loco kits that I am upgrading for their owner.

This little fellow is looking over me at the moment:

It was made in the late 60s I think, bet you can't identify the prototype...

Z12s are ok, i'm a sucker for a standard goods or 59, European style compound articulation or something with gears- the Shay, Climax, Prices, Johnstons et al.

Have a chat to Ernest at E & J Winter (EJWinter Catalogue - Home), they're up your way, before you build a loco let him talk you into building a stationary engine and boiler.

Wouldn't mind building a live steamer one day, 12":1' scale, 2' gauge ideally...

[strangy]

Grew up with my own 5 inch gauge track to play on that Dad had built, Kids at school were quite envious.
A Rail Motor, 32 class (almost finnished), 56 Class, 57 Class (still in build) and a Simplex Tank Engine which my Grand Father built, are amongst the stable.
I reckon you are on the "right track" looking at a Tank engine for your first toy.

I thought Ernest had stopped building. So good to know he is still out there.

[87County]

I too find them fascinating and the Maitland Steamfest is an absolutely interesting and enjoyable weekend.

I recently spent a very interesting day with the owner? of all the locos and rolling stock at Dorrigo - now there is a real enthusiast...

Unfortunately the heritage rail enthusiasts are very concerned because the bean counters, the safety nannies and environmental do-gooders have recommended that the NSW Government cease all support of, and permission for, heritage rail activities -

I, for one, hope that they can continue, or we will only have the models (the models are interesting as well).

[Mick_Marsh]

Wouldn't mind building a live steamer one day, 12":1' scale

I know some people who are into train sets of that scale.
I've seen them run their trains round the track. It's fun.

[F4Phantom]

did anyone go to the steam museum open day on burwood hwy? good day out.

[robbotd5]

Thanks fellas very intereting, when I was a lad I used to volunteer at the Richmond vale railway on the weekends. Mainly helping laying track, carriage maintenance but I always loved going down to the engine shead the most. The only steam there at that time was a little 040 saddle tank called Marjorie. I got to know Ernie Winter during my time there so it would be good to reacquaint with him. I'm a fitter/turner by trade and a mill/drill and small lathe are on the wish list. Strangy, your living my dream!!!!
Regards
Robbo

[StephenF10]

Living in Goolwa, SA, I can sometimes hear the whistle of a Steamranger loco in one ear and the whistle of the Oscar W paddle steamer in the other.

Stephen.

[Mick_Marsh]

Living in Goolwa, SA, I can sometimes hear the whistle of a Steamranger loco in one ear and the whistle of the Oscar W paddle steamer in the other.

Stephen.

So, will I see you on the "Red Hen" coming back from the fireworks at Victor very early 2013 or will you be at the local display on the wharf?