Hello Everyone. My name is Shannon, 29 and I live down in the South Eastern Suburbs of Victoria. I have always been into model trains thanks to my late Grandfather. For many years my parents would buy me books and a couple times buy me a starter set which being a young boy at the time, didn't last very long. About 12 years ago I first got into N scale after buying a Bachmann starter set. Fast forward to today and I have a small collection of trains as well as being on my 6th layout built which I take to exhibitions sometimes. It is currently modelled around the transition Era, but with that I do love my steam locomotives. I also have another layout which has some history and hopefully in due time I will be able to start the lengthy process to restore it as well as bring into this century. I run my trains on DCC and have been for the past 4 years. My models mainly consist of Union Pacific and Southern Pacific. I have recently started making up a collection of Rio Grande Southern after I acquired some Galloping geese. Other than that I have a son from a previous relationship who is 5 who is following in my foot steps and is into model trains as well. He has most of the Tomix N scale collection of Thomas that i was able to acquire. I also have a Lovely wife who loves and enjoys seeing that I am active in my hobby and at times helps me out. Even if I get a bit snappy when frustrated or stressed. We are also expecting our first child in April. There's some insight to who I am and I am looking forward to seeing what this site has to offer and what I will be able to offer to other members.
Welcome aboard, Shannon. It's always a good thing to get your family involved in the hobby. Let us know when your child joins us.
Welcome. Just curious. Why an American prototype instead of Australian? What is your take on the state of railroads and modeling (any scale) in your country (I know, a lot but you can post Cliff Notes version)?
Welcome aboard, and good luck with the blending of families. And I'll echo the hope that the bug passes down to the younger ones (many of which start with Thomas, an excellent choice)
Hi Shannon, hello fellow Victorian. I live in Warburton, probably about an hour away, an American N scale modeller of 40 plus years. If you would like to talk about trains and modelling perhaps we can email. I am an SP and most western roads. best regards Vic Fitzpatrick
Hi Akirasho,. From my point i started in N gauge about 50 years ago about the age of 10. At that time here in Australia the only N gauge available was either British or American , Atlas , Rivarossi and some European brands , Australia had no model producing companies at that time. And the Railways of Australia were government owned and run. Some states followed British rollingstock prototypes and a few followed American practises in which was the case here in Victoria, as it was the closest thing to the real American trains and seeing pictures of them i just grew to like American prototypes and especially N scale when i first saw it in a hobby shop. I have persevered with it for a long time now. Now if I were starting off in the hobby I would have a choice of Australian N scale models to chose from to model as there are a number of N manufactures here producing excellent models of past and present locos and rollingstock. best regards Vic Fitzpatrick
I would love to model Australian N scale. But there is very limited items available in n scale. Especially Steam which I favour more. Most N Scale Australian models are model which have been kit bashed over an american model chassis. Its also within reason quite pricey. Im sure Vicsmodels can echo my statement. If not correct the small details I may have over looked over the years. With that I love american Steam. Always wanted big boy or challengers. And yet ironically my first articulated steam locomotive purchase was a IM AC-12 which Ive had for almost 9 years. Yes you are about an hour away. I'm down in Frankston. Im sure you know the reputation this area has had over the years. But i think its getting better...... It be good to talk with a fellow SP modeller as well. Recently which I'm sure you would appreciate. I partially kit bashed a SF chassis 2-10-2 and converted it into a SF chassis Southern Pacific 2-10-2 F1 class with a Vanderbilt Oil tender. Theres a couple of small details which dont match up. But unless your really familiar with the locomotive, I dont think you would notice. Took me weeks to find 1 photo. Plenty of photos of the F2/3/4/5 class. Also did you go down to the Phillip Island show at all?? I was displaying there.
Are railways still government owned? What about long distance passenger rail? What era do you model? I would like to see both of you share pics of your efforts! I was born at the tail end of mainline steam in the US, and my modeling (HO) is reflective of the post war diesel era (I know, a broad era) but have memories of steam! Indeed, as a child, my Sis and I would try to get Mom to race steam to my Grandma's home and I can still remember the "chug chug chug" of trains leaving her small town throughout the night. I could justify a 4-8-4 as an excursion train, right?
Yes they are government owned depnding what state your in depends on who. Then other conpanies run their trains. As far as i am aware. We have metro which is our public transport. We have v line and pacific national. Both do freight but v line also runs rural passenger services and bus services as well. As for pictures of my hard work. All in die time. Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
Hi Shannon, welcome aboard. Fascinating reading the previous conversation, and wish you well with your efforts. Like Akirasho, I would appreciate seeing your accomplishments and progress.
Hi Shannon, Sorry i didnt get to go to Phillip Island show, I didnt even know they had one there? My email is vicsmodels@bigpond.com if you want to email best regards Vic
The modern railroads down there look very cool to model!! Some of the older EMD's have come back over here and are in the Lease pools running around.
Well just in the last week, some units have been getting scrapped. All over facebook and peolle asking railway societys to try save 1 or 2 Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
