Last updated Apr 16, 2008
(1) The complete motive power stable at Dec 2005. From the left.....
(4) My first Garratt a 0-4-0+0-4-0 based on two Bachmann chassis. This is still track powered. There are two, Picaxe sound generators,and a speaker at each end, and a recorded whistle using a 23 second sound recorder.
(8) The 0-6-0 based on the NSW 19 class of the 1880s. Another Bachmann Big Hauler. It has 8 NiMH cells in the boiler with R/C and sound in the Tender.
Here are some further pictures of locos you might like to look at>
You can click on any of these pictures to expand them.
It may be worthwhile to open
the plan of the line (use your 'Back' button to return here).
The steam tram, yellow diesel, red Garratt (2-4-2+2-4-2), 2-8-2 tank, green 4-6-0, Railmotor, (Bachmann Big Hauler in distant background), black 0-6-0, and blue 2-6-0+0-6-2 Garratt, then on the 2nd line, RM3, Climax A, Ernie and Nick diesels.
Closeup pics and descriptions of each loco follow....
(2) From the 1880s to 1910s Sydney had an extensive steam powered street tramway system. This is my model of the motor and trailer. The motor is based on a Bachmann Porter. It is radio controlled and has a sound system using the new RC units from Oatley Electronics and using two PICAXE controllers. I have been able to get all the electronics inside the boiler.
I put 7 NiCd cells on the floor and painted them black so they can't be seen and a 2" diameter speaker in the roof.The spkr magnet fits nicely up into the clerestory.
One PICAXE controls the speed/direction and the other does the sound. There is a Mute control which reduces the 'chuff' volume when the speed is decreasing or stopped.
The direction control is a toggle, so to indicate which direction is selected, there are 2 different quiet hiss sounds when stopped.
The RC is a 4 button controller so I used the 4th pushbutton for a whistle which is just a single frequency tone (about 3kHz) generated by the PICAXE.
(3) The S&TR's only diesel loco, based on Aristocraft L'il Critter and vaguely resembling a NSWGR X200 rail tractor. It is still track powered and has a sound system based on a PICAXE controller, with a 3" speaker in the cab and 8 NiCd cells in one hood.
I built the right hood from styrene to match the other one, which was shortened by 15mm and moved right to the front of the chassis. So the cab is now central. The sun shades are from brass. The horns are plastic golf tees.
I fitted a 3" speaker in the cab and the sound system is in the old (left) hood end.
The lettering is just printed from a computer onto adhesive backed clear plastic sheet. (I got my local print shop to do it as my bubble-jet won't print on plastic.)
(5) The 2-8-2 tank based on the South Maitland Railways 20 class. It's made from an Aristo 0-8-0 chassis. It has 10 AA NiMH cells = 2400mAh in the tanks and Radio control and sound in the boiler, with speaker under the coal. 
(6) A 4-6-0 based on NSW 35 or 36 class. Another Bachmann Big Hauler. It has 10, 2000mAh NiCd cells in the boiler with R/C and sound in the Tender.
(7) Based loosely on the Queensland Gulflander, it has a 6V motor driving a wooden pulley on the rear axle, via a rubber band. It is now battery powered (6x1.2V 900mAh AA cells) with on/off control done by 'waving' a magnet over the roof, or placing a magnet between the rails. It has a simple petrol engine sound consisting of a square wave generator whose frequency varies as the speed increases.
(9) My second Garratt. This time a 2-6-0+0-6-2 based on two Bachmann Big Haulers converted to 2-6-0s. This is battery powered with lead-acid battery in the tender and R/C and sound in the Boiler. There are two separate sound systems of my own design, with speakers in the cab and front tank.
(10) The A class Climax. It's built of styrene on an Aristo diesel motor block and has RC and sound. 10V, 2.4 Ah Batteries are in the water tank, RC in the boiler and sound ccts in the firebox.
(11) Railmotor No 3 - a shortened version of a NSWR CPH. It uses an Aristo diesel motor block and is RC and has my own Picaxe sound unit and recorded engine cranking sounds. 10V, 2.4Ah batteries.
(12) A small shunter for Grandson Ernie. It has 4 NiMH cells and a simple reversing/on/off switch on the hood. Made from styrene on an Aristo 'centre-cab diesel' motor block (ART 29356).
(13) A railcar for grandson Nick. It has 5 niMH cells and simple reversing/on/off switch on roof. Has simple sound system too. Made from styrene on an Aristo L'il Critter motor block (ART 29351)
Front view of loco #2
19 class
Garratt in the 'cave'
old #1 loco before being cut up to make the 2nd Garratt
old #1 enters old Ghost Gum station
Railmotor in its dragster guise
the fireman on 36 class hard at work
