Influences

I've already mentioned a few of the early influences that have given me such a passion for creating my Toy Train Museum- the original Whistle Stop in Frankston Victoria perhaps on the top of the list- but there were many others too. 

When I was about 14 years old we went for a short holiday to Swan Hill, on the Murray River.  I found many aspects of this trip fascinating, but none more so than a visit to the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement.  This was one of the first, if not the first, open-air musems in Australia.  Obviously I had never seen anything like this before, and I was captivated!!  It had probably only been open a year or two when we saw it, and it has developed a lot since then.  I found the concept of creating a whole environment- in this case a small town- very much as would have existed in a past time, totally fascinating.  It was, quite literally, like stepping back into another age.  Although I enjoy and appreciate many aspects of modern life, I also very much enjoy Australia's heritage, and it is so easy to learn about and feel our heritage in a place like the Pioneer Settlement.

This is the main street of Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement. (from their website)

So the seed was planted, and nurtured, that I really wanted to create a similar heritage environment as sort-of my life's work.  Many ideas have come and gone, but some have stuck, and grown, as I've previously explained.  Although I have talked about the Toy Train Museum in a building- the Trainbarn, and the idea of a 15 inch gauge miniature railway running through the bushland of our property, the overall effect of what I want to achieve is something similar to what I experienced at Swan Hill all those years ago.  I want people to step back in time, and take a break from the pressures and stresses of modern life when they visit Whistlestop.  I want them to experience old-fashioned hospitality and courtesy, but mainly I want them to experience the rich heritage of trains, railways, and other early types of Australian transport in all their various forms.

The vintage car ride, at Swan Hill. (from their website)

I have an overall plan- the big picture- of what I would like Whistlestop to look like in the years to come.  This includes various walking and vehicle tracks through the bush, and one of these tracks lends itself very well to being a Main Street, similar to the one at Swan Hill.  This is where the main station of the miniature railway will be, too.  Gradually I plan to add some Town buildings along here, the first of which will be a Machinery Dealer, 'displaying' old tractors and engines.  There are many other ideas too!!

This is a view along my Main Street.  The pile of old telephone poles on the left will be the basis of the Machinery Dealer building.  The first step toward creating the Street, apart from more clearing, is to get it surfaced with deco, and drainage constructed.  Another job for Bobcatman!! The miniature railway line will be on the right of this picture, with the main station just beyond the trees.

Thank you to everyone who's involved in the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement!!  You've done a fantastic job, and I hope to visit again soon.