Let it rain!!

In my previous post I mentioned how terribly dry our area is at the moment, but just yesterday we had about 128mm/5" of rain in the afternoon- an absolute deluge!!  While this might not break the drought long term, it's certainly extremely welcome!!

This is the storm system that brought all the rain, taken from the Stanthorpe area looking in our direction.

Photo courtesy of Kathleen Gaske via Facebook

One of the benefits of the rain is that the dam we have at the front of the property, which is purely 'ornamental', is now completely full!  I have only seen it full three or four times during the years that we've owned the property.

Another encouraging event since writing my last post is that our builders have confirmed a few details and are fully onboard for the construction of the Trainbarn next year, which is extremely exciting!

2015 is going to be a good one!!

Another (unusual) year

I have been delaying creating a new post since I don't have any new photos to support my ramblings, but I thought that with another year nearly finished or complete- depending on how you view it- it is high-time another post appeared.

This year has certainly been different.  Perhaps I should just show the highs and lows in list format.

The Bad news:-

1.  Both my parents passed away within 3 1/2 months of each other.  This wasn't a particular surprise as both had been unwell for a while, but the finality was a shock none-the-less.  Fortunately they both passed away peacefully.

This photo was taken just last year on the occasion of their 60th Anniversary.  What a difference one year can make...............

Although we didn't live close by we were in regular communication, and one of the things that I noticed immediately was that I would have the thought of " I must tell Dad about that......." or "Dad would be interested in this.........", but he/they were no longer around to 'tell'.

2.  There was no progress at all on the Trainbarn building.  Various factors conspired to 'achieve' this lack of progress, but hopefully next year will be the 'Year of the Trainbarn'.

3.  It was the driest and hottest year that we've had since owning our property and while this has meant less mowing, it has also resulted in the place looking about as bad as it possibly could.  Not to mention a major bushfire which came much too close.

4.  I have discovered what many retirees soon realise (although I still work part-time), and that is the fact that retirement is even more busy than your 'working' years.  I really haven't achieved very much at all this whole year.

5.  I haven't visited a single Train Show, or even a Train Shop this whole year.  Not one.  Since this is one of my favourite activities this fact is rather troublesome.

The Good news:-

1.  By far the high point of the year was the wedding of my eldest daughter in Santa Barbara, California, and combined with the wonderful time we had travelling to and around the USA this was an outstandingly good time!!  They now live in the European city of Budapest, and I am looking forward to visiting them there, perhaps next year.  I'm told that there are several very good trainshops in Budapest also, to add to the enticement.

2.  As mentioned already, next year is the 'Year of the Trainbarn'.  I will be submitting the plans to Council in early January and expect to start construction in March.  Looking ahead to this exciting project is one of the things that has kept me going through the difficult times of this year.

3.  One of the highlights of our time in the USA was a visit to a friend's home and incredible train collection.  I found this visit super-inspiring and encouraging.

4.  Allied to the point above, I have particularly appreciated the fantastic support of friends and family during the tough times, and fun had together during the good times.

Not a total train-drought

This year hasn't been totally devoid of trains, as I have been able to purchase several much-desired items courtesy of ebay.  Two of these were 'big' items for my planned Standard Gauge layout- a #129 Station Terrace for use with a Lionel #115  station that I already have, and another Hellgate Bridge.  My planned layout calls for two Hellgate bridges, and I now have them.  One is an early Mike's Train House version- I visited the factory in Korea in the early 90s and actually saw these being made- and the other is a recent Lionel Corporation version.  The 129 Terrace is enormous, and items this large are difficult and expensive to ship to Australia.  I really appreciate the help of the Sellers in making these purchases possible for me.  Two 'big' items remain to be obtained- one is the #840 Power Station which is not too difficult, the other is the Lionel #444 Roundhouse, which seems to be impossible to ship to Oz.  I will persist.  Also, with this last item I need several, not just one!!

Another exciting item recently purchased is a Pride Lines reproduction of the Ives Glass Dome station canopy, which I have long desired for my planned Early-Period layout.  Pride Lines unfortunately went out of production after the death of their founder, and these items are now quite difficult to find, particularly from Sellers willing to ship Downunder.  I hope eventually to obtain the tin-lithograph station to go with this canopy.  In due course I would like to replace the modern reproduction accessories on this layout with originals, if possible, but that's a long way down the track!!

Just before my Dad died he gave me some money for my birthday, (which he didn't live to see) and I used this to buy a Victorian Railways 'L' class electric loco in HO scale from Auscision Models.  When I was growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne we didn't see many freight trains, 'just' EMU passenger trains, but if we did see a freight (goods) it'd most likely be hauled by one of the electric 'L' class locos.  This loco hasn't been released yet, but when it does arrive it'll be a special memory of my Dad.

Hope Dies Last

The organisation that my eldest daughter runs is called 'Hope Dies Last', and the significance is that no matter how bad circumstances are right now, in most cases there is still hope that things will get better in the future.  My circumstances are nowhere near as bad as the circumstances of the people (mostly girls) that my daughter's organisation work with, not even close, miles away, but I have certainly learnt this year that being able to look ahead to better times, to have hope, is absolutely important in our lives.

Notwithstanding the highlights of this year, I sincerely hope that next year is better.

More inspiration, if any were needed.........

For the last two weeks I've been in the USA for the wedding of my eldest daughter, which was a superb occasion.  She has married an American, and so I have gained a new son-in-law who I like very much, and who is a potential convert to some or all of my hobbies and interests!!  Welcome to Whistlestop, Chad!!

Whilst the wedding took just about every ounce of my time and resources, just being back in America has been really fun.  For the first time I have been able to observe former Southern Pacific Railroad territory- specifically the Coast line between Los Angeles and San Francisco.  Nowadays operated by Amtrak, who offer a very good service and who have very loud horns, I can imagine how interesting this line would have been in the days of the GS-4 Daylights or orange diesels.

Another highlight was a small but very interesting car show in Montecito Village one Sunday morning.  Normally I'm not particularly interested in 50's Yank Tanks, but I'd have to say that seeing a good variety of them, superbly restored and in their native environment was very enjoyable indeed.

Photo courtesy of my brother, Andrew.

Yet another highlight was a visit to a fellow toy train collector who has been a great inspiration over the years.  I have seen his layout and collection in magazines, but to actually see it in person was really awesome indeed!!  The display was somewhat overwhelming- perhaps the most comprehensive collection of pre-war American Standard and O gauge Lionel in existence, all superbly and tastefully displayed.  Very inspiring and encouraging, if indeed I actually need any more of either!!

End of July update

As another month sadly but inevitably draws to a close, a quick summary of July's progress is appropriate.  Suffice to say, a very good time was had working around Whistlestop, and with no mowing required all my time could be spent moving slowly ahead.

The major achievement was some significant clearing at the rocky outcrop area adjacent to our main vehicle track.  This project started out as simply removing some tea-tree in order to widen our track ready for grading and surfacing, but- as these things tend to do- the scope of the clearing has greatly expanded!  This area was always expected to be an attractive asset, but as I progress with tidying it up it just keeps getting better and better.  The scrappy tea-tree which had taken over the area was virtually impenetrable previously, so I was only able to get a very sketchy idea of its true potential.  The more I clear, the more I realise what a nice area this is, and the more the scope of the work evolves.

This photo pretty much shows the progress so far.  Bear in mind all this area was utterly impenetrable before, with enormous quantities of dead branches etc and tangled tea-tree.  Our main track from the gate to the cottage is just to the right of here, and yes, I am widening it, which was where this project started.  The rocky outcrop spills down to the left in a series of 'terraces', although more work is required to open this up.  The 'tree' in the middle is a large 'Black Wattle', which will soon be in flower.  Behind me, amidst thick tea-tree is 'Sunset Rock'- a large rock outcrop from where a great view of the sunset can be had at any time of year.  Already it is much more accessible, but this will be further developed.  The other day, after some light rain, the outcrop could be seen glistening through the bush, something which was impossible previously.

I enjoy this work immensely, and am really satisfied with the end result.  Although this kind of work would seem to have little to do with the progress of Whistlestop as a train haven, the objective all along, particularly with the Miniature Railway, has been to provide a really attractive setting for the trains, and this area is part of that objective.  As stated previously the route of the miniature railway is just to the left of this area, below the rocky outcrop.  Also, as I learn more about the landscape as it is opened up, the route of the railway and the siting of other attractions gradually evolves and progresses.

Another significant achievement this month was the repainting of the Garden Railway fence, which was long overdue.  This still requires a second topcoat, but despite frosty, unpaintable, mornings the fence was prepared, primered and one topcoat applied, and it looks nice and fresh once again.  Although the hoped-for Garden Railway is a very long way off, improving the look of this area greatly adds to the overall 'railway' atmosphere here.

Winter is a fantastic time of year in this area- despite the very cold nights and mornings- and this year has been particularly good.  Absolutely superb clear days, fantastic for working outside!

Slow progress, but progress nonetheless

It's been almost perfect weather for working outside, although some days the wind is a bit chilly!  We even had a small amount of rain yesterday to settle the dust, which was very welcome.  The clearing continues around the rocky outcrop and also slowly along the main vehicle track.

It's hard to take a photo that really captures the beauty of this area well, but here is the mighty Fergie, which is absolutely vital to this work, standing in the middle of the newly cleared area.  All the cleared dirt area and the rocks were originally covered in dense scrappy tea tree and dead 'stuff'.  The trailer is loaded ready to go to the dump tomorrow.  You can get an idea of what it was like before I started by looking at the tall, grey, tea-tree in the background, which forms an almost impenetrable barrier.

Just below this rocky outcrop is where part of the miniature railway will run, curving around towards the as yet un-named lower station to the west.  I hope the rocky area will be visible from the train.  

Bushland Garden

I'm having a terrific time working at Whistlestop at the moment, a combination of more clearing near the rocky area along the main track and finishing painting the fence.  Both are going very well!!  The weather is fantastic for working outside- cool, clear days- although the nights have been extremely cold, down to about minus 9 Celsius.

I am really enjoying the clearing in particular.  Although our property has never been developed in any way- it has always been grazing land since European settlement- as I continue to partially clear and tidy up this rocky area it is as if I'm re-discovering a very old landscaped garden that has become utterly neglected.  The more I progress, the more I am surprised by what is there and how attractive the area is.  I am removing most of the tea-trees (Leptosmermum scoparium) from this area, but leaving the shady gumtrees and small native flowering plants which are fun to discover once the tea-tree is removed.

There is no particular 'use' in mind for this rocky bushland area, although I originally started the clearing to allow our main vehicle track to be widened and graded.  One thing I really want though is for the Miniature Railway, when it is eventually built, to mostly run through attractive bushland, rather than the very scrappy scrub that mostly covers Whistlestop now.  So, as the saying goes 'you've got to start somewhere', and this is the start of turning acres of impenetrable tea-tree scrub into acres of attractive rocky bushland!  There is enormous potential, and it is very satisfying to see good progress.  One thing that I hope never to do is to simply 'clear' any part of our block using heavy machinery, which really makes a big mess.  This type of clearing is necessary around buildings etc, but I'll try to minimise it as far as possible, preferring the scruffy bushland to gradually evolve into a bushland-garden.

Griffiths Tea Sign

My Griffiths Bros Tea sign arrived yesterday, which was very fast service, and I decided to attach it to part of the existing, re-painted, fence.  I'm really happy with it indeed!!

The shadow is from a large gumtree just to the left.  Will have to wait for summer for a shadow-free photo, and by then the fence might be extended more and the sign re-located, anyway.

Tea anyone?

One of the many pleasures of my childhood in Melbourne was going to school on the train.  I hated school itself, but the train journey was always a highlight of the day.  They were only electric multiple-unit trains and we sort-of took them for granted, but they were the days when Victorian Railways was a 'proper' railway with railway activity of all sorts everywhere along the journey.  There were red trains (Tait) and blue trains (Harris) and now they're all gone, except for a preserved set of Tait carriages.  But I digress.  At most of the stations, or along the lineside, were blue and white signs advising how many miles away you were from Griffiths Brothers Teas, who were an importer/wholesaler of tea, coffee and cocoa.  Apparently the same applied for Sydney where they also had an office, and extended right out to the country stations.  424 miles to Griffiths Bros Teas would be a long time to wait for a cuppa!  The signs were certainly successful in that everyone was familiar with them, but whether they swayed people's tea choice is unknown.

Anyway, with progress being made on my railway-style fence in the vicinity of the initial Miniature Railway station, I thought I'd like to add some period advertising to it and Griffiths teas was the first thing that came to mind.  Original signs are occasionally available, but I came across a reproduction sign on ebay which is signwritten/painted.  It is smaller than the originals, but hey, it's a miniature railway!!  I've seen a sign done by this gentleman, Mark, previously and was very impressed indeed with the quality.  I think if I had an original I wouldn't want to put it out in the weather anyway!  So this sign is now on it's way to Whistlestop, although the fence needs to progress in order to mount it in an appropriate place.  Further incentive, if any was needed.

This picture is of the unusually shaped Griffiths Bros building still existing, but disused, in Sydney, very close to Central Station.  Their main office, although a smaller building, was in Melbourne, along Flinders Street, again very close to the main suburban station, Flinders Street Station.  This building is now a boutique hotel.

I don't plan to put too many signs along my fence, which would make it look a bit tacky, but a significant sign like this should add to the general railway atmosphere, I hope.  An interesting connection with the past, too, which is fundamentaly what Whistlestop is all about.  Now, back to cutting pointed fence-pickets!!

Does this count as progress?

Now that all the routine mowing is finished and Whistlestop is looking very shipshape I have time for some other projects.  I don't actually have a list of projects, although I am definitely a 'list' person, as any list would be very long and therefore somewhat daunting and demoralising.  Anyway, the project chosen for the remainder of the month is to repaint the partly completed 'garden railway' picket fence.  I built this small section of fence about 20 years ago and it hasn't been painted since construction, so it is therefore looking very shabby.  I definitely don't want it to deteriorate to the point of needing repairs, so repainting is required.  I actually enjoy painting, but like many others, I'm sure, I hate the preparation.  The fence was mainly built at that time to define the area there, which it does well.  Having it repainted will definitely spur me on to continuing it along our main track, as planned, though perhaps not 'finished' as such.

Because it had deteriorated so much I have elected to scrape all the loose paint off, wash it with sugar soap then prime it, which is the white paint in the photo.  After that I'll apply two topcoats.  It's probably overkill to prime it, but, well, that's me!  The topcoat is allegedly self-priming, but when I continue the fence I'll prime the bare timber first anyway.  The idea then is that the fence'll get a good clean and one topcoat every four or five years, which will be relatively easy, so I never have to do all this nasty preparation again!  The plan back then was to build a rock garden with a G scale railway in it behind this fence, but while this may still happen it is well down 'the list'!  The completed fence will contribute very much to the neatness of the whole front area, leading the way, as it does, to both the Miniature Railway station and the Trainbarn.  The weather has been fantastic and I've thoroughly enjoyed sitting there painting and dreaming and planning.  I really like this whole area!

An item that I found very unexpectedly in an Antique Shop is this Fowler (Leeds) radiator header tank.

As the area where I bought it had been a sugar-cane growing area I suspect this item is off a Fowler cane locomotive, but it could also be off a tractor.  Either way it is a very interesting item and a great 'find'.

All in all I'm feeling very happy and positive about the progress of Whistlestop in general.  Slower than hoped for, but progress none-the-less.

Anything is possible

Today was one of those magnificent Granite Belt Autumn days- cool and clear skies, sunny and light breeze- where you wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world!  Also, The Mowing is nearly finished, which will be quite an achievement, and Whistlestop is looking really good.  It is really dry at the moment, as it has been for months, although we did get a light shower at the beginning of the month.  So I've elected to use the push-mower instead of the ride-on for a few areas because the ride-on kicks up enormous amounts of dust when it's dry like this, and I hate doing that.  So the mowing has taken more time and effort than normal, but as I said, it looks great!

As I mow I'm aware of the additional jobs required in each area- a bit of clearing here, a lot of clearing there, some long grass removed, some painting done, fences built etc., etc..  In other words there is still an immense amount of work to do here on the basic infrastructure, without even thinking about any of the projects such as the miniature railway.  There are certainly times when I wonder to myself if I've taken on something that is just too big, which is a rather depressing thought.  But this evening, just as the sun was going down casting long shadows, I took the time just to wander around the front 'train' area.  Yes, there is still a great deal to do, but with it looking so good now I realised that we have already come a very long way, when I think back to how it all was when we started developing the place.  It is happening, certainly slower than expected, but we're getting there.  Time, or rather the lack of it, is the main factor, with money coming a close second!  But there are so many jobs which simply require time spent doing them.  Probably the important thing for me is that I enjoy each moment, each day here, no matter how slow the progress.  I am definitely impatient to be there, but I need to relax and enjoy the journey too.

On beautiful evenings like this one today, it is definitely a pleasure to be on this journey!

To Progress, or not to progress..............

I admit that, over the last few months since the last post on this blog, I have mentally composed a post saying "it's all over, it's too hard, it's beyond what I can do" etc., etc.  You get the drift. Whilst theoretically the Trainbarn shed is all set to be built, there have been a few hiccups which have prevented that happening.  So far.  The subtitle of this blog is "the ups and downs etc" and the previous few months have certainly been some of the 'down' times.  Some of these have been external factors, some have been due to my own limitations- time/finances/patience/endurance.  So, the Trainbarn hasn't made much, if any, progress over the last few months, but it is still simmering on the back-burner, and just as much hoped-for by me as ever.  I am totally confident that it will go ahead, perhaps timing is the unknown factor.  As they say 'watch this space'!!

In the meantime there has been quite a lot of maintenance and general improvement around Whistlestop in general.  It's been as dry as chips during what is normally our 'wet' season, so the grass hasn't grown, although it is surprisingly still green (ish).  So I haven't had to mow, and this has freed up some time for more clearing, and mowing some grassy areas that have never previously been mown.

This photo (above) is the view from our front verandah the other morning, after we'd had some really good soaking rain for a couple of days.  It has 'greened-up' very quickly!  Normally there would be quite a few kangaroos visible too- they come right up to the cottage, but are very timid.  The area that I've been working on lately is off to the far right of this photo, clearing long lovegrass (not native) and scrappy tea-tree, right back to the edge of the original bushland.  All this area was completely overgrown and looked dreadful only two or three years ago.  I love living here!  And Autumn is the best time to be here!!

The arrival of new trains for the Trainbarn has slowed to a trickle, although somewhat typically just before Christmas several trains that had been on order for quite some time from Ace Trains, Darstaed and WJVintage arrived within a few days of each other.  These have all been given a good run on my new 'portable' O gauge layout, and very exciting and enjoyable that was too!