How Fast Is That Train?

Accutrak II Speedometer

New member Pete Wright brought along his latest acquisition on Wednesday night to demonstrate to other members: an Accutrack II Speedometer from Sprog DCC. It’s quite a neat little self contained unit, battery powered and self supporting with a perspex ‘tunnel’ for the train to run through.

It supports multiple scales [US‑N (1:160), UK‑N (1:148), US-HO (1:87.1) and UK-OO (1:76.2)] and the speed display can be in miles-per-hour or kilometers-per-hour. The tunnel is quite wide and tall — big enough for double N‑gauge track, or a single HO line with double stack containers.

Speed sensing is done using infra-red sensors — an LED and diode at each end of the unit pick up the train as it traverses the tunnel by breaking the reflected beam off the white card on the far side of the tunnel. Some quick testing showed a little variation in repeated passes of a light loco through the tunnel at a constant speed — but this may have been due to variations in the speed of the loco itself.

Accutrack II speedometer in action

Thanks Pete!

 

Building a mountain!

Visitors to the club will notice the N‑Scale layout is becoming taller than it is deep!

Garry has always had a vision for the layout of being very mountainous and now we are starting to see just how mountainous he means.

Garry building the N-scale mountain - watched by Tony and Graham

Garry building the N‑scale mountain — watched by Tony and Graham

The mountain is made of very light construction so it can be easily removed if required.

The mountain base.

The mountain base.

With the mountain top in place.

With the mountain top in place.

In other recent club activities, Keith is busy laying a road on the Thomas layer of the new public layout.

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RailFest 2014

Railfest 2009

RailFest 2014 is less than a week away and the seven day forecast is looking like it will be great weather! Check out all the great attractions this year.


 

RAIL HERITAGE WA presents Railfest 2014

Where? The Railway Museum, 136 Railway Parade, Bassendean
When? Sunday 12 October 2014, 10am to 5pm

Swap meet – many stalls — models, books, railwayana; new & used
Model railway club – with behind-the-scenes visits
Guided tours – in and behind the museum
Kids’ activities spot!
Afternoon tea in the buffet car.
Sausage sizzle
Model trains – from ride-on live steam, to smallest scales
Special displays Midland Railway Company, and Working on the railway
Live music – The Stevedores Limited Edition jazz band from 2 pm

Avoid parking hassles – travel with Transperth to Bassendean train station then catch our free shuttle bus
Or park on Ashfield reserve then free shuttle bus to Railfest
All these extras, plus our normal displays — and only the standard prices – adults $9, concessions $7, children $4 (under 4 yrs free)

The Railway Museum, 136 Railway Parade, Bassendean WA 6054
www.railheritagewa.org.au
www.facebook.com/railmuseumwa

40yrs logo colour

Operating Nights Revival

P1060413

At the general meeting 2 days ago, we discussed how to make the club more fun and to try and get more members coming down more often to be involved. One intiative we have agreed on is to revitalise the operating nights on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

We are kicking off these revitalise operating nights next week (26th March) as follows:

  • Earlier start time: meet at 7pm for a 7:30pm start time
  • Briefing and questions in the first half hour (with complimentary cakes and snacks provided by the club) in that first half hour
  • Strong encouragement for all members present on the night to be involved — even from other scales — especially committee members

So come on down, get involved and lets have some fun! 🙂

Silent Auction

silent-auction

The club will hold a Silent Auction on the night of the General and Annual General Meetings (17th July).

The items for sale are club stock which are no longer required for club running nights.

For sale will be various American outline locomotives and rolling stock.

A reserve price of $10 for powered items (i.e. locos — whether running or not) and $5 for non powered item (i.e. wagons, passenger cars or anything else) applies.

Come one, come all — and bring cash!

Christmas Party!

Tis the season for using “’tis” and “’twas” excessively — so congruent with tradition we are holding a Christmas party! This Wednesday night at the club (19th December) — come early for tea (Subway platters) and/or bring some goodies to share. Oh and play trains. 🙂

Railfest 2012

Railfest 2012 banner

Where? 136 Railway Parade, Bassendean
When? Sunday 14 October 2012, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

  • Modern trains on display* — see them close up
  • LEGO display – specially for Railfest
  • Meet the authors – the authors of many WA railway books will be present — bring or buy your WA railway books to chat to the writer or have your book signed
  • Swap meet stalls – books and model trains for sale

plus our annual Railfest features

  • Model railway club – with behind-the-scenes access
  • Guided tours – in and behind the museum
  • Kids’ activities spot, spider hunt!
  • Sausage sizzle, railway pies, afternoon tea in the buffet car
  • Pre-read books, magazines, timetables, etc
  • Video and visiting displays

and all our normal historical displays, trains, and the model railway club

And still only the standard prices – Adults $9, children $4, concessions $7

Tell your friends ! Bring your family !

The Railway Museum, 136 Railway Parade, Bassendean WA 6054
www.railheritagewa.org.au

*Thanks to the Public Transport Authority, and to CBH. Details to be finalised, subject to operational requirements on the day.