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(1) My 1st Garratt on the turntable at Sandstone. It's a 2-4-2 + 2-4-2 based on two Bachmann Spectrum chassis, with styrene body and plastic drain pipe boiler. The cab is from one of the Bachmanns. The turntable was demolished long ago.
(2) The second bigger Garratt. This is two Big Haulers converted to 2-6-0 by moving the cylinders back and cutting the chassis down to the level of the top of the drivers. The body is 90mm drain pipe, cut lengthways and squeezed to 80mm dia.
The tanks are made from 1.5 mm styrene 'boxes' covered with a 0.5mm sheet which has the rivets 'punched' through from the back using an old screwdriver sharpened to a blunt point. This is then glued to the 'box' with glue only along the rivets. This gives the 'oil-can' look.
(3) The deserted street and station of Lilyvale greet the early morning railmotor as seen from the station platform (in 2003). This is the only 'town' on the S&TR and only has the Hunter's Railway Hotel, shop and a house for the SM. Many more building have been added and the station platform extended.
(4) The sandstone rock ledge at Sandstone (where else?) was jack hammered out of an existing 'crack' in the rock. The train is heading for Sandstone station.
(5) OLD Lilyvale station as seen by the Garratt fireman. Those telegraph poles are always in the way in photos! In this case they are actually disguised garden water sprinklers fitted with crossarms and small beads for insulators.
(6) The old 0-6-0 19 class loco. The prototypes were manufactured in the 1880s and lasted into the 1970s It's made from another Big Hauler with the front bogie removed. I love the simple uncluttered boiler. It's battery powered, with 8 AA Ni-Cad cells in the boiler providing 9.6V and 2.4 amp-hours capacity.
(7) The old Sydney tram and trailer approach an old version of Sandstone station.
(8) Loco #14 approaches Melaleuca station, while #19 awaits a clear road.
(9) Lilyvale Main street (2015).
(10) Inside Ti-tree's engine shed.
(11) Waiting for the last train at Melaleuca.
(12) Trains at Sandstone station. The building is made from Hebel blocks.
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