Alistair Gilmour

The Layout

Great Southern Railway – Main South Wallendbeen to Junee

I had been building an American layout involving the Tehachapi Loop in Southern California with SP, Santa Fe and UP trains. Then the RTR Australian models started to appear, thanks to John Eassie and Ron Cunningham, and I discovered that NSW GR had not one but two spirals! The Bethungera Spiral on the Main South seemed the most accessible and interesting as a modeling location with Junee Loco as an added attraction.

Layout Description

This large model railway depicts the Main South from Wallendbeen to Junee. The stations, and main features, represented are Wallendbeen with early silos, Cootamundra with yards and Loco, Frampton with sidings, the Bethungra Spiral, Bethungra with goods yard, Illabo with silos and goods siding, Marinna with silos, Junee with yards and Junee Loco with the eastern half of the wooden 40 bay Coal Loader, the eastern half of the Roundhouse and turntable.

The Lenz DCC system is run from the Railroad & Co software Train Controller which helps automate the dispatch and return of all trains. Drivers pick up control of their trains at specific entry points and are responsible for speed, shunting and checking points. All main line points are controlled by iPads, throttles, or the main computer. Junee and Cootamundra are controlled by Station Masters and approach signals. Lenz and NCE Hand Controllers are used, and Train Controller accepts iPads and iPhones.

Drivers pick up a Train Order which identifies their train and engine, and what is required to do. The Train Controller advises prospective drivers that their train is ready and swaps the Train Order sheet for a smaller version that hangs around the neck. They are then free to run their train according to the Train Order, the line conditions and instructions from the two Station Masters.

Site Information

Layout Owner:	Alistair Gilmour
Address:	90a Chapman Avenue Beecroft 2119
Email contact:	alistair.gilmour@mq.edu.au
Layout details:	Name: Great Southern Railway Scale: HO with DCC Size: 15 x 6m Access by duckunder
Operating sessions:	Six to operate layout at the outset, then the second six to operate
Special instructions:	Battleaxe block. Drive into and park on the tennis court. For visitors with mobility issues, park in front of the house.