Model Train Layout Progress Update

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IMG_5590, originally uploaded by gjhmac.

I am slowly making progress with the modifications and improvements to my British N Gauge model train layout. My previous attempt at a branch line has been dismantled (I salvaged any useful parts) and I have added a more sensible and carefully constructed branch line (with storage sidings).

As can be seen from the above photograph I have painted the horizontal “rails” on all of the buffer stops – as far as I can tell (from a few Google image searches) this is the colour they should be. Eventually I will paint the wooden uprights and the stone ballasting as well.

From the point of view of locomotives and rolling stock I may have reached the point where I have everything I want/need. In fact you could probably argue I reached this point a few months back… Anyway, the latest additions are running very well. I am particularly happy with the new Graham Farish Class 08 shunter – it is a work of art (and it doesn’t stall on my points when running very slowly like the older version).

Declan and the trains

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IMG_5579, originally uploaded by gjhmac.

Declan REALLY enjoys watching the trains run in the study. Surprisingly he doesn’t break much or try and touch the trains as they pass. The only problem is that it is difficult to get all three of them in the room at once watching trains (and none of them like to be left out when there are trains running). Of course I can fix this problem by building my dream layout in the shed….

BirdSight Australia has been updated to version 1.8

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The iPhone and iPod Touch application BirdSight Australia has just been updated to version 1.8.

The good news is:
  • The upgrade keeps all of your previous sightings (so don’t stress about upgrading and losing all of your precious sightings that you haven’t backed up because the process is too tedious);
  • The location data entry form allows Google maps (if you have Internet access obviously);
  • You can cache Wikipedia articles locally. This sounds like an awesome feature that I must try out.
The bad news is:
  • The App now has a 17+ rating (why?);
  • The main view of lists of sightings show the same information twice (once in a large black font and the again immediately below in a smaller grey font) EDIT – this behaviour is just for existing sightings made with the previous version – new sightings now show site and date/time on the main page (which is actually good news);
  • The apostrophe bug I mentioned earlier is still present;
  • If you click “Share Data” in an observation and then click “Cancel” the App crashes completely.
There is so much that could be done to improve this App. I guess the underlying good news is that someone is working on it again. Hopefully it’ll get better. This is still the only App I have ever paid for.

Train Layout Progress

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I have been spending some time tinkering with the train layout lately. I find it relaxing at the end of the day. Here is a summary of the work in progress and completed:

  • I have completely removed the rather badly installed branch line track and started replacing it with a more professionally installed set of sidings and a small station. It is still a branch line but it only connects to the main line at a single junction. Eventually I plan to run separate power supplies to the main and branch lines to allow for the operation of two trains simultaneously (one train could run a continuous loop and the other perform shunting duties).
  • I have started improving the scenic elements of the layout. I still have lots of work to do here. I am finding the wall plastering putty to be quite useful in creating rock shapes. I am also starting to ballast areas of the track but I am less confident with that.
  • I have repaired the buffers (again) on the old Class 37 Diesel. I still have to finish painting the blue and yellow Class 31 and work out why the Class 08 shunter is misbehaving. The Class 08 shunter needs fixing as soon as possible – it’s Cameron’s favourite. The Class 31 was painted but I was unhappy with the result so have started again. I also discovered it could be taken apart – a fact that makes the paint job much easier!
  • As a result of these upgrades I still have a fair amount of wiring left to do. Time to get the soldering iron out again…

Another rambling update…

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Here’s an insight into what I have been up to recently:

  • Started basketball training again (with the intention to play a season on a team). I really need the exercise…
  • Still tinkering with model trains. I’m in the process of re-doing a whole heap of track work I did earlier in the year (or late last year) that I’m not entirely happy with. Contemplated (briefly) a new, much larger N gauge layout but decided to continue with the one I have been working on. Still acquiring random trains/rolling stock/buildings and other miscellanea. Lots of fun.
  • Not bird-watching/photographing anywhere near as much as I would like. Don’t like my chances of reaching 250 species by the end of the year (currently sitting on 215).
  • I have finally delved back into Mac programming. Just working on a simple project to start with but hopefully things will ramp up once I get familiar with it again. Seriously liking the new version of Xcode.
  • Still working (probably too much). Got to pay the bills somehow. While the downturn means less project work it does mean we are putting together a lot more quotations and proposals.

Road Trip

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A recent drive from Perth to Karratha yielded four new birds for my lifelist:

  • White-eared Honeyeater (Lichenostomus leucotis);
  • Little Crow (Corvus bennetti);
  • Torresian Crow (Corvus orru);
  • Mangrove Grey Fantail (Rhipidua phasiana).

Separating the two crows required a fair amount of preparation (as far as I can see they look identical). I had located some mp3s of the calls of both of these birds (and also the Australian Raven for good measure) and loaded them onto my iPod touch. This enabled me to compare the live call to a few typical calls on the iPod. Thankfully the crows cooperated and treated me to textbook renditions of their voices.

I did the drive to help my brother-in-law Wes get his car back up to Karratha (he works up there at the moment).


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Google Maps reports this trip as 1,547 kilometres. These four birds take the life list to 215.

Rottnest Island Birding Trip

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On Saturday May 1st 2010 three of us (John Graff, Mark Newman and myself) headed to Fremantle to catch the ferry to Rottnest Island. We departed at 0730 and returned at 1645. The weather was overcast for most of the day. Our targets were the Rottnest specialties (Peafowl, Common Pheasant, Rock Parrot) as well as any waders or seabirds that happened to turn up.

We dipped out on Rock Parrot and Peafowl but had good sightings of both male and female Common Pheasant. We suspect that the Peafowl may have been culled out of existence (or any that are left are hiding really well). Given how common they used (and the fact that they stand out like a sore thumb) this is unusual. The following is my list for the day (Common Pheasant being my only lifer):
  • Common Pheasant;
  • Galah;
  • Welcome Swallow;
  • White-browed Scrubwren;
  • Red-capped Robin;
  • Silver Gull;
  • Silvereye;
  • Crested Tern;
  • Pied Cormorant;
  • Australian Raven;
  • Australian Shelduck;
  • Singing Honeyeater;
  • Brown Skua;
  • Laughing Dove;
  • Spotted Dove;
  • Eastern Osprey;
  • Australian Pelican;
  • Ruddy Turnstone;
  • Australian Magpie;
  • Caspian Tern;
  • White-fronted Chat;
  • Red-necked Stint;
  • Black-winged Stilt;
  • Grey Plover;
  • Banded Lapwing;
  • Pacific Black Duck;
  • Grey Teal;
  • Spotless Crake;
  • Australian Pied Oystercatcher;
  • Nankeen Kestrel;
  • Red-necked Avocet;
  • Australasian Gannet.
The Common Pheasant takes my list to 211 (bird 210 was a Wood Sandpiper that I photographed and needed a second opinion).