Sydney Railway Prototype Modellers – 2026
This was a new concept for Australia, where modellers of all prototypes could come together, and display their latest models.
I first became aware of the Sydney RPM, when the above poster appeared on Will James’ you-tube channel, in the upcoming events section of his monthly update video. What struck as being strange, was that they used Wagga Wagga station as the background image – Wagga is no where near Sydney.
Anyway, I checked my calendar, made contact with the organiser, Justin, and subsequently registered.
The venue was the Concord Community Center – which had good parking and access – which was an important consideration, as I was taking my Wagga station diorama with me, and didn’t fancy having to move it any distance in a crowd.
 |
| Wagga station in the back of my Honda. Fitted securely wedged behind the wheel arches. One could be accused of sizing the diorama base for this purpose, but it was a fluke.
|
I left Junee on Friday, to my motel accomodation at Strathfield, selected as it was 5km from Concord, and relatively inexpensive.
Note. I had some feedback from my last blog post, that the pictures were slow, or didn’t load. I have found that too, but if I refresh the screen, the pictures then seem to load fine. Not sure if it is a “feature” of the Blog software, or because I included too many pictures. And a reminder, click on a picture for a larger image.
The Event
Traders and ‘clinic’ presenters were allowed earlier access before the rest of us – so having arrived at 7am (traffic was very light, unlike the return trip along Burwood Road), I spent the next 90 minutes taking a walk down to Canada Bay enjoying the early morning sunlight. Back at the venue, I discovered that modellers were already taking in their models into the center, a bit earlier than I expected from the earlier advice email.
Each participant was issued with a lanyard, and a grab bag that included some advertising and discount brouchers, a lunch ticket, a Sydney RPM labeled pen, and some modelling items (mine had a bottle of SMS VR Blue paint, a plastic bag of clean tips, a small MacRail detail item, and a Miniprints “Ray Arnott” figure).
 |
| Justin Mitchell (our host, and organiser), and Ray Arnott (International Podcaster “Around the Layout”) give final instructions at the start. On the table in front, are some display models from USA modellers that Ray has brought with him |
The models
Models were displayed on tables provided. Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding with the commerical exhibitors who used tables assigned for the displays, there were fewer tables than hoped for, and many models were crowded in – which was a bit disappointing, as well as making photography awkward.
 |
| Steve Pettit MMR displayed his Pacific Electric depot diorama |
 |
| Peter Beyer is noted for his structures. Station and toilet block. My Wagga station master’s residence is in the background. |
 |
| More of Peter Beyer’s modelling – variations on the NSWGR A1 station |
 |
| LNER A4 “Quicksilver” in 1:24 dominates the HO scale SOO SD40-2 and boxcar |
 |
| Graham Wotton displayed 2 nice items of NSW railway rolling stock. At the rear are some of Cameron Stait’s models, as seen on Guest podcaster, Ray Arnott’s youtube video of Cameron’s “Robertson” model railway layout |
 |
| The Weedicide wagon was a combination of Casula Hobbies water gin, and Peter Boorman workshops |
 |
| The PHV is a Ctrl-P 3D printed kit, sadly no longer being made |
 |
| Four HO D&RGW cabooses, painted and detailed to match the real ones/photographs |
 |
| A section of British wagons in 4mm scale, EM (18.2mm) gauge. In the background another view of Peter Beyer’s structures |
 |
| Stephen Buck displayed an suburban railway electric substation, plus a pair of carriages from his ‘Gordon Box’ range of kits |
 |
| Gary Rumming had constructed a small switching layout, as the raffle prize. This could be used as an extension to an existing layout, or stand-alone, operated as an ‘inglenook’. The raffle tickets were $25 each |
 |
| Bit of fun from our guest Podcaster. The boxcar featured has travelled on layouts in North America, Europe, and Australia. Above is the layout/ raffle prize
|
 |
| Three NSWGR AD60 Garratt locomotives in O scale. These are DJH kit models, the unpainted loco closest to the camera was only partially constructed. |
 |
| George Paxon’s selecton of scratchbuilt O scale traction models |
 |
| The detail on George’s snow-sweeper/flanger is easy to see on the unpainted styrene |
 |
| NSW O scale kit made wagons, but the C30 tank engine origins is a mystery |
 |
| “Moss Vegas”. British, German, and NSW station kits combined. |
 |
| A selection of South Australian steam locos, built from kits by Kingsley Fielden |
 |
| Country station, with lever frame in HO scale. |
Ray Arnott arranged a delivery of a selection of models made by USA modellers to provide a link with RPM events held in the USA. These models were not carried in Ray’s hand luggage, but were delivered by post/courier earlier to David North, who I understand, had a few minor repair jobs. These models were displayed on a table in front of Ray’s Podcast stand
 |
| A new exhibition layout debuted at the RPM Event. “Wattamondara” |
 |
| Will James showed off his repainted/detailed Bachmann Ffestiniog OO9 Double Fairlie to match the livery of “David Lloyd George” |
 |
| Graeme Schulz displayed his rail transport construction train, consisting of eight bogie wagons, with a load of a long bundle of rail. The rail is made from a very flexible plastic, that enables the wagons to run around his Ettamogah exhibition layout. My own Wagga station is in the background |
 |
| Robert Popovski showed some 3D printed NZLA wagons, with loads in O, HO, and N scales |
 |
| Robert had also scratchbuilt a NSW S008 silo in N scale |
 |
| My Wagga Wagga station model finally gets seen by a wider audience |
 |
| Howard Armstrong, a pioneer in NSWGR scale modelling, and author of many books had constructed a NSW C32, and carriage in 3.75mm/foot scale around 50 years ago – which was once seen as a compromise scale with british OO. It was really good to see the craftsmanship of the era |
 |
| TGR Tiger models in HO, built for an AMRM magazine review by the late Es Davis. |
 |
| Daniel Thomson had scratchbuilt a River dock in N scale, inspired by the dock at Euchua |
 |
| Martin Hartley’s early Camden tram in O scale. The laster cut coach is under construction |
 |
| Pat Britten had a before and after pair of Great Northern H4 class locos. Both brass inports. The top one was as delivered, and bottom one has extra detail added, and new tender. Pat had painted both in Glacier Park green. |
 |
| Jonathon Hilliard had constructed, and detailed the Stephen Johnson kit of NSW railmotor #38 |
 |
| Scratchbuilt, and kit built british tank engines in O scale by David Haworth |
 |
| Detailing underframes is often forgotten. Nice to see the extra details |
 |
| Tim Preddey had constructed the first Waterfall station from NSW Railway plans. But was the prototype ever built? Tim simply did not know. |
 |
| Adam Rudnicki had constructed the AK inspection train using Dave Luketic parts. |
 |
| James Percival had weathered Auscsion coal hoppers to match the prototype |
 |
| Curtis Hill has distressed 4 locomotives to match the locos in the 1985 movie “Runaway Train” that was filmed in Alaska |
Clinics, or Learning Stations
Throughout the day, a number of modelling clinics were running.
 |
| Pat Britten decribed his experiences, and demonstrated constructing turnouts using the Fast Tracks system |
 |
| Ian, from Andian Models were encouraging, and guiding people to have a go at painting figures. He also had his range of model kits for sale. |
 |
| Darren Lee demonstrated airbrushing in the marquee |
 |
| Aaron Stinson showed how to install his electronic controls, and signals on a FreemoOO9 module. Aaron has designed the electronics, and sells them. |
 |
| The signals before detailing, used surface mount LEDs on PCBs |
 |
| The signals available |
 |
| Steve Pettit MMR showed his approach to decaling, and weathering |
Commercial exhibitors
 |
| Keiran Ryan of Keiran Ryan models had a selection of Silo kits, and detail items |
 |
| Jarryd Langford was running the Buckinbool stand of DCC items |
 |
| Michael Bertucci, of Rosewood Workshops is now the agent for AR Kits |
 |
| Lynton Summer was selling quite a large range of mostly Victorian Railways model kits under the Lyndon Trains label |
 |
| A pair of miniature one-wire block instruments made to order. Gordon Box is a new company run by Stephen Buck, specializing in signaling, but also has some passenger cars kits, and catenary masts. |
In addition (not pictured) was Steven Pracey from SDS, who was describing how SDS were improving the former Austrains, and Eureka models, with some large A1 size diagrams showing how accurate (or not) the earlier molds were
Other activities
 |
| Something to be enjoyed was the Barrister Coffee, provided free at the other end of the marquee. |
 |
| Ray Arnott interviewed many people during the day – and I suspect that these interviews will be podcast after Ray gets back to the USA. Will James is in the hot-seat in this picture |
 |
| There were 2 tables of Lucky door prizes, donated by the commercial exhibitors, and from Ray Arnott’s links from his Podcast sponsors. The Sound/DCC engines proved to be very popular |
The lucky door prizes were randomly selected by Ray’s computer starting at 4pm after most display models had been collected by their owners. Each successful winner had 20 seconds to select one item from the vast offerings. The first lucky door winner selected the SDS 81 class with DCC/Sound, and the other DCC/Sound locos followed quickly. My number was called out well after most of the items had gone, but I was still quite pleased with the Rail Flow 30″ radius track guide, and Rail Flow PCB sleepers for fast track turnouts (bag is the bottom RHS of the 2nd picture)
Finishing up, and summary
Justin organised an excellent event, with only a few minor glitches, which I assume will be addressed in a future RPM event. It was good to see models from all over, in different scales, and prototypes. We can always learn from the efforts of others. The learning stations were well attended, and the range of models and kits from the traders were most welcome.
 |
| Justin’s motley crew of helpers, all wearing the Sydney RPM polo shirts |
Thankyou Justin, and his team of helpers for a most successful day.
The day after – Sunday
I was invited to visit 2 model train layouts in the Southern Highlands: a minor detour on my journey back to Junee. I will leave you with some teaser pictures from my next Blog post, which will conclude a magic weekend.
 |
| At Mittagong, I managed to photograph the AK inspection train. Coincidence (?) that the model of the train was displayed by Adam Rudnicki at the RPM. |
 |
| Tim Preddey’s home layout was photographically, one of, if not, the best home layout I have ever seen |
 |
| Steve Petitt’s “Lower Downtown” diorama was not part of his layout |
Until next time, build a model or two.
