{"id":403007,"date":"2026-04-10T17:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T07:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?guid=34a0d4a085b317f5c943a74158c58ebd"},"modified":"2026-04-10T17:08:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T07:08:00","slug":"building-wagga-2026-04-10-170800","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=403007","title":{"rendered":"Building Wagga 2026-04-10 17:08:00"},"content":{"rendered":"

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16th Narrow Gauge Convention<\/h3>\n
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 Easter 2026 – 16th Australian Narrow Gauge convention<\/b><\/p>\n

The 16th Australian Narrow Gauge convention was held over Easter at Noble Park North, a suburb of Melbourne.  The venue was Carwatha College, which has been used in the past for some conventions, most recently in 2023.<\/p>\n

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Dan Pickard came out of retirement (he announced that 2023 would be the last convention he would chair), and once again, excelled in the role.<\/p>\n

A railway convention is an excellent way to gain new ideas, see some excellent modelling, meet up with friends, exercise the wallet, and discuss products with traders without the distraction of the public at exhibitions.<\/p>\n

Conventionioneers were provided with a large spiral bound book, which besides the standard blurb, containing details of the traders, clinics, and displays. Extra fare items suich as the polo short, and saturday banquet.  Lunch, and endless tea\/coffee was provided during the day.  <\/p>\n

The layouts.<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the many highlights was to be able to get really close to the layouts, without the barriers that one encounters at a model railway exhibition.  And the atmosphere is quite relaxed – no one seems to mind that trains may not be running, and even the layout owners may not be present to supervise.  There is a high level of trust, and this is refreshing.  <\/p>\n

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Cinnamon Port<\/u> – by Peter Kendall MMR.  On18.  Ceylon – Before 1948.<\/p>\n

Peter’s latest mini layout follows on frm Apple Cove that was displayed at the 2023 convention<\/p>\n

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Peter conducted a clinic on modelling ideas, which included construction of this layout.  Below pictures from clinic<\/p><\/div>\n

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Alp Grum<\/u> – by Greg Coggins.  HOm Swiss<\/div>\n
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 Greg continued down the Hume Hwy after his layout was exhibited at Kaleen exhibition 2 weeks earlier.  This was Greg’s first convention.  (more pictures in my 2026 Kaleen exhibition report)<\/div>\n
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Animas Canyon<\/u> – by the Grampian Model Railroaders.  On30 USA<\/div>\n
The Grampian Model Railroaders displayed their new layout.  Their old layout, Port Franklin was exhibited at the 2023 convention<\/div>\n
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Chamatiago & South Western<\/u> – by Steve Pettit. HOn3 USA<\/div>\n
Peter was unfortunately unable to attend the convention, but Pat Britten took over, and also gave Steve’s clinic.<\/div>\n
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Emu Creek Tramway<\/u> – by Adam Edge  Live steam – 45mm gauge 1:13.7 scale<\/div>\n
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A double track oval, with a slotted roadway for the traction engines.  <\/div>\n
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