Cowra - Construction, June 2026
Common back storage yard modules. Modules A and B contain the 14 track storage yard, F and H are the ‘J’ pieces.
One storage yard, multiple layouts.
We are doing things a little differently for our new layout. Or should we say... layouts.
The plan is to build a back storage yard consisting of two main modules, which are already under construction as described in previous updates. This backyard will have a curved J pieces joining it at each end, as described in the May update. Each of these J pieces will have two tracks and will negotiate a quarter circle. The whole backyard will comprise two tracks entering from each J piece at each end, which will then branch out into a total of fourteen storage tracks, using a conventional yard ladder arrangement of turnouts at each end.
The novel idea is that this whole backyard, comprising two main modules, plus a J piece at each end, will be able to connect to different modules at the front of the layout. The front arrangement will consist of two main modules, with a smaller L-shaped module at each end. These L modules are yet to be constructed. The four modules making up the front part of the layout will be scenicked, whilst the rest will not.
One area being represented is Cowra, as is already being documented and described in these updates. Future front module arrangements will also be modelled, for locations yet to be confirmed and released, which would then connect to the common backyard modules in place of the Cowra modules.
Cowra front modules. Only the centre 2 main modules have been constructed so far. Not all buildings and structures have been shown on this plan.
Work this month on the two J pieces continued with additional timberwork and painting. A second layer of 4mm bendy ply was glued and nailed to the sides, adding strength and stiffness to the curves between the cross members. Once all four sides were completed, the undersides of both pieces received a coat or primer/sealer and a top coat of light grey paint.
A second layer of 4mm bendy ply glued and nailed in place on the side of a J piece, with lots of clamps to keep the edges aligned while the glue sets.
On the two main front modules work continued on some of the structures and some scenery. The Gang Shed was fixed in place and surrounding scenery commenced. A Uneek Models sleeper retaining wall was installed behind the shed. A water tank, a basic storage frame, an oil tank and frame, and a simple fence, were all scratchbuilt, painted up and installed. A few additional details have been added and the general scenery is a mixture of ground foam, static grass, gravel, and tile grout for pedestrian paths.
The Gang Shed and surrounding scenery and detail items.
The station platform surface at Cowra is partly concrete with bitumen at each end. To represent the bitumen at the south end of the station around the dock platform, 240 grit sandpaper was used. It was firstly trimmed to appropriate shapes to suit the platform edgings, the ramp at the end, and to allow for the signal box to be installed once it is completed. The sandpaper was lightly painted with Tamiya XF-20 Medium Grey. Areas surrounding the bitumen surface were sceniced with mixtures of ground foam, fine gravel, static grass, and grass tufts.
The bitumen platform surface, made from sandpaper, at the south end of the station near the dock platform and down the ramp. Fine gravel is glued down around the edge of the bitumen.
The bitumen platform surface at the south end of the station in the area between the signal box and the end of the dock platform. The signal box is only loosely placed for now and will be fixed in place once it is completed.