James's Rail Pics Gallery http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/ 27 rows en-gb 60 AMRA (VIC) Caulfield Exhibition 2009 http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1744479.html Like last year, this years AMRA Caulfield show was big. There were plenty of layouts on display aswell as traders. The Auscision stand seemed to be swarming with people most of the time, as did the Trainworld and Austrains stands. Overall a fantastic show, albeit a bit tiring. Well done to the AMRA and all traders/clubs who attended for putting on a great exhibition! Saturday 22 August 2009: Like last year, this years AMRA Caulfield show was big. There were plenty of layouts on display aswell as traders. The Auscision stand seemed to be swarming with people most of the time, as did the Trainworld and Austrains stands. Overall a fantastic show, albeit a bit tiring. Well done to the AMRA and all traders/clubs who attended for putting on a great exhibition!

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]]> Sat Aug 22 2009 Waverley MRC Exhibition - Queen's Birthday Weekend http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1709400.html Fantastic is one way to sum up this show. TrainOrama and Bob Cook were there, not to mention Tom's Hobbies aswell. Blue and Gold Models also made an appearance, as did Trainworld. There was a good variety of layouts on display too. Oh and there was also a working test sample of TrainOrama's upcoming VR S-class diesel which spent all of the weekend stretching its legs on EMRC's layout 'Murranbilla'. Well done to WMRC and all traders/clubs who attended for putting on a good show! Enjoy the photos. Saturday 6 June 2009: Fantastic is one way to sum up this show. TrainOrama and Bob Cook were there, not to mention Tom's Hobbies aswell. Blue and Gold Models also made an appearance, as did Trainworld. There was a good variety of layouts on display too. Oh and there was also a working test sample of TrainOrama's upcoming VR S-class diesel which spent all of the weekend stretching its legs on EMRC's layout 'Murranbilla'. Well done to WMRC and all traders/clubs who attended for putting on a good show! Enjoy the photos.

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]]> Sat Jun 6 2009 Seymour Railway Heritage Centre http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1709376.html Just a good collection of photos from my visit to the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre up at the town of Seymour (Victoria's North-East). A big thanks to the staff at SRHC and in particular our tour guide for showing us around. Saturday 30 May 2009: Just a good collection of photos from my visit to the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre up at the town of Seymour (Victoria's North-East). A big thanks to the staff at SRHC and in particular our tour guide for showing us around.

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]]> Sat May 30 2009 Oddities http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1649903.html Other non-rail related photos I've taken. Saturday 7 February 2009: Other non-rail related photos I've taken.

Part of the view from our balcony, looking towards Kinglake. Fog still lingering in the air around midday, during the first month of winter (June 2006). Same as previous photo, just a different view, One summer morning in December (2006). I think those were smoke clouds on the horizon, from a bushfire up north. Red moon during the Lunar Eclipse (August 2007). End of the Lunar eclipse Victoria, in particular Melbourne, copped some pretty wild weather back in April 2008. The next 2 photos show some of the damage the wind had done. Snapped branch on a tree. Another view of the snapped/fallen branches from the tree. I'm not sure about this one, but I think those were 'dust clouds' that had come from further north-west of the state (Mildura/Mallee region). Melbourne got some pretty hot weather during summer 2008/2009. This photo was taken in early February 2009 and shows some of the smoke lingering in the sky. From the bushfires up in the North-East of the state. The day after the previous photo was taken. This one and the next two photos show the eerie orange glow that could be seen from our balcony, from the bushfires up north. From the bushfires up north. In around half an hour this Looking towards King Lake. This was taken almost a week after the bushfires that ravaged parts of the state. Smoke can be seen hovering around. From the bushfire near Healesville.

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]]> Sat Feb 7 2009 Phillip Island and District Railway Modellers Inc Show http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1640534.html Another great model railway show. I like these small exhibitions, not too crowded, and the hospitality is really up there. We all had a fun 2 days of model railroading, albeit it went very quick which is always a bit of a shame. I did meet a couple of new faces though which is always good. Enjoy the photos. Saturday 17 January 2009: Another great model railway show. I like these small exhibitions, not too crowded, and the hospitality is really up there. We all had a fun 2 days of model railroading, albeit it went very quick which is always a bit of a shame. I did meet a couple of new faces though which is always good. Enjoy the photos.

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]]> Sat Jan 17 2009 Eltham Festival Weekend http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1608683.html Once again, EMRC participated in the Eltham Town festival over the weekend of 8-9th November. Murranbilla was on display aswell as some members small layouts. As always, it was a fun weekend. Saturday 8 November 2008: Once again, EMRC participated in the Eltham Town festival over the weekend of 8-9th November. Murranbilla was on display aswell as some members small layouts. As always, it was a fun weekend.

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]]> Sat Nov 8 2008 AMRA (VIC) Caulfield Exhibition http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1567568.html A fantastic exhibition with plenty of layouts and a few traders on display over the entire weekend. Austrains officially released their DL-class locos beginning Saturday morning - which I managed to snap up two by the way. Plus they also had samples of the PN and FA liveried VPCX cement hoppers for the 2nd run, due later this year. There are alot of photos here, but I only just realised that I didn't get shots of some of the other layouts on display - 'Midsomer Norton', 'Wills Street' and 'Kangaroo & Cockatoo Railway' being some of them. Oh well, enjoy the photos :) Saturday 23 August 2008: A fantastic exhibition with plenty of layouts and a few traders on display over the entire weekend. Austrains officially released their DL-class locos beginning Saturday morning - which I managed to snap up two by the way. Plus they also had samples of the PN and FA liveried VPCX cement hoppers for the 2nd run, due later this year. There are alot of photos here, but I only just realised that I didn't get shots of some of the other layouts on display - 'Midsomer Norton', 'Wills Street' and 'Kangaroo & Cockatoo Railway' being some of them. Oh well, enjoy the photos :)

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]]> Sat Aug 23 2008 HBMRC Collingwood Exhibition 2008 http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1481369.html Plenty of photos from the Hobsons Bay MRC show over the Easter weekend. Another great exhibition, with a few really fantastic layouts on display. Auscision also had their A/B, EL-class and GJF/VHGF samples on display - spewing I didn't get photos of them though. I'll add captions when I can be bothered. All photos were taken on the Saturday and Sunday, enjoy! Saturday 22 March 2008: Plenty of photos from the Hobsons Bay MRC show over the Easter weekend. Another great exhibition, with a few really fantastic layouts on display. Auscision also had their A/B, EL-class and GJF/VHGF samples on display - spewing I didn't get photos of them though. I'll add captions when I can be bothered. All photos were taken on the Saturday and Sunday, enjoy!

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]]> Sat Mar 22 2008 Eltham Festival Weekend http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1415180.html Eltham Model Railway Club took part in the annual Eltham town festival again this year. Apart from our exhibition layout 'Murranbilla' that we had set up, there was also had two other little layouts, from two members, showing aswell over the entire weekend. We also had a little car models display in the hall with us. Another fun weekend was had I might add. Enjoy the photos! Saturday 17 November 2007: Eltham Model Railway Club took part in the annual Eltham town festival again this year. Apart from our exhibition layout 'Murranbilla' that we had set up, there was also had two other little layouts, from two members, showing aswell over the entire weekend. We also had a little car models display in the hall with us. Another fun weekend was had I might add. Enjoy the photos!

T324 idles away in the headshunt as a local passenger train with mixed stock slowly pulls into the station. Another shot of T324, still idling away. A V/Line B-class in Tangerene livery busily shunts the small yard on 'Leafy Bay'. Overall shot of this very small N-scale layout. A SW1500 loco gently eases its train downgrade. Sorry for the blurry-ness! NR48 cruises past a B-class with the Trailerail train from Perth. Two NSWR 421-class locos, 42106 and 42110, are seen stabled in the livestock sidings awaiting their next assignments. Looks like those folks aren't having any luck with fishing today. Cassette type storage for Leafy Bay. A VR V-class steam loco hauls a coal train past stabled locos T324, 42106 and 42110. An My favourite passenger train - The Overland, seen here roaring through Murranbilla and bound for Adelaide. Yeah, it was good beach weather that weekend. The model cars display we had. Yes I know it isn't rail related but I thought I'd include this one none the less. Some of the excellent detail on the engine of one of the hotrods. ANR 930-class loco no.933 pulling out of the staging yard with the Overland train. Seen here again, 933 leading an unidentified 700-class loco on the Overland. A BL-class rushes by with an empty grain train, bound for the silos further upstate somewhere. A VR B-class begins to slow down on it's approach to Murranbilla with the local passenger train. The Spirit Of Progress is in town, hauled by two unidentified NSWR 44-class locos. Hmm, I can't remember seeing this one sneak out. 42110 is seen stabled on the mainline with it's container train. The Spirit of Progress again, this time crossing 42110 waiting on the mainline with its container train. Waiting, waiting, waiting.. When are they going to finish loading those hoppers?! Oops, I meant to get an entire shot of the silos, oh well. A BL-class waits on the mainline though. Another B-class, this time heading to the west of the state with another local passenger train. Here's the BL-class again waiting with it's grain train on the mainline. And again... NR48 stabled on the mainline with the Trailerail train. An Australian National passenger liveried CLP-class loco hauls a container train bound for the west. YEAH!! Even better, another CLP seen in charge of a long and heavy doublestacked container train to Perth. Yes those are Southern Pacific (US) well cars.. I'm surprised those two camels aren't startled by the little deisel shunting around the yard at Leafy Bay. NR48 waits patiently on the mainline with another stack train to Perth. A shorter container train seen here crossing the stack train. An unidentified ANR CL-class loco on the same container train. It had to back up on the mainline for some reason. It's just an illusion, the doublestack train isn't flying past. NR48 slowly crawls along the mainline with it's heavy container train to Perth. It's a NSWR invasion! First the 44's and the 421's, now this! 44214 stabled in the loop with the Spirit of Progress train. Freight Australia liveried X53 has just arrived with its mixed goods train of louvre vans and grain hoppers. After shunting the vans to the goods shed, X53 prepares to shunt the grain hoppers next to the silo for loading. Ok job done, now to wait for those hoppers to be loaded up. While waiting for those hoppers, X53 takes the loaded vans and places them onto one of the tracks so they can be made up into a new train. X53 seen again, this time shunting some container wagons that obviously got left behind. A V/Line X-class trundles through with it's empty grain train bound for somewhere further upstate. A hired CFCLA EL-class finally arrived into Murranbilla with the local cement train. Running several hours late obviously. Ignore the window reflection on the perspex. A 'blast from the past' photo, Y162 shunts wagons in the yard while the towns folk enjoy the day out by the beach. Another shot of Y162, seen here stabled in the platform road. A pretty busy staging yard on Murranbilla. Crews must have done a loco swap somewhere. The same BL we saw earlier in the day is now heading back to Melbourne on a short container train.

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]]> Sat Nov 17 2007 Croydon MRC Exhibition 15th-16th September 2007 http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1370601.html Here's quite a few photos from the Croydon Exhibition in Melbourne. All were taken on the Sunday (16th), again mostly of EMRC's Murranbilla. A great day was had, and a very good exhibition with a few surprises. Saturday 15 September 2007: Here's quite a few photos from the Croydon Exhibition in Melbourne. All were taken on the Sunday (16th), again mostly of EMRC's Murranbilla. A great day was had, and a very good exhibition with a few surprises.

T395 waits patiently in the yard before shunting cement hoppers around. Bang Bang! Two down, and a few more to go... A shot of the farm house located at the Up end of the Yard and sitting right next to the cutting. That NSWGR C36 must be on hire to VR if it's on the 'broad-gauge'. The V/Line Passenger Sprinter speeds up and out of Murranbilla. Another shot, this time powering through the cutting. A V/Line Passenger 'Sprinter' is seen stabled in the livestock sidings awaiting its next duty. Austrains Y-class test model is seen shunting cement hoppers which are also Austrains' most recent wagon release. A very busy yard indeed with a Y-class, B's 71 & 72 and a V/Line T-class all stabled. Another shot of the Austrains Y-class test model. And nother shot, this time it's shunting some cement wagons. An RT tractor stabled in the silo road - finally one that had a little more grunt to it when used for shunting. Branchline stand. A BNSF 'Dash 9' leads a short doublestacked container train. A Burlington Northern SD70MAC passes by shortly after the doublestacked train had. A nice sized N-scale layout. I forgot the name of this one sorry. A Baltimore & Ohio GP9 rushes past with a passenger train An ATSF FA1 (?) pulls into the station with a big freight train in tow. Another shot of the B&O GP9 hauled passenger train. A DERM motor waiting in the platform road on the layout 'End of the Line' An overall view of the same layout. Another view of the same layout again. A miniature steam loco on display - this belonged to the Mooroolbark & District Miniature Railway & Steam Club Inc. The club's sign. A small light-rail layout, UK based I think. It looked really good. Another shot of the Model Bus Association of Australia light rail layout. Display cabinet with all sizes of buses. Austrains stand. Note some future release models in there somewhere. Marklin stand. A VR C-class haules a mixed goods train around the bend on Victoria Bridge A VR S-class waits in the platform with a passenger train. Thomas The Tank Engine made an appearance too! A Second hand stall. T362 waits in the dock platform on Victoria Bridge A V/Line liveried N-class stabled in one of the platforms. An overall view of the yard on Victoria Bridge I Iiked this layout and missed photographing it last year at the Queen's Birthday weekend exhibition, so here it is! A Steam hauled coal train on Midsomer Norton A Shot of the coal works (?) on the same layout The horse in the paddock doesn't seem to care about the steam loco chugging by. An overall view of Midsomer Norton YVTR also made an appearance at the show. Overall photo of the 'Circus World in Miniature' layout. Layout sign. Photo of Austrains' next loco release - painted samples of Victorian Y-class Freight Australia liveried T379 shunts grain hoppers. A West Coast Railway B-class scoots past with a passenger train. The two T's hard at it shunting in the yard with grain hoppers. The end of the rake of hoppers being pushed by T379 The front of the rake with T379 shoving hard.

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]]> Sat Sep 15 2007 Stawell Exhibition 7-8th July 2007 http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1321715.html I travelled up to Stawell (in Western VIC) with EMRC for the weekend for the model railway exhibition. A fun 2 days was had by all, with a number of stalls and very good layouts being exhibited. Here's quite a few photos (mostly of 'Murranbilla') from the weekend. Saturday 7 July 2007: I travelled up to Stawell (in Western VIC) with EMRC for the weekend for the model railway exhibition. A fun 2 days was had by all, with a number of stalls and very good layouts being exhibited. Here's quite a few photos (mostly of 'Murranbilla') from the weekend.

Pacific National liveried X-class #X41. This is an Austrain's X-class custom modified. A Pacific National liveried XR-class loco. This is a custom modified Austrain's X-class, I believe the number was XR551 'Norman W.DePomeroy'. V/Line liveried T387 prepares to shunt the busy yard while a VR 'Derm' slows down on approach to the station. A steam engine hides away in the loco shed - Cockatoo Railway Some one should tell those guys lifing the steel poles that there is a crane nearby to do that. A small farm scene on the Cockatoo Railway layout T395 waits at the station with a short passenger train - Bright-Everton Layout Another T-class heads into Bright with a goods train. Overall shot of the town of Bright. Another T-class heads into Bright with a passenger train. An SAR 500-class cruises past a loading dock. I forgot the name of this layout but it was South Australian based and very impressive indeed. An overall view of the same layout.. The train on the bottom races around the bend and into the staging yard while a train of hoppers is pushed into the mine to be loaded. A VR T-class cruises past with a goods train while cattle wagons wait in the livestock siding to be loaded. T-class galore with a busy yard at the town of Everton. Two T-class locos each waiting in the yard with their own goods trains. A short passenger train waits in the siding - Purbeck Light Railway An overall view of Purbeck Light Railway. I always find this layout fascinating to view everytime I see it. NR hauled 'superfreighter' passing the Kilmore East 'Apex siding' - Kilmore East VR R-class hudson hauled cattle train - Kilmore East A V/Line liveried G-class speeds past with a mixed goods train. An overall shot of the Layout Kilmore East, very impressive I must say. Womat Sand Pit. I thought this tiny little layout was cute, if thats the word you choose to describe it. Detailed description of Womat Sand Pit A Z-scale layout built within a guitar case! A shot of the tiny little houses and people. An overall view of the Z-scale layout 'Waddamana Power Station'. The sign for Waddamana power station. Another impressive layout, Here is an overall view of the layout 'Little River Logging'. A CLP hauled container train speeds through the town - Dingo Crossing A view of the very well detailed interior of the diorama 'Granby Ridge Machine Shop'. Another shot of Granby Ridge Machine Shop. Some of these diorama's were fascinating, such as this one - Telling Stories A modeller working on a scratch building project, presumably the diorama that's next to him. Another modeller scratch building what looks to be a house this time. Overall view of the little layout 'Pierreville'. Layout sign of Pierreville. Two trains whoosing past one another on the N-scale layout 'Chuffington'. A diorama of a ship-building shop. 'McPherson's Fruit Box Company' store diorama. A mechanic shop diorama. 'H.Shaw Motorcycle Repairs & Sales' diorama. A modeller works on a scratch-building project. I'm not sure but I think this was a preview sample of Powerline's VR JX Cement hopper. Scratch built terrace housing. Two Powerline Freight Australia liveried T-class locos on display. An overall view of Adelaide's RTR Model Rail Group layout. Layout sign on the front of the layout.

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]]> Sat Jul 7 2007 Freight Wagons http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1307124.html Various photos of freight rolling stock. Tuesday 19 June 2007: Various photos of freight rolling stock.

Pacific National (ex-Freight Australia) 'Inline refueling' tank wagon VTQY 632-V

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]]> Tue Jun 19 2007 Recent Photos http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1281229.html Just a whole bunch of my most recent photos I've taken. I'll leave them in here for about a month before I move them to their respective galleries. Enjoy :o) Sunday 15 July 2007: Just a whole bunch of my most recent photos I've taken. I'll leave them in here for about a month before I move them to their respective galleries. Enjoy :o)

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]]> Sun Jul 15 2007 Train driver experience - BPR. http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1260613.html Back in 2006 I received a voucher from my family (21st birthday present) for a Train Driving experience down at Bellarine Peninsula Railway along the Victorian coast. I finally decided to book a day to do the Driver Experience about a month ago and these are just some of the many memorable photos taken on the day. A very big thanks to the staff at BPR for having me for the day :o) Wednesday 18 April 2007: Back in 2006 I received a voucher from my family (21st birthday present) for a Train Driving experience down at Bellarine Peninsula Railway along the Victorian coast. I finally decided to book a day to do the Driver Experience about a month ago and these are just some of the many memorable photos taken on the day. A very big thanks to the staff at BPR for having me for the day :o)

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]]> Wed Apr 18 2007 Victoria 2007 photos http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1231508.html A collection of photos from Victoria, mostly around the Melbourne surrounds/suburbs taken on my various train watching outings. Monday 1 January 2007: A collection of photos from Victoria, mostly around the Melbourne surrounds/suburbs taken on my various train watching outings.

NR64/XRB562/NR73 slow down Patricks train no.4AM3 on approach to Laverton Loop, where they will cross 5MA8 'The Overland'. This shot was taken from one of my videos, hence the poor resolution. NR91/DL43 power a late running 4AM5 'Superfreighter' through Laverton at a sedate pace V/Locity set #VL3 (1103-1203) and an unidentified sister set storm through Laverton on an Up SCS bound train NR22 powering up and out of Laverton with 5MA8 'The Overland' Another partially obscured view of NR22 with the Overland. They had just crossed 4AM3 Patricks train waiting in the loop V/Line Passenger liveried A62 coasts through Laverton on an Up SCS bound passenger train Class leader X31 (long end leading) is seen in charge of a loaded cement train through Laverton, presumably bound for Tottenham Yard G537/G536 bring 2PM9 SCT train from Perth into Laverton K&S Freighters 40' refrigerated containers on container wagon VQDW20-P, part of 2PM9's consist N472 storms through Laverton with an Up Geelong pax. The sun hasn't yet broken through the clouds.. Sunshine finally breaks through the clouds! N466 speeds through Laverton with an Up Geelong passenger service to Melbourne. CFCLA liveried units EL52/EL54 combine to haul 4AM6 P&O train through Laverton. Close up shot of N454 whizzing through Laverton on another Up Geelong passenger service.

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]]> Mon Jan 1 2007 Eltham Festival Weekend http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1140442.html EMRC's 'Murranbilla' layout was displayed at the Eltham Town Festival (18-19th Nov). This collection shows the various (and quite a few) photos taken on both the Saturday and Sunday. Saturday 18 November 2006: EMRC's 'Murranbilla' layout was displayed at the Eltham Town Festival (18-19th Nov). This collection shows the various (and quite a few) photos taken on both the Saturday and Sunday.

A K-class picking up passengers at the station A member watches on as a grubby NR leads a container train Same shot as before, this time we see the train waiting on the mainline The Indian Pacific makes a special visit to Murranbilla Close up shot of lone T324 sitting in the yard A Bitumen tanker in the livestock sidings. Huh? thats not right.. Close up of C504 in the yard with a bent handrail. 'Accident damage'? Unknown K-class waiting in the platform road at Murranbilla T324 busily shunting cement and grain hoppers A unknown V/Line G-class and T324 side by side in the yard The farm house on top of the hill No I didn't startle the cows when I jumped the fence to take this shot.. Toby (from Thomas the Tank Engine) is seen wizzing back and forth in the staging area Two NR's lead a container train towards Murranbilla Double V/line S-class locos on a container train.. crossing another container train Same shot as before, this time going through the cutting and past the farmhouse Same two NR's as before, this time slowly crawling across the trestle bridge NR's waiting on the mainline with a container train Front on shot of the loco, their train and the yard at Murranbilla A West Coast Ry B-class arrives at Murranbilla (the train is actually crawling, as opposed to flying along in the photo) NR's waiting on the mainline again on a container freight A grubby looking NR56 (seatrain) leads a container train over the trestle. Note the doublestacked containers - the first to be sighted through Murranbilla A CFCLA EL arrives at Murranbilla on a container freight ready for a cross Black & White shot of T387 in the Yard. Excuse the fuzziness.. Same shot as before, just a coloured (and less fuzzy) one The EL waiting in the platform road, whilst an NR with a doublestack container train makes the cross An RT tractor shunts the grain silos at Murranbilla I was really focusing on the Budd RDC but it turned out fuzzy (shaky camera) A V/Line X-class sits in the yard with a load of tank wagons attached The K-class makes an appearance again An overall view of the layout with members keeping busy A british 2-8-0 Tank trundles past with a short load of coal hoppers T324 crawling up the 'head-shunt' with wagons in tow. T324 shunts away in the yard. Meanwhile a K-class is.. well the picture says it all Ok backed up now and heading off on the mainline T324 crawling past from the silo road. To get from here to the yard locos must use the headshunt The BR 2-8-0T makes an appearance again Two X's leading 'The Overland' consist Two NR's leading a container train through Murranbilla Same shot as before. Here we see the locos overtake the BR 2-8-0T (waiting in the loop)

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]]> Sat Nov 18 2006 'Green Valley' route Trainz2006 screenies http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1111602.html This collection will display all my screenshots from my fictional Green Valley route in Trainz2006. I'm still making this route as time permits (after our computer took a dive on us and I lost over half this route some time ago), it is loosely based on the Melbourne - Adelaide line with some locations based on real things. Monday 16 October 2006: This collection will display all my screenshots from my fictional Green Valley route in Trainz2006. I'm still making this route as time permits (after our computer took a dive on us and I lost over half this route some time ago), it is loosely based on the Melbourne - Adelaide line with some locations based on real things.

NR48/NR85/NR76 approach Riggles Highway crossing with a heaily loaded 3BG5 Superfreighter in tow 9017/9033/L258 power late running 3GB5 Superfreighter through Koondah East 9017/9033/L258 power late running 3GB5 Superfreighter through Koondah East 9017/9033/L258 power 3GB5 over Riggles Highway on approach to Koondah Loop NR48/NR85/NR76 with 3BG5 hold Koondah Loop, while waiting to cross westbound 3GB5 Tail end of 3GB5 after crossing 3BG5 (waiting in the loop) 9017/9033/L258 powering 3GB5 out of Koondah 017/9033/L258 powering 3GB5 out of Koondah Another shot of 9017/9033/L258 with 3GB5 in tow Tail end of 3GB5 Superfreighter Another shot of 9017/9033/L258 rounding the bend with 3GB5 in tow Yet another shot of 9017/9033/L258 rounding the bend with 3GB5 in tow A shot of the trio as they head with 3GB5 into the horizon - Don't worry we'll catch up with them later 9017/9033/L258 with 3GB5 again, this time cruising down a slight grade after crossing Riggles Highway The train is seen passing the old alignment (which went off to the right of the screen) The train is seen passing over a low bridge along the new alignment Same shot as before just with a better view of the locos Here the train can be seen yet again passing of the north end of the old alignment (formerly branching off to the left of the screen) Another quick shot like before but with the locos in better view Heading back to the town of Koondah we still see 3BG5 stabled in the loop. The crews must be having dinner at the local pub..

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]]> Mon Oct 16 2006 Wagon Code Boards http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1096527.html Photos I've taken of various wagon code boards on my train watching outings. Friday 29 September 2006: Photos I've taken of various wagon code boards on my train watching outings.

SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0009-P SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0070-N SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0021-F SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0011-U SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0040-M Pacific National (ex-Freight Australia) Log wagon VFTX38-K Pacific National (ex-Freight Australia) Grain hopper VHGF429-B Pacific National (ex-Freight Australia) Log wagon VFHX138-E Pacific National (ex-Freight Australia) Grain hopper VHGF379-L Pacific National Coil steel container wagon RKLY20564-G SCT Large Freezer Van ARFY2243-K SCT Large Freezer Van ARFY2181-R SCT Large Freezer Van ARFY2394-U SCT Large Louvre Van ABFY2453-A SCT Large Louvre Van ABFY3106-S SCT Large Louvre Van ABFY2790-D SCT Large Louvre Van ABFY2463-X SCT Large Louvre Van ABFY4456-Q SCT Large Louvre Van ABFY2835-H SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0067-W SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0082-Q SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0037-V CFCLA 80' Container Wagon CQMY3081-Y CFCLA 80' Container Wagon CQMY3021-M CFCLA 80' Container Wagon CQMY3072-P Pac Nat (ex-FA) 80' Container Wagon VQDW20-P Pac Nat (ex-FA) 80' Container Wagon VQDW55-P CFCLA 80' Container Wagon CQMY3002-F CFCLA 80' Container Wagon CQMY3041-F CFCLA 80' Container Wagon CQMY3019-H CFCLA 80' Container Wagon CQMY3010-S CFCLA 80' Container Wagon CQMY3017-M Pac Nat (ex-FA) 80' Container Wagon VQDW27-J SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0091-P SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0085-U SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0025-S SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0065-E SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0060-F SCT Large Refrigerated Van ARBY2659-T SCT Large Freezer Van ARFY2396-P SCT Large Refrigerated Van ARBY2822-P SCT Large Refrigerated Van ARBY2793-E SCT Large Refrigerated Van ARBY2686-Q SCT Large Freezer Van ARFY2389-L SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0052-P SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0038-H SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0079-C SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0084-L SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0064-S SCT 'Mulit-Freighter' wagon PBGY0035-D

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]]> Fri Sep 29 2006 Victoria 2006 photos http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1069493.html A collection of photos from Victoria (mostly around the Melbourne surrounds/suburbs from my various train watching outings. Sunday 1 January 2006: A collection of photos from Victoria (mostly around the Melbourne surrounds/suburbs from my various train watching outings.

G527 brings 9335 quarry train through Albion N462 blasts through Laverton with an SCS bound pax NR86/DL39/NR1 cruise through Laverton with 4AM3 Patricks train in tow NR81/NR23 power up through Laverton with 4WP2 Steel train CLF4/CLF7 cruise through Laverton with P&O train no.4AM6. This shot was taken from one of my videos, hence the poor resolution. V/Locity set #VL6 and un-identified sister set speed through Laverton with an SCS bound pax Partially obscured, G541 cruises through Laverton with 9791 Freight in tow G535/H5 speed through Laverton with 9140 Freight VLP Sprinter class leader #7001 speeds through Laverton with an SCS bound pax NR40 powers up out of Laverton Loop with 5MA8 'The Overland' - Laverton A Connex Nexas set pauses at Laverton - All Aboard! 5 minutes later the same set is seen departing Laverton bound for Melbourne V/Locity set #VL14 pauses at Laverton for some unknown reason VL14 and an un-identified sister set power up out of Laverton station An un-identified VLP N-class loco rushes past Laverton station N451 speeds through Laverton with an Up SCS bound pax N460 speeds through Laverton with an Up SCS bound pax NR51/NR57 cruise through Laverton with 4WP2 steel train Containers and steel open wagons on 4WP2 steel train - Laverton RKKF/RKSY '3-unit' billet wagons tacked on the end of 4WP2 Steel train - Laverton N462 speeds through Laverton with an Up Geelong pax (SCS bound) NR44 cruises through Laverton with 5MA8 'The Overland' A62 cruises through Laverton with an Up Geelong pax (SCS bound) G535 brings 9322 empty quarry train through Laverton Blurry shot of G525/P19 on Up 9140 Mildura Freight through Laverton It took 3 days and over 2000km's but G537/G530/G539 finally arrive at Laverton with 2PM9 SCT train from Perth Close up shot of G537 leading G530/G539/VTQY fuel tanker and 2PM9 SCT train - Laverton 40' Containers on CFCLA CQMY 80' container wagons - 2PM9 SCT train at Laverton SCT 'Multi-Freighter' wagon PBGY 0009-P - 2PM9 at Laverton An unidentified ABFY van on 2PM9 at Laverton Tail end of 2PM9 at Laverton A close up shot showing the 'End Of Train' device on 2PM9 SCT train - Laverton VFTX38-K log wagon at Tottenham Yard Close up shot of the couplers, shunter steps, brake hoses and uncoupling levers on two log wagons - Tottenham Yard VFHX138-E log wagon at Tottenham Yard Tie down strap on a log wagon - Tottenham Yard A slightly blurred shot of the long rake of stored log wagons at Tottenham Yard Looking towards Tottenham Yard from West Footscray Station A close up shot of the many stored wagons at Tottenham Yard G537/8153 cruise past West Footscray Station with 6CM3 Up Griffith Freight Another shot of G537/8153 cruising past West Footscray Station with 6CM3 Up Griffith Freight Several minutes after 6CM3 came through, CLF4/CLP16 cruise in with 6AM6 P&O Container train - West Footscray A part overview shot of the Melbourne Steel Terminal - North Melbourne An RKEX slab steel wagon stabled at Melbourne Steel Terminal - North Melbourne V/Locity set #VL21 and an un-identified sister set (out of frame) slow down on approach to North Melbourne Station The same set as previous shot are seen preparing to stop at North Melbourne Station NR81 brings a double 6AM8 'The Overland' consist over the flyover at North Melbourne A 6-car Comeng set pauses at North Melbourne Station A shot of Pac.Nat Coil Steel container wagon RKLX414-Y - MST North Melbourne

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]]> Sun Jan 1 2006 Victorian 2005 Photos http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1069437.html A collection of photos from Victoria (mostly around the Melbourne surrounds/suburbs from my various train watching outings. Saturday 1 January 2005: A collection of photos from Victoria (mostly around the Melbourne surrounds/suburbs from my various train watching outings.

Comeng sets stabled in Eltham yard A Comeng set from the city arrives at Eltham The same set seen departing Eltham (Flinders St bound) 5 minutes later A Nexas set arrives at Laverton Passengers board the Nexas set before it continues on to Melbourne A Comeng arrives at Laverton Passengers boarding, Flinders St bound Looking towards Geelong - Laverton Looking towards Melbourne - Laverton NR25/DL39 cruise through Laverton with 5WP2 Steel train VLP S302 speeds through Laverton with the Warnambool Passenger train A VLP N-class loco speeds through Laverton with a Spencer Street bound pax G513/XR550/H2 on 9080 Freight through Laverton Containers on 9080 Freight - Laverton More Containers on 9080 Freight - Laverton PN and ex-FA VHGF grain hoppers on 9080 Freight - Laverton Tail end of 9080 Freight - Laverton N460 trundles through Laverton with a Geelong pax N456 speeds through Laverton with an Up SCS pax G537/V544/G543 slow down 2PM9 as they arrive at SCT Laverton Shot of V544 spliced in the middle of G537 and G543 SCT ABFY louvre vans on 2PM9 SCT train SCT 40' Reefer containers on 2PM9 SCT ABSY louvre vans on 2PM9 - Laverton ABRY Reefer Van on 2PM9 SCT train - Laverton NR64/DL46/DL47 bring 4WP2 Steel train through Laverton CLP14/CLF1 power 4AM6 P&O train through Laverton G541/G520 at the head of a grain train Looking towards Melbourne from Laverton Station, the SCT facility is just behind the highway in the background NR35/DL44/NR10 power 4AM3 Patricks train through Laverton NR63/DL46/NR73 slow down 4AM3 and prepare to cross 9769 Grain at Laverton Containers on 4AM3 Patricks train Tail end of 4AM3 Patricks train G520/G522 power out of Laverton Loop with 9769 Grain train.

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]]> Sat Jan 1 2005 WMRC - Queens Birthday Exhibition weekend http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c1041949.html Photos taken of the various layouts that exhibited at the Queens birthday exhibition weekend. Saturday 10 June 2006: Photos taken of the various layouts that exhibited at the Queens birthday exhibition weekend.

An EMRC member uncouples the locos and wagons - Murranbilla 2 V/Line C-class locos power through the cutting and under the road bridge with a container train - Murranbilla A flat top T pulls into Murranbilla with a passenger train. A overall view of Murranbilla yard. Looks like another busy day! A view of Murranbilla station A DRC sprints away from the station - Murranbilla Although it looks like the train is moving, it is actually stabled in the yard waiting to make a cross - Murranbilla An overall view of Schonblick A mixed goods train on Ashwater Overall view of Setagaya Another view of the tram line - Setagaya A bullet train woosh's past - Setagaya Overall view of Setagaya A 2-car tram trundles past - Setagaya A member uncouples a loco and wagons - Midsomer Northern A steam hauled passenger train cruises by on Midsomer Northern A passenger train flies past and under the overpass on Baldwin & Oswego A PRR steam loco flies past with a mixed goods train - Baldwin & Oswego On overview of Cannibal Creek Another one of the diorama's on display. Again superb amount of detail Some of the diorama's that we're on display. Extremely well detailed I might add.. 2 NR's power through Murranbilla with a container train The farmhouse on Murranbilla The sun is slowly setting on the small town of Murranbilla Subway platform detail on Setagaya A train woosh's past in the underground subway - Setagaya Subway platform detail on Setagaya Subway platform detail on Setagaya A train woosh's past in the underground subway - Setagaya Subway platform detail on Setagaya Subway platform detail on Setagaya Subway detail on Setagaya Subway detail on Setagaya Subway detail on Setagaya The yard is very busy.. again! Don't think the yard shunter is going to be pleased - Murranbilla An earlier shot with the EL pulling away from Murranbilla A CFCLA EL-class hauls a container train through the cutting - Murranbilla 3 eras and 3 liveries - Murranbilla A K-class flies past over the trestle bridge with a mixed goods train - Murranbilla A VR B-class waits at the platform on Murranbilla An ANR 930-class resting in the 'head shunt' - Murranbilla A K-class pulls away from the yard with a mixed goods - Murranbilla The time setting must be in the mid-70's as we have a VR B and ANR 930 in Murranbilla Don't think we'll ever see this combination - VR B-class hauling VLP livered passenger cars - Murranbilla A VR C-class and ANR 930-class in the yard - Murranbilla A VR C-class flies past with a grain train over the trestle bridge - Murranbilla Cattle wagons in the stockyard - Murranbilla An FA T-class shunts the yard on Murranbilla

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]]> Sat Jun 10 2006 Trainz Screenies http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c952569.html My collection of Trainz screenshots. Most of the ones display are from Trainz2004. Any new shots displayed are now from Trainz2006. Tuesday 9 May 2006: My collection of Trainz screenshots. Most of the ones display are from Trainz2004. Any new shots displayed are now from Trainz2006.

G537/G525/DL41 on 6MP9 SCT at Pinebark Loop G537/G525/DL41 cruise around the south end of Pinebark Loop on 6MP9 SCT NR16/8236 haul 5WP2 steel train through Pinebark Loop NR52/NR76 on 2PM5 'Superfreighter' at the north end of Pinebark loop NR52/NR76 - 2PM5 'Superfreighter' cross G532/G527 - 7PW4 steel train at Pinebark Loop NR56/NR48 haul 7PM5 'Superfreighter' through Pinebark Loop An R-class hauls a short mixed goods towards Wattle Creek

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]]> Tue May 9 2006 Railway Equipment http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c949521.html Railway Structures and Equipment. Sunday 7 May 2006: Railway Structures and Equipment.

NSWGR Perway Warning Lamp NSWGR Perway Warning Lamp

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]]> Sun May 7 2006 South Australia-2005 http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c664328.html A few train watching photos from my trip to South Australia, 2005. Wednesday 24 August 2005: A few train watching photos from my trip to South Australia, 2005.

Looking towards Port Augusta and beyond - Two Wells Looking towards Adelaide and beyond - Two Wells 1873/1872 in push-pull mode on 4117 Freight through Two wells Tail end of 4117 Freight NR89 slows down 3MP7 'Trailerail' and prepares to cross 2PM5 at Two Wells 3MP7 'Trailerail' waits outside the loop entrance for 2PM5 Containers of 3MP7 'Trailerail' - Two Wells Trailerailers tacked on the end of 3MP7 - Two wells 3MP7 accelerates away and crosses 2PM5 at Two Wells NR10/AN11 exit the loop with 2PM5 'Super-freighter' in tow Close up shot of lead engines on 2PM5 - NR10/AN11 at Two Wells Autorack wagons on 2PM5 - Two Wells Double-stacked containers on 2PM5 - Two Wells More double-stacked containers on 2PM5 - Two Wells Tail end of 2PM5 - Two Wells 2PM5 in the distance, bound for Adelaide then Melbourne - Two Wells CLF1/GM38 on 4AS3 Freight through Two Wells On overall shot of the Steamranger Yards - Mt Barker 900-class #909 stabled at Steamranger Yards Mt Barker station Water tower at Mt Barker station Looking away from Mt Barker station

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]]> Wed Aug 24 2005 Model Railway photos http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c365848.html A collection of my model railway photos. Photos range from my HO scale layout to a number of model kits I have completed or have under construction. New photos will be added in here over time (or when I finish a kit or something on my layout). Sunday 12 December 2004: A collection of my model railway photos. Photos range from my HO scale layout to a number of model kits I have completed or have under construction. New photos will be added in here over time (or when I finish a kit or something on my layout).

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]]> Sun Dec 12 2004 Tenterfield, Northern NSW http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c268768.html A special thank you goes out to my dear friend John Duncan for providing this shot. Wednesday 7 July 2004: A special thank you goes out to my dear friend John Duncan for providing this shot.

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]]> Wed Jul 7 2004 SCT - Regency Park, S.A 2004 http://james-solakidis.fotopic.net/c268741.html All these photos overlook SCT's (Specialized Container Transport) Regency Park, S.A facility Tuesday 13 April 2004: All these photos overlook SCT's (Specialized Container Transport) Regency Park, S.A facility

Looking towards Regency Park freight yard. Looking towards Melbourne A shot of the AFBX/AFBY Louvre Vans MP9/PM9 SCT train being made up with a view of the container loading dock. View of SCT loco H2 maybe?

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]]> Tue Apr 13 2004