An Australian RIP (switching) layout

At the Corio Model Railway show in 2017, I was lucky enough to catch this outstanding Australian switching layout. Owned by Ian Wilson of Ian Wilson Models (which is sadly no longer in business) this layout was simply outstanding. You’ll notice that the layout is completely self-contained, with no off layout cassettes or fiddle-yard.

Despite that, it had all the needs for a working layout including a run-around to allow the single locomotive to serve all facing and trailing sidings.

At 2400mm (8′) long by 600mm (2′) wide, it was a delight to see operate in the flesh. Sadly I was advised today, that the layout is (sigh), no more.

If you have any images of the layout or further information on it, I’d love to know. Please contact me through this site’s contact page (which send me an email), or on the Facebook page with details.

Enjoy the gallery of images.

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Image 1: Looking from the pit-road shed end, you can see the entirety of the layout. Note the car cards on the far table

Image 2: A close up view of the pit-road shed. Thoughtfully the roofs of all the sheds were left off to allow views like this one.

Image 3: A Victorian Railways (VR) bulk cement hopper and VLX van beside the pit-road shed toward the front of the layout.

Image 4: The centre (single track) shed with a couple of 4-wheel vans residing inside.

Image 5: The clever use of double-slip points, gnarly track work and building placement truly gives the impression of the average Australian wagon works. Note the run-around in the middle of the picture, allowing locomotives to reach all of the trailing and facing sidings.

Image 6: An overview of the layout from the 3-road shed. Note the travelling crane over two of the roads and a full concrete floor.

Image 7: showing the far end of the 3-road shed. Keeping the roofs off the sheds allow operators to access cars for shunting.

Image 8: The 3-road shed from the above the other entrance. With a lot of spots across the three roads the layout is highly operable.

Image 9: A down on the ground view of the 3-road shed.

Image 10: The operations end of the layout, showing the car cards in use during the operating session.

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