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Latest News
Keep checking back to this page from time to time.
New photos and events, new locomotives, rollingstock, buildings etc etc. will be added progressively
Reports on visits to other G scale layouts, club meetings and running days will be included.
To see our local club website, click on
http://www.trainweb.org/grass/
GRASS to learn more.
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Related pages
- Index - Home
- Track Plan, Map
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November 2006
An opening ceremony for Stage 1 took place on 4 Nov 2006, in drizzling rain in keeping with the tropical setting.
Stage 1 consisted of a line around the perimeter with 3 loops at Tabletop and 2 loops at Finch Haven.
The layout is track powered, block control, the line is raised above ground level for most of its length
and surrounded by the rain forest garden. Tabletop is on a substantial 1/5th scale trestle, reminiscent of real Queensland bridges.
December 2007
Stage 2 had an opening ceremony on 8 Dec 2007, it provides a longer run, out & back, or point to point via two reversing loops.
While no track plan is ever final, the general arrangement is depicted on the Track Plan / Map page.
It is constructed in a beautiful setting with lush vegetation and trains disappearing into the growth and reappearing elsewhere.
16 October 2009 Work begins on the DUNKIRK B Class Loco.
A "mock-up" of this loco - see the Locomotives page for more on this unique Loco.
20 September 2009 Two more B Class Passenger Coaches enter service.
There are now four Passenger coaches for the BTR, suited to suburban or long distance runs.
4 September 2009 Latest wagon added to Roster.
The FTP Class Ballast wagon 2 planks high is ready for work.
22 August 2009 A Timely addition to the Garden.
A combination Signal Mast, Clock and BTR Logo sign has neen added to the Garden.
Spring is just one week away now.
So train running will resume on weekends, we can run to a timetable now.
This Mast is now finished, so the extension line is now under construction at last.
1 August 2009 GRASS running day at Greg Hunters Sandstone & Termite Railway.
A sunny day in late winter was the scene for beaut day of train running.
A halt at Maple Junction to pick up passengers for next stop, Ti-Tree
At Ti-Tree, Mixed trains and Goods trains shunt wagons to various sidings.
Passenger trains continue on to Sandstone (the Terminus, today).
The modified Stainz is turned ready for a days work.
This short Goods train at the Viaduct heading into Lilydale.
A brief stop at Lilydale to pick up Milk and Mail
To see more of this great day 1 August 2009, see our GRASS website.
23 June 2009 Planned Extension down the yard and under the house.
To avoid many trips carrying models up to the back of the garden,
a Planned Extension has been developed so that trains can be run from under house
storage sidings, all the way up the yard to the main BTR layout.
This will make life easier when rain interupts proceedings, whole trains can be run in under cover.
To see more of this plan go to Planned Extension
10 April 2009 Station platform for Tabletop.
At long last there is a platform installed at Tabletop.
The temporary building will be replaced in due course by a new station building.
19 March 2009 HJ Class Gondola enters service on BTR.
This wagon was modelled roughly to look like it has seen many years of service.
Freshly painted the 'old' is new agian.
7 March 2009 Greg Hunters GRASS running day.
Right to left; Greg Hunter, Bryan Coppock, Keith Lindsay'
Left to right; Mark Hobbs, Keith Lindsay
Bryan's 'pattent' loco carrier.
Marks,48 Class loco almost ready for painting.
1 March 2009 - 4-6-0 Ex CMT enters service.
The Tender has been shortened to better match the prototype, the model is a "near-enough"
look alike for the original. Cab has been changed, Sand Dome & Bell have been switched.
The boiler & cab colour is not known for the original, the BTR uses Matt Black.
The original loco Ex Cairns Mulgrave Tramway, 1908 builders photo.
See more on Locomotives page.
24 February 2009 - Gang Tric No. 2 & trailer enter service.
Drastically reworked Bachmann units kitbashed to Qld style.
See more on Locomotives page and Rollingstock page.
16 February 2009 - Stainz kitbash - Quarry Skips.
Cab could be painted and yet I like the Grey (Primer) finish for now.
Q Class Barron River Quarry Skips entered service on BTR today.
See more on Locomotives page and Rollingstock page.
24 December 2008 - DH Class - yet to blacken handrails.
Cab window glazing and window screen shields will then be fitted.
Click on the DH 'photo' on Locomotives page for step by step progress.
17 December 2008 - DH Class - Masking removed, ready for finishing touches.
Cab window mask still in place, next handrails, lights, door handles, dirty up vents.
13 December 2008 - DH Class - Painting has begun.
Primer grey is done, next to mask off for yellow stripe then green finish coat.
6 December 2008 - DH Class first day out.
"She works" - A visit to Keiths' Bottle Creek Tramway today was the first outing for the DH Class.
Fine details will now be added then she will be painted.
20 November 2008 - DH Class diesel progress.
Fuel Tank yet to be added.See the Locomotives page for progress.
19 October 2008 - DH Class diesel progress.
See the Locomotives page for step by step progress.
11 October 2008 - Forest Giant "crunches" railway trestle Bridge.
Branch falls on trestle bridge right at rail joint, Head Stocks sheared through.
Repairs are minor, trestle bent needed re-founding and new head stocks.
16 August 2008
Peak Period at Sandstone with all tracks full during a busy day at S&TR.
18 July 2008
BTR stock visits Turrella Tramway for trials of interchange compatibility and certification.
28 June 2008
W Class FWR (Rivetted) Water wagon entered service on the BTR today.
28 June 2008
A Class Air ventilated closed wagon entered service on the BTR this morning.
8 June 2008
I found a useful item at hardware store, a wardrobe air vent cover.
Looks perfect for modelling louvers in G Scale.
7 June 2008
BGV 643 completed, ready to serve on the BTR
February 2008
Mark Hobbs' Turrella Tramway, "The Thoroughbred" & wagons, visit to BTR
December 2007
 
Completed B12 1/2 enters service on BTR
December 2007
GRASS members trains visit the BTR for opening of Stage 2, December 2007.
September 2007
 
Completed D16 Class loco visits S & TR
June 2007
 
Building D16 Class Steam Tank Loco well advanced
April 2007
Railmotor RM64 "Red Fred" and Gang 'Tric" visit to Greg Hunters S&TR
November 2006
1st train at Tabletop just after ribbon cutting - Bridge at Brumby Gully lifts out over path.
August 2006
 
Construction of BTR well underway.
March 2006
Geofs BTR wagons visit Keith Lindsays' Bottle Creek Tramway
December 2005
 
Visit to Keith Lindsay's, Bottle Creek Tramway
November 2005
 
Visit to Greg Hunters' Sandstone & Termite Railway
August 2005
 
Visits to both; Mark Hobbs', Turrella Tramway and Greg Hunters', Sandstone & Termite Railway.
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