For the last six months or so, I have been slowly refurbishing the Mount Windeatt module, essentially converting it to a 'stand alone' shelf layout while still sharing the lower 'back of house' staging area. This change was foreshadowed in an earlier post this year.( https://philipscreek.blogspot.com/2025/03/a-bridge-too-far-or-moving-to-next-job.html ) As I mentioned in the post, the inspiration for this line is the Dorrigo branch line and the purchase of 1919 was a "necessary" part of this conversion. However, the HOn3 logging railway indulgence also retains its place on Mount Windeatt.
To date, the old layout and scenery has been removed and most of the HO and HOn3 track recovered. Both types of track have now been relaid although I had to supplement the HOn3 portion with four lengths of new Peco track. I have to say that I found the Peco track much easier to work with than the original Shinohara track. Rodding has been installed to operate all points. Trains have been running over the revised layout to confirm there are no problems. So far so good! The following video shows 1919 bringing a rake of empties into Mount Windeatt .
My focus has now turned to the scenery. The buildings have been roughed into their new locations and styrofoam has been installed to shape the rising ground leading to the timber harvesting areas beyond the limits of this module.
Progress to date has been slow for a variety of reasons unrelated to the hobby but, hopefully, landscaping can be achieved in the next six months - we shall see.
However, the end of 2025 will arrive much sooner and this will be my final post for the year. While the terrible event of Bondi casts a dark shadow over Christmas this year, I'd still like to like to take the opportunity to wish all readers, as well as your "near and dear ones", best wishes for Christmas and for a happy 2026.
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