see bottom of post for some background info...
Hi all,
I'm just getting in to suburban modelling, specifically modern melbourne (Australian) trains (sparks) and trams (light rail). There doesn't seem to be any model trains around at the moment but I'm told some Comengs are on their way, and possible some Hitachi's too.
For the moment trams are what I'm modeling, I can get the A, B, W, and Z class locally made by Weico kits from a city hobby centre and C and D class stuff is used worldwide so i have seen a few HO Combinos on the net.
I've bought a B2 class LRV, i should have got the A class (cheaper and no articulation) but they were sold out and I wanted it today!!!
Anyways, I'm in over my head here and I don't really know how to assemble it:cry:, i can solder well due to electronics experience, but lining up the parts and getting them in the right spot is a huge challenge! I can't afford to screw this up so does anyone have any tips.
--Sempak (Chris)
I suggest you check out www.vicsig.net (the suburban and tram sections) and http://www.lexicon.net/met/ if you want a really good look at Melbourne's system. Vicsig is great for photos. http://www.lexicon.net/met/trains/rollingstock/Fleetlist.html has a nice comparison of the trains.
Glossary & Notes:
Melbourne is home to one of the worlds largest tram/trolley/lightrail networks. Hundreds of these moving landmarks crawl through the innter city and suburban streets, extending up to 30km, if not more, from the city centre. Melbourne is also home to an extensive radial heavy rail system currently owned by one private operator but due to a fiasco with National Express pulling out, quite a variation in EMUs.
Comeng: The workhorse of melbourne's suburban network, these trains were delivered in the early 1980s to replace the last of the wooden rollingstock and the failed refurbishment of an earlier design. Almost 600 carriages were made, which now run in 3-car or 6-car sets. The fleet was refurbished from 2000 finishing in 2003 into the two companies, Connex and M>Train. M>Train has since pulled out.
Hitachi: Hitachi trains were first introduced in 1972 as a modern all stainless steel train. 354 carriages were made, which run in the same configuration as the Comengs. These sets are now being withdrawn and replaced with the "Seimens" Trains (subway braking and too wide for some platforms), and the Alstom X'Trapolis (More plastic than a milk bottle, the cheapest option).
A, B, Z class: Older style Melbourne trams, still in regular and reliable service, some are being refurbised while the oldest are being scrapped to be replaced by the D class Seimens Combinos (3-section and 5-section) and the C class Alstom Citadis (again lots of plastic).
W class: Really old rickety heritage/tourist trams, recently installed with doors. You can see these in Seatle.
Hi all,
I'm just getting in to suburban modelling, specifically modern melbourne (Australian) trains (sparks) and trams (light rail). There doesn't seem to be any model trains around at the moment but I'm told some Comengs are on their way, and possible some Hitachi's too.
For the moment trams are what I'm modeling, I can get the A, B, W, and Z class locally made by Weico kits from a city hobby centre and C and D class stuff is used worldwide so i have seen a few HO Combinos on the net.
I've bought a B2 class LRV, i should have got the A class (cheaper and no articulation) but they were sold out and I wanted it today!!!
Anyways, I'm in over my head here and I don't really know how to assemble it:cry:, i can solder well due to electronics experience, but lining up the parts and getting them in the right spot is a huge challenge! I can't afford to screw this up so does anyone have any tips.--Sempak (Chris)
I suggest you check out www.vicsig.net (the suburban and tram sections) and http://www.lexicon.net/met/ if you want a really good look at Melbourne's system. Vicsig is great for photos. http://www.lexicon.net/met/trains/rollingstock/Fleetlist.html has a nice comparison of the trains.
Glossary & Notes:
Melbourne is home to one of the worlds largest tram/trolley/lightrail networks. Hundreds of these moving landmarks crawl through the innter city and suburban streets, extending up to 30km, if not more, from the city centre. Melbourne is also home to an extensive radial heavy rail system currently owned by one private operator but due to a fiasco with National Express pulling out, quite a variation in EMUs.
Comeng: The workhorse of melbourne's suburban network, these trains were delivered in the early 1980s to replace the last of the wooden rollingstock and the failed refurbishment of an earlier design. Almost 600 carriages were made, which now run in 3-car or 6-car sets. The fleet was refurbished from 2000 finishing in 2003 into the two companies, Connex and M>Train. M>Train has since pulled out.
Hitachi: Hitachi trains were first introduced in 1972 as a modern all stainless steel train. 354 carriages were made, which run in the same configuration as the Comengs. These sets are now being withdrawn and replaced with the "Seimens" Trains (subway braking and too wide for some platforms), and the Alstom X'Trapolis (More plastic than a milk bottle, the cheapest option).
A, B, Z class: Older style Melbourne trams, still in regular and reliable service, some are being refurbised while the oldest are being scrapped to be replaced by the D class Seimens Combinos (3-section and 5-section) and the C class Alstom Citadis (again lots of plastic).
W class: Really old rickety heritage/tourist trams, recently installed with doors. You can see these in Seatle.