Garden Railway Forum

Well as Murphy's Law dictates, while out to buy a new curtain track today I saw these. Twice the cost of the previous ones and less than a third the price of Schleich. They were brown, but a quick paint job(not finished yet) and they sit very well with the Schleich Holstein on the left.



Think the other two will be left for inclusion in an animal freak show if I ever model one!!

Graeme, get down to K-Mart $5 each for these, Schleich $16.99, easy decision.

Tom, yes I could see prehistoric something, dog, and a few other things!!
Grant.

GTB:120008 wrote:

LNR:119987 wrote: Decided the only breed they remotely resemble is a Hereford.

I'd like to load some of my cattle trucks, but I'd go broke using Schleich Herefords. The only cheap toy cows I've seen locally were some in Big W which looked like Friesians, but stood almost 6' in 1:20 scale.
once packed into a cattle truck, they'll look OK if the size is about right.
Graeme

Whilst I don't condone any violence or cruelty towards animals, if the cattle (models) are packed tightly in a cattle truck, and possibly with straw on the floor, could they not be altered in height by amputating the bottom part of their legs? As long as the shoulder height remained at the correct level I doubt anyone would notice.

Peter Butler:120013 wrote: if the cattle (models) are packed tightly in a cattle truck, and possibly with straw on the floor, could they not be altered in height by amputating the bottom part of their legs?

I did consider that, but the model cattle in question aren't just tall, but are very large overall and only 3 would fit in a cattle truck that should fit 6. Cattle size varies with breed, so they'd probably work out reasonable for 7/8" scale.

Regards,
Graeme

LNR:120011 wrote: Graeme, get down to K-Mart $5 each for these, Schleich $16.99, easy decision.

Thanks Grant.

I didn't even know there was a K-Mart in there. Shows how often I get into that part of town.......

Those cattle models look like they'll pass as poll Herefords in the gloom of a cattle truck and a bit of paint is a lot easier than major plastic surgery.

My bogie cattle trucks will end up with corrugated roofs now, as I recently found some larger sheets of the same corrugated card I used for the roofs of the 4 wheel cattle trucks.

Regards,
Graeme

Finally approaching the back straight with this project, some 314 odd fastenings, and a fair amount of thought regarding building order to allow painting of some parts whilst leaving others to be weathered bare.





The four walls are still separable as I intend much weathering inside and out, but it's structurally quite strong being built with a K&S brass frame and of course a removable roof to put animals inside.
Grant.

Superb Grant. A minor detail but I love the way the floor plank ends show at the edges!

Brilliant detailing, just another 20 or so would make a most convincing train!

And I would be in a rubber room!!!

Peter Butler:120159 wrote:Brilliant detailing, just another 20 or so would make a most convincing train!

Perhaps not so convincing as the VR only ever owned 15 cattle wagons, spread over 4 disconnected lines!  One (wagon) still remains in useable condition.
When these lines were built, Australias total population was only 2/3rds that of London in the equivalent period.

Tim

Beautiful work again Grant. The realistic detail is so impressive. I love it!

Andrew

11thHour:120165 wrote:

Peter Butler:120159 wrote:Brilliant detailing, just another 20 or so would make a most convincing train!

Perhaps not so convincing as the VR only ever owned 15 cattle wagons, spread over 4 disconnected lines!  One (wagon) still remains in useable condition.
When these lines were built, Australias total population was only 2/3rds that of London in the equivalent period.

Tim

Well, we thought it was funny!!!!!!

I never thought I'd hear myself saying (or writing) this, but I wish we had a KMart over here. Those cows look just the part - especially after your paint job (and re-posturing). I ended-up hollowing out my Schleich cattle as I found they were a bit weighty for my cattle wagons.

Rik

That's interesting Rik, I had wondered about drilling some 1/2" holes up from underneath these. As I will only have the one van I won't worry.
Also of note is the fact that I have come across sheep at 6 for $16 on Ebay, and they appear to be identical to Schleich, made in China of course. The cows I bought from K-Mart are identical to a Schleich Simmental and of Chinese origin, hence my "herd" is all Hereford now except for the Holstein.
Grant.

Hi Grant
I was a bit more brutal and completely evicerated the poor things




As they're inside the cattle wagons their undersides are not that visible



Rik

I do hope that was done under anaesthetic Rik, if looks could kill that last pic. tells me your in trouble!!!
Grant.

LNR:120200 wrote:I do hope that was done under anaesthetic Rik, if looks could kill that last pic. tells me your in trouble!!!
Grant.

She (or her cousin) did wreak her revenge.

Warning: Do not hold cow in palm of hand while drilling holes in her underside ...... Unless you, too, want perforated palm!


Rik

Those cows are fantastic Rik. I'm not sure whether your treatment of them makes you a vet or a taxidermist!

I must remember this topic when the day eventually dawns for me to create some occupants for livestock vehicles - of course, I need the vehicles first! If they are only half way as good as Grants I'll be highly satisfied!

A busy Saturday.
A pleasant spring morning saw the morning mixed head up to Nayook. Being Saturday the town was buzzing.



The crew shunting the yard.



And the train, with a full head of steam ready to return to Leawarra hopefully in time to get everyone to the cricket. Nayook playing Leawarra at Leawarra.



Grant.

Grant, the scenes are just superb, particularly the last one taken at low level, everything looks just right.

Have to agree with other posts Grant, the pictures you post of your railway are a joy - excellent work...