A different type of scratch building

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2025 Model Rail Show 

While away on Road Trip No.2 my back was starting to free up and get back to normal, Mrs Shunter must have sensed it as I was hit with an odd request to go and pick up several old pallets and my 4WD is set up for touring, so I wasn't sure how this was going to work, but I was assured they were going to fit, more on that later.

The Brisbane Model Train Show was coming up on the 20th & 21st September 2025 which was at the new location of Northside Indoor Sports Centre, 20 Cambewarra Street, Zillmere.

From my understanding it's first time the event had moved to a new location, so teething issues had to be expected, but I think the layout style worked well from a participant's point of view as you could move around without running into people and this created opportunities to move up to stalls and engage with people. 

I popped by and caught up with the owner of Railco and also was lucky enough to catch the owner of PGC Scale Models. He had a new 2 Dome Tank Wagon OLE so of course I purchased one model.

As I moved around the venue I went past Amby West and there were a few men sitting on chairs deep in discussion. I'd left my glasses at home so made a couple passes trying to work out which gentlemen was the Blogger of Westgate and owner of Amby West. After getting a little closer I was confident I had the right person and walked up and introduced myself. It was nice to meet face to face and formally introduce ourselves and I was given an overview of Westgate - South Western Rail: Operations - Amby West. the details are a high standard to follow. Westgate has done a nice little post of the show, you can check out full details of the show at Westgate - South Western Rail: Brisbane Model Train Show 2025. I only had an hour to spare, so politely excused myself and pushed on home to watch the AFL finals.

Those Pallets

So remember those pallets I mentioned earlier well when you start showing your lady you can build things, it must mean you can build anything. I can't remember how many nights I spent constructing this after work, but the pallets were to build a Chicken Coup. 

What I can remember is my buddy and I fastening the last screw on the roof of the coup an hour before the 2025 AFL Grand Final and looking at each other ready to have a drink, when the lady of the house kindly asked to make the roof snake proof as there were gaps for snakes to get in, this meant we had to painfully cut bespoke pieces of wood to block every hole we created and fasten into place. We finished the job five minutes into the AFL grand final and what a game it was Highlights: Geelong v Brisbane 

So now you know why the title 'A different type of scratch building'.

Below are a few pictures of the build and the inmates in their new home.


Until next time, see you at the next blog!

Little Shunter
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