Welcome to the January 24, 2010 edition of:
THE HOCKLEY EXPRESS
The bright sunshine from the last few days this week is a sure sign spring isn't too far away. We'll know exactly how far away next month when Wiarton Willie, and his co-conspirators make their predictions. I'm not a rodent, however, I'll say four more weeks of winter, but we'll see.
The Barrie Train Show is another sign of the coming better weather. It is held at the Bradford Gardens Greenhouses, near Barrie, on February 20 and 21. Verna and I will be there representing Hockley Valley Railroad again this year as part of the 40 th annual show. The Bradford Gardens is a great venue, offering lots of room and a feeling of spring. Mix in some trains, and you have an unbeatable weekend. We hope to see you there!
The store is ready for your next 2010 project, with the latest products in the model railroading business. Our stock is listed at www.hvrr.ca and our no charge phone, 1 888 942 9900 is ready for your call. We ship everywhere too!
Hockley Valley Railroad has some new material with the books and magazines, to get you in the mood for spring. Morning Sun Books has sent us, “Toronto Trolleys in Colour”, offered at $57.90 and Model Railroader's, “Model Railroad Planning 2010”. This book sells at $10.50 and has loads of great ideas for your model updates.
Hockley Valley Railroad has two new Built-Ups from Woodland Scenics in HO scale. These are great layout-ready products with lots of detail. The firehouse is $65.25 and J. W. Cobbler sells at $49.75. Still with HO, there are some new paint schemes for the Trains Canada track cleaning box cars, here at $25.50. Walthers has sent some N scale rolling stock including double stack cars in both CN and CP and there's a TTX three pack, yours at $22.50.
Train Trivia
Romanticized adventure is the theme throughout the concept of a named train. There must be excitement, the promise of spectacular scenery, and history must roll along outside your window while you enjoy comfort and good company.
Few places on earth conjure the feeling of adventure as the Australia outback does. Imagine the landscape, the historic towns, and the rhythm of the rails as you travel on, “The Spirit of the Outback”, on this edition of Train Trivia.
The Spirit of the Outback is a long-distance passenger rail service in Queensland, Australia, operated by Traveltrain a division of Queensland Rail.
Debuting in November 1993, this 1,300 kilometre rail journey operates between Brisbane and Longreach. The Spirit of the Outback travels along the east coast of Queensland, from Brisbane to Rockhampton, where it heads west through Blackwater, Emerald and Barcaldine, to Longreach.
The Spirit of the Outback passes coastal landscapes, then offers travel into the Outback, with mountain ranges, sun burnt plains and historic towns. Attractions such as the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Qantas Founders Outback Museum are on route. The train operates twice weekly from Brisbane to Longreach.
A realistic, up-front view of Queensland's captivating outback - enjoyed in the comfort of air-conditioned, authentically-themed passenger cars. On its journey west, the 'Spirit of the Outback' ventures through the heritage towns of Blackwater, Emerald and Barcaldine before arriving in Longreach, home to the famous Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, Qantas Founders Museum and the Outback Heritage Centre.
Extended touring packages are available, offering coach connections to Winton and visits to a host of surrounding attractions including the Historic Wellshot Hotel, Lark Quarry Dinosaur Footprints, Blackall's Woolscour and Jacky Howe, the Australian Worker's Heritage Centre and the Waltzing Matilda Cultural Centre.
Next week, Train Trivia examines an over-night train that has been running since the late forties. Immortalized in song, this train continues to pound the rails along the eastern seaboard of the United States.
Jeff Norgate
Hockley Valley Railroad