15th Australian Narrow Gauge Convention - Melbourne 2023

Welcome to my coverage of the 15th Australian Narrow Gauge Convention. The Australian Narrow Gauge Convention was held over the Easter long weekend at Carwatha College, Noble Park in Melbourne. In this episode we'll take a look at all the details on the convention and the layouts on display, and I'll tell you all about them.
Don't forget to leave a comment with some feedback and of course subscribe if you haven't already and I'll be back next month with more model railway exhibition coverage in the future.
Nothing in this video is sponsored. All opinions and statements and are my own.
Narrow Gauge Convention Details:
Website: www.austnarrowgaugeconvention.com
Facebook: profile.php?id=100064726298487
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Facebook: willjamesrailways
Website: www.willjamesrailways.com
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[@cinobro6393]

Babe wake up, new Will James: Railways video just dropped.

[@greghayes9118]

That was the best selection of model Railways I have seen in a long time. The detail was outstanding.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Some amazing work Greg!

[@jindlespog8045]

Those are some beautiful models!

[@dans_stuff]

Thanks for coming along, Will. Was a pleasure to have you join us for the day and have a chance to shoot some video. Really glad you enjoyed the convention format, which is definitely aimed at being for modellers to get plenty of personal reward, motivation and ideas from attending.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you again! Can’t wait for the 2025 convention!

[@franktuckwell196]

Yeah, but with some clever filming, its very difficult to tell what scale they actually are until the "Hand of God", sometimes appears. Attention to details are astounding. Wow what a treat for the eyes. Such amazing skills on display here.

[@danieltempleton7512]

Great vid as usual, this was a fantastic event and you have given a great preview! Agreed, you can't leave without feeling inspired !

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks Daniel! I’m already very keen for the next one!

[@AJ-io2bo]

Everything is so detailed. It all looks so real. Great place to go to Will

[@WillJamesRailways]

It’s some unreal talent on display at these conventions!

[@vandenbricks]

Amazing, for the price it seems like there’s so much to offer, I’ll definitely be looking at going to some conventions at some point! And even just watching the video I feel very inspired to work on something!

[@WillJamesRailways]

Certainly value for money there! Yeah it’s a real must do for the railway moddeller regardless of scale or gauge

[@FogartyAvenue]

This is absolutely incredible. 👏

[@WillJamesRailways]

I reckon Les!

[@dismaldog]

Fantastic

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@WoodinvilleSub]

I was a first time attendee as well. I'm a standard gauge modeller but came out with nothing but positives. Thoroughly enjoyed myself and glad I made the long trip to Melbourne for this.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Excellent to hear Tim!

[@andrewh.8403]

What happens between a typical NG layout and a standard gauge one? They're so often like two different universes. Beautiful modelling.

[@gymakos]

A little but very strong shining light of dreamy 3D imaginary creativity, in a world drowning in pointless, out of order or good taste, and self destructive sad imitation of existence… I changed from HO to 1/32 scale 30 years ago, a little on standard gauge , then at 32mm gauge, meter gauge prototypes, and for the past 15 years, I got narrowed more at 16mm gauge, always in1/32 scale…. If I could transition again i would definitely go for On30, which seems to be the dominant NG scale/gauge combo….. Thank you for sharing. P.S. the 3level layout is a true Marvel!!!!!

[@RobertGoslin]

The 3 level Mexican layout is mine, so thanks for the compliment. I only started the layout in Oct 2022, so while all the rock-work was finished and trains running on 2 levels and some structures finished, at the time of the 2023 convention, all the detail work was only 50% done at the time. The layout is now completed, with an On18 train also running on the top level, the wharf area re-designed and a supply boat added, plus more structures and scenes, and about 70 figures added. Plus the crane and the hoist are now operating. I will be displaying at Train Shows in Melbourne in the future, so look out for it there. Maybe at the Melb Showgrounds in August, if I get accepted.

[@knuta.7520]

great video, great layouts. Too bad that I'm on the other side of the world, but ... I can at least watch it :-D Thanks !

[@user-fs9tw7fh6l]

another good convention

[@WillJamesRailways]

Certainly was Alex!

[@Rheilffordd]

Fantastic! Been waiting for this video to come out, and certainly didn’t disappoint! Those narrow gauge modellers’ skill and craftsmanship is absolutely stunning!

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks mate! It’s a real treat to see, highly recommend a visit to the next one!

[@michaelimpey1407]

Will, great report on the Convention. There is often a layout or display at the various exhibitions I have attended, and they are sooo interesting. The detailis amazing. I think I have put too much effort and money into HO to swap, but it never hurts to look, and admire. Cheers, and thank you for sharing, Michael

[@AlwaysCensored-xp1be]

Been going to these NG conventions since the first one in 96. The quality of modelling shows how much detail can be done in a small layout. Always impressive.

[@steffenrosmus9177]

Clerrly a copy of the US narrow gauge conventions with superb modelling. Well made down under.

[@Skasaha_]

It's probably only a matter of time before I attend one of these, possibly even the next time it's in Melbourne. I love the NG Welsh Railways and I grew up with Puffing Billy in my backyard so even if it's not what I'm working on now I want to make something for a NG railway eventually.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Certainly worth attending if you can!

[@johnwoodall3791]

Nice Video, Gota love the attention to detail people in Railway modelling go to in terms of painting a very realistic diorama on their layouts. Nicely done, Good Videography and you show the close up scenes of layouts that we all like, Keep up the great work. Regards John

[@WillJamesRailways]

Absolutely John! Some really amazing work! Thanks for watching!

[@eddysmith5796]

Top video Will, it is all quality work done there, great work everybody.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Cheers Eddy!

[@adrianbatey6428]

Fantastic coverage and great to hear your recent promotions of conventions over model shows. We modllers have a lot to learn and share. Any events like this should be supported if you lucky enough to live close by. Unfortunantly the ditch between the apple isle and the big island often hinders and chance of shows and conventions. Also well done to all those involved. I know the team work extensivly to make these a success. Thumbs up

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Great video Will. It's good to see a convention that just focuses on one scale. The level detail on those models is outstanding. I would like to attend a convention myself one day. - Nicholas.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks Nicholas! It’s not so much one scale as it coved from T to G/L gauge! But all in the scope of Narrow Gauge which also has many variations! But yes, one to certainly look at attending in 2025

[@patrickdelomais496]

Les Anglo-saxons ( et les Australiens ) sont parmi les meilleurs au Monde pour la Qualité du RÉALISME de leurs Modélisme Ferroviaire.

[@mels1811]

Brilliant video

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks!

[@1044fan]

Very beautiful layouts 👍🏻

[@WillJamesRailways]

I reckon!

[@kit-shingtse1222]

Hi all, newbie here. Wanna build a 2 ft (610 mm) gauge in N scale. Any suggestion on the tracks? Nn3? 00-9? Z? Thanks in advance!!

[@WillJamesRailways]

Hey! Yeah you’d be looking at Nn3! Shannon at Trainworld in Melbourne does some modelling in it if you give them a ring!

[@RB-yq7qv]

😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@stanleydomalewski8497]

Some Amazing LAYOUTS ! Thanks for Sharing !