The Kunama Line - A Large Private Australian HO Scale layout by John Harriott

In this episode we visit John Harrott's large Australian HO Scale model railway in his house in Canberra. Based on the former Kunama branchline in Southern New South Wales. We have a look at how he built it, the story behind it and what goes on with running a railway of this size!
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[@JasonWood_Escarpment]

It is a very nice layout. I had the privilege of being invited for an operational session

[@lindsaybancroft4629]

Hi John, your dedication to the hobby has certainly paid dividends in this amazing layout. Some sound advice that I will take in my upcoming project. Take care.

[@JohnHarriott-uq5gr]

Lindsay, looking forward to details of the 'upcoming project'.

[@robbiewales3007]

John's got an amazing layout

[@WillJamesRailways]

Certainly does!

[@colinkonig1438]

A Fantastic layout John has made and presentation by you Will. Thanks for a very informative video!

[@DomQuartuccio]

This is up there as one of your best videos, great access from John. It's quite rare now a days to see layouts that are built suitably for operations and not just to play trains, I commend him for breaking the status quo for that. The layout is beautifully detailed too.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaelimpey1407]

Will, all I can say is "Wow". What an amazing layout, and model railway. Thank you for sharing this video, and please thank John for allowing you to. It looks absolutely stunning. Cheers, and stay safe, Michael

[@markgeerin5928]

Wow that is what dreams are made off . Fantastic layout.

[@peterrobinson6872]

Fantastic job! I have twice attempted to model this area myself, (complete with the last gasping climb up into Batlow), but have been thwarted both times. I'm really like the realistic depictions of the actual backgrounds, that really enhances the look of the layout. Referencing photos really helps with realistic train compositions. Awesome, very impressed. P.S. I have a fishplate picked up from what was once Kunama yard.

[@philwhite3134]

Thanks for the overview of a very impressive layout. I may have missed it in the commentary but just wondering if the very substantial collection of main line motive power shown in the Cootamundra yard (abt 10:11) gets a run every now and then? Cheers Phil

[@JohnHarriott-uq5gr]

Phil, the main line locos mostly belong to an N scale enthusiast friend of mine who doesn't have access to a HO layout so we have been known to test run a version of the Tea and Sugar Train and various inter-captial passenger trains on occasion.

[@Gilstrains]

👍🚂🚞🚞🚞

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Anyone who has built or is building a layout will marvel at this beautiful construction. I love the way the back scenes blend into the foreground. You could lose days operating this! 😊

[@StanGreen-bj2dg]

Thanks for the video Will, what a great layout from a passionate craftsman, tremendous job John. Keep up the passion 🚂👍👍

[@kdjat]

What a magnificent layout, thanks John for allowing Will to bring it too us. Superb detail!

[@rhysthomas209]

It's beautiful work of art , just fantastic 👏 😊

[@WillJamesRailways]

Completely agree!

[@FogartyAvenue]

This is absolutely incredible. 👏

[@patgagel7035]

Good one John. Love running on your layout.

[@kenfowler1980]

Thank you Will! All I can say is Wow! Cheers

[@WillJamesRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jouebien]

@5:12 I see someone snuck in an import 4-4-0 Baldwin.

[@johnd8892]

Yes. NSW Railways had the U-105 class from 1877 made up of three imported Baldwin 4-4-0 locomotives. Not super long lived or successful. Around the same time the Victorian Railways had two Rogers 4-4-0 locomotives that lasted in service until around 1910, VR classified theirs as the D class for a few years. South Australia and Queensland also imported a few US made locomotives in this era. Not a huge amount of information on any of them due to being relatively short lived.

[@johnpsilchip]

What a wonderful layout! Thanks to John for sharing his passion and to Will for the impresshive filming and informatiive commentary.

[@aussierailfan3927]

Hi will, nice video I'd love to make a layout like this but I'd be in a lot of debt😂 keep up the good work❤

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you! Ah it’s all worth it!

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice layout feature Will. All I can say is WOW just WOW! the detail is incredible and the dedication to building a realistic scene has not gone un noticed. The locos and rolling stock are built superbly well. Fantastic layout. - Nicholas.

[@redstorm2003]

What a brilliant layout. Thanks for bringing it to us to enjoy. Good advise on mimicking 1:1 track plan. I also like the short trains.

[@C2Baird]

Thank you John for your dedication to the craft of your expansive and amazing model train network , your attention to detail is exceptional. My favourite section is your use of a marshalling yard to maintain your rolling stock and using 'underground' lines to bring your trains onto/into the sculpted landscape. As for Will...beautifully narrated mate! Your insights into what makes a great layout and craftsmanship shows great passion. Keep up the great work!😎

[@oldfartonabmx2122]

The sunflowers in the cottage garden! Awesome. An inspiration.

[@peterlorenz8267]

It so proves that there are so many talented modellers out there and quality layouts to be discovered.

[@WillJamesRailways]

So many! I hope I can bring more to everyone!

[@Tom-Lahaye]

A good presentation of a superb layout, well narrated as well.

[@Chickenchicken46]

Fantastic vid Will, so much inspo to gather from this one!

[@avlisk]

A very nice presentation of a very nice layout. Thanks.

[@henrywhittaker2519]

Nice

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks

[@lastationproductions]

That looks so cool it’s awesome and a amazing

[@billparas5114]

Amazing detail. Thank you John & Will

[@1044fan]

Great layout 👍🏻

[@Iwishiwasflying]

Looks like the 2 car set is the old 900 series ?

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid thsnkslee

[@RB-yq7qv]

😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@roberthocking9138]

Wonderful layout and very well filmed Will.

[@StillPlaysWithModelTrains1956]

Excellent effort and thank you for sharing. John in the United States

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks John!

[@Ken-Kaef]

Thanks for posting Will. Congratulations on extremely nice layout John. Please if you can find more such layouts I am sure viewers will appreciate seeing them. Great video. Well presented. 😄 Cheers Ken

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks Ken! Honestly I’d love to bring more layout in 2024!

[@johnharriott4378]

Ken, thank you. I enjoyed watching the overview of your Kapunda-Emu Flat layout. Regards, John Harriott

[@Ken-Kaef]

Thanks for the comment John. I am in awe of the Kunama Line and greatly enjoyed Will James' video of it. @@johnharriott4378 😄😄 Cheers Ken

[@catchpoints42]

Stunning - nothing else need be said!

[@WillJamesRailways]

Agreed!

[@monsvillerailways5736]

Awesome work. Great job on the scenery. Very realistic and fitting for the area modelled. 👍

[@franzbrunner499]

at approx 6:40 you mention a book about building the baseboard -who is the author and what is the title? thank you

[@JohnHarriott-uq5gr]

Franz, the book is How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork by Linn H. Wescott, Kalmbach K Books.

[@franzbrunner499]

thank you John, appreciate@@JohnHarriott-uq5gr

[@ausfoodgarden]

Now that is one impressive layout! Thanks to John and Will for sharing it with us. I'll have to make do with my little roundy roundy for now.😢 Great work guys!

[@nealehanning4700]

Nice work.👍

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks!

[@greghale9972]

Hi Will, what a stunning layout, thanks for posting. Cheers Greg

[@tomsear1]

Nice scripting, Will. Integrated, concise, non repetitive, syncs with vision. Summarised. Well crafted

[@tomsear1]

Reflective of layout!

[@gregbowen617]

Great layout and sage advice from the owner. Thanks for allowing Will to share this beautiful creation in the best hobby in the world!

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@unionjack8463]

It was my great pleasure to operate this layout with Johns expert guidance. Thank you for all that you bring to this 'Hobby'. 🇨🇦

[@JohnHarriott-uq5gr]

Richard, did you notice the red and yellow Lindsay Fox, R190 International semi trailer at Batlow?

[@unionjack8463]

Spotted! Watching the trains and missing some details I suspect. A well travelled R190 deserves its rest outside a suitable rest stop eh? I am grateful for the videos explanations as an in person visit really gets you in the moment and to see the memorable features again is like visiting a familiar landscape or friend.

[@davestott750]

Great video with very useful commentary. Helpful for my own modelling efforts.

[@jamesaustralian9829]

9:47 - model house with the rainwater tank looks absolutely spot on

[@WillJamesRailways]

It’s some fantastic work!