June 1998, I purchased a magazine that had, probably the most visual exciting cover, I had ever seen ( expect for Playboy ). The magazine featured a story on “Swans Crossing” by Mark & Angela Fry.   October 1998, I drove to Sydney to attend the largest model railway expo in Australia to see this layout.  As it happened,  a layout called “Chamatiago & Southern” was also on display.

For the next few years I travelled to N.S.W on many occassions to study and film this layout and talk to Mark Fry about his scenery techniques, using natural materials and “Soft Rocks”. I believe “Swans Crossing” had a major influence on many modelers in Australia, especially when it came to using natural materials, instead of the usual commercial products and that Mark & Co. were the first in Australia to use so many natural materials on a large layout.   

The use of foam rubber for rocks and extensive use of styrofoam, made this layout extremely lightweight and durable on it’s many presentations at exhibitions.    I have spent a few years developing this system further, using alternative methods ( “FRocks” ), BUT keeping the same objectives and concept as “Swans Crossing”.

I may write more about this layout in the future, but for now , I’ii just add a few photos.

Please Note.

   Many thanks to ..............

     Permission granted by AMRM ( Bob Gallagher ) to display magazine covers and articles.

Following photos

 by

Sowerby Smith

“Swans Crossing” was truly a great layout.

It was unique, visually exciting , artistic, prototypical and unlike anything that had been done before or for that matter , repeated over the last 10 years.

Many layouts today use “Swans Crossing” scenery techniques.