Since the easing of lockdown restrictions in June, life has been a little quieter on the MVR. During my enforced time at home, I made the most of the oppotunities to run trains on my own line; indeed, my railway did much to help me keep my sanity during an otherwide frustrating time. Nevertheless, we all need a change of scene after a while, and in recent weeks I have taken advantage of the relaxed restrictions to do things away from home.
Nevertheless, I have found the time to carry out some long-overdue maintenance. Long-term readers will remember that, when the MVR was first built, there was a very tight curve on the Box End side of the horseshoe curve. This had never really looked right, and a few years ago I bit the bullet and decided to ease it out. Sadly, I must confess that I made a rather poor job of this, and the curve had become a hotspot for derailments ever since. With the increased use of the railway during lockdown, I decided that I could not endure this nuisance any longer, and so I decided to re-lay it again. This time, I had the benefit of a rail-bending device loaned by a fellow SOAG member, which helped me to bend the rails into a much smoother arc than previously. Also, I splashed out on a new second-radius LGB curve, enabling me to replace three short sections of track with one long one. Cutting down the number of rail joints has reduced the potential for derailments; in addition, I have replaced the fishplates with brand new ones to ensure that the rail ends are held tight to gauge. These efforts have yielded much improved running, although I still need to reinstate the track ballast. The picture shows No. 2 - complete with her new battery van - taking a test train over the new formation.
Nevertheless, I have found the time to carry out some long-overdue maintenance. Long-term readers will remember that, when the MVR was first built, there was a very tight curve on the Box End side of the horseshoe curve. This had never really looked right, and a few years ago I bit the bullet and decided to ease it out. Sadly, I must confess that I made a rather poor job of this, and the curve had become a hotspot for derailments ever since. With the increased use of the railway during lockdown, I decided that I could not endure this nuisance any longer, and so I decided to re-lay it again. This time, I had the benefit of a rail-bending device loaned by a fellow SOAG member, which helped me to bend the rails into a much smoother arc than previously. Also, I splashed out on a new second-radius LGB curve, enabling me to replace three short sections of track with one long one. Cutting down the number of rail joints has reduced the potential for derailments; in addition, I have replaced the fishplates with brand new ones to ensure that the rail ends are held tight to gauge. These efforts have yielded much improved running, although I still need to reinstate the track ballast. The picture shows No. 2 - complete with her new battery van - taking a test train over the new formation.
Meanwhile, the new station building for Box End continues to make slow progress. The foamboard walls have now been assembled around their wooden frame, and the first of the doorframes has been put in. The photo below shows how it will look in its final location.
On a sadder note, we finally bade farewell to Lyn at the end of June. She had served the railway well for twelve years, but with two live steam locos now available I had found that I was making less use of the electric locos; moreover, the money raised from her sale covered the cost of No. 2's battery conversion. She has gone to a new home where I hope she will be well-used and appreciated.
Finally, today I made my second post-lockdown visit to another railway. This time our host was another line from the South Oxfordshire Area Group, although, due to current restrictions on social gatherings, only a handful of group members were invited. Nevertheless, it was wonderful to catch up with those who were there. Moreover, our host had made use of lockdown to build an extension, which has further enhanced an already interesting layout; we all enjoyed having a new section of track to explore! A final point of interest was that this was Auric's first visit to this line (Russell having visited on two previous occasions). Sadly, I was so preoccupied with train driving and socialising that I only managed to get one photograph. I promise readers that I will obtain more pictures of this railway on future visits!
Finally, today I made my second post-lockdown visit to another railway. This time our host was another line from the South Oxfordshire Area Group, although, due to current restrictions on social gatherings, only a handful of group members were invited. Nevertheless, it was wonderful to catch up with those who were there. Moreover, our host had made use of lockdown to build an extension, which has further enhanced an already interesting layout; we all enjoyed having a new section of track to explore! A final point of interest was that this was Auric's first visit to this line (Russell having visited on two previous occasions). Sadly, I was so preoccupied with train driving and socialising that I only managed to get one photograph. I promise readers that I will obtain more pictures of this railway on future visits!