The first half of 2015 has been another quiet period for the MVR. Trains still run occasionally on my visits back to Buckinghamshire; however, my ability to make progress with projects such as the sheep wagon and tank wagon has been greatly hampered by the lack of a suitable workspace in my current "digs" on the South Coast. (Nonetheless, I am continuing to work on the sheep wagon when I can, and I remain hopeful that it will enter MVR service before the end of the year. So much for it being a winter project!)
You could be forgiven for thinking that, with only limited opportunities to run trains or build models, my enthusiasm for 16mm scale might be on the wane. Not so! In fact, over the last few months I have been quietly making preparations to allow my beloved Russell to make the most exciting expedition of her career so far.
Over the last few years, the Llechfan Garden Railway - sited next to the Talyllyn Railway's Tywyn Wharf station - has made a name for itself as one of Britain's best SM32 railways. For some years, I have nursed an ambition to run Russell here, but as is so often the way with ambitions, I somehow never quite got around to it. 2015, however, saw Llechfan's traditional July gala combined with an event to celebrate the TR's 150th anniversary. One of the star attractions would be the full-size Russell, visiting from the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. The opportunity to not only run Russell at Llechfan, but to see her alongside the full-size prototype, was simply too good to miss!
Before leaving Buckinghamshire Russell paid a visit to our old friends, the Woodrow Light Railway, on 6th June.
You could be forgiven for thinking that, with only limited opportunities to run trains or build models, my enthusiasm for 16mm scale might be on the wane. Not so! In fact, over the last few months I have been quietly making preparations to allow my beloved Russell to make the most exciting expedition of her career so far.
Over the last few years, the Llechfan Garden Railway - sited next to the Talyllyn Railway's Tywyn Wharf station - has made a name for itself as one of Britain's best SM32 railways. For some years, I have nursed an ambition to run Russell here, but as is so often the way with ambitions, I somehow never quite got around to it. 2015, however, saw Llechfan's traditional July gala combined with an event to celebrate the TR's 150th anniversary. One of the star attractions would be the full-size Russell, visiting from the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. The opportunity to not only run Russell at Llechfan, but to see her alongside the full-size prototype, was simply too good to miss!
Before leaving Buckinghamshire Russell paid a visit to our old friends, the Woodrow Light Railway, on 6th June.
Over the winter, I had already replaced Russell's gas filler valve, as mentioned in my last report. However, the WLR visit also showed that the engine's regulator needed adjustment. Even with the trimmer on the radio control set adjusted to its lowest setting, Russell would not stop unless taken out of gear. Adjusting the R/C linkage to the regulator did not cure the problem, so I had to dismantle the regulator valve and fit a new O-ring. After 14 years, the original ring had obviously had enough - it disintegrated when I prised it off the valve! Whilst the engine was dismantled, I also took the opportunity to give Russell a thorough clean to make sure she looked her best, as well as regauging her to 32mm to suit Llechfan's track. .
With these minor repairs complete, Russell was ready to make her furthest trip from home since she arrived at the embryonic MVR in 2001. On the morning of Saturday, 4th July she arrived at Tywyn. Fortunately, I arrived early in the day while the garden was still relatively quiet, so I was able to unload Russell and start steaming her up almost straight away. Llechfan has two circuits, the "top" circuit being the longer of the two; it was on this circuit that Russell made her first runs.
As can be seen, our 32mm gauge brake coach accompanied her on the trip. I had purchased the vehicle with this sort of outing in mind!
With these minor repairs complete, Russell was ready to make her furthest trip from home since she arrived at the embryonic MVR in 2001. On the morning of Saturday, 4th July she arrived at Tywyn. Fortunately, I arrived early in the day while the garden was still relatively quiet, so I was able to unload Russell and start steaming her up almost straight away. Llechfan has two circuits, the "top" circuit being the longer of the two; it was on this circuit that Russell made her first runs.
As can be seen, our 32mm gauge brake coach accompanied her on the trip. I had purchased the vehicle with this sort of outing in mind!
Sadly, after a week of glorious sunshine, the gala weekend was marked by mixed weather, and Russell's first run at Llechfan coincided with a rather gloomy spell. Nevertheless, she made a fine sight on the beautifully-landscaped circuit, running past the famous Peter Jones buildings transferred to Llechfan from the Compton Down Railway. The effort I had put into preparing the engine paid off, with both loco and coach running smootly for lap after lap. The outer circuit has some notable gradients, testing the engine and helping to ensure slow-speed running even with a very light load.
After this first run, Russell briefly joined the anniversary line-up of 16mm Talyllyn locos. She made an interesting comparison with a cut-down version of the same prototype!
After this first run, Russell briefly joined the anniversary line-up of 16mm Talyllyn locos. She made an interesting comparison with a cut-down version of the same prototype!
I then took my engine back up to the full-size Wharf station, where the full-size Russell was waiting. Once again, the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway's volunteers proved themselves to be among the friendliest and most helpful of any heritage railway, allowing me to pose my engine on the front footplate of the real thing.
I then spent the afternoon enjoying the activities on the full-size TR. However, I brought Russell back to Wharf in the evening - by which time the weather had improved! - for some more photos with her larger sister.
The following morning, Russell returned to Wharf and made another appearance on the top circuit at Llechfan. Unfortunately, during the running session it started to rain...heavily! Therefore, once Russell's gas expired I decided to retreat indoors to enjoy the delights of the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum!
You will notice that Russell's train had now grown to two vehicles. The little brown ventilated van had caught my eye on a sales stand the day before, at such a bargain price that I simply couldn't resist!
Happily, the sun returned later in the afternoon, so Russell made one final appearance, this time on the bottom circuit.
Happily, the sun returned later in the afternoon, so Russell made one final appearance, this time on the bottom circuit.
Thus, a very memorable weekend came to a close. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the TR and Llechfan teams for all their hard work to make it happen. I hope that this will not be Russell's last visit to Tywyn!
In the meantime, though, Russell and I have returned to the South. I already have one local garden meeting in the diary, and I hope that others may yet follow...
In the meantime, though, Russell and I have returned to the South. I already have one local garden meeting in the diary, and I hope that others may yet follow...