You could be forgiven for wondering whether I had abandoned this blog, given that it has been almost a year since the last update! Alas, an irritating phenomenon known as "real life" keeps getting in the way of the far more enjoyable business of playing trains in the garden. Nevertheless, we do have a few items of news to catch up on.
You may remember that, when I last wrote, Russell had recently disgraced itself by running dry during an MVR steam-up. Fortunately, once the new pressure gauge was fitted, test steaming revealed that no other damage had been done. As can be imagined, this was a very great relief for me! This meant that in January the engine was able to pay another visit to the Woodrow Light Railway, as seen below.
You may remember that, when I last wrote, Russell had recently disgraced itself by running dry during an MVR steam-up. Fortunately, once the new pressure gauge was fitted, test steaming revealed that no other damage had been done. As can be imagined, this was a very great relief for me! This meant that in January the engine was able to pay another visit to the Woodrow Light Railway, as seen below.
This steam-up marked the end of an era for the WLR as one of its prime movers, JP, has now moved to Oxfordshire and has begun the construction of a new garden railway. If all goes to plan, Russell should be paying a visit in the not-too-distant future! In the meantime, I thought this might be a good moment to look back on many happy steam-ups at the WLR, Russell (sometimes joined by Blackbird) having visited every year since 2003. I have therefore uploaded a selection of my best WLR photographs to the gallery page. Enjoy!
Russell's second outing this year was a return visit to the Little Corris Light Railway in June. We were blessed with one of the hottest days of the year; it would seem that the heat was too much for Russell's radio equipment, as it suddenly stopped working during its second running session! We also had to run without pony trucks, as I had stupidly forgotten to bring the correct 32mm gauge pair with me. Despite these minor niggles, a highly enjoyable afternoon was had; as on its previous visit in 2015, Russell looked right at home on our host's Vale of Rheidol Railway summer coaches. I am indebted to RH of the 16mm Association's Hampshire group for the pictures of Russell - it is quite difficult to get good pictures of one's own engine whilst driving it!
Russell's second outing this year was a return visit to the Little Corris Light Railway in June. We were blessed with one of the hottest days of the year; it would seem that the heat was too much for Russell's radio equipment, as it suddenly stopped working during its second running session! We also had to run without pony trucks, as I had stupidly forgotten to bring the correct 32mm gauge pair with me. Despite these minor niggles, a highly enjoyable afternoon was had; as on its previous visit in 2015, Russell looked right at home on our host's Vale of Rheidol Railway summer coaches. I am indebted to RH of the 16mm Association's Hampshire group for the pictures of Russell - it is quite difficult to get good pictures of one's own engine whilst driving it!
Things have generally been quiet on the home front, as I am spending most of my time in Hampshire at present. However, back in May, progress on the construction of the replica Lyn for the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway inspired me to give our own version of this engine an airing. Note our L&B wagon T1, marshalled ahead of the coaches in true L&B fashion! Sure enough, the full-size version steamed for the first time just a few weeks ago. Congratulations to the 762 Club on a magnificent achievement.
In the workshop, I have continued to make progress on our Welshpool & Llanfair flat wagon V2 whenever I have had the opportunity. The wagon is now very nearly complete and could be running very soon - assuming "real life" doesn't get in the way!