Since I wrote my last update, the Spring and most of the Summer of 2016 have flashed by; yet unfortunately, I have been able to devote very little of that time to garden railway matters.
In June, I joined the Hampshire Area Group of the 16mm Association for another evening on the Fareham & District Model Engineers' track. Unfortunately, all my locos were in Bucks at the time so I was not able to run anything, but I enjoyed seeing a number of other locos in action.
In June, I joined the Hampshire Area Group of the 16mm Association for another evening on the Fareham & District Model Engineers' track. Unfortunately, all my locos were in Bucks at the time so I was not able to run anything, but I enjoyed seeing a number of other locos in action.
At the end of July, I hosted my old friend JP of the Woodrow Light Railway for a steam-up, this being the first such event at the MVR for two years. It so happened that the date chosen was the 15th anniversary of my taking delivery of Russell; but alas, it was not a happy birthday! During its first running session of the day, the boiler ran dry, the first time that this has ever happened. I am quite sure that I filled the boiler correctly so I am unsure as to what what wrong. To compound matters, I eventually realised that the engine's pressure gauge was reading high, so it took several minutes for me to realise that boiler pressure had dropped to zero, the crucial indicator that the loco has run out of water.
Fortunately, 16mm locos are robustly built but to be be on the safe side, I have ordered a new pressure gauge. Roundhouse have also advised me to check for steam leaks when lighting up the engine for the first time, as it is possible that the various O-rings have been damaged by the heat. Barring any more nasty surprises, Russell will hopefully be running again soon.
Despite this frustrating incident, we still enjoyed hosting two newly-acquired Roundhouse locos from the WLR collection, "Stanley" 0-4-0 tram engine Parrot and Vale of Rheidol 2-6-2T Prince of Wales. A selection of photos have been uploaded to the gallery page.
Unfortunately, Blackbird is also out of action at present; it would seem that she has developed a fault somewhere in her wiring. The solebars for our new W&L flat wagon V2 have been glued in place and the axleboxes drilled out, but unfortunately one of the castings was damaged in the process and will now need repairs. It is very frustrating that I cannot devote more time to these projects at present; but then, I suppose patience has always been a virtue in model-making!
Fortunately, 16mm locos are robustly built but to be be on the safe side, I have ordered a new pressure gauge. Roundhouse have also advised me to check for steam leaks when lighting up the engine for the first time, as it is possible that the various O-rings have been damaged by the heat. Barring any more nasty surprises, Russell will hopefully be running again soon.
Despite this frustrating incident, we still enjoyed hosting two newly-acquired Roundhouse locos from the WLR collection, "Stanley" 0-4-0 tram engine Parrot and Vale of Rheidol 2-6-2T Prince of Wales. A selection of photos have been uploaded to the gallery page.
Unfortunately, Blackbird is also out of action at present; it would seem that she has developed a fault somewhere in her wiring. The solebars for our new W&L flat wagon V2 have been glued in place and the axleboxes drilled out, but unfortunately one of the castings was damaged in the process and will now need repairs. It is very frustrating that I cannot devote more time to these projects at present; but then, I suppose patience has always been a virtue in model-making!