In my haste, I forgot to 'enhance' the first photo.... check this out. Click on photo to see even better.
Brings detail out from the shadows.
Brings detail out from the shadows.
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Taita Gorge Railway
- Thread starter Gavin Sowry
- Start date
Trains continue to run for the first day of the year. Crawled in through some bushes, and set up on top of the tunnel to the shed.
I'm hosting the Wellington boys Sunday week, so I thought it was about time to get the Outback in better shape. Track has been tamped and levelled, wiring checked (and fixed), so it is all go. A few more plants are in order, and now that this area receives a bit more sunlight, they should take off OK.
Did I say hosting ? Now for a long range weather prediction.........
Well, that pot plant was never really going to cut the ice, so I 'put it back where I found (pinched) it. Transplanted some ground creeper.... if it dies, it goes. If it gets too big for its boots, it goes too.
The quirky little train pot is something that SWMBO thought I'd like.
..and that orange/yellow insulator is about to receive a lesson in darkness.
Edit. Said insulator is now an unobtrusive shade of darkness, now, it is testing its waterproofness.... soon as I went to get the camera, the (expected) summer rains descended.
The quirky little train pot is something that SWMBO thought I'd like.
..and that orange/yellow insulator is about to receive a lesson in darkness.
Edit. Said insulator is now an unobtrusive shade of darkness, now, it is testing its waterproofness.... soon as I went to get the camera, the (expected) summer rains descended.
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Really needed somethimg 'new' to show next weekend when the Wellington boys descend. So I knocked this up.
First train, a few hours later, over the new bridge. Even though this is hardwood, it looked a bit too 'pinelike' as seen here. I've since given it a mist coat of black undercoat, and will add a few more different mists to get an aged effect. Of course, in time it will actually age.
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Like I said, too light, so I darkened it up a bit.
Here is my O&K trying out the bridge. Too hot to play trains at the moment, but I will fix that after dinner this evening.
SWMBO 'convinced' me that some of my trees needed 'shortening'. Amazing how a rotary lawn mower can become an instant branch and weed mulcher, particularly with new sharp blades (that actually cuts grass better, too)
Here is my O&K trying out the bridge. Too hot to play trains at the moment, but I will fix that after dinner this evening.
SWMBO 'convinced' me that some of my trees needed 'shortening'. Amazing how a rotary lawn mower can become an instant branch and weed mulcher, particularly with new sharp blades (that actually cuts grass better, too)
Now, you would think that on a section of track laid with set track, it would have been a simple case of take out one piece, attach to bridge structure, and reinstall.
WRONG !
I had to take out an extra piece each side of the gap as well. In my haste to get this installed, I just dug a hole for the bridge, reconnected the track, backfilled the abutments, and thought I'd done well.
After running for a while, there were a couple of optical delusions.... backfilling knocked the piers out of vertical, and when I looked behind one of the shrubs, there were kinks in some of the track joints, indicating that the alignment was not right.
Nothing for it, but to rip it out, and reinstall, properly this time. The track was set to correct line on the approaches, and well and truely anchored with some stakes to hold the line. Below final ground level, I put in a brace between the two piers to help maintain proper vertical alignment. All went together nicely, this time, and what's more, looks right (looks left if you stand on the other side).
WRONG !
I had to take out an extra piece each side of the gap as well. In my haste to get this installed, I just dug a hole for the bridge, reconnected the track, backfilled the abutments, and thought I'd done well.
After running for a while, there were a couple of optical delusions.... backfilling knocked the piers out of vertical, and when I looked behind one of the shrubs, there were kinks in some of the track joints, indicating that the alignment was not right.
Nothing for it, but to rip it out, and reinstall, properly this time. The track was set to correct line on the approaches, and well and truely anchored with some stakes to hold the line. Below final ground level, I put in a brace between the two piers to help maintain proper vertical alignment. All went together nicely, this time, and what's more, looks right (looks left if you stand on the other side
).
My good camera is on the blink, so I swiped my old one back for today's session.
A couple of 'test shots' before the boys arrive.....
A couple of 'test shots' before the boys arrive.....
Well, the running day went down a real treat. Good company, and a fine selection of visting stock.
Lets take a look.
A glorious warm day, about 31°C. Table set up in the shade under the Norfolk Pine, and the sun umbrella to further protect the stock.
New commers to the group, Chris W, and his son Alec. They have just started a garden railway, and really enjoyed the chance to 'get into the swing of things'.
Train entering the loop is Chris D's Feldbahn stock.
..another view of that train, passing my logging disconnects in the siding.
Lets take a look.
A glorious warm day, about 31°C. Table set up in the shade under the Norfolk Pine, and the sun umbrella to further protect the stock.
New commers to the group, Chris W, and his son Alec. They have just started a garden railway, and really enjoyed the chance to 'get into the swing of things'.
Train entering the loop is Chris D's Feldbahn stock.
..another view of that train, passing my logging disconnects in the siding.
... but wait, there's more.
Hey Chris, back 'er up a bit, looks like that will make a fine shot. On part of the original loop at Taita Gorge.
Alec W finally got to run his 2-4-2T. Battery powered, Bluetooth control.
Brian C ran his Conrail diesel, taking power from the track, and Revolution control of speed, direction, and sound.
Hey Chris, back 'er up a bit, looks like that will make a fine shot. On part of the original loop at Taita Gorge.
Alec W finally got to run his 2-4-2T. Battery powered, Bluetooth control.
Brian C ran his Conrail diesel, taking power from the track, and Revolution control of speed, direction, and sound.
... meanwhile, the W family train continued to run, seen here on the new bridge.
... and it kept on running....
And, a diversion, over the fence one of two 32 wagon log trains that came past.
It would not be Wellington, without Otto. Live steam, battery control, track power controlled, and fixed track power made for some congestion on the Taita Gorge.
Otto, exploring new territory.
... and finally, Phil S's Forney, a present from his missus.
Marvellous day, good company, and catering by SWMBO, and our grandaughter Poppy.
Ben C left with a thank you, and, 'see you at work tomorrow'. Yep, back to the grindstone after 4 weeks of Christmas cheer, and playing trains.
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Poppy is a popular name, had a visit on Friday from a Cocker Spaniel called Poppy that I will be baby sitting soon. Nice set of pics with as ever lots of Garden Railway types standing and chatting as well which is one of the joys of an Open Day.
My contribution of photos from the WGRG Gav so kindly hosted on Sunday. Boy was it hot, classic Kiwi summer.
Chris D's train heading towards the new bridge.
Said new bridge
Under the vegetation along the fence line
Soon to join the original loop
On the original loop
Chris D's train heading towards the new bridge.
Said new bridge
Under the vegetation along the fence line
Soon to join the original loop
On the original loop
Entering through Taita Gorge station
Passing through
And out the other end.
Zooming back
Now out back in the American area, in the cool shade.
Gav in discussion with Brian C (partly hidden)
Brian's train underway.
Passing through
And out the other end.
Zooming back
Now out back in the American area, in the cool shade.
Gav in discussion with Brian C (partly hidden)
Brian's train underway.
Chris & Alec W's new loco in action. Battery powered, Bluetooth controlled from his phone
In the bushes.
That new bridge again.
Gav's crita which was being driven (mostly) by young Zac.
Sorry some self indulgence now as I steamed Otto. Otto runs so slow I ran last so as not to hold trains up to much (still did
)
On the original loop
Was such a warm day steam isn't evident in the photos but it was there!
Steaming through Taita Gorge
Last one. Phil was patiently driving his new loco behind me.
Good fun had, roll on next WGRG running day here next year
In the bushes.
That new bridge again.
Gav's crita which was being driven (mostly) by young Zac.
Sorry some self indulgence now as I steamed Otto. Otto runs so slow I ran last so as not to hold trains up to much (still did
)
On the original loop
Was such a warm day steam isn't evident in the photos but it was there!
Steaming through Taita Gorge
Last one. Phil was patiently driving his new loco behind me.
Good fun had, roll on next WGRG running day here next year
......roll on next WGRG running day here next year .......
Um, who says we have to wait that long? Worth thinking about a Friday nighter, or something, while the sun is cooling off.
.......Um, who says we have to wait that long? Worth thinking about a Friday nighter, or something, while the sun is cooling off.
Sounds good to me......roll on next WGRG running day here next year
Um, who says we have to wait that long? Worth thinking about a Friday nighter, or something, while the sun is cooling off.
