Garden Railway Forum

Greg was first out with LoS...



Ash brought his Blanche...



And I bought the new loco, 'Vixen' along with the 'Old Gent' as 'insurance'. Just in case.



Along with the TR Rake. Suitable for the 'Old Gent', and also a pairing exercise with Vixen.


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Swordbreaker was off first as something was needed to entertain the small gathering we had attracted. Resplendent in new overlays/armour, its tender finally restored and in a very fitting mid-dark blue [GER livery destined] it had a nice run round..











Meanwhile, Lady of Sherwood took the branch again, putting in anothjer effortless performance...





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THE FIRST FOXTROT

After a little tweaking and an oiling round, the new 'Vixen' was placed onto her first revenue earning service with some pomp and ceremony.





















Very very pleased with her. As the afternoon wore on and the engine was running in, the capability of the engine increased for the better. The regulator was barely open and she would purr around with the rake without a care in the world. Overall a fine performance indeed




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Welsh wagons



Ash's homebuilt van with working brakes


Lady of Sherwood with WLLR Train


LoS and Blodwen


Blanche looking poorly


Blodwen


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'Swordbreaker' dealing with Troublesome Trucks












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Vixen hailing the last train of the day

It's so nice to see one's local line through a fresh pair of eyes - Thanks, Doug!

Never been there but it seems a nice line and the locos and stock all look wonderful!
'Vixen' particularly stands out as something different and unusual. Just my kind of locomotive.

MDLR:112504 wrote:It's so nice to see one's local line through a fresh pair of eyes - Thanks, Doug!

You're very welcome. A change is as good as a rest - when one's shedpoint is different from the usual, it also gives a new view on the same railway.

Peter Butler:112511 wrote:Never been there but it seems a nice line and the locos and stock all look  wonderful!
'Vixen' particularly stands out as something different and unusual.  Just my kind of locomotive.

It's a very good line for running one's locos, with a challenging gradient especially around Balloon Hill Loop and a deceptive straight by the public area.

Vixen is indeed a somewhat unique loco - a modern RH Boiler and gasfiring system on a new 0-6-0 slip eccentric chassis [a kit which was never built til this year] but then said chassis was fitted with modern RH Cylinders and regaugable wheels.

Just my kind of locomotive too- a unique from standard parts, like my superJanet.

dougrail:112515 wrote:It's a very good line for running one's locos, with a challenging gradient especially around Balloon Hill Loop and a deceptive straight by the public area.

.............. but not for much longer - look out for the Closure Notice!

What's going on???

You bit! Join Matt Nunn!!

The lower circuit will be temporarily closed in September, so the whole of the loop at that end can be ripped up and relaid LEVEL - the main line will also run past the station platform, instead of via the loop (which will make serviceing / operating trains from there much easier, as you won't have to lean over thr "live" track to do it.

Welcome to the club of Brian's prime winding up victims Doug.

Looks like all had a great day out.

Must try and visit one day.

Chris Cairns