The Potters Orchid Railway

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

"Wallace, do you think it is a good idea to be up there ?"

"# 4 Starter is installed and tested OK, I reckon we are done Shaun"
"Baaaaaa baaaa"

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The visiting locos arrive for the test operations. Wallace is bit too excited while the workshop foredog is contemplating the days operations.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

"Its a Bundy Fowler"

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Coal fired operations on the POR begin with Ben's loco.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The creatures of the deep poke their heads up to see what the heck is going on above their domain.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Even "Monty" came by for a bit of train spotting at the POR.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

" I really think you should come down now Wallace, your tea is getting cold."

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Operations were going well and then a third loco was let out of the yard onto the mainline.
Whoops
SPAD
Out with the flying gang
and
Paper work...
The POR is happy to report the tanker wagon was already empty, but this does present suspicious implications with regard to this incident.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

More reports from the first test operations at the POR.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The contractor for the POR tunnel portals and stone bridge is close to delivering so the head grafter of the POR last night grunted some rocks closer to their final location. The last big push of terra forming is on. However the extensive signaling system is a project for next year.

[Old Man Aaron]

That greenery really compliments the rock-work well. Is the signalling at this end of the line now complete?

"Its a Bundy Fowler"

I can understand Wallace's excitement over the Bundy, having been of the same mind when I bought mine.

Looks a great time (SPADS aside) was had running. Hope no clearance issues crept through?

Regards,
Aaron

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

That greenery really compliments the rock-work well. Is the signalling at this end of the line now complete?

"Its a Bundy Fowler"

I can understand Wallace's excitement over the Bundy, having been of the same mind when I bought mine.

Looks a great time (SPADS aside) was had running. Hope no clearance issues crept through?

Regards,
Aaron

Thanks
If all goes to plan, in 6 months time a lot more greenery should cover most if not all of the sugar cane mulch and a lot of the intended greenery will be running over many rock faces and over the back ground block wall.
Signalling is now fully operational if desired and is mostly complete at the Orchid Loop end of the line but for a one starter's base area not yet filled in which is a little job to do in the afternoons as the days get longer and there is the permanent water proof battery box to be fitted next to the lever frame. Another small job to fill in spare moments. Also the final cover for the lever frame and the Pendle Valley signal box, Midi station kits to build (I have never attempted resin buildings before) and it will be placed in the V of the Orchid House loop. There is actually an imprint for it's base in the concrete.
The big grunt is now to build the cuttings, rock and hill over the tunnel at Potters Junction. This will fill in the next 4-6 weeks.Then plant it out so they are underway for the summer. There are then the final buildings. The actual Potters Junction station yard and buildings will left to titter along into 2021 and 2022. I need to get back to the Red Room and work on my coal fired loco build.
The Bundy Fowler is a new loco my good friend Chris recently bought. He is also a driver at the Mary Valley Rattler.
One little project is to extend one of the sidings by 800mm - 1000mm to ease a pathway pinch point when some one is servicing their loco there. Discovering such things is what the test run of the weekend was for.
The paths, shelter awning and more gardens against the back fence is also a big push to be done before the new year.

[FWLR]

Looking fantastic Dazza. You and MAM have worked so hard to bring us what is a superb line. The greenery is looking brilliant and those Bonsai trees MAM has cultured work so well. They look like they have been there well before the line was built. Just like it would have been in real life maybe...

Always look forward to seeing your brilliant photos too, they kind of whisk me away to a different world...

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Looking fantastic Dazza. You and MAM have worked so hard to bring us what is a superb line. The greenery is looking brilliant and those Bonsai trees MAM has cultured work so well. They look like they have been there well before the line was built. Just like it would have been in real life maybe...

Always look forward to seeing your brilliant photos too, they kind of whisk me away to a different world...

We are pleased it is of enjoyment for others. We are most certainly enjoying the journey. We have never done this before, just SMT mag, forums and FB for this. When most of the major work is completed I want to be back in the Red Room doing metal work working on my coal fired loco and move onto the 5" gauge locos.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The pottery contract to the in house potter is almost complete. Liquid nails in use. The big push with the last major terra forming operation is underway at the 'Potters Orchid Railway'.

[Peter Butler]

Very nice indeed, good, warm colour contrast with the natural stone. What a team!!!!

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The braces removed this morning for the reveal.
Due to a degree of unpredictability of the ceramic shrinkage post firing and if we were doing this again I would have the portals to hand first and build the tunnel concrete form work to fit the portals. However for us, it is a garden railway, not a fine scale model railway. A wee bit of black paint and a few glasses of red, all is sweet. The big rocks have to be hurled about again and concrete laid for them to be hurled back into place for a good foundation, as done be before at the end of the line. I have two weekends free before I have a big four days in a row on full size steam at the Mary Valley Rattler. Living the dream with a good lass.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Very nice indeed, good, warm colour contrast with the natural stone. What a team!!!!

Thanks. MAM is enjoying adding her skills to the project and much fun. She is very much involved. She is still to finish off her loco but has started on the cab and tank plate work and is also keen for a string of slate wagons.
If all goes well, other than the major signaling work which will drift into 2021 or 2022 then most of the grunt will be done by new year. Then it is fun details and back to the Red Room and metal work on my coal fired loco build. I am a metal worked at heart.

[philipy]

if we were doing this again I would have the portals to hand first and build the tunnel concrete form work to fit the portals.

I find it's often a 'chicken and egg' thing when needing to fit bits together like that, and hindsight is a wonderful thing. The end result looks good though, whichever way round.

[FWLR]

Your Lass is fantastic Dazza. We are so lucky to have wonderful people in our lives aren't we.

The walk bridge is looking superb and is just so right for your absolutely wonderful line. You will be able to enjoy many hours with MAM and friends for many years to come on it.