Little John finds his voice!

Thanks to Locoworks, my Roundhouse "Little John" has found his big voice! The sound card has a realistic horn, start-up and shut-down procedure and speed related running sound.

Mallard visits HLR

There were no trains running today because of fowl play at Homestyal Halt! As soon as the line becomes clear, normal service is expected to recommence.

Mrs. M

In preparation for the new season, HLR staff started work today but before doing so, they each had to have their photograph taken for security purposes. Here's the new cleaner, affectionately called, Mrs. M.

Mrs. M is from the Modeltown range of Station Figures (No. F301)

Spring is here!

Time to clear off the cobwebs and clear the line, Spring is here, it took it's time.

Privates Smith & Jones

With their newly fitted uniforms Privates Smith & Jones of the Brookwood Home Front pose proudly for the camera.

Both figures are from the Modeltown range of Military Figures (Nos. F706/8).

Bure Valley Railway

The Bure Valley Railway in Norfolk is a nine mile journey between Aylsham and Wroxham through Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall along the way.

Spitfire retiring at the end of the day at Aylsham.

Aylsham Signal Box.

No.9, Mark Timothy, 2-6-4 Tank ZB Class preparing to depart Aylsham.

Spitfire preparing for departure at Wroxham.

Down the line

In the garden I am always looking for ways of adding realism to my line without cluttering the garden with items that can easily break, fade, rot or disappear (magpies!) and do not spoil my overall garden landscape.

I recently read an article in Garden Railways, a beginners project of how to make telephone (telegraph) poles for your garden railway. I immediately thought, "I can do that" and consequently took about making my own.

Nowadays you don't tend to see so many telephone poles but they are synonymous with railway lines of the past and akin to heritage railways. But as it's my railway, loosely based in the past, it's allowed!

For the making of the poles and cross arms I used light hardwood dowelling (15mm) and beading (8mm).

Each pole measured 400mm in length allowing for approx 100mm-150mm below ground.

The cross arms measured 100mm.

Each pole top was cut at an angle with an 8mm slot cut 30-38mm from the top.

The poles and arms were then submerged in creosote and left for twelve hours to soak.

From the local craft store I obtained a pack of white 8mm beads and a pack of white painted upholstery nails.

The beads are a good enough likeness of insulators with the nails providing the perfect insulator covers.

With the cross arms held in a vice to stop the wood from splitting, the beads were nailed into place with the upholstery nails.

Depending on your requirements, you could have up to four insulators on each cross arm.

With the cross arms nailed and glued in place, here are six finished telephone poles complete with insulators.

You could of course add wires between the poles when in situ but I think that would make garden maintenance a little difficult.

Brew time

This diorama from Modeltown depicts two workmen enjoying a mid morning brew whilst warming their hands over an inviting brazier. Complete with a flashing orange led situated under the fire this model will look great on HLR.

Station fencing

I've looked around for fencing, in particular 'picket fencing' but until recently I hadn't been able to find any. And then whilst sat in the my local coffee shop, the mist began to rise....................

Wooden stirrers and chopsticks.

Chopsticks for the fencing posts and cross members.

I used an electronic pencil sharpener at the blunt end of each cross member to form the male end for the joints.

Evo-stik weatherproof Wood adhesive (exterior) is strong enough for the glue.

Stirrers for the uprights spaced evenly (the width of a stirrer) and glued to the cross members.

Uprights were also glue onto each post.

For painting I used Valspar spray cans, white primer with white satin top coat.

A rough sketch of the measurements I used and found to be most suitable.

The posts were glued onto the rear of the platform edging using a generous blob of Evo-stik Evo-Grip.

Brookwood Station.

Welsh Highland Railway

NG143 switching in preparation for its 10:00 departure from Caernarfon.

The original Goods Shed at Dinas.

Snowdon towers above in the distance.

Porthmadog.

The return journey through the sleepy country side of Snowdonia.

Dinas sidings.