Shades of Autumn

As the last few days of summer come to a close, autumn begins to fall across the sleepy pastures of Homestyal Light Railway.

Here Florence pulls a mixed goods train providing coal and supplies to the villagers of the local communities of Homestyal, Buddleia and Brookwood.

L&B Corridor Coach Kit Pt.1

Photo:IP Engineering

After recent reviews in Garden Rail and other garden railway magazines, I took a fancy to these little L&B inspired coaches. There are three in the range, a two and three compartment coach and this one. After purchasing the Corridor Coach from IP Engineering, this is how I built it.

Superglue or PVA glue is recommended for the assembly for which I chose Evo-Stik exterior weatherproof wood adhesive as it allows slight movement before setting. Ten minutes to set, and twenty four hours for the glue to clear.

The four sides were removed from the fret and the burrs cleaned off with a small needle file. The running board and end supports were then glued in place.

The floor was then located onto the running board whilst checking for square.

An end and then the other side were attached before the second end was located in place and all checked for square.

Using the lines on the inner sides, the outer sides were removed from their frets and glued in place. The same was done for the two ends.

This is how the coach looks at this stage. Next paint will be applied to the outside panels.

Leaves on the line!

With all the rain and bad weather in the area recently, Homestyal Light Railway was closed for the day whilst the emergency services attended an incident on the line just east of Homestyal Halt.

As the rains subsided, leaves descended upon a passing goods train.....

....and an emerging west bound passenger train!

Smoke was smouldering from under the carriage when the fire brigade arrived.

Survivors were removed from the scene as soon as possible...

....but unfortunately some weren't so lucky (being made of plastic!).

W&LLR Romanian No.764.425

After a major overhaul, the return of Romanian No.764.425 - Resita 0-8-0, built 1954.

Here she can be seen departing Welshpool during the W&LLR Steam Gala of 2012.

Don't panic....

To make your own poster, go to Keepcalm-o-Matic

Brookwood Extension - Diagonals

In between the rain, I managed to fit the diagonal struts to one side of Brookwood Bridge today.

The diagonals were fixed in place using the existing nuts & bolts and their respective holes used for the fixing of the horizontal and vertical girders.

A double diagonal strut was fitted to the mid-section.

Summer Holidays

Early morning and all's quiet as 'Big Dan' repairs the gents water closet tank whilst the station master talks to Gladys in the ticket office at Buddleia Pond station.

Passengers begin to gather as the first train of the day begins to pull into the station.

Loco 994605 chugs past the talking crowd of holiday makers before stopping at the end of the platform.

 

The train pulls to a stop whilst 'Big Dan' is oblivious to its arrival.

All's quiet once more at Buddleia Pond station.

Brookwood Extension - Update

The wayside workers were out this weekend laying more track between Brookwood Bridge and the village of Brookwood. Here's a quick update of where they are up to after Sundays work.

Looking south towards the bridge, the newly laid track can be seen cutting through the undergrowth.

Now looking north towards Brookwood.

Aerial shot of the progress.

Florence

Florence approaching Homestyal Halt with a single coal wagon.

Her rear view showing the controls and detail.

Raising steam at Homestyal Halt.

Exiting Buddleia Pond tunnel.

Florence passing by the 'baby tears'.

Photos: Courtesy of Wayne Roberts

Pepsi Box Car

Model: Refrigerated wagon with two large roof fans and brakeman's platform. The doors on both sides of the wagon slide open and latch shut. 

Length: 300mm LGB: 4031