Latest News

19/05/04

The workshop and railway are packed redy to move in June so not a lot of activity to report.  Before packing everthing up most of the loose bits were fitted to Sidney including a Clay Cellars whistle.  The servos are in but not connected and some of the pipework needs final sorting so it has not steamed yet.  At least it looks reasonably complete and can sit on the window ledge.  No sign of plans for the new workshop yet so it looks though it might be a while before any more gets done on stock.  I have made a start on clearing the site and so work on phase one should get started as soon as we get sorted in the house.

14/03/04

The tenants have left and so we have been able to visit the new house.  Photos of the site for the railway have been added to the infrastructure page and also of the site for the LVR's new workshop (planers permitting) in the workshop section.  Because the house in an area of outstanding natural beauty almost everything needs permission so more delays will no doubt ensue.

The alterations to Sidney's cab are about complete, just needs a bit of fettling before painting.  Sidney's page has been updated with before and after pictures.

All the remaining bits of bodywork are being tidied and got ready for painting at the same time as the cab.  I have tried out my lining pen but I think that a bit more practice is going to be needed before going near the loco parts.

The scale drawing of the layout is complete and the length of rail has been calculated, three times!  I will need about 340 yards.

The cab alterations for Sidney are making good progress now that the tool for producing dummy rivets has been completed.  Should be ready for soldering up  this week.

Have spent some time working out pointwork, particularly for the garage section.  Came as a bit of a shock to find out just how much room is need at each end of a loop before the point where clearance for locos to pass is reached.  Back to plan 'A' which used a traverser or sector plate at the far end to save room.  The location of the quarry section will also have to be rethought.

Work has progressed a little further on the design for Irene though this is not going to be a quick process, quite a lot of learning to be done.  I think that the design for the valve gear will work OK., thanks Mike Chaney and Peter Foley.

The house is up for sale so it will soon be time to halt railway proceedings and concentrate on packing, moving and getting the new house sorted.

Created 02/04