H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

[garrymartin]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Super pictures especially the one where she's come out of the tunnel

 

[KandNWLR]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Only just discovered this thread

A very impressive story told here with some fantastic pics. I love the locomotives, which seem to fit in so well.

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Thanks for the compliment

A quiet Sunday and the sun was shining so when all domestic tasks completed what best to do but run a train or two

Dubs A bring it's train of mostly sawn timber from the mill, with Kaitaki, steam now raised, waiting on the main to hook on and haul the train off the other way.

Midway through the half hour steaming of Kaitaki's run Hannah took over driving

and learning how to top up the water while in steam :-*

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Having Hannah driving gave me time for taking photos
Steaming the lemons again,

under the Trestle Bridge....

and over the second level crossing...

...then further uphill, almost to the tunnel before Punga Cliffs log loading siding.

 

[KandNWLR]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

This layout fits so well into the garden. I´ve just spent many minutes looking through the pics. Many thanks!

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Last day of Daylight Saving in sunny Tawa today and the sun showed us today just why it's worth saving it up.

Got a few cleanup jobs done around the railway while I enjoyed the warmth. Firstly St Patrick's Church got a clean including the grass mat it sits on and all put back nice and level.

The Gangers Hutt and surround also got a relevel and clean up.

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Something about a sunny Saturday afternoon, there is always time for a chat on a bush tramway.

The ladies took time out from getting St Patrick's ready for Sunday mass too.

Even when it is running the Simplex's comfortable industrial speed also a polite nod to the chap standing near the crossing. He's obviously a train fan as he's always standing there. :

So that was Simplex Saturday on the H&MGR.

 

[trammayo]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Superb pictures John - the ambience of a rural idyll.

 

[Martino]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Beautiful John. Inspiration to go out and do something myself. Won't come even close to your standard though.

 

[garrymartin]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Lovely pictures , full of ambience as usual

 

[mike]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

that 1st phoito john.. to die for..

 

[Bredebahn]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

It just gets better....

 

[Granpuff]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Your latest pictures have forced me to read through the entire thread once again

So many things to enjoy about your line from the lush scenic setting to the rugged simplicity of your Simplex hauling a few skips.

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Thanks as always for such encouraging comments

Easter has been and gone and thankfully we got a gap from the recent incessant rain, hmm it's raining again as I type this. Much to catch up on around the railway and extended environs, but I did get the chance for one short steam up.
Ngahere got it's turn...

...bursting uphill out of sawmill tunnel...

...you'll note some exposed sleeper ends - these have been attended to in yesterdays ballast top up. Lets hope today's rain is bedding the ballast in and not washing it away!

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

On up hill over Nina's Trestle and Ngahere is working with the somewhat heavier train than I have tried it on previously....

...past the school ....

...and over the Truss Bridge almost at the peak of the climb. Ngahere coping well with the heavier train.

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Autumn on the H&MGR

Under the Truss Bridge around Lemon Curve...

Hehe, you can tell why it's called Lemon Curve

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Passing through Kakariki station (didn't bother with putting the station building out today, it would be to the left of the photo...

...to end this sequence as Ngahere opens up again to charge the toe of the 1:50 climb again.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Raining, yes, as soon as I opened this post it started to rain here in the city, too. Looks fine back towards Taita Gorge though. Plan to run trains, again, this evening (just to prove that the TE, and return loop still work, you understand.).

 

[KandNWLR]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Fantastic photos, even if I have to adjust my bio-clock back now, so convincing were the autumn scenes

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Fantastic photos, even if I have to adjust my bio-clock back now, so convincing were the autumn scenes

Next time you are at Heathrow, just make sure your boarding pass is for flight NZ 2, with a connection to NZ 411....... (We might even send someone to pick you up, from Wellington, that is.)