H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

[trammayo]

Superb shots. I like the photographic overview of the line too - it gives a great impression of the extent of it.

 

[stockers]

Great. Good to see the layout in context with the rest of your garden.

 

[JRinTawa]

Thanks as always guys, I really appreciate the feedback
This update is really as much about the trains as it is about experimenting with a new camera. Tough job but someone has to do it

Playing with f stops and angles
with the Dubs A posed on Puddle Pond Bridge

Sadly the sun had dropped down below the house, after the first shot, thereby casting full shadow over the railway, hmm and then down below the hills surrounding our valley, but I was still pretty happy how the camera handled the fading light.

 

[JRinTawa]

These guys at the Bridge Ganger's Hut seem to spend all day talking

Posing on Nina's Trestle

A view from the new deck that alongside the aviary and over the return loop at the south end of the railway.

The End (till next time)

 

[PhilP]

Excellent as always..
Now seeing some of your wider shots.. I have decided the rampant Ivy may well get a reprieve from the 'scorched earth' approach, until I see just what ends up where..

SW has decreed the ?Arum? lilly (sp?) have to go, as apparently parts of the flowers are poisonous to das felines..
Most of the Bramble, along the side of the garden, has now gone. - Chemicals, and digging.. Hopefully, I can see the back of it this season!

 

[JRinTawa]

Got time today to run Kaitaki twice to test the new WeeBee 60PSI safety valve recently purchase from The Train Department. A friend, Simon, called around and took the following photos while I drove Kaitaki.

I tried to keep pressure between 40 and 50 PSI which gave ample pressure for climbing our grades with a reasonable length train and yet enough margin under the safety lifting so it was easier to get the gas/burner setting right.

Ample steam coming out of the top tunnel into Church Cutting.

 

[JRinTawa]

Downhill off Nina's Trestle passing the Bridge Ganger's Hut

Through Kaitaki Station, though as you can see by the apple bomb on the platform why the station doesn't live permanently out on the railway. ;-)

Last photo by Simon, Kaitaki working uphill over Church Lane level crossing.

 

[duncan1_9_8_4]

I say it every time, but I love the pway on this line!

 

[jameshilton]

Wonderful!

 

[JRinTawa]

Thanks Guys

Update form Monday past. It was ANZAC day what better day to run trains and enjoy the freedom people like my late Father fought so hard for us to have. Thanks Dad

Manawanui was the steamie of choice.

Playing with my new camera, sun was in the process of leaving us for the day.

So long shadows and gentle steam plumes.

Peek a boo,

Through the top tunnel to Punga Cliffs yard.

 

[JRinTawa]

Around and over the elevated section of the return loop.

Catching shafts of sun.

back uphill over the level crossing

and still working uphill

Last one for this update, a slightly higher angle on the return loop.

 

[Madman]

Thank you for your continued posting of photos of your splendid railway. I enjoy seeing them at each new posting.

Thank you, to your father for his service.

 

[ge_rik]

Just been catching up. Great to see the long shots of the railway in its garden setting. I've never been able to fit all the individual photos together until now. Superbly framed shots, as ever, John

Rik

 

[Henri]

Ow that is sooo beautiful!!! I love the rolling stock you have!!!!

 

[JRinTawa]

Thanks guys.

Was Queens Birthday weekend this weekend so Monday off. Yippee 3 days of train running - 3 days of renovations in the room where my S scale railway had been more like But I did get just enough time to run Ngahere late on Monday afternoon.

So late in fact that almost as soon as I'd lit Ngahere's burner the sun dropped below the hills. :-(

But it was nice and calm so the steam was well worth it anyway.

Calm winter's day make excellent steaming days

Even more so when you haven't turned the burner down far enough and the safety has lifted. Even so I still got a 35 minute run time and by then the evening was getting cool and it was time to return to the renovations. But I'd had a good fix of steam and I felt the better for it

 

[JRinTawa]

Golly, it's been a bit long since an update, better fix that!
Manawanui ran today, after I did a bit of maintenance around the railway garden and topped up the ballast in places where the winter rain had had it's wicked way. And boy have we had some heavy rain this winter.
But now for the photos

Steam, mmm, love the smell of steam oil

Gingerbread likes trains too

 

[JRinTawa]

From under Junction Bridge, the cameraman is standing alongside the line the heads to the Y junction and on to the steaming bay extension.

View over the sawmill yard

Today was also about trying out how some of the detailing work to the sawmill surounds works. A bit to still do to bed it all in, but it passes the smile test so far

Going the other way

And from another angle , shame about the playhouse deck in the background

 

[JRinTawa]

On the elevated return loop.

Steaming the lemons

A few weekends ago Otto got a run too. Captured on video that one.

And that pretty much brings things up to date. Thanks as always for following and I hope enjoying our railway with me

 

[Henri]

Wow, wow and wow!!

I LOVE the saw mill!!!!

 

[penylanpip]

I always look forward to your 'updates', John. You have a most delightful railway.
Um, as someone who is recognised in the family as being certifiable cat-silly, I was also pleased to see Gingerbread. I don't believe she(?) has featured before.