H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

[planty]

Love the tram engine. Is this a kit or scratch build?

 

[Cyclone]

Cool line. Looks really nice. Hope you getting to squeeze in running trains around the Rugby.

 

[Shawn]

John as alway great shots of a great looking railroad. That steamer looks perfect on that line. Always looking forward to your updates. As you go into Spring Im going into fall. Cant wait for more updates.

 

[beavercreek]

Hi John
Lovely shots as always. We held the last open day of the season here on Sunday and after a few sunny hours the heavens opened up on us. Now looking forward (?) to cold nights and cool wet days.
My line has, during the past few years, gained a more busy look as more bits are added but I just love the real feel of space and atmosphere that yours has. A knockout line

 

[JRinTawa]

The tram engine is scratch build using design and patterns from Malcolm's (PBMM) Beckside Works. Malcolm has built a number of them over the years with the design gradually evolving. It was done as a joint project with Malcolm building to in his UK workshop and me building one here in the H&MGR's workshop. It runs on an Aristo-craft motor block.
Hope that answers your query

And as always I really appreciate the very encouraging comments

 

[JRinTawa]

Been absolutely ages since up dating this topic on our families railway. So here goes for a long update.

For H&M's birthday it was mandatory that their trains ran

It was track power day.

It tuff when you have daughters who like running their trains, but I got through:admire:

Dads are good like that:Looser:

 

[JRinTawa]

I have been learning more about Manawanui....

There is lot to learn about live steam, not the least being some parts are hot8|
Here drifting through Punga Cliffs

And past the log siding...

 

[JRinTawa]

The Bush Jigger is great for a quick run in the setting sun...

It's a train in a box!

Did I mention my live steamer Manawanui

 

[JRinTawa]

There is of course nothing like a good Climax hauled train pictures on Nina's trestle....

Kind of one of my old faithfuls now, I get a good 3 hours running on one battery charge - usually forget when I charged it last rather than run flat

And a different view on Nina's Trestle.

 

[JRinTawa]

The Simplex, has proven to be very satisfying to run, it's a simple switch on, wow or go battery power remember...

But it amazingly runs for 1½ hours on one charge of two AAA batteries!

Pretty good I reckon.

 

[JRinTawa]

Coming towards the end of October the Climax was one of the last trains run before needs must so labour diverted almost full time on the weekends to completing long running renovations.

I'd almost cry each time I looked out to think what I was missing :crying:

But come Christmas time

 

[JRinTawa]

My sort of Chirstmas

"where you been - Merry Christmas and all that - but we've got trains to run"

So run trains we did.

 

[JRinTawa]

Manawanui, now fitted with a water top-up system got an extended run.

Lemons are nice this time of year

It's a nice place to be in the summer sun.

 

[JRinTawa]

So there we are, up to date.

I hope you've enjoyed this update as much as I have getting back out onto the railway.

I hope the next updat won't be either so long in size or time passing.

Finished :wave: for now

 

[jameshilton]

John these are lovely as usual. I spot some fresh ballast too, looks good, and maintaining as well as running is one of the unexpected pleasures I've found working in the garden, is that how you see it too?

 

[mike]

im loseing count off my favoiurt shots...they are all marvaliuse:love:

 

[mbiff]

agreed - absolutly stunning

 

[Neil Robinson]

Yet more wonderful pictures of a wonderful railway.
Please keep the updates coming.

 

[Martino]

Good to see your photos again John. I was getting withdrawal symptoms.

 

[JRinTawa]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your encouraging comments, helps make me try to keep improving.

On New Years day no pictures but did do a YouTube video of Manawanui in steam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ5h2cglaFQ

And today when the summer sun returned trains ran to accompany our barbque tea outside

SWMBO's Fieldbann loco and Binnie skips coming though the playhouse path crossing.

And at the recently up graded Bridge Ganger Hut, figures still to be changed for some SLM figures...

...part of the upgrade of the area was a sleeper crib wall to properly retain the back of the area. Might add a tool box and some general clutter, but not to much.

Oh yes, James your quite correct, the railway has just had is spring/summer ballast top up. Just a bit over 2 full buckets of sharp sand to bring everything make to standard. Something I quite enjoy doing