H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

[stockers]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Hi Alan. The various cuttings are faced with "Hypertufa" which is a 1:1:1 of cement, peat moss, sand or some form of aggregate with water added to make a moist mouldable mix. Sometimes I vary it with 2 cement, 2 peat moss, 1 sand and 1 crushed lime sand. In some recent batches, around the log hauler up at Punga Cliffs I scraped moss of some bricks elsewhere in the manor and then pressed that into the surface of the wet/damp Hypertufa. Some survives some dies, esspecially over summer but I feel enough spores are deposited that come damper weather a good crop of moss get hold quickly, sort of giving Mother Nature a hand Hope that helps.

Thanks John, I will include a few rocks in mine but may well use the mixture you describe to bed them in.
Cheers.

 

[garrymartin]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Beautiful pictures , superb

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Thanks everyone
Time for a quick catch up, much railway time has been spent on the extension so not as much train running to photograph.
But there has been the occasional run, Kaitaki for one

Battery powered trains offering tea time entertainment, in the case the Simplex

If it wasn't raining today work would be progressing on the steaming bay extension but rest assured it is starting to come together.

Reverse view

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Oh yes and there was a run with Otto that I recorded in a wee video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLlUa3FAxEA

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

??? Track power retained for the extension ?

Nice concept, looking forward to seeing it in operation. 8)

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Update time.
Gav - yes there is track power to most. Possibly not on the leg under Fluffy Bridge though to satisfy the Directors I may have to have to review that.

Anyway onto the update, this is the leg that currently doesn't have track power...

...under test with battery powered Dubs A.

Another cattle stop will go in just in front of where the Dubs is and a planked road crossing in front of where the Morrie van is heading....

Connection to the original main line.

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

I suppose what you'd call the station layout at the steaming bay is complete, Otto and Jonny are sitting on the siding that most steam will be raised.

Otto heading across the step crossing

Jumping back a day or two here is the crossing, the rubber mats are cover the track when trains aren't running.

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Otto continuing the test run.

The run was also to test a possible chuffer fitting (which seems to work) which is why there is not roof on.

This first "offical" run from the steaming bay was 9 years and 1 day from the first day trains ran on the H&MGR A return loop of the end of the steaming bay extension will happen much quicker Meanwhile still much to do to integrate the steaming bay extension however until it starts to rain the planned planting can't be done (and regrowth of ground cover) so things will have to remain a bit stark.

 

[KandNWLR]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Oooo, I like test runs with Otto.

 

[stockers]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Nice.

 

[owlpool]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Very good
The junction on the step looks great. Good idea to have protective mats

 

[mike]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

as always john ,a joy to see.. nice to see the extension comming on.. ???

 

[beavercreek]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Oh yes, very excellent stuff is that.........

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Thank you all once again, I appreciate it

Things have been moving a pace, planting now in

This area off the end of the steaming bay extension is where the return loop is going

Otto has it's roof back on having drilled a hole through it for the new chuffer equiped exhaust.

Gingerbread approves

 

[KandNWLR]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Obviously an example of a Cat Controller. Sorry, I´ll get my coat and go out ....

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Fat Cat Controller ??? (Gingerbread's nick name is Gingerfat )

With Autumn starting and some rain ending the dry summer I'm hoping the ground cover will take off again and help loose the raised track base. Must paint the piles, screw down the track and ballast it.

The temporary bridge Otto is on will be replaced with a truss bridge similar to Fluffy Bridge in the background.

I feel Otto now looks to have a better steam plume than the pea shooter steam exhaust it came with. Now to make it's new body

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Today (Sunday) after Church and some planting and weeding in the vegie garden it was Manawanui's turn to test the steaming bay.

Looking along one leg of the triangle under Fluffy Bridge

Past the sawmill, hmm proving I was playing roundy-round as Manawanui didn't stop to unload the logs

Maybe next time around...maybe :

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Kaitaki steamed next, after the Climax had a bit of a run.

Heading to the main line...

...carting sawn timber to the outside make believe world (you know the one...it's the one I live in :-\ )

Returning at the end of the run. Well when I was called to tea and it was time to turn off the gas

Can't complain though, very lucky to have a supportive SWMBO and the privileged life to have the luxury to build a railway and run trains. Thankful for my blessings I am
I think Gingerbread the Cat Controller feels the same

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

A quick up date today. With daylight saving having ended overnight we are on the downhill slide to winter. But as often happens here the day or two after daylight saving provide a few lingering evenings so Kaitaki and I got out and made the most of the setting sun.

And a bit closer as Kaitaki and it's train steam through Punga Cliffs

Downhill towards Sawmill Tunnel.

Forecast says maybe more tomorrow, lets hope so

 

[JRinTawa]

Re: H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

Today had some fine spells but was mostly like me...mostly grey
But that didn't stop Manawanui steaming away for 40 minutes or so

Reverse angle

Nice relaxing loco to steam is Manawanui

From seating position above the top tunnel looking down into Church cutting. Shame the day was so overcast threatening rain so light was rather cold.

But regardless it was another enjoyable run