H&MGR, a family railway in NZ

[Martino]

Always like shots of your railway, John. It looks so relaxing!

 

[Steve]

Brilliant Pics John , we had sun here once just cant remember when .

 

[Radish Bahn]

Lovely pics, as always, John.

Thanks for the taste of summer. Here in the Northern Colonies the Radish Bahn resembles a frozen white wasteland at the moment. On the plus side the wobbly bits of my trackwork aren't so obvious!

 

[JRinTawa]

Pleased you like the piccies guys.
A couple more for the other evening (had a wee internet problem so didn't get finished last time)

So...turning to the right from the previous piccies your see the same trains coming off the uphill end of Nina's trestle...

And ....

 

[JRinTawa]

Some recent activity has seen the start of detailing work on a level crossing, cattle stops etc still needed, but it's a start.

And of course the Dubs A has been doing a bit of work...

Here drawing through Punga Cliffs.

 

[JRinTawa]

What little running time the H&MGR has been able to squeeze in lately is often late in the evening, running into dark so less pictures taken than normal, but managed a couple this evening....

Even had three running at once for a bit, Jonny and the Bush Jigger via Revolution controlled battery power and the Climax via conventional TE track power. I'm becoming quite a fan of the Revolution control, especially using battery power...less track cleaning!

 

[Gizzy]

Some recent activity has seen the start of detailing work on a level crossing, cattle stops etc still needed, but it's a start.

Like that level crossing JR? Can you tell us more about its construction please....

 

[JRinTawa]

Do I take bad pictures - oh YES Nigel - they joys of digital, similar failure rate to my SLR days when I expected to get only one really decent shot out of a roll of film.

Gary, the level crossing is just some hardwood decking timber ripped down to umm about 8x8mm and 8x10mm stuck to the sleeper with construction adhesive. Drilled some dimples into the tops above the sleepers to imply where coachscrews/bolts would be. The 4 timbers between the rails sit inside the bedplates. The outside ones closest to the rail are tapered underneath, and I trimmed the moulded "track screw" heads so the timber could sit right against the rail. Was a pretty quick job so far, it's the cattle stops to go each side that will take the time.

 

[Gizzy]

Gary, the level crossing is just some hardwood decking timber ripped down to umm about 8x8mm and 8x10mm stuck to the sleeper with construction adhesive. Drilled some dimples into the tops above the sleepers to imply where coachscrews/bolts would be. The 4 timbers between the rails sit inside the bedplates. The outside ones closest to the rail are tapered underneath, and I trimmed the moulded "track screw" heads so the timber could sit right against the rail. Was a pretty quick job so far, it's the cattle stops to go each side that will take the time.

Cheers JR....

 

[Philbahn]

Nice line John and cracking pictures

 

[Bredebahn]

I travelled all the way around the world to see this railway (OK, I did do a few other things whilst I was there!) and it was worth every mile. They serve excellent pizza as well, if you happen to be in the area.......

 

[JRinTawa]

Thank you, so kind.
And John I couldn't have had nicer visitors, it was one of the highlights of my year

 

[JRinTawa]

Settling into Autumn now, though a wee while yet before the apple trees start to drop their leaves they are dropping apples so it is not wise to leave trains running unattended, so i just have to spend time watching them...8|

watching watching...

 

[JRinTawa]

Dubs A time....

more watching..

Cheers:admire:

 

[JRinTawa]

Been a while since I've done an update, due to a variety of reasons the H&MGR hasn't been as active as desirable, and while reduced services are likely continue over winter, running still takes places when time permits.

Besides the new cattle stop needs testing for clearance...

And also keen to run the Dubs A...

And other trains, here SWMBO's loco at the top of the climb at Church Cutting about to enter the top tunnel.

 

[JRinTawa]

Last weekend I sneeked in some extended running on Sunday afternoon, oh such a warm sunny Autumn day and out came the excursion train...

Playing now with camera angles...

And closer in. I liked the play of light and shadow.

 

[JRinTawa]

Then when this is the view while you postulate drinking coffee on the garden seat...

It's hard to drag yourself away. But stop at the station we did, and then some mates turned up for some impromptu running

Nice mates I have

 

[JRinTawa]

Chris has run his Frank S on the H&MGR before, and it's always welcome.
Lets follow it around; steaming uphill our of Sawmill Tunnel...

Over the trestle bridge, almost at the top of the climb...

Thundering into Punga Cliffs...

And under perfect control drifting down hill again about to pass over the new cattle stop.

 

[JRinTawa]

Even did a short YouTube thingie of Chris's Frank S in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R54okd1Uw9o < Link To Frank S Video

And it's not a good idea to ride on the roof of G scale vans, gulp

 

[JRinTawa]

Always happy...

To share our railway...

It makes all the work worthwhile