Ruritanian Railways - 2011

[whatlep]

that 2095 livery is firmly my favourite and I have a "thing" about dark green coaches

I'm sure you'll take this the right way Peter, for me that pic is as good an advert for LGB's "rubber ruler" as you can get

Absolutely!! I'm often also amazed at my stock's ability to magically change from 760mm gauge to 1000mm and once in a while 750mm too!

 

[3Valve]

Nice pics again Peter. Now I'm just a here layman when it comes to invisible ballast. How do you tell the difference between the loaded hoppers and the empty ones?

 

[whatlep]

Nice pics again Peter. Now I'm just a here layman when it comes to invisible ballast. How do you tell the difference between the loaded hoppers and the empty ones?

The axlebox springs on the loaded ones are deflected downwards of course!

 

[playmofire]

You've got an outstanding railway there and excellently photographed.

 

[stockers]

Nice pics again Peter. Now I'm just a here layman when it comes to invisible ballast. How do you tell the difference between the loaded hoppers and the empty ones?

The axlebox springs on the loaded ones are deflected downwards of course!

Lovely - I really like the HSB hopper train.
Shirley (sic) they would be deflected upwards - or is invisible ballast also lighter than air.

 

[whatlep]

Our intrepid photographer captured a typically relaxed scene at Zenda in the early afternoon of a quiet summer Wednesday. The hoppers begin to head for the border, having waited for the railcar to arrive on a local service via Pootank Pass. Once its loco arrives, the solo coach will form an empty stock working to the border, returning as the passenger accommodation on what is mainly a Wednesdays only parcels working to gather up empty vans for return to Zenda. Cunningly, the local depot staff have used one of the "heritage" coaches, which avoids splitting one of the usual coaching rakes to supply the required vehicle.

The clock shows 16.53, just two minutes before the railcar is scheduled to leave for Zenda, calling at all stations. The driver can just be seen at the controls, awaiting the departure signal.

As shadows lengthen, the parcels working is captured being loaded from the customs shed. Rumour has it that Ruritanian Railways wish to cancel this train: not too surprising looking at the power to weight ratio. It is exceedingly rare for this train to carry passengers, though the facility is available.

 

[yb281]

So basically, what you're saying is that the population of Ruritania need to order more parcels if they want to keep their Wednesday parcels service? I'm sure the female side of the royal family will support your cause .

Well done to the intrepid photographer BTW .

 

[jameshilton]

I think we've discovered where the Stig spends his time when not on track... a bit of train spotting in Ruritania!

 

[whatlep]

Sunday morning and the engineers are in control!

A Brohltal Mallet leads a train charged with bringing the Pootank Pass gradient back to a smooth profile. Every year it tries to form a "U" and some more invisible ballast has to be added, as can be not seen in the picture:

Advantage was taken of the temporary absence of services for the annual run of the weedkilling train. "Mighty Mouse" was in charge.

 

[yb281]

By crikey sir, that weedkiller is damned effective .

 

[Neil Robinson]

Advantage was taken of the temporary absence of services for the annual run of the weedkilling train. "Mighty Mouse" was in charge.

Nice pictures.
May I suggest that, in keeping with the humour of the invisible ballast train, you run a perennial weed killing train in addition to the annual one?

 

[yb281]

Advantage was taken of the temporary absence of services for the annual run of the weedkilling train. "Mighty Mouse" was in charge.

Nice pictures.
May I suggest that, in keeping with the humour of the invisible ballast train, you run a perennial weed killing train in addition to the annual one?

 

[whatlep]

Advantage was taken of the temporary absence of services for the annual run of the weedkilling train. "Mighty Mouse" was in charge.

Nice pictures.
May I suggest that, in keeping with the humour of the invisible ballast train, you run a perennial weed killing train in addition to the annual one?

The staff have suggested it should be a hardy annual....

Coat, hat, door.....

 

[pugwash]

I like the look of the invisible ballast, any chance of Ruritania exporting it to Luxembourg? It would need a mallet to pull the train as the CFL doesn't have anything that powerful, and we promise to send the loco back.
Eventually.

 

[whatlep]

I like the look of the invisible ballast, any chance of Ruritania exporting it to Luxembourg? It would need a mallet to pull the train as the CFL doesn't have anything that powerful, and we promise to send the loco back.
Eventually.

Ruritania is always glad to have another export market. Unhappily, all our Mallets are fully occupied at the moment, but we can do you a nice line in battery powered diesels.

 

[whatlep]

After all the engineering work, traffic returned rapidly to normal this afternoon. The first train into Zenda was the up "Trans-Carpathian", strengthened to its Friday/Sunday evening peak loading of six coaches, to cope with the hordes of passengers who were waiting after this morning's disruprion. Driver E. V. Stroheim ensures that the long train safely negotiates the approach to Zenda past its yard. Hopper wagons are stabled awaiting the usual evening departure and "Mighty Mouse" rearranges some engineers' vehicles.

While the diesels take a run out to Zenda depot for refuelling, the station looks pretty busy. The railcar is getting ready to depart on a semi-fast for the border. On Sundays, a double-railcar is the normal substitute for a steam-hauled service.

 

[playmofire]

Advantage was taken of the temporary absence of services for the annual run of the weedkilling train. "Mighty Mouse" was in charge.

Nice pictures.
May I suggest that, in keeping with the humour of the invisible ballast train, you run a perennial weed killing train in addition to the annual one?

The staff have suggested it should be a hardy annual....

Coat, hat, door.....

A named loco would be nice to haul it, maybe The Trumpet Major or Jude the Obscure would be appropriate if it were a Hardy annual.

 

[whatlep]

Advantage was taken of the temporary absence of services for the annual run of the weedkilling train. "Mighty Mouse" was in charge.

Nice pictures.
May I suggest that, in keeping with the humour of the invisible ballast train, you run a perennial weed killing train in addition to the annual one?

The staff have suggested it should be a hardy annual....

Coat, hat, door.....

A named loco would be nice to haul it, maybe The Trumpet Major or Jude the Obscure would be appropriate if it were a Hardy annual.

Oh dear, I fear an outbreak of "novel writing from Dorchester" coming on....

 

[yb281]

Advantage was taken of the temporary absence of services for the annual run of the weedkilling train. "Mighty Mouse" was in charge.

Nice pictures.
May I suggest that, in keeping with the humour of the invisible ballast train, you run a perennial weed killing train in addition to the annual one?

The staff have suggested it should be a hardy annual....

Coat, hat, door.....

A named loco would be nice to haul it, maybe The Trumpet Major or Jude the Obscure would be appropriate if it were a Hardy annual.

Oh dear, I fear an outbreak of "novel writing from Dorchester" coming on....

Jude the obscure????????? Can't imagine that one appearing any time soon.

 

[Dtsteam]

I think Far From the Madding Crowd would be the place to be....