Ruritanian Railways - 2012
- Thread starter whatlep
- Start date
jameshilton
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That Stainz hauled train looks great, very evocative of the StLB! Lovely!
CoggesRailway
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That is a sweet train
whatlep
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To: Chef Des Trains, Ruritanian Railways
From: Outdoor Superintendent
Most esteemed Sir
Be pleased to inform His Serene Highness that today all main lines and loops have been tested with trains run along them for the purposes of verifying electrical continuity. All points were proven operationally sound and ballast confirmed invisible. The defective reed switch identified earlier this week has been replaced and proven operational. The new platforms will require further "tweaking" as clearances for axles and cylinder blocks were minimal at best in certain locations. We shall attend to this in due course in connection with station lighting tests.
My staff also took the opportunity to spruce up the border station, including sand blasting "The Stig". I am pleased to report that his helmet is now shiny. I attach a picture for your information:
As requested, testing took place in secrecy to protect the royal identities of those driving. As a diversion, our new "secret weapon" was revealed to the press at Zenda station. Standards of comfort were noted to be greatly superior to that provided on Ryanair flights to Zenda airport and the lighting (with free welders' goggles) much admired. We may, I think, look forward to significant things from this extra-long unit:
I regret that complete secrecy could not be maintained concerning the test trains as two watchers were spotted just over the border. Although they disappeared quickly as our patrol approached the borderline, I fear that pictures of the test trains may have been obtained. I enclose a picture of those concerned in anticipation that they will be denied entry and overyflying rights in future:
God Save Prince Rudolf!
From: Outdoor Superintendent
Most esteemed Sir
Be pleased to inform His Serene Highness that today all main lines and loops have been tested with trains run along them for the purposes of verifying electrical continuity. All points were proven operationally sound and ballast confirmed invisible. The defective reed switch identified earlier this week has been replaced and proven operational. The new platforms will require further "tweaking" as clearances for axles and cylinder blocks were minimal at best in certain locations. We shall attend to this in due course in connection with station lighting tests.
My staff also took the opportunity to spruce up the border station, including sand blasting "The Stig". I am pleased to report that his helmet is now shiny. I attach a picture for your information:
As requested, testing took place in secrecy to protect the royal identities of those driving. As a diversion, our new "secret weapon" was revealed to the press at Zenda station. Standards of comfort were noted to be greatly superior to that provided on Ryanair flights to Zenda airport and the lighting (with free welders' goggles) much admired. We may, I think, look forward to significant things from this extra-long unit:
I regret that complete secrecy could not be maintained concerning the test trains as two watchers were spotted just over the border. Although they disappeared quickly as our patrol approached the borderline, I fear that pictures of the test trains may have been obtained. I enclose a picture of those concerned in anticipation that they will be denied entry and overyflying rights in future:
God Save Prince Rudolf!
mmts
Registered
To The Chef de Security, Ruritanian Railways
Deer Sir
The Six fingered controller of the ESLR would like to approach your staff and make an offer for the two watchers, be it dead of alive (altho a better financial offer will be proposed if they are already "encased" in Ruritanian black pudding and pork scratchings)
Your speedy reply is requested as our courier is like a cocked gun and the payment will be the next instalment as our photographer has been a busy boy (Lucinda still hasn't go round to fitting any blinds and the footage is most enjoyable!!)
Deer Sir
The Six fingered controller of the ESLR would like to approach your staff and make an offer for the two watchers, be it dead of alive (altho a better financial offer will be proposed if they are already "encased" in Ruritanian black pudding and pork scratchings)
Your speedy reply is requested as our courier is like a cocked gun and the payment will be the next instalment as our photographer has been a busy boy (Lucinda still hasn't go round to fitting any blinds and the footage is most enjoyable!!)
shropshire lad
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Great to see night trains running Peter, you can't beat them.Station building looks good lit up too 
chris m01
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Peter, your tales of Ruritania have spurred me on to write a short story about the Quinton Line - see http://uqr.vacau.com/chronmain.html .
I'm definitely not a writer so it ain't a great work but I tried to be a little amusing.
I'm definitely not a writer so it ain't a great work but I tried to be a little amusing.
playmofire
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Those railcars look superb, as does the rest of the railway.
whatlep
Registered
From the letters page of today's Zenda Times.....
"Sir
Yesterday I chanced to be walking near the border station at Polapiko. I became aware of a gentle rumbling and wheezing which demanded investigation. Looking down from the hillside, I espied a large railway engine, a photograph of which I attach.
Nor was this all. A second and third exemplar were soon at hand! The driver of the leading locomotive bore an uncanny resemblance to your noble and benevolent ruler, Prince Rudolf.
The train dropped certain mails vehicles before returning toward Zenda. These were shunted by the first locomotive, a process which, unfortunately, attracted the attention of the border guards who made it clear that I should remove myself from the vicinity.
I believe that these are the first Mallets of spring. If that be the case, it is the earliest such sighting for some years.
(Signed)
A. Mallard"
"Sir
Yesterday I chanced to be walking near the border station at Polapiko. I became aware of a gentle rumbling and wheezing which demanded investigation. Looking down from the hillside, I espied a large railway engine, a photograph of which I attach.
Nor was this all. A second and third exemplar were soon at hand! The driver of the leading locomotive bore an uncanny resemblance to your noble and benevolent ruler, Prince Rudolf.
The train dropped certain mails vehicles before returning toward Zenda. These were shunted by the first locomotive, a process which, unfortunately, attracted the attention of the border guards who made it clear that I should remove myself from the vicinity.
I believe that these are the first Mallets of spring. If that be the case, it is the earliest such sighting for some years.
(Signed)
A. Mallard"
shropshire lad
Registered
Double headed Mallets mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
whatlep
Registered
Ruritanian Railways is pleased to announce the award of a contract to Messrs AnDel for platform lighting at the border station of Polapiko. The installation will act as a working test system with a view to similar lighting at Zenda if the system proves robust enough. Supplies of requisite cabling, connecting plugs and the lights themselves are hoped to be on hand for the weekend so that works may be undertaken on Sunday during the lull in trains. Pictures will be posted in due course.
Meanwhile, some Mallet photos from last week:
Meanwhile, some Mallet photos from last week:
Don Gilham
Model railways, Photography, anything lazy
The Crown Prince must be very proud