Ruritanian Railways - 2012
- Thread starter whatlep
- Start date
CoggesRailway
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How do you come out with mate?
whatlep
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Thanks for the various comments chaps. My intention is to make 2012 the year of scenic development -such as it can be given the site's constraints - and this is just step 1.
I'll do a review of the Brekina VW railbus very soon. It's great fun and has no issues with Pootank.
Steve - yes, night shots are planned, but people keep forcing me to go to the pub in the evening. For some reason my photos then all have terrible camera shake. No idea why.
Edit - the barrels etc. came with the Pola goods shed kit. I think they are also available separately.
I'll do a review of the Brekina VW railbus very soon. It's great fun and has no issues with Pootank.
Steve - yes, night shots are planned, but people keep forcing me to go to the pub in the evening. For some reason my photos then all have terrible camera shake. No idea why.
Edit - the barrels etc. came with the Pola goods shed kit. I think they are also available separately.
Don Gilham
Model railways, Photography, anything lazy
Posed pictures or not, Peter, the whole thing looks fabulous !!!! 
jameshilton
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Nice VW draisine!! is a repaint for it on the cards? Platform looks good with trains 
playmofire
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The environmental update looks excellent!
whatlep
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Recent rainy weather has kept Ruritania's band of railway photographers indoors, but today a burst of sun saw renewed activity.
Curious activity was noticed around Zenda depot....
..and then at a site just beyond Zenda main station. That supervisor seems to get everywhere. Wonder what's in plan?
Last week, the invisible ballast quarry was given its own shunter, to save main line engines having to loiter unproductively while hoppers are loaded. The shunter is seen here on a test trip at Zenda yard and then where it should be, at the quarry itself:
While strolling down from the quarry to the border, both Ruritanian railway fans were shocked to see this locomotive arrive from foreign parts. Some discreet enquiries revealed that this is the property of the English movie producer and eccentric Dave Hub, celebrated for his films which invariably involve a catastrophic train crash. Apparently the American outline loco is receiving attention from the master craftsmen of Zenda depot.
Curious activity was noticed around Zenda depot....
..and then at a site just beyond Zenda main station. That supervisor seems to get everywhere. Wonder what's in plan?
Last week, the invisible ballast quarry was given its own shunter, to save main line engines having to loiter unproductively while hoppers are loaded. The shunter is seen here on a test trip at Zenda yard and then where it should be, at the quarry itself:
While strolling down from the quarry to the border, both Ruritanian railway fans were shocked to see this locomotive arrive from foreign parts. Some discreet enquiries revealed that this is the property of the English movie producer and eccentric Dave Hub, celebrated for his films which invariably involve a catastrophic train crash. Apparently the American outline loco is receiving attention from the master craftsmen of Zenda depot.
whatlep
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On Wednesday, Ruritanian Railways saw most unusual power used on the invisible ballast hoppers. After repair work in Zenda workshops, Mr D. Hub's US-style locomotive had running in trials between Polapiko and Zenda. A 2095 diesel was used for the international section as Mr Hub's locomotive is not cleared for service work in neighbouring countries.
The trials were a complete success, though Ruritanian Railways were amused to note that the locomotive has markedly less hauling power than one of our domestic Mallets. A clear case of two cylinders good: four cylinders better!
The Great Cat of Ruritania (aka Charlie) was not impressed, but then he seldom is. He expressed a preference for a Mice-ado, according to Prince Rudolf, whose Imperial jokes are the stuff of legend.
The trials were a complete success, though Ruritanian Railways were amused to note that the locomotive has markedly less hauling power than one of our domestic Mallets. A clear case of two cylinders good: four cylinders better!
The Great Cat of Ruritania (aka Charlie) was not impressed, but then he seldom is. He expressed a preference for a Mice-ado, according to Prince Rudolf, whose Imperial jokes are the stuff of legend.
playmofire
Registered
Nice to see the extent of international co-operation, and excellent commentary and photos too.
The cat is superb in its indifference with just one eye on the camerman as if to say, "Make sure you get my best side!"
The cat is superb in its indifference with just one eye on the camerman as if to say, "Make sure you get my best side!"
whatlep
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Summer sunshine yeseterday evening saw railfans chasing the Fridays Only direct service from Zenda to Bratislava. Since the May timetable change, this is the only international train now officially scheduled for steam haulage - though "mistakes" have happened. First view is across the upland meadows between Zenda and Pootank.
The train nears Pootank Pass. Stops here are by request, so a cautious approach is required.
At the foot of the pass, locomotive 99201 awaited the passenger train with - of course - the hoppers in tow.
The train nears Pootank Pass. Stops here are by request, so a cautious approach is required.
At the foot of the pass, locomotive 99201 awaited the passenger train with - of course - the hoppers in tow.
jameshilton
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I wish I had a line big enough for some mallets! Lovely photos too Peter!
whatlep
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Today saw the first steps in the Zenda improvement project. Space in the upper level reversing loop will be used to provide a new post office storage/ sorting building, with secure transfer facilities to vans away from the public part of Zenda station. Extra 10mm ballast has been laid and initial positioning made to check that everything works.
There are loading platforms to go either side of the shed which will also contain the lighting controls for the whole station area as it's the most easily accessible part of the complex.
On the right hand siding - intended to be a loco/ railcar spur - another set of raised platforms will be positioned to enable drivers to access their trains.
The new building is a Piko kit and very large, esepcially in height compared to the existing station. Putting it well beyond the station buildings should help to reduce its "presence". See what you think...
There are major works planned for the station itself, with a myriad of lights to go on the platforms, lighting in the buildings themselves and lots of details to be added to make the place look less empty. Watch this space!
There are loading platforms to go either side of the shed which will also contain the lighting controls for the whole station area as it's the most easily accessible part of the complex.
On the right hand siding - intended to be a loco/ railcar spur - another set of raised platforms will be positioned to enable drivers to access their trains.
The new building is a Piko kit and very large, esepcially in height compared to the existing station. Putting it well beyond the station buildings should help to reduce its "presence". See what you think...
There are major works planned for the station itself, with a myriad of lights to go on the platforms, lighting in the buildings themselves and lots of details to be added to make the place look less empty. Watch this space!
jameshilton
Registered
Peter it's good to see the station getting a few more facilities, the building looks big but at home, and lighting sounds excellent in the station area. I'm surprised you couldn't source the 10mm ballast material locally from Rurutania's invisible quarries?
Cor blimey guv, the new postal building does look big don't it. There again, I suppose you'd expect that? It's the roof that doesn't quite work for me. I can understand the over-hang at the front over the loading bay, but is there a loading bay (for vehicles) at the rear too?