Some pictures of my various garden railways, all now sadly deceased.

[dunnyrail]

Start out with my first ever garden railway in Selby circa 1972 to 1978. Mostly battery Powered, but I did have an Archangel Rheidel that was subsequently sold out of service. Here the venerable Triang Battery Loco takes the strain of the Goods Working. This line was 32mm Track Gauge.

These next pictures are of my line at Luton circa 1987 to 2000, there were many more steam locomotives here and I have upped the gauge to 45mm.

Some of the stock on the train still serves on my current line whilst a couple have been sold to the Ruschbahn (RB). They bear little resemblance to this condition on the RB as they have been repainted into standard RB Goods Grey. One of the coaches has been sold on to I know not who, probably viat the Bedfordshire Groups Sales Stand at Steam in Beds one year.

There have been 3 other lines that are now closed. A second line at Luton circa 1999 to 2000 (same Garden) and one in Hertford circa 1983 to 1987. The last was built in Wakefield circa 1978 to 1983, it never had any Track laid. But the rockeries are still all present just waiting for the track!
JonD

 

[C&S]

That's an interesting grey brake van, which looks as if it was based on a prototype - but I can't identify it. Looks a bit Welshpool plus a bit of Irish?..or......? Can you elaborate.please, and put me out of my misery!

 

[dunnyrail]

Giles, happy to oblige. The Brake Van is a scratch built Cork Blackrock and Passage Van. The prototype was subsequently transferred to the Tralee and Dingle. I was at one time building Irish bits at 15mm to the foot and this was one of those items.

I was very proud when the Brake was picked for a first in the Bedfordshire Group annual competition in the 90's by no other personality the Don Boreham. He used to be a regular visitor to our monthly meetings in those days before his sad demise.

Some of my Irish odds can be seen in the short soundless clip that I have added to utube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUv2FAvLrBQ


JonD

 

[Bredebahn]

I had the old Big Big train as well - rather good Mk2 coaches in blue and grey (with sliding doors - better than the real thing in that respect!) and a matching Hymek diesel. I can honestly say that the motor bogie (and the gearbox in particular - ha - two wheel drive if you were lucky!) on that Hymek was the poorest that I have ever experienced, rivalled only by cheap plastic Christmas tree toys. Not a bad body though (now wait for the comments)......

 

[Andy Worsfold]

Well I had the Ruston too and it got me here so I'm not complaining!

 

[Andy Worsfold]

And I did send mine crashing off the shelf it was running on into oblivion.......I was very sad that day....all because I'd set the reverse thingy incorrectly at the end of the line.

 

[dunnyrail]

I had the old Big Big train as well - rather good Mk2 coaches in blue and grey (with sliding doors - better than the real thing in that respect!) and a matching Hymek diesel. I can honestly say that the motor bogie (and the gearbox in particular - ha - two wheel drive if you were lucky!) on that Hymek was the poorest that I have ever experienced, rivalled only by cheap plastic Christmas tree toys. Not a bad body though (now wait for the comments)......

That little Ruston worked its socks off pulling Tippers with Real Granite Chip Loads in. I had a Hymec as well, I converted this to two motor bogies in the days when you could easily get spares. It did very well and both were working perfectly when I sold them out of service many years later.
JonD