Taita Gorge Railway visit by the WGRG

[JRinTawa]

<p>The Wellington Garden Railway Group paid a visit on Tuesday evening (3rd Nov 09) to Gavin S's Taita Gorge Railway. The original loop now some 6 years old,</p><p><img width="720" height="540" border="0" alt=" " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L6hhgdwZxd0/SvEhpkUB6AI/AAAAAAAADfs/jXBxZA4XgHc/s720/IMG_2619.JPG" /></p><p>But things are not stay static, there have been lots of changes, like a this new siding where Gavin's Porter loco and side tip wagons rest awaiting more work.</p><p><img width="720" height="540" border="0" alt=" " src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L6hhgdwZxd0/SvEhlPtJnlI/AAAAAAAADfg/r7GnumpZ2kQ/s720/IMG_2617.JPG" /></p><p> </p><p>Lots of nice buildings too, like the Four Square store</p><p><img width="720" height="540" border="0" alt=" " src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_L6hhgdwZxd0/SvEhi5i77BI/AAAAAAAADfc/QS14tU9Lx3A/s720/IMG_2616.JPG" />
</p>

 

[JRinTawa]

<p>At the far end of the railway there is an extension and new reverse loop, Murray C's 218 giving it a test...</p><p><img width="720" height="540" border="0" alt=" " src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L6hhgdwZxd0/SvEhru6nCxI/AAAAAAAADfw/1zlmJd0DIKI/s720/IMG_2620.JPG" /></p><p> </p><p>And every good logging railway deserves a Climax (loco) and now Gavin has one of his own. :applause: </p><p><img width="720" height="540" border="0" alt=" " src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L6hhgdwZxd0/SvEhtfQs_LI/AAAAAAAADf0/vJ_ec0CLDlU/s720/IMG_2621.JPG" /></p><p> </p>

 

[JRinTawa]

<p>My Bush Jigger was visiting too...</p><p><img width="720" height="540" border="0" alt=" " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L6hhgdwZxd0/SvEhvguBTtI/AAAAAAAADf4/tQZ4KGzzXWE/s720/IMG_2622.JPG" /></p><p> </p><p>There were a few other visiting locos/trains but it got a bit dark for good piccies</p><p><img width="720" height="540" border="0" alt=" " src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L6hhgdwZxd0/SvEhxI7A7uI/AAAAAAAADf8/qtN4CTwhJ24/s720/IMG_2623.JPG" /></p><p> </p><p>Thanks Gavin it was a very enjoyable evening </p><p> <img width="720" height="540" border="0" alt=" " src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L6hhgdwZxd0/SvEhnM4Nz6I/AAAAAAAADfk/jVpNg5N14uw/s720/IMG_2618.JPG" /></p>

 

[Gavin Sowry]

:applause: Yes indeed, a good night had by all. I was too busy running trains to take any photos of the visiting stock. The original loop is actually 10 years old, I have been hosting this event annually for the last 6 years. ....... Must do a Sunday session sometime.

 

[Richie]

Great looking pics :applause: Love the landscaping and pruned conifers

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Stainzmeister - 5/11/2009 9:29 AM

I "need" to see the black steam loco behind the rock please John..........

:timeout: Same one as in photo 2.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Richie - 5/11/2009 9:24 AM

Great looking pics :applause: Love the landscaping and pruned conifers

:bighug: Thanks. 10 years growth, with ruthless pruning... :thinking: if it gets in the way of running trains, then it gets cut back. If it then dies (which hardly any have), then it probably didn't belong, and gets thrown away. :thumbdown:

 

[JRinTawa]

<p>

Stainzmeister - 4/11/2009 9:29 AM I "need" to see the black steam loco behind the rock please John..........

</p><p> </p><p>It's Gavin's Bachmann Porter saddle tank loco, sorry apart from phot0 2 as Gavin said I don't have a piccie of it.</p><p>But I do have one of the box that the one that become the Dubs A came in
</p><p> </p>

 

[stevedenver]

lovely shot of the 218-

 

[Gavin Sowry]

stevedenver - 6/11/2009 4:41 AM

lovely shot of the 218-

Tell JR that....it runs on battery, and had an unfortunate sideswipe with his Climax (running on track power). :wits:

 

[Gavin Sowry]

:bighug: Following the visit last week, I've started on converting my Climax, from box standard, to a representation of #1650 that ran in NZ. The white lining and number from the bunker has been removed (using the turps method), the front pin coupler made to work, the knuckle coupler is now in the spares box. The roof mounted headlight is off, and waiting repositioning on the rear of the bunker.

<a href="http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r192/Gavin_Sowry/?action=view¤t=1650.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r192/Gavin_Sowry/1650.jpg" border="0" alt="1650"></a>

Main thing now is some decals for the road number.

Bought the Engineer the other week at Rail-Ex... 'Would you like a locomotive to go with your Engineer? :thinking:

 

[Gavin Sowry]

:bighug: Spring has sprung...

<a href="http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r192/Gavin_Sowry/?action=view¤t=2009_11220008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r192/Gavin_Sowry/2009_11220008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Got a bit sick and tired of getting poked by tree branches on the Taita Gorge extension, so I did some ruthless pruning. :timeout: this has actually improved visability on the railway. :applause:

<a href="http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r192/Gavin_Sowry/?action=view¤t=2009_12050016.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r192/Gavin_Sowry/2009_12050016.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

1650 cooling off in the shade this afternoon. You like ?

 

[corgi]

I feel absolutely cheated. I cant open any of the pics.

!694 is supposed to be the last one built.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Hi Gavin,
Guess your probably aware that we have Climax 1694 here on the Puffing billy line, did your 1650 have a diamond stack,
Grant.

1650, as far as I can tell from all the photos I've seen, always had a straight funnel, slightly fatter than that actually on the Bachmann model. I have a bit of 1694 on a video I bought, nice engine. Last time I was at Puffing Billy, I nearly bought 1694's builders plate (or was it a replica?), but it was too heavy to bring back on the plane.