Taita Gorge Railway

[Gavin Sowry]

:-\ Already ancient history..... the temporary trackage (kindly loaned by JR) has presented a slight need for an extension. The dock at Taita Gorge east end, was in reality 6" too short, as when I stabled two Spectrum Jackson Sharp coaches there, one of the cars was sufficiently on the curve just enough to make the scene a tad ugly. So, the station building, and solid foundation went west, by 6 inches.

 

[mbiff]

very nice

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Years ago, the Easter holiday period used to be the busiest for train travel (in NZ at least). In keeping with the Easter spirit, the Taita Gorge Railway ran a passenger service today that even had a connecting railtruck service to places remote and rustic.

Here's the Express, arriving at Taita Gorge, in the evening sun, with the Railtruck on the newly extended dock road.



Indeed, 40 years ago this Easter, I availed myself of a trip back to Hamilton (where I was temporarily stationed) on a very long (19 car) Express.

Yesterday, the return loop at the western end was wired back up, making for interesting operation, and flexibility too, especially since the TE responds so well. Despite all the mod cons and fancy electronic gizmos available, I rely solely on the good ol' DPDT switch.... it works, there is no voltage drop, the only con, train has to stop at some point within the loop.... but it has too, the driver has to get out to throw the turnout (prototypically).

 

[KandNWLR]

Glad to see that some trains ran at Easter. Looking forward to the next pics

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Glad to see that some trains ran at Easter. Looking forward to the next pics

Easter, well every second one, is traditionally time for the NZ Model Railway Convention. This year it was in Hamilton. I gave it a miss, and apparently, it rained all weekend up there, while it was splendidly fine in the Capital. Highlight of the Convention, was a soldering demonstration..... directly under a smoke detector. Needless to say, the Te Rapa Racecourse was evacuated, and the NZ Fire Service attended, in force.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

A spot of self indulgence, for my 500th post...



.... back where it all began.

 

[KandNWLR]

Happy Birthday and many more. Keep up the great work. I love it.

And looking good

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Winter, has arrived. So, tonight, I started additions inside the train shed. I've taken up the short backshunt on track 3, and replaced it with 3 x R1 curves, and will head off down the end wall, giving a more useable length for storage. Postman is in possession of my latest purchase of track, so, hopefully, he has a tail wind as he peddles from up Auckland way down to Middle Earth.

 

[KandNWLR]

Winter, has arrived. So, tonight, I started additions inside the train shed. I've taken up the short backshunt on track 3, and replaced it with 3 x R1 curves, and will head off down the end wall, giving a more useable length for storage. Postman is in possession of my latest purchase of track, so, hopefully, he has a tail wind as he peddles from up Auckland way down to Middle Earth.

Looking out of the window, I shouldn´t be surprised if winter has also arrived here too. :-[

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Looking out my window at work.... Mt Victoria, St Gerard's Monestry, and Oriental Bay all bathed in sunshine, and the windsock on the wharf is limp. Think I'll go home, and play trains. Only 6 weeks before the days start getting longer, rather than shorter.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

This weekend, Mrs Mountbatten is having a birthday, and has graciously agreed to let our government declare a holiday to mark the occasion. Simultaneously, some weather researchers have proved that the climate in our capital city does not live up to its poor reputation...... so, 3 days of fine, if cool, days ahead. Needless to say, work on the garden railway is in order, even if it is only 3 weeks to the shortest day. Today, I wired up the new siding out back on the balloon loop.... it works. The Climax has been dawdling around all day. The low winter sun is not condusive to photography, until just on stumps when for a brief 2mins and 38 seconds, I could capture the moment, and mood.



I see JR has been active too, must pop over to his post, and see what's happening t'other side of hill.

 

[KandNWLR]

Glad to see that someone gets some time to play trains. It´s a public holiday weekend here in France too - but not for Mrs Mountbatten´s birthday ....

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Them weather fellas are getting a bit carried away.... TV weather bulletin tonight has us down for fine sunny days for the next 5 of them. She said something about 'the first day of winter". More trains tomorrow, if I can get away with it

 

[JRinTawa]

Yep Gav, it's definitely train running weather this weekend

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Yep Gav, it's definitely train running weather this weekend

Indeed so.... and another day with trains running (while doing a few chores). Let's drink to the health of Her Majesty (hope she likes Coors). The beer train today, coming out of the shadows today, the second day of winter.



Cheers Ma'am.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Today, the days started getting longer, meaning I've more time to work on the garden railway. The local garden centre didn't have any crushed lime in baglots, and I didn't need a trailer load. So, I marked time. Yesterday, working at my grandkids school, doing one of those TV type garden makeovers (the TV stars were there, but it wasn't televised), we ended up with surplus materials, some of which the teacher donated to a worthy cause, namely, the Taita Gorge Railway (it should make some good roads for you, he said).

I started by adding a platform area at Taita Gorge.



No more broken ankles for the passengers boarding and alighting the express at Taita Gorge.... just muddy feet



In real life, this stuff is the quickest way to fill up the tread, and ruin a pair of Reebocks, when it is wet.

 

[JRinTawa]

Grows moss well too on the shady H&MGR

 

[KandNWLR]

Good to see that you can run to a platform now Elf-n-safety will be pleased

 

[Gavin Sowry]

8) Beaut fine and mild day in mid winter Middle Earth today, so a bit of maintenance, and road works. The old 'concrete' road has been dug up, and replaced with a new dirt road.

Here's a new angle view, looking down Main St, with the Porter approaching the crossing.




... a wee while later, the Railtruck scoots by. The fellow in the Dodgers van can sure yak.... he's been there all day. :

 

[trammayo]

Looks good - the hydrant's a nice touch too. How did you make your new "old" road? I was just wondering if the rain would have a deletrious effect on it.