Trains return to the EG&SNNR for 2010

[KentKeith]

Up unitil today have not run any trains on the EG&SNNR - could not be motivated into cleaning the track, checking all the fishplate screws .....and clearing up the mess around the terminus area:

What cheeses me off is that the leaves and pine needles don't come from my garden but the neighbouring gardens:crying:. Still, had to get to work and an hour later everything was tidied up ready for a train:

 

[Steve]

:wave:You cheated thats Battery power

 

[KentKeith]

Decided that it would be battery power so it was the Drewery diesel and a couple of Isle of Man Pairs Coaches that had the honour of running the first train in 2010, here seen on Daffodil Slope:

and later climbing up to the woods...

 

[KentKeith]

Soon afterwards the train got lost in the woods amongst the giant daffodils

...and once out of the woods it was onto the embankment fighting it's way through the unpruned box.....

 

[KentKeith]

:wave:You cheated thats Battery power

Hey, Kiddo, give me a chance....can only type with one finger here

 

[KentKeith]

Next the battery-powered diesel locomotive with sound and lights started the climb up the spirals

 

[Steve]

looking brilliant though

 

[muns]

totaly agree

 

[stockers]

Very good Keith. See you here Thursday.

 

[KentKeith]

Nearly there, grinding its way up the spirals. The planting is now maturing - all it needs now is for the track to be ballasted:wave:

 

[KentKeith]

...and the last pic....up on the top of the spirals posing on the big bridge - which has lost more of handrails during the winter:wits:

Thanks for the kind comments guys - think the railway is certainly maturing now - and is becoming part of the garden....

Looking forward to Thursday Alan - hope it's still dry and sunny by then

 

[bigjack]

:wave:You cheated thats Battery power

Your only jelous, I know that I am. I've had to spend 1 1/2 days tracking down faulty joints . If I'd have had battery power I'd have used it.

Nice pics Keith

 

[George]

brill piccies as always Keith

 

[garrymartin]

I was lucky after 26 days of lying snow I only needed to tighten 2 fish plate screws. I have the same problem with other's trees, but it's soon shifted , 20 mins here , half an hour there . Lovely pictures though.

 

[KentKeith]

Having spent an excellent afternoon running trains at Stockers on Thursday thought it was about time I got running (electric) trains here. Out came the track cleaning block and the fishplate screwdriver and, a couple of hours later, a train was gingerly making it's way round one of the tracks.

There were more than two fishplate screws to deal with - a lot more!! In addition found another three dodgy track connections which, in due time, will need to be dealt with. Maybe some track bonding is needed.....

Only one of the tracks was opened for service today. The original track running along the side fence is well and truly overgrown so it was decided to send out the Climax to offload a logging/maintenance crew to get rid of the bushes and reopen the track...

No sign of the loggers/maintenance crew - they must me looking for somewhere to set up camp....

 

[KentKeith]

After dropping off the loggers/maintenance crew it was time for the Climax to return to base...and was soon seen passing through another heavily wooded area:

....and later passing the redwoods

 

[KentKeith]

...and, before heading off to the loco depot, the Climax was last seen basking in the sun

 

[Nemo]

Nice photos Keith, you need to run more trains......

 

[stockers]

Looks great Keith. I do like those logging locos - full of character.

 

[KentKeith]

....and now for notice of a forthcoming line closure.....it is planned that the spirals section of the EG&SNNR will be closed for a few weeks starting in June....

When thissection of the line was built just over five years ago I thought the idea of a raised section of boarding would be a good feature and the possible site of Susch Station.....but it was not to be. The boards are in the sun from late morning to late afternoon and have become warped and uneven over the years which has affected the train running. Another problem, due to lack of planning, one of the tracks straddles two boards which, of course, have moved in different directions:wits:.

So, the decision has been taken to remove the boards and replace everything with aerated bricks so that the track will have a secure flat base. It's bit of a hassle but, in the long run, it will improve the trackbed....and improve running standards.

This work does not mean that the EG&SNNR will close down temporarily in it's entirety. The ground level avoiding line, seen on the left of the pic, will be brought into use. The only section that will be temporarily closed will be the spirals.....