Wellington Garden Railway Group at Tawa

[Gavin Sowry]

Climax of the afternoon was the opening event.... 3 Climaxes in action on JR's railway. We also had a guest, one Paul Mahoney, New Zealand's foremost authority on Bush Tramways.

Later, the live steam boys impressed the rest of us.

If I was hesitant about live steam before, I'm not now....... Ruby, where are you :love:
JR will no doubt post more shots after diner. Mine's done and dusted, courtesy of the Colonel.

 

[JRinTawa]

Thanks Gav, bit later posting than after tea - I was worn out by the time we finished running trains at after 6pm as darkness feel!
So my pictures etc: -
Sunday 15th April 2012 the Wellington Garden Railway Cub visit our H&M Garden Railway. Perfect fun for an Autumn Sunday.

The day started with triplet Climaxes as Gav noted. Here posing at Kakariki station.

Gavin S's Climax to the right, Chris D's centre in the loop and mine to the left on the future sawmill siding.

As it says on the cab - Climax!

 

[JRinTawa]

Trains parked up at Punga Cliffs during the afternoon.

Gavin's Climax hauling his wife's beer train - we believe you Gavin, really.

And pulling into Punga Cliffs.

Brian C's Stainz on his scratch built weed spray train. My Jonny in the siding at Punga Cliffs.

 

[JRinTawa]

My new Accucraft Leader live steamer resting after a half hour or so's run. Sorry no photos in action - to busy driving it!

Chris D's Accucraft Forney also at rest after steaming. We ran at the same time, yep two in steam concurrently, hence why so busy driving!

Kakariki was the focus of viewing. Brian R's Corpet coming downhill (in the bushes).

Hmm better start my own railway thinks Phil.
And the gathered members of the WGRG behind Phil who I hope enjoyed the day. I certainly enjoyed their company.

 

[Bredebahn]

Lovely pictures of a lovely railway there.

 

[matthew]

How do you go about cleaning your track John, especially running really small engines, you seem to have lots of hard to reach places.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

How do you go about cleaning your track John, especially running really small engines, you seem to have lots of hard to reach places.

8| Cleaning track? Please, what language are you speaking... I run LGB 4 wheel locos, without skates, and never clean my track, and, I use track power. The odd drop of 3 in 1, or WD-40 works for me .

 

[JRinTawa]

How do you go about cleaning your track John, especially running really small engines, you seem to have lots of hard to reach places.

Ah well Matthew, my approach is a little different to Gav, he doesn't have the fun with plant debris, nectar and outfall from birds I have, so track cleaning, when using track power is needed at the H&MGR. Though now most of our small stock is battery powered as I couldn't maintain suitable slow speed operation especially on our LGB field railway loco's. But as far as track cleaning goes very occasionally a LGB track cleaning block is used, the last time some 6 months ago. However most times I run, which is on average once a week, even if using battery powered stock, I go round the track and whip it down with a damp thin sponge cloth wrapped around a block of timber. This works well to clear debris, sticky stuff and bird outfall, and that seems to be enough for most times. Also all of our rolling stock has metal wheels and this does help with maintaining the track surface. An odd thing though, contrary to what a lot of folks find, is that since operating live steam in amongst our battery and track powered stock I've found it our track powered stock has run better. Perhaps it's getting that odd drop of oil Gav gives his tracks. Like so much in life and this hobby there is no one silver bullet answer to track cleaning etc as each railway's enviroment, and usage throw up different problems to overcome.

Oh and as for hard to reach places, I have a few cunning places I can walk along with care for servicing, though some stretching and bending is required - helps keep my boyishly good looking frame in shape (parts of that statement are not true :thumbdown: )

Phew, hope that is a touch helpful

 

[matthew]

Yes it's interesting John how much it varies, it only really started to happen this year, but we can give the track a thorough clean with the LGB block one day, and the next day it has become filthy again, more so than it did through the entire of last winter... part of the reason for delving in the battery / R/C area ourselves.