Taita Gorge Railway

Gavin Sowry said:


Extract from the Taita Gorge Garden Rail Working Timetable (Dated 23 Sept 2014)

Petticoat Junction

Signalling

A signal, numbered 990, has been installed on the Reverse Loop at Petticoat Junction.
This signal is for the assistance of Eastbound trains running on the Reverse Loop, and will indicate the polarity setting for trains entering the Mainline.
When a Danger, Stop (Red) indication is showing, the Mainline polarity for Eastbound trains is incorrectly set. Trains must NOT pass this signal at Red.
A Clear, Proceed (Green) indication will show that polarity is correctly set, and trains may pass in accordance with operating procedures.
This signal will NOT be lit when there are no trains running under track power.

I need to get a smaller red bulb (that one was the only replacement I could find at the time).
The signal runs off track power, and uses two diodes to set the correct indication
Click to expand...

Dark territory now.... the return loop crossover was removed last night.
Since I had removed its opposite on the Outback section, I found it wasn't getting any use. Besides, the points were always jambing up with pine needles, and was getting a spot of bother with electrical continuity.
Turnouts have been cleaned up (garden hose!) and put into stock for 'further use', along with the signal. Massive cost savings too, I was having to replace the DPDT switch, at the grand sum of $NZ5.00 every 5 years due to rust.
 
Gavin Sowry said:
Dark territory now.... the return loop crossover was removed last night.
Since I had removed its opposite on the Outback section, I found it wasn't getting any use. Besides, the points were always jambing up with pine needles, and was getting a spot of bother with electrical continuity.
Turnouts have been cleaned up (garden hose!) and put into stock for 'further use', along with the signal. Massive cost savings too, I was having to replace the DPDT switch, at the grand sum of $NZ5.00 every 5 years due to rust.
Click to expand...
$NZ5.00 every 5 years, that must be breaking the bank ;)
 
Hello Cyberspace, welcome to my world of garden railways. I hope this has given you some help and inspiration.
 
'Can you look after G7 while I take G5 to Gymnastics?'
No worries.
He turns up, bolts straight from the car to the train shed.. Goo Goo, goo goo. That's 18 month old talk for 'Grandad, I want the trains to run'

I duly obliged.
 
Must be nearly Summer...... TGR has been running all day, in fact still running as the sun sets, waiting to see the firebox glow in my Climax :)
 
DSC_0046 (1).JPG

Christmas (what, again) 2024 this time. G7 wanted to see the Santa train going. Small problem, the motor is worn out, and been taken out.... so Grandad had a cunning plan, tow the train with my diesel critter. So, bits and pieces get tidied up, and couplers 'fixed'. Time for a trial run, last thing Christmas eve..... no go. Here we go again on the fault finding path. TE wasn't responding, so it was an 'oh oh' moment. Now, when I wired the TE system up, I installed a 10 amp circuit breaker on the panel so as to save on TE fuses should they blow (they do). However, it is very rare for the CB to trip, as the computer power supply I use has a built in thermal set up, and a quick off/on usually resets things. So, I reset the CB, but she blew again. Time to check the loco. Turns out I'd reassembled one of the tender trucks wrong way around, thus causing a short. All fixed, and all 7 Grandees enjoyed watching the Santa Train, but I do think they actually came for Grandma's delicious Christmas Dinner.

Merry Christmas all.
 
Gavin Sowry said:
View attachment 336542

Christmas (what, again) 2024 this time. G7 wanted to see the Santa train going. Small problem, the motor is worn out, and been taken out.... so Grandad had a cunning plan, tow the train with my diesel critter. So, bits and pieces get tidied up, and couplers 'fixed'. Time for a trial run, last thing Christmas eve..... no go. Here we go again on the fault finding path. TE wasn't responding, so it was an 'oh oh' moment. Now, when I wired the TE system up, I installed a 10 amp circuit breaker on the panel so as to save on TE fuses should they blow (they do). However, it is very rare for the CB to trip, as the computer power supply I use has a built in thermal set up, and a quick off/on usually resets things. So, I reset the CB, but she blew again. Time to check the loco. Turns out I'd reassembled one of the tender trucks wrong way around, thus causing a short. All fixed, and all 7 Grandees enjoyed watching the Santa Train, but I do think they actually came for Grandma's delicious Christmas Dinner.

Merry Christmas
Click to expand...
Gavin, it is nice to see the railway still in operation.
 
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