Taita Gorge Railway

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8D A spot of evening Tram service on the Taita Gorge Railway.
 
Very nice.........
 
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Once again, the balloon loop at the rear of the train shed has provided donor trackage for 'better use'. The passing siding was lifted, it was too short to be of practical use. So, we are now going to have a larger crossing loop 'out front'.


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The Climax was in need of some TLC, one of the wheels worked loose... the screw and washer holding it to the axle had got themselves lost. I found some suitable replacements and got it going again, but it ran like a bucket of bolts. I checked the pickups, something dodgy there. Short story, the little ball bearing that fell out when I was doing the wheel job, is actually the pickup wiper, so I got all that sussed now. The afternoon backlit scene was too good a photo oportunity to pass up.

Three more lengths of flex track will see the extension job connected up.... the shop has run out of track at the moment.
 
:cool: Work continues. First time I have actually had to use a stringline to set out my railway. It is actually on the line of the 'home straight', and needed it to get the bend right on the non standard curve.

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Work has finished for the day, and the dump train heads off home.

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:impatient::impatient::impatient: Waiting on the Postman for more track. :wits::wits::wits:
 
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Business is picking up on the night service, note the extra passengers on board, and the 'new' electric light in the building. Nine at night, and still 20 deg C.
 
We bid on the Model T, and won. The seller said he could combine postage with any other purchase. My wife liked the Christmas Train...... this afternoon, Christmas came to Taita Gorge. :clap::clap:

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So, we now not only do beer cars, we are into Christmas as well. Thank goodness the extra track for the extension is in the post today. Model T, by the way, is Ertl, a collectors series, and now I know about these, I've got to get me one for the Minnesota Twins (went to one of their games at Target Field a few years ago).
 
A milestone event tonight, the new loop 'temporary' track has been completed, (kitset track arrived in the Post this afternoon) and the first trains run. Exciting times ahead. Shades of 1908 actually, when our own Main Trunk line had temporary track laid to get the Parliamentry Special through months before the line was properly completed.

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Not the best of photos, but, as they say....

Track will be removed for the proper formation to be laid. There will be a long crossing loop alongside this extension

'er indoors approves :love:
 
:bigsmile: OK, my approach to new trackage.... set out, and roughly level some support, then trial fit the track, cutting to suit. Run trains to make sure it all works, then take out the track to do the formation (relay the track after, of course.)

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Tell the truth, can't get down to the building supplies until the weekend, and I wanted to get the difficult double track set out and working. :thumbup:
 
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:clap: The embankment was finished today. I'll let it settle for a few weeks, then apply a final ballasting to line and level the trackwork, which works at the moment. I'm going to have to put in some rocks at the foot of the bank to prevent erosion... I believe we are expecting rain later this year, maybe.
 
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8| Getting there. New plantings are starting to make the scene more realistic. Oh, it rained yesterday :) but we still have an official drought, not allowed to water the garden even. Not far off an official opening now (that is guaranteed to bring rain!)
 


Getting ready for winter, just as the new loop plantings are starting to show some maturity. Supposed to rain tonight, still officially a drought here.

One thing I learned about lawn care when I was in America, was don't cut the grass too short. Traditionally, us colonials would lower the mower until it raised dust, then bring it back up a notch. First time back from visiting Uncle Sam, my lawns were well overgown (the mower had clapped out, good enough excuse for the kids not to mow them). I set too, mowing the lawn at a medium/high setting... eventually the yellow undergrowth turned green, again. I've maintained this rich thick setting ever since, and the lawn has survived the drought, staying green all summer, without watering. Another scourge of the barefoot garden railroader, is what is known here as Onehunga weed (a low creeping weed with nasty prickles). I've discovered that long grass chockes this stuff. Carefree days have returned!
 
Sprung has springed..., or something like that. Looks like Winter is now behind us (it will probably snow next week, now), and the last few weekends have seen a touch up to the railway for the Summer running season.



Taita Gorge Station has been 'moved' to the new crossing loop, and was brought into service today. The Ballast Train is due next weekend.

 
Excellent Gav, will it be ready for a WGRG running afternoon in November perhaps? Oh and a visit form the Round Robin Boxcar :bigsmile:
 
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