The Laverstock Garden Bahn

[JimmyB]

Latest train update!

Despite a lack of updates, trains have run and things have happened,

The line has invested in its first electric loco, it’s a fantastic beast and looks amazing running round the garden,

I’ve also acquired the second set of iron ore wagons, which now fitted with metal give a very pleasing sound over the rail joints,

The full set of iron ore wagons just fits in some of the loops, so will need careful planning when in use as to where to stable them.


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Another issue that has become apparent is that running electric locos on a line not built for them is the clearance issue for the pantograph, but this will be fixed in due time with fishing wire


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Dan

Class 800, switch to the diesel engine

 

[a98087]

Latest update, it’s taken several weeks to due to interruptions but weather and Christmas but today saw the first test of the extended station loop,

Only one track is currently complete, as the earth works are quite finished, but trains can now run round the entire garden.

Just need the return the buildings to the correct homes when the storms finish

Dan

 

[a98087]

Latest update:

All this hot weather as seen the chance to run some trains,

Tested out the still unfinished quarry loader

And checking the levels for a possible future extension, considering having trains cross the bridge, then spiral down and under the bridge.
It’s seems possible gradient/space wise so need to start detailed plans and digging

Dan

 

[a98087]

A little bit of summertime running, and testing a loco part way through a repaint,

Also found a new photo location, so thought I’d try it,

Dan

 

[a98087]

Brief flurry of snow meant a chance for winter photos

Grabbed the first loco just to try and get a few pictures
Need more snow next time

 

[Paul M]

That's the sort of snow I can handle

 

[a98087]

Time for another snow update, we had some snow overnight which then promptly froze solid,

To enable trains to run had to scrape the railhead with a plastic rake liberated from the kids sandpit.

Points were either left alone or defrosted with warm water to allow movements.

The frozen snow did make for very bumpy running, but also good photos

Obviously due to snow, it made sense to choose a suitable Swiss loco

Here’s a short video as well

 

[dunnyrail]

Running with frozen snow always an issue, you did well to get any running at all. I guess you are track power? I had problems one year with live steam slipping like mad and getting nowhere on frozen snow despite a SloMo and being able to run at a slow speed.

 

[Gizzy]

Your line has certainly come on since I was there whilst I was on secondment to Middle Wallop....

 

[a98087]

Running with frozen snow always an issue, you did well to get any running at all. I guess you are track power? I had problems one year with live steam slipping like mad and getting nowhere on frozen snow despite a SloMo and being able to run at a slow speed.

I’m fully battery power, to run trains I had the scrape the railhead to get a smooth surface and defrost a few points to allow continuous running,

All shunting was with the “hand of god”

The choice of a big,heavy loco helped a lot, a stainz would have struggled massively on the gradients

Dan