Wgrg At The Taita Gorge Railway

[JRinTawa]

Another month and another Wellington Garden Railway Group running day ticked off. This month it was hosted by Gavin Sowry at his Taita Gorge Railway. Sorry to report it was a very limited turnout of members but what the heck, those that did had a darn good afternoon. Trains, sun, cake and good train based conversation all afternoon; now that's my kind of good time

Right, photos. First up a general view of the central part of the railway. The railway runs through the shed in the background and appears again for a reverse loop in the back garden. The shed contains storage roads.

A closer view of Taita Gorge station. Gavin's trains by the halt and Ben C's 7/8th's scale industrial diesel hauling Gav's rake of LGB skips and Ben's 7/8th's guards van passing through on the other road.

Lovely bit of modeling is Ben's 7/8th's work.

 

[JRinTawa]

Following Ben's train we enter cross over the junction onto Gav's original loop laid some 16 years ago.

Passed some logging activity and the wily old prospector.

And passed the old faithful 4 Square store.

Completing the loop at Taita Gorge.

 

[JRinTawa]

Of course there is a plus to not to many members turning up....I got an extended steaming with Manawanui (my loco). The first live steamer to run on the Taita Gorge Railway.

Such a pleasant warm afternoon there wasn't a lot of visible steam at times, but it was there!
This photo is looking towards the area of the garden, behind the planting, that contains the original loop.

And visible here. An hour in steam, great fun.

 

[JRinTawa]

A study of Taita Gorge station between trains.

After Manawanui it was my battery powered Climax's turn to amuse us.

I don't usually spend a lot of time photographing my own trains at running days but today was an exception.

Through the bush we go.

 

[The Tinker]

What are the logging disconnects?

 

[JRinTawa]

Gavin ran his track powered Climax as well.

Not sure which was in front, but this is my one running bunker first.

Mine again...

Gavin's again...

And to end my photo's from an excellent day, my one again.

A few other trains ran as well, including Thomas who was a bit camera shy today ;-)
Thanks Gav for a very relaxed and enjoyable afternoon, I'm looking forward to the next visit.

 

[JRinTawa]

What are the logging disconnects?

They are LGB ones with metal wheels added and given a bit of weathering. Not sure if they are still made sorry.

 

[stockers]

Brilliant photos - in the sunshine. Excellent - thanks
The wonderful simplicity of Taita Gorge station is enhanced significantly by the addition of the telegraph pole.In a busy environment it would be lost.

 

[owlpool]

What a lovely setting

 

[Martino]

Very nice John.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Thanks JR for the report, and thanks to others for the nice comments. I'll get my photos taken with my new camera up when my computer is fixed.......

 

[Gavin Sowry]

They are LGB ones with metal wheels added and given a bit of weathering. Not sure if they are still made sorry.

LGB 41770. How do I know? I too, have been searching for these literally all around the world, without success.

 

[dunnyrail]

Lovely Bush Railway atmosphere. Also very interesting to see 7/8 next to a 1:32 Diesel. Nicely shows the different flavours that we can have with our chosen Track Gauge. Great set of pics, as ever wish I could get to some of those Antipodean Open Days.
JonD

 

[Gavin Sowry]

What a lovely setting

...and to think it all started out as bare lawn (and weeds).

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Let's start with this little doozie. Ben's 7/8th's scale van.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

.....and the whole train.



OK, now back to getting all the settings right, I've had to manually resize these. New camera takes big photos.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

Visitors, doing what vistors do.



JR's Climax in action. This is the view from Shady Rest, my bench seat in the afternoon shade.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

A photographic challenge, deep shade, and bright sunshine. But, I think Ben's train is looking pretty neat.

 

[owlpool]

a rake of red tippers - looks good
we have one too - they sound right on the track also, I think

 

[Gavin Sowry]

a rake of red tippers - looks good
we have one too - they sound right on the track also, I think

Actually, Ben's loco and van, my LGB tipplers. I've put some link and pin couplers at the ends of the rake. That train will be star attraction on the Pine Valley during the Easter layout tours for the 2016 Model Railway Convention. That makes 3 of us that put our hands up to show garden railways for the weekend. 3 guesses.