AndyR

I am in the middle of Norfolk, not sure anyone is that close. Id be up for doing visits but family/work mean most of my spare time is already accounted for!

Given the rather poor weather that has suddenly arrived, I am glad I spent some time in the garden last weekend! I still have the inner track out of commission, but with 2 weeks off work and no real time away should finally get some bonding started. I have to admit that I was rather puzzled with some of the running problems. Thomas the tank performed faultlessly where my usually reliable Class 25 struggled. nothing obvious but just didnt seem to have power. My pannier tack also seemed to struggle, but 'Toby' again seemed fine as did my Class 73. Anyway, enjoyed it for a bit. Class 73 with a short rake of NSE Mk 2s http://www.oogardenrailway.co.uk/gallery/image.php?album_id=25&image_id=2983' alt='URL>'> Pannier tank on freight duty. http://www.oogardenrailway.co.uk/gallery/image.php?album_id=25&image_id=2982' alt='URL>'> D5211 passes the signal box in the shade http://www.oogardenrailway.co.uk/gallery/image.php?album_id=25&image_id=2981' alt='URL>'> D5211 makes heavy work of a mixed freight. Not sure where the sun went! http://www.oogardenrailway.co.uk/gallery/image.php?album_id=25&image_id=2980' alt='URL>'>

I only have one DMU, my antique Lima 117. I didn't use to pay much attention to DMUs when I was younger, but was flicking through old photos I took at West Drayton in the early '90s and started feel all nostalgic. I may have to add to my collection. Would have to be rail blue or NSE! A bubblecar would be nice

I have not been on the forum much in recent months so catching up on developments and new layouts. Yours got my attention immediately as I grew up in North Hillingdon and spent a lot of time in Uxbridge. Your replica if the station looks great and all the pics give a great feel of what you have completed so far. I'll keep dropping in, looking forward to see how everything develops!

Well Mick, after quite some time without dropping in to see how everyone is doing on the site I must say Worsley Dale is looking stunning. As has been said elsewhere seeing any of the layouts progressing is great motivation for us all. I'm having a browse around the forum to catch up with all the developments. From the photos the double track bridge looks fine to me, but I know I'd be having the same internal dialogue on realigning the track! I particularly like the pic of the Class 26 and the DMU passing

No Griff, thankfully I can keep a handle on my emotions! Others I have seen are somewhat of an embarrassment.. I do get rather animated when following my team though, although I have toned down my language now my son comes to the games Re the railway, I think I have mentioned before my plans to extend down one side of the garden where I have a large leylandii hedge. I had shied away due to the need to remove the hedge but now my hand is being forced. The drainage soakaway has been blocked by the roots, that have actually grown all the way up the drainage pipe to the house. The work, apart from putting up a new fence should be covered by insurance. It's around 20-30 feet (need to measure) so would be a good extension. Would be a straight line with a loop at the end for continuous running, following the fence line. Would give the locos a chance to really stretch their legs. This has been dragging on since January, but if work starts soon I may be able to start laying track before the summer. Insurance cases are rather slow though.

Hi Griff, I am still here! Just not had much time to spend with the railway this year. Work has been way to busy and I have been doing a huge amount of traveling. I desperately want to get out and start running trains again, especially now the weather is good! The other complication is that my eldest son has just started playing in football (soccer) tournaments, which is great for a 6 year old. Does rather eat in to precious railway time though, especially when I only really have weekends 9get home from work at 19.45 most nights). I will see what this weekend brings and try and get things running, also need to catch up wit the meany new railways and members on the site!!

I'm not sure if it is warm enough over here for apricot trees, I dabble in the garden but am no expert! There are probably a few guys on here that are more green fingered than myself! I'll keep with my chillies in the greenhouse.

Thanks Griff, I do get a lot of moss growing around the railway as it is sheltered so there is a nice natural element to the railway. The lighting will change as I have new fencing arriving today. I was planing to remove the plumb tree at the top end of the layout. I should have kept the height down, can't take it all down but have removed all of the lower branches so should allow more sunlight!

I love seeing the evolution of all of the railways, I can visualise double track running through the scenery. I have just one set of point on my inner track, still not got around to adding the sidings. Maybe this year!

Thanks for the cleaning tip Mick, I'll give that a try. My usual method is track rubber followed by damp cloth. The inner track has dead sections where despite sliding the joiners backwards and forwards gets a brief spark of life but not much more. I was sure I'd had posted a few videos showing the full circuit, maybe not! I'll get one posted from a distance showing the whole layout. The look of the railway will be changing at the top end, where the slate chippings are as the old fence is down, new one arrives Thursday. Will look a bit lighter, especially if I remove the plumb tree!

The landscaping is starting to look very impressive Mick, I especially like the look of the log rolls. I'd agree that with a tunnel mouth in place it really will look the part. Can't wait to see the next updates!

Admittedly it has been quite some time since I posted anything, but given the good weather and a week off work I thought it was time I got things running again. For some time I have been looking at my Lima Class 117 DMU sat in a box, for some reason I had convinced myself it did not work. Well, after a spot of oil and a quick push I was pleasantly surprised. Pretty much faultless running, but seriously noisy! My Bachmann 37 also had a run out, again faultlessly. The same can not be said for the inner track. If time permits after fencing and painting this week I need to get bonding. After over two years it is clear the rail joiners are no longer sufficient, although the outer track is still good enough. I also need to replace a few poorly laid sections of track. One section in particular has always had a join on the bend withe a larger than sensible gap between sections Class 117 DMU Makes it's debut on the Hazelnut Railway http://www.oogardenrailway.co.uk/gallery/image.php?album_id=25&image_id=2398' alt='URL>'> Class 117 DMU in Concrete Canyon http://www.oogardenrailway.co.uk/gallery/image.php?album_id=25&image_id=2397' alt='URL>'> 0Ijt_wqU_xY 37415 poses in the sun. http://www.oogardenrailway.co.uk/gallery/image.php?album_id=25&image_id=2395' alt='URL>'> 37415 pauses in concrete canyon light engine. http://www.oogardenrailway.co.uk/gallery/image.php?album_id=25&image_id=2396' alt='URL>'> 37415 rounds the curve heading in to concrete canyon. http://www.oogardenrailway.co.uk/gallery/image.php?album_id=25&image_id=2399' alt='URL>'> o76HUbLIOJU

Welcome to the forum. Stunning landscaping around the track, I especially love the tunnels. What did you use to construct them? I don't have any on my railway, but if I ever get around to my extension there is some scope for one. Andy.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Ian. I managed to avoid any damage at all to both the railway and property in general.

Sounds like you have had a rough time of it Brian, welcome back! Hopefully the various natterings on here will keep you distracted enough to keep on a recovery path. I have no such excuse for my lack of time on the forum, I will get some pics up at some point!

Also a few days late as ever, but I hope the positive attitude helps you make a recovery! As you don't have the ability to actually get anything done on the railway, maybe some idle dreaming of enhancements

Oh the intrigue... Hopefully negotiating £1000 of vouchers for all forum users

Thanks, rather as I suspected but had to ask! I'll start saving the pennies again. The detailing is superb, and I guess I have been lucky that I have not had any major derailments with the new stuff. I think if I had a repeat of where my Lima 31 took a dive in to the undergrowth it would be a bit more damaging! Strangely the best performing Lima loco is the oldest, my Prairie tank that is the best part of 35 years old!

A impulse buy at the model shop, Bachmann Class 37 37415. Runs like an absolute dream, which is a bit of a dilemma. All my Lima locos run like dogs most of the time, struggling to run consistently on the track. Al my new locos, not surprisingly run very well even on uncleaned track to a point. No way I am getting rid of them, but getting less inclined to run them. Makes me want to spend way to much cash on renewing the fleet. I know the old stuff has poor pick ups, not as heavy etc but any tips..?

Looking at the forecast for the weekend, I may just get some more time with the railway. I have a shopping trip in the morning, may have to wander past the model shop and see if there are any goodies lurking there! I had d good running session last weekend, once I sorted a few niggles with the track. It would appear the time to consider some bonding may be drawing near. I had a few dead sections, resolved after a while of sliding some rail joiners about. If I do bite the bonding bullet, are there any other considerations as the outside of the track is rather tarnished now after a few years in the elements. I am guessing cleaning would be a start! I need to have a look at sizing my photos, the new camera creates images just over 3 meg so too big to upload. May have to revert to the old one for a bit

Well Mick, I can also see your vision. Cant's wait to see the progress and the completed reality! Good work so far

Very impressed Mick. I love ponds and have a sizeable one in my garden, thankfully built by the previous owners! I have never had problems with Herons, possibly as it is close to the house. I see from it's position you were not tempted to build the railway around or over it Are you lining it with a liner or just concrete?

I do need to make more of an effort to check the latest developments on the forum! What I have just seen over the last few pages is just nuts! Seriously impressed withe those feats of engineering. Gets me looking at ways to extend my layout, but did get a grilling from my wife when I had the tape measure out. Quickly followed by some cutting remarks on the lack of gardening and too much time spent on railways

Thanks Brian, I know what you mean by glitches. I had a few derailments, but eventually got things running without incident. One near miss where the King left half the train behind and nearly ran in to the back. I should pay more attention!