Hi all

You may have noticed that the last week has probably been rather damp underfoot. But last weekend, for a few glorious hours it wasnt too bad.

Our first proper run of the year (yes i know its april already!) saw us go down to swindon track, in coate water country park.

Each year they hold two 5 inch open days for just 5 inch gauge engines, we've been along to a few now, and each time taken a load of wagons. We meet up with a few mates from the area and have a bit of a run.

The track is about 7/8 km long, includes 3 road station, station by pass, diamond crossings and a balloon loop flyover sort of thing, as well as a small yard where we can shunt our wagons. three of us turned up this time, with another old friend from basingstoke bringing some more wagons.

While it wasnt as well populated as last year (we had 31 wagons and 4 coaches) with only 17 wagons, and three engines, it did provide us with many hours of entertainment!

It was also only the second run, and the first long distance run of my recently completed rail wagons. All the wagons performed faultlessly, which is rarity, with all the wheelsets having been replaced, we are now happy!

Yes i'm seeing double too. Unfortunately we spent most of the day trying to get a friends metrovick to work. Basically it been around the block a few time and done many amile and is a little tired. we recently fitted radio ncontrol to it, but that system didnt seem to be working, so we had bit of a fiddle, got it working, and it now runs again. however it is now sitting on our workshop floor awaiting a rewire, and some remedial work, but the last run or so of the day we double headed the two radio control engine at the head of a full train of wagons.

The other big thing goin on is the iminent completetion of the last two coaches.

The frames are now painted, battery boxes, vacum cylinders and dynamos are all on. As is all the drawgear.

Currently the last bits of the bogies are being painted or chemically blacked. unfortunately the damp weather has made much painting all but impossible, so has significantly delayed progress. This time last year we had got the last two running. but it wasnt raining then!

The biggest obstacle to taking them out down to a track open day next weekend down in bath is th trailer. Because we now have 5, we dont have enough space in the trailer to carry them, so we are havng to buiild a double stacking rack for them. the weather is hampering the build currently, but i thought i'd give you a few shots of the five together, just to illustrate the size.

Yes unfortunately that is my living room! Its 10-11metre long, from wall to conservatory door, and the coaches literally just fit in. The plan is to drive from the back by Radio control but really we canbarely see the front of the train from the back!

So, might get another post up later reveal the next project.

Cheers all, on this wet and windy afternoon.

Mark