LNERGE

Elsewhere on the line all fishplate bonds are checked and replaced as necessary. Ballasting has progressed well and the sun has baked it on nicely. Large scale embankment works have been completed and all drainage channels cleared. There are four electric points and these were made to work again. Buffer stop and switch stand lamps are next.

There have been some delays in the construction of the swing bridge. Unfortunately the bridge construction engineer works for other railways and hasn’t had time to make progress. Having been taken to task about this by the operating department and the management the decision was made to forge a temporary diversion route via two sidings and a temporary trestle. The construction team assembled this morning and by late afternoon the technical department were adding bonds round the fishplates. There are still two bridges that need repairs before the return loop becomes useable but significant progress was made today. The test loco made over the new temporary trestle and to the far end of the reverse loop. The track there is dead and several defective bonds have been noted. The next session should see continuous running restored.

A curved ball from the operating department today. (The kids) One particular LGB caboose type thing was a very close fit on the bridge. Additional clearance required. Two extra strips added. The trusses will be refitted soon.

Using untreated wood so hopefully the goldfish, newts, frogs, dragonfly larvae and every other critter that decided to make it home in there are not offended.

All very much by rule of thumb but I think it’s going to work. The bridge bolts driven in.. The pointed ends will raise the bridge off its centre bearing when they are pushed in. Alignment should be reasonably good each time. Only trying to make it fit in two places is easier than three. Bridge overview showing progress..

The early stages of the swing span with the derelict fixed span it will replace

Each year that passes more and more work needs to be done to bring the line back to life. A section of the line is now completely out of use due to the condition of the timber trestle bridges over the pond. In a rare initiative funding for their replacement has been agreed with ‘The Management’ subject to various environmental concerns. (the pile of free wood is treated so untreated wood will need to be purchased) (we can’t upset the newts). The loco fleet has diminished over the years too. One loco is completely worn out. Two others have decoder issues. What is the cheapest decoder available nowadays to work with the LGB multi train system?

Note the connecting line. This had facing point locks and was for for passenger train use. This was a wartime thing and linked the Enfields with Palace Gates and Seven Sisters.

An evening spent in the signalbox with the stove going getting rid of rotten O gauge sleepers. The pins are proving troublesome to get out. The chairs are a bit fragile too. Some progress but I’ve got to find a better way of getting the pins out.

I’ve always been fascinated by coarse scale 7mm railways I’ve seen on my travels. I used to visit one in Hitchin in the very late 70’s/early 80’s but I have never found any pictures. My parents bought my a book around that time that featured 7mm course scale and the evidence is still present today which pages were revisited frequently. The situation wasn’t helped by visiting a railway in Rugby. I’m sure it was here trains were signalled with a mixture of real and homemade block instruments with bells. (this is something I can do methinks) I already model in OO, G in the garden and 12 inch to the foot at work so there was simply no chance of me scratching the coarse scale 7mm itch with the available funds. Then I was given around 150 feet of track. This was followed by other donations and the occasional frivolous eBay purchase. Last week two substantial Bassett Lowke motor bogies found their way to me. Now I have track and the means to make something move. I’m not rushing ahead yet but I want to plan ahead. Space is allocated for a railway. Things need to be acquired to enable construction to start. The first thing that springs to mind are conductor rail chairs like this one.. Does anyone still make these? My initial thought was to use ordinary chairs with a wooden packer beneath but these look far superior. The dream of a sparky non dcc railway stands a good chance of coming true.

I’ve replaced the pickups on several of my Heljan locos with 0.33 nickel silver wire. This has made a massive improvement. The biggest improvement was with a 26 with the old style wheels. I still need to clean the wheels now n then. It’s all quite realistic having watched a twelve inch to a foot class 47 disappear on a track circuit the other day. Three months of no traffic and there was enough rust to stop the track circuit being shorted out. Second pass was ok as was all subsequent passes.

What controls the signalling?

For some reason one of my decoders has decided to change its address. It works fine from the phone but switching to dcc mode it can’t be driven but I can turn on the sounds etc. It is allocated address 1. It drives on address 16 along with another loco. edit. Sorted now. The consist address had become 16. I don’t know how because I have only been controlling it via dcc. I haven’t opened the ap on the phone for ages.

It would be a shame for them to last as long as they have and not get saved.

The picture was taken at Ilford

It was at the time. No idea where it is now.

Been looking for these.. finally found them..

Didn’t the line reopen in one direction just after closing?

I think that is based on something in the NE Region?

I have made various grade emery boards so that is an option.

To overcome how thick the deck will look I propose to represent sides similar to a Lowfit. The problem is I can’t find a picture of one like that being used as a runner. I’m sure one of Ian Allen combined volumes had a vague shot of one at Ely but I can’t find the right one yet.