Steve Purves

Left hand side inside the cab

I've heard this a few times and it's not exactly accurate. Since Colin left there have been many new models released, 40, 31, C class, 8F, 319, Birdcage Coaches, Mk2f, Thompsons, and that's not mentioning the numerous wagons, plus the 90 and 158 that are imminent and stuff that is being worked on behind closed doors. The Farish range was a Bachmann product - produced by the team, not a Colin Albright product. Steve

Apart from everything already mentioned, what have the Romans ever done for us?

Certainly was... Tested at Old Dalby (a few miles from me)

Not just Austerities that carried 50 names but the LNER J94s proper were numbered 68006 upwards, quite a few tally up with named class 68s reusing 50 names, 68007, 68016, 68023, 68025 and 68029 I think...

As the data panels were added prior to TOPS numbering but after the introduction of corporate blue, they included the background in blue - seamless when applied to a recently painted blue loco but when applied to green locos they would look a little unusual! Its correct for period! Steve

E4? I'd say it was medium sized?

Thanks for all the comments and it's great to feel welcome. I must point out however that the 37 and 47 are not my work, they are attributable to Kevin and the team. I lead on models such as the 90, 158, Crane, 1P, 94xx, 812, V2, Dance hall, warflat, Bulleid coaches and the narrow gauge range amongst many others.

Not a clue? 🤣

History: The Bridgton and Saco River Railroad is one of the legendary 2-foot gauge lines in Maine, USA. Their number 7 (a 1913 built 2-4-4 Baldwin) was at the time the largest engine on their stock – only to be surpassed with Number 8 being delivered by Baldwin in 1924. The real number 7 worked until the very end of the line and its closure before being sold to the Edaville Railroad (maintaining its number 7) – here it ran until closure in 1992. Number 7 now resides at the Portland Narrow Gauge Museum and has been returned to steam. The Model: In 1977, engineer Don Young (a student of Doncaster) penned a build series for the American Live Steam Magazine describing the construction of what he called ‘Lucky 7’. The series was spread over 36 parts and described the loco he had designed based on the real Edaville 7. The design was primarily to produce a locomotive in 3.5” gauge as a realistic rendition of the prototype – this made quite a large locomotive for the gauge. There was also an option to build the loco to run on 7.25”/7.5” gauge by moving the wheels outside of the frames – This making a small loco for the gauge. Both had been built in good numbers and can be seen across the world in various conditions. Don at the time included a second set of measurements alongside his drawings – This was to build what he termed his ‘Maxi 7’ true scale model with outside frames (as per the original 3.5” version) but scaled up to run on 7.5”/7.25”. A formidable beast if ever there was one but sadly the geometry doesn’t scale well. A 2-4-4 of this size would travers a minimum of 140ft radius amongst other things. A few were built to the design but most that did get finished (still not many) were completed as a 2-4-2 Tender Loco, this is how I am planning on completing this one. Just a few stats for you to give you an idea… Length – 175 Inches Width – 28 Inches Height – 45 Inches Wheel diameter – 11.5 Inches Boiler diameter – 14 Inches Cylinder Diameter - 4 Inches This Model: This was started as a project many years ago by a chap in Cornwall. Apparently, a bit of a magpie, he bought and started engines but didn’t finish many (including an embryonic 10.25-gauge Rhodesian Hunslet ‘Hans Sauer’ which is also now in my possession). Upon the his death, the family sold his shiny engines from the workshop but anything no finished was moved out of the way – literally – they were placed outside! Years pass and I come on to the scene, a chance find and a round trip to Cornwall to fill a van full of parts leaves me with what you see in front of you here. As and when time permits, I’ve been sorting through the 4 boxes of parts that came with the loco. 3 of them are not relevant to this but there is a quantity of motion work and other small parts that have been made for the loco. All have suffered since storage but at least we have them – some parts pictured below And finally, as a taste of what’s to come. A finished version named Megan (the completed loco pictured earlier)

Of note, the layout was Steve Purves' not Peters

I used to maintain this fleet of wagons during the early 2000s. it will be hard to resist a few for sure!

Moose is a kit. It's all laser cut steel and can be supplied with a variety of options... it can even be bought ready to run, mine was the 88th one to be ordered in 5 years since launch. ! The design is called a "scamp" by Colin Edmondson, and is a real low budget way in to the gauge and can be built with only hand tools and a bit of common sense! There is a petrol engine (in my case a suffolk mower engine) driving a motor used as a generator with a further motor under the chassis driving the wheels by chain. The kit is available via Chris at CMD Engineering and there is an active facebook group for owners and prospective owners called the "Scamp Owners Group". Colin has recently authored a book on the locos story available from Camden.

Its a while since I dropped in here. I thought I would put a little update on things post CV-19 We took the enforced closure from March to July as a time to regroup and work out what direction the railway was headed. We looked at the events done already and with thins knowledge was able to tailor our package to the events that work best for us. The first job was to replace the awful riding car that we had with something more up to the job - a purpose built tender with enough coal capacity for a days running as well as having vacuum braking fitted (which included fitting an ejector to the loco). Second job was to extend the line, we took our initial 200 feet and added another 150 feet making 350 feet in total. This second batch of track however is fitted with recycled plastic sleepers which differentiates it from the first and allowed a direct comparison with the wooden sleepers we had previously used. Another big job was to construct locomotive number 2, Moose. Moose is a petrol-electric 'scamp' type locomotive which acts as standby on our running days. Also upgraded were other ancillaries like our trailer, gazebo and signage. Services resumed on the 4th of July with a low-key trial to see how the new regulation would affect us. With having only one station we are essentially classed as a fairground ride and not public transport which made life easier in this respect. We had quite a busy summer season culminating in us adding another 100 feet of track taking the total up to 450 feet. we think this makes us one of the longest portable miniature lines in the country currently operating.

Come on everyone! Get your bids in... So whilst everyone is inside setting up we were out in the car park laying track. Welcome to the There and Back Light Railway. We are w portable miniature steam railway and we would love to take your for a ride. We have up to 300 foot of track but we can only offer 200 foot for today's ride. A special for today... all rides are free so come on, steam's up, climb aboard. See more on http://www.thereandbacklightrailway.co.uk or http://www.facebook.com/thereandbacklightrailway

So whilst everyone is inside setting up we were out in the car park laying track. Welcome to the There and Back Light Railway. We are w portable miniature steam railway and we would love to take your for a ride. We have up to 300 foot of track but we can only offer 200 foot for today's ride. A special for today... all rides are free so come on, steam's up, climb aboard. See more on our website http://www.thereandbacklightrailway.co.uk or on facebook http://www.facebook.com/thereandbacklightrailway Dont forget you can bid to come and drive our train as part of the charity auction. Get your bids in... it's not something we normally allow!

We are absolutely delighted to be supporting this. We will really make it worthwhile for the winner of the railway experience! Dig deep guys! Steve

A most agreeable plan.... Let me fire up the welder and get some more track made!

Is there room outside for a Virtual Miniature Railway Andy?? http://www.thereandbacklightrailway.co.uk would be happy to attend! Steve

Could I take what spotters books are left please? Steve

Well the big news is that we have turned our hobby in to a business... Yesterday we launched the "There and Back Light Railway Company'. We are using the winter to build 200 foot of portable track and take our engine and coach on the road. We will be available for all kinds of events both public and private! Give us a look... www.thereandbacklightrailway.co.uk or There & Back Light Railway on Facebook!

Well that was fun! Thanks to the Rugby Society of Model engineers for welcoming us to their 'Rainsbrook Valley Railway' over the weekend for their Narrow Gauge Gala. A superb track with first class facilities and a very warm welcome. I shall be returning! The track had recently been extended to a mile in length with a daunting climb of 1 in 100 to make the engine work, I won't go in to too much detail but let the pictures speak for themselves. The first two images show the new 'top' station which I believe will be formally opened this coming weekend along with some of the locos on show 20190714_134334 by Steve Purves, on Flickr I was given a 3 coach 'Pullman' rake complete with carpeted floors and leather seats! 20190714_134351 by Steve Purves, on Flickr This loco deserved a photo. Sorry I didn't get any details but what a stunner! 20190714_141455(0) by Steve Purves, on Flickr A picture of my loco in the cutting at the 'bottom' of the line. I really need a more prototypical driving truck! 20190714_152627 by Steve Purves, on Flickr And finally a couple of videos for your enjoyment... A full lap on board and another video showing the length of the 1 in 100 climb Until next time....