Garden Railway Forum

I am pleased to report that my continuing activities in Lincolnshire and beyond proceed to my satisfaction, so much so that reporting has fallen behind. I have however taken steps to put this right and can now report on my latest inspection, that of the Claremont Light Railway. This undertaking, whi...

I am pleased to report that since my arrival I have been gainfully occupied, having inspected two garden railways, several main line locations and even engaged in a little overseas consultancy work. Two further visits to garden railways took place but inspection proved impossible due to adverse weat...

I am pleased to confirm that despite the "best" efforts of the Royal Mail I have arrived safely in Lincolnshire, in the outer reaches of my erstwhile employers' territory, only a few short miles from the Great Northern and Great Eastern Joint line. Quite apart from the various eccentric mi...

I've been back in my box, and its suddenly become extremely uncomfortable in here. The joys of travel by post, there really must be a better solution.

As it happens, I had one final journey to make before leaving the North West Area, one that the Manager of the Afonglas and Nant Llywyd Railway had told me about. He decided that my exploration of North West lines should end where it started, and so he took me to Ravenglass for another visit to the ...

I have now performed the final inspection of my visit to the North West of England. This was to the Pine Tree Light Railway, during what appeared to be a very large "NWAG" steamup. This organisation has often lived up this the reputation that proceeded them with regard to very haphazard co...

If you think I fear something as puny as a mouse, you must be even more deluded then I thought. Just as I would expect from this inept railway, there is no indication of any improvement at all from this railway, with the exception that it appears for once that there were no crashes. Presumably this ...

Lying down on the job, Isles! You can talk. It is obvious from the state of your railway that you have been lying down on the job for the past 8 years. However, I had concluded my inspection and was therefore utilising my own free time. I recommend that you use your free time to rescue your railway...

He just refuses to give up doesn't he, assuming that he can ride straight over the wishes of the HMRI's senior inspectors. Indeed Mr Midge was present today, although the many derailments his train was involved in were mostly down to the state of the SLR South wagons. However, the speed of his locom...

An additional railway has been added to my itinerary. I will be visiting the Silverdale Light Railway (South), which I am assured is under a completely different management to that of the SLR north. I can only hope that this is true, for I should not like to find that this railway is as poor as the ...

The Scorton Bank Railway was the latest NWAG line to come under my scrutiny on Saturday. The SBR was celebrating its 10th Anniversary, and as usual there were many visiting locos. As none of these were from the SLR north again this was a double bonus. http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg304/laalrat...

I am disappointed to find that the weekend just gone involved visits to two railways, yet I was only allowed to inspect one. Saying that, the Clywyd and Dee does appear to be a high quality railway.

I have now found time to compile my thoughts of the Wigfa and Llanrwst Railway. This line is located in North Wales, a new part of the country for me, and is understood to be one of the most well known lines in the country, thanks to appearances in various magazines. http://i251.photobucket.com/albu...

Mr SLR Midge, I recommend you go back to trying to put your shambolic railway to rights instead of trying to pour slander against my good name. That photo was taken against my will after I had been picked up and then put down in the most compromising position. The letter from your solicitor was fed ...

Well today I visited the Ingleton Mountain Railway, and it must be said it is a most curious line. None of the stations had names, and at times I got quite lost. The owner said "it's because there is a war on" but I didn't see much other evidence to suggest this, no munitions being moved, ...

This was indeed a good event, although it came as no surprise to see the loco from the Silverdale Light Railway (North) needing to be towed in by another loco.

I understand that tomorrow I'm going to be visiting another railway, a bit further away this time, in fact over the county boundary in Yorkshire. The General Manager of the ANLR has told me many bad things about this place and its people, apparently all tight fisted and stingy. I wonder what effect ...

I spent most of the afternoon staking out Afallen station from a nearby tree. Those that remember my reports of the ANLR will know that Afallen is the half way station where trains can pass. Therefore it is the location most likely to be involved in poor operating practices. Despite my worst fears, ...

I have been somewhat quiet recently, during which time I have been reviewing my split pin collection. However, this month has seen some works going on on the Afonglas and Nant Llwyd Railway, and naturally I have taken an interest in these. http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg304/laalratty/Random%20...

I hope that the signal was repaired ASAP, and that the driver was suspended from all further duties. It is one thing to pass a signal at danger, but to demolish it entirely.....!