The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

[Andrew]

The picture looks like an open invite to see what she's like at half an hours gentle shunting.

Yes, I've been pondering that! I think it should be quite effective, particularly once I've got the hang of the gas valve - I was losing a lot of steam through the safety valve!

The slate wagons are a little on the light side for reliable shunting, but better when loaded - I need to get/make some more slate loads...

If it stops raining this week I hope to run "Lilla" some more, and will get a better idea of her shunting abilities simply by switching the guard's van from one end of a goods train to another - I'll keep you posted!

Andrew.

[Old Man Aaron]

You rarely see these in any other colour than black - green is a nice change. Suits it, though I must agree, those tank sides will benefit in lining out.

[Soar Valley Light]

If it stops raining this week I hope to run "Lilla" some more, and will get a better idea of her shunting abilities simply by switching the guard's van from one end of a goods train to another - I'll keep you posted!

Andrew.

I was just thinking that the world of modelling can't easily replicate 'running the van round. The standard gauge method was generally to grab the van off the end of the train with the loco, then propel it towards a road other than that from which it came. Once well on the move the guard (or shunter) would either 'stick the pole in' if he was on the ground to unhook from the loco, or if he was riding on the van hook the loco link with the pole and lift it off the hook (not easy on a BR standard van!). The loco would then be waved away back the way it came and the van would be brought to a stand at a suitable location - often next to the leading vehicle of the train it had come from. With a bit of smart work the loco would be approaching the wagons at about the same moment. The guard, having ridden on the van to this spot, would be ready to hook the engine on and wave it away so as to put the wagons back on top of the van. (Parts of this process may also have involve a 'ride on the pole' too - don't ask me how I know this!). It then struck me that this would not be possible with the narrow gauge couplings I'm aware of, unless the van was unhooked from the loco before it began to be propelled into the empty road. Now that's something we could potentially recreate. It would involve a well set up van with some 'rollability' - but not too much, and some skilful use of the regulator! Of course, for those who model the likes of the L&B or W&L this is not an issue as all the stock is fitted and the van doesn't (necessarily) have to be 'tail end Charlie'. For those with 'slo mo' vans, and who like to keep them next to the engine, this is a big help. For those like me who enjoy shunting as much or more than some other aspects of the hobby it adds even more interest.

Goodness me but I can ramble on about some random rubbish!

SVLR Andrew

[LNR]

I used to love doing just what you describe Andrew, when I had 5" gauge in the yard and the few wagons had operating lever and wheel handbrakes. Uncoupling them, giving them a shove downgrade, then leaping off to chase them and apply the brakes to bring them to a stand in the loop or yard.
I still do it at Nayook with goods trains but alas no brakes, no need with the pass as it runs with a van at both ends. I guess we all like different aspects of railways but shunting has always been fun to me.
Grant.
PS not wishing to hijack Andrew's post, but I would say "please continue rambling on railway matters" Andrew(SVLR)

[Andrew]

Goodness me but I can ramble on about some random rubbish!

Neither rambling nor rubbish - I love hearing about how real railways operate(d)! It'd never occur to me that swapping the van around would have been achieved by loose shunting...

Keep it up, I say!

[Andrew]

Hi all,

After a week of bad weather had stopped me from playing with my new toy, I took advantage of a few dry hours on Saturday morning to steam Lilla again, this time on a passenger train.

Unusually, she faced downhill, so I could keep an eye on the pressure and water gauges while I get used to running her. Topping up the gas once steam is raised, and the water after each round trip seems to do the trick. I like it, it feels more "real".

Equally unusually, because a "temporary" track repair I carried out last year had failed, I was only able to use the top section of the line, between Penlan and Clarach. That stretch is really about getting from A to B (or P to C), diving under the deck, past the outside tap, beneath the swing chair and behind some bushes - it's not beautiful!

Track problems aside, it was another very successful run - and I'm now pretty sure some shunting will be possible. Watch this space...

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Cheers,

Andrew.

[LNR]

I like it, it feels more "real"

I like that, it's certainly the feeling I aim for. Glad your having success with your new loco.
Grant.

[Andrew]

Hello all!

Sorry, I've been away a while, I've had a lot going on - back now though... Looks like I've got a lot to catch up on (some of my favourite threads have been updated, and a whole load of new ones to enjoy...), but I'll start with my news. It's not all good, I'm afraid - the current incarnation of the (WH)WHR has seen its last trains!

It's not all bad either. Cessation of services is planned to be temporary, and is for a very exciting reason - we're getting a garden studio, for my wife to make ceramics in, and to give me a dedicated space for modelling for the first time. Unfortunately, the space where the studio will sit was, until yesterday, occupied by my upper terminus, the tunnel, the back straight, and the curve past where the fruit trees once were. The loss of all of that severs the lower terminus from the rest of the line, so I'm left with a little bit in the middle!

The studio goes in next week, then we'll need to sort that out, and then I'll think about rebuilding the railway. It'll have to be shorter, so I'm contemplating a small loop, to allow for a decent length of run.

So, yesterday I took the day off work to run some last trains. "Palmerstone", "Lilla" and "Margaret" did the honours, with a scratch rake of carriages (simply the ones most easily to hand) and a train of rusty skips. It was lovely, an opportunity to run the railway as I'd intended one last time - a busy-ish sort of service, but in a low-key kind of way. The sun even shone some of the time.

And then, before the last steam had even escaped from "Lilla"'s boiler, I began lifting the track. As the light faded and the day grew cooler, I moved on to demolishing the trackbed, a melancholy task indeed. The bottom end of the garden now consists of several heaps, some for the tip and some to be stored for future use. I'll keep you updated, but in the meantime, enjoy the last trains...

Andrew.

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[HansL]

Hello Andrew,
That's a shame, but at the same time it's a chance for a fresh start. As I have actually read all 42 pages of your report over the years, I also know that there were quite long interruptions and very little care. So, let's embark on a new adventure, I'm looking forward to it!

[philipy]

That's a melancholy looking pile, Andrew Still, there is the Windmill Hill Mk2 to look forward to. Should give you the impetus to crack on with the studio and get back to the serious job of modelling!

Hope it all goes well.

[Peter Butler]

I'm so pleased to hear the good news part of your story Andrew, an opportunity to start all over again allows you to steer clear of the things which have caused you to spend time and effort on maintenance etc.
A dedicated modelling space is also a great advantage and will surely inspire you to build more lovely stock items.

[WLR_CD]

Look forward to following the progress, plus a change is as good as a rest, so the saying goes.
Dedicated craft/modelling space is nice to have.
Martin

[FWLR]

Sad to hear Andrew,( but things can only get better) has the song goes. You will have a better line now I’m sure of that.

Look forward to following the progress, plus a change is as good as a rest, so the saying goes.
Dedicated craft/modelling space is nice to have.
Martin

Yes it is the perfect place to have a dedicated space, although a lot of members have made some outstanding builds in their own little space or even the kitchen table….

[ge_rik]

Exciting news. Not just the workshop but also the chance to redevelop. Looking forward to seeing the next batch of photos.

Rik

[Phil.P]

Looking to the future:
Perhaps, consider a raised line? - Easier on the knees, and I personally like the sight-lines, when you are sitting looking at 'street-level' across a layout..

But your railway, and situation, obviously.

Phil.P

[Andrew]

Hi all,

Thanks for the support, and the good ideas too!

I think I'm thinking along similar lines, that this is an opportunity to rebuild a better, lower maintenance version of the line. Detailed planning will need to wait until the new studio's in place, but early thoughts (plus the nature of the garden and the bits of the old line still remaining) suggest that my main station should be around 8-12" above ground level, as will a reverse loop on the other side of the garden. Penlan station, in the middle of the line at the top end of the sloping garden will remain where it is now, at ground level. Part will probably be in a new raised bed, and part on a wooden structure of some sort. As I say though, proper planning must wait until the new room's in, and we can get a feel for the truncated remainder of our garden...

Cheers,

Andrew.

[BertieB]

Aha! You’ve reappeared. I’ll admit I was a little concerned. After all, you’ve generally been reasonably polite about some of my efforts.

Getting studio space to build (and store?) your stuff — and a continuous ‘loop line’ too (you can always cheat and hide bits behind shrubs and all that) — seems like a pretty good deal to me. Look forward to seeing it.

[Andrew]

Thanks Bertie!

Just been catching up with your S15 build, wonderful stuff, as ever.

I agree that it's a pretty good deal. I got very excited yesterday when I realised that, now that I won't be building on the kitchen table, I can have a bench vice! And not have to put my Dremel away in its fiddly box all the time!

Although the room will be fairly big (15' x 8'), it's got to house a kiln and my wife's work bench, as well as tools and materials AND a sofa bed (?!) so it can double as a guest room if necessary, so no, it's definitely not for storage. I won't pretend the thought of a siding or two coming in from the garden hasn't crossed my mind, but that would really be pushing my luck!

Cheers,

Andrew.

[Soar Valley Light]

Hello Andrew,

I was vaguely aware you'd been quiet but I've been absent with problems of my own for a couple of months too.

I think you'd already indicated big changes were afoot. It's a shame you'll have less space but you've already shown you're a master of making the most of the space available, so I expect you will come up with something operationally interesting. I look forward to seeing what that might be.

As you know, I'm facing an almost total rebuild myself (but for different reasons) but I've made less progress than you. The old line is still out there somewhere under the overgrowth! I managed to acquire some concrete blocks off an adjacent allotment just before Christmas. I've moved them (all 70 odd of them!) round onto my plot but I now need to get them back up home so I can make a start.

I'm sure your wife is exited about the new development and I'm sure you are equally excited about the prospect of the (WH)WHR MkII. Better weather is coming so my fingers are crossed for you for an early start on the rebuild.

Good luck,

SVLR Andrew

[Lonsdaler]

Sad to here about the end of the (WH) WHR, but also eager to see what phoenix will rise from the metaphorical ashes. Welcome back, Andrew.