Garden Railway Forum

Thanks chaps. I must admit that I really enjoyed making these two.
I don't tend to plan the filming of running sessions in advance, but try to focus on some of the more interesting bits of action which crop up. But, of course, what's interesting for me might be less so for others, so it's always a bit of a gamble.

The challenge is trying to make each running session slightly different - I started filming them eleven years ago (in the days when I was struggling with track powered locos)

From 2010 .......




From 2011......





Rik

FWLR wrote: ↑Fri Sep 03, 2021 8:02 am Can I ask if it would be possible to have a still shot of the line running along the river please. It's at 6.40 or there about's when I can see the water running in opposite directions. I would love to know for future reference because I may incorporate it into our line.

Hi Rod
I think this is the image you wanted.
The water actually only flows in one direction (ie downhill) but at this point does a zig-zag. It's a bit more apparent in this view
Looking in the opposite direction (ie further up the stream), you can see how the first zig of the zag bends to pass under the bridge.
Hope that helps

Rik

ge_rik wrote: ↑Sat Sep 04, 2021 8:56 am “…I started filming them eleven years ago (in the days when I was struggling with track powered locos”

Your railway (and video) was looking terrific more than ten years ago. Crikey! What hope is there for the rest of us…?!

Do you mind me asking: how long is the line — there are some impressively lengthy tracking and distant shots? Agreeably convincing audio too: did you have sound cards fitted back then — or did you wickedly ladle on sound in the edit (like what I do)?

Really good. Cheers.

BertieB wrote: ↑Sat Sep 04, 2021 11:40 am
Do you mind me asking: how long is the line — there are some impressively lengthy tracking and distant shots? Agreeably convincing audio too: did you have sound cards fitted back then — or did you wickedly ladle on sound in the edit (like what I do)?

Really good. Cheers.

Hi BertieB .....
It's ages since I've been asked that question - so long ago I can't remember the answer. Maybe the easiest way is to show you an early trackplan which includes the dimensions of the garden.
The plan hasn't changed that much - just a few extra sidings here and there.

No sound cards when I first set up the railway. In fact, none until I converted to battery power in 2012-13. So, the sounds in those early videos were dubbed on afterwards - mostly extracted from videos of the Welshpool & Llanfair, but also drawn from other sources. Great bit of fun trying to match clips to the video clips. Took ages (as I'm sure you know)!

Rik
PS - The plan shows the zig-zag in the stream as well - to add to my response to Rod's question

Hi Rik,

That does help me. Would it be possible to get an overhead shot please. I am sorry for being a nuisance

FWLR wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 9:52 am Hi Rik,

That does help me. Would it be possible to get an overhead shot please. I am sorry for being a nuisance

Best I can do, I'm afraid. The shrubs (aka miniature trees) get in the way. Rik
PS - You might find my original blog post useful. Some of the photos on there were taken before the shrubs grew to their present size
https://riksrailway.blogspot.com/2006/0 ... tream.html

Thanks Rik,

That has help me no end... Thank you.

It doesn't happen very often so, Live Steam enthusiasts, make the most of it .......



Rik

Enjoyable to watch the trains but it also shows the best aspect of GR - running a few trains with mates.

I like the shots of train in cuttings, specially with the road overbridge.

Thanks Rik for an inspiring visit, as always! It was really lovely to get two of the DVLR's locomotives out of hibernation and I was pleased with the performance. Even Rene seemed to enjoy himself.
I wish we'd have more time to enjoy the sunshine and beautiful garden at the PLR.
That's now 3/4 of the DVLR's steam fleet. I'll have to finally get No. 1 River Deben finished to a respectable standard to bring it back for next time.

Mr. Bond of the DVLR wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 11:11 pm Thanks Rik for an inspiring visit, as always! It was really lovely to get two of the DVLR's locomotives out of hibernation and I was pleased with the performance. Even Rene seemed to enjoy himself.
I wish we'd have more time to enjoy the sunshine and beautiful garden at the PLR.
That's now 3/4 of the DVLR's steam fleet. I'll have to finally get No. 1 River Deben finished to a respectable standard to bring it back for next time.

Thanks Zach
You are always a welcome visitor so will pleased to see you and René (plus any other (person and/or locomotive)) at any time.

For the uninitiated, René is the DVLR's longstanding and versatile driver - though long'standing' is probably an exaggeration as he has a tendency to launch himself into the undergrowth at regular intervals.

A very enjoyable and informative session. I look forward to seeing you and/or Theo on the WWLR at some time in the not too distant future.

Rik

LOVE LOVE LOVE this Rik.

I have put the video in 'My Favourites' file on YouTube. I love those Regners, I really do wish I had one. But finances what they are.....

Your videos really are a treat, Rik. It's always nice to look back and see how far things have come; improvements made, lessons learned etc. Particularly love the fence posts outside the copper mine at 4:08 in this newest video. Zach, I noticed your momentum van wasn't behind River Butley, but it seemed to handle the line well?

Another lovely video Rik, but that Regner is crying out for a driver!

Lonsdaler wrote: ↑Sun Sep 12, 2021 5:14 pm Another lovely video Rik, but that Regner is crying out for a driver!

I was so relieved I got it working, I forgot all about sundries such as a driver ......

Rik

Good morning!

You create videos faster than I can watch them Rik, but I treated myself to a catch-up over the weekend - and what a treat it was!

I really enjoy your "day in the life" kind of films. It's occurred to me that I watch them in the same way that I do murder mysteries on the telly - I don't really follow the plot (whether it's complex motives for bumping off the vicar or the late-running of the mixed goods to Peckforton), just enjoy the process and soak in the atmosphere - and you've got tons of that going on. I notice something new every time, but with these films I was particularly taken with how you've got the approaches to stations just right, the way grotty huts and overgrown sidings with the odd wagon gradually "solidify" into platforms, whole rakes of wagons, station buildings etc.

I really like the commentary too - I think I've said it before, but there's something comfortingly Oliver Postgate-esque about your narration!

The live steam made a nice change, nice to see DVLR motive power out and about too. With your GE leanings, are you ever tempted to stick a Wisbech-style tram body over that Regner Chaloner?

Thanks for the film fun,

Andrew.

Thanks Andrew. Good to get such constructive and useful feedback.

I'd not thought of modifying the Chaloner, other than maybe adding cladding to the boiler and radio control. The issue for me is that the loco is a tad over scale. Probably more suited to 7/8 scale than 16mm or even 15mm. I suppose they needed to increase the dimensions to enable it to create sufficient steam. I suppose disguising it as a tram loco could overcome its scale issues.

However, I do quite enjoy seeing it pottering about and it's a bit more controllable than most live steamers owing to its geared mechanism.

Rik

Old Man Aaron wrote: ↑Sun Sep 12, 2021 11:38 am Zach, I noticed your momentum van wasn't behind River Butley, but it seemed to handle the line well?

Yes indeed - I was all prepared for it to end in disaster - I allowed rather more speed on the straights than I'd have liked to get it round the bends but the loco performed really very well indeed without the flywheel, I was surprised.That said, River Butley has a short wheel base and the upgraded cylinders so tends to just plod away. I suppose the only loco I wouldn't run without it at all is the Millie, River Deben, with it's long wheel base and tendency to stop and build up a head of steam and then sprint away.

My latest update



Rik

Another excellent production from the Bennett Studio. Most enjoyable and informative. You tell a good story Rik.