Garden Railway Forum

Love it Mark..a brilliant solution solved with a bit of imagination….

Thought I'd share a nice pic or two from Sunday - the works train eases into BBQ End before service trains start

Then later in the day between Sunday passenger workings, No. 4 Spitfire works a kindling down to the goods yard at the end of the line for onward movement via the standard gauge southern region

Love it Mark, both locos look the part together for a small rural line.

Looks calm and peaceful - the perfect rural idyll

Rik

I love a working railway!

Andrew

Thanks guys- as well as the wood sticks being a real movement from wood yard to kindling box, the works train also conducts a real purpose - you'll notice the wire carrier, well it carrying garden wire (and string at times) that I use to tie/tidy up the multitude of plants growing and rising up from under the line - the train and I set off from the depot and travel the whole line doing my gardening - there is also a tipper wagon included in the consist for some of the clippings! (altho I do chat a bit as summer goes on as I'd need a continual train service for all the cuttings!)

It's a real working railway. I like it.

Trains and gardening. What a great way to relax. Have you got a refreshment train too?

Ian

IanC wrote: ↑Thu Apr 26, 2018 8:54 pm It's a real working railway. I like it.

Trains and gardening. What a great way to relax. Have you got a refreshment train too?

Ian

Of course Ian Meet the Gin & Tonic train - the holders of the can and glass and gin miniature lifts out so it can carry beer cans and bottles

And we do sausages running trains from the BBQ area to the seating area
The challenge is running trains and cooking sausages at the same time!!!!

It's a joy to behold Mark.

My original Soar Valley Light Railway was based around the concept of an 'Estate Railway' that would service the garden. However, my love for Narrow Gauge Railways (as opposed to industrial tramways) of the W&L and L&B variety, combined with living in an area of outstanding beauty and having a fertile imagination that can see a railway in the most challenging of landscapes (whether there was ever one there or not!) led to the birth of the Charnwood Forest Light Railway. I love the concept but regret the loss of the 'real' working railway that the SVLR, just like the CHLR, would have been.

Andrew

Now there's a man with his garden railway priorities just right!

Great line Mark, love the weathering on your’e wagons…

The plants and bush’s are growing fast around our line too, so we will be getting our’s sorted too…in-between showers that is…..

markoteal wrote: ↑Thu Apr 26, 2018 9:00 pm
Of course Ian Meet the Gin & Tonic train - the holders of the can and glass and gin miniature lifts out so it can carry beer cans and bottles

Just brilliant. I love it. My own railway is at the planning stage (has been for years). It hasn't got a name yet, but does have some stock and track ready to lay. I want my railway to have a raison d'etre and plausible story. If it has a real purpose too, even better.

Ian

Hi everyone - you'll have noticed I've been a bit quiet on here recently - the reason is that we've decided to relocate back to Yorkshire (numerous family reasons) from Kent AND around the same time i was made redundant from work - add to that a mum with Alzheimers and things have been a bit hectic - anyway, as a result (no move date yet) I have started to gradually take the CHLR down and apart - all very sad BUT it will rise again in the future upt'north - so far I've taken about two thirds of the line down - left myself one side of garden to play own until we sell the house - here are a few sad pics of the demolition gang in action and how things look without the rails - all feels very late 60's post Beeching!
I have taken quite a few pics over the last few days during the last days of operation so hope to share them soon

Hi Mark,

Commiserations on your problems, you have my sympathy for what it's worth.

It's sad to see the railway go, it's been one of my favourites, especially as it's always been a real working railway.The pictures are very evocative.

I hope the move goes well and that a new line makes an appearance as soon as you're settled back in the homeland. I look forward to the commencement of the 'Batter Pudding Special' service!

Andrew

Soar Valley Light wrote: ↑Thu Aug 30, 2018 4:26 pm Hi Mark,

I hope the move goes well and that a new line makes an appearance as soon as you're settled back in the homeland. I look forward to the commencement of the 'Batter Pudding Special' service!

Andrew

Cheers - yes I think I'll need a new headboard - The Yorkshire Pudding

Sad news Mark, we never did meet up for a run on your line. My railway is getting the axe as well so you are not the only one.

Good luck.

Tom

Cheers Tom - my hope is that my next line will be a lot more visitor loco friendly (ie have wider clearances) so who knows you may make it to CHLRv2!

Two railways disappearing within a week is not good news. I'm sorry to hear the circumstances that have led to this move, too much happening at the same time and a need to prioritise your actions to make the best decisions available. Good luck and best wishes for your future.

Sorry to hear this Mark,
I hope all goes well in the weeks and months ahead.