Vale of White Horse Railway

[ge_rik]

Great looking bridge - plastic or metal?

Rik

[philipy]

I agree, I do like that bridge.

[JonPotter]

Thanks guys. It's a metal bridge and definitely a nice point of interest on the route!

Well, the two ends were finally joined up this morning and the first trains run over the length. The track was tested with the L&B coaches (which due to their length seem to be the most sensitive) and some 4 wheel wagons and then fettled prior to steaming up the L&M tank.


Ginny keeps an eye on proceedings...


The first test train on its way to Wantage


Preparing to head back towards Kingston Lisle


J B Earle brings a test train over the (as yet unnamed) bridge


J B Earle climbs towards Kingston Lisle

Of course with all the excitement at the Wantage end of the line, normal trains to Kingston Lisle continued.....


'Auric' passes the Windmill

[Soar Valley Light]

Lovely pictures John.

Your railway has developed so quickly and so well.

I seriously think that you should consider a Himalaya and Darjeeling loco, it would go so well with the tiger you have prowling the lineside!

Andrew

[jim@NAL]

All looking fantastic I can't wait to see what the planting looks like in a year or so time will look at lot different

[Dwayne]

Awesomeness.

[JonPotter]

Thanks all!

We had another day working yesterday & managed to get a number of odd jobs done. My dad had been busy & came with the turntable board which was duly fitted in. Still lots of jobs to do, but the trackwork is now complete and it is predominantly only the scenic work to do. I was planning on completing the ballasting today but have decided to leave it until the track is a bit more used. Opening 'gala' tomorrow so we'll see how we get on!

A few photos below.



Pond now filled & with additional blocks laid.



Overview of Wantage station with a train, giving an idea of scale.



Brockhurst sits on the turntable



William stands at Kingston Lisle today (first day in traffic at the new railway)

[peter holcombe]

Hi Jon
All i can say is WOW a great looking railway,Hope your open day went well.
I was born and bred in the the area you are constructing,closing my eyes
and with a bit of imagination i can visage the line where it would
of been.
Congratalations on a superb build Jon,hope mine comes together half as good
as yours has well done
Peter

[JonPotter]

Thanks very much Peter

Yesterday went well, with a good friend visiting to run. We had eight locos in steam across the day, all running well, and ran a two train service crossing at Kingston Lisle at points. A most enjoyable days steaming!

Also got some of the buildings out for the first time, on temporary platforms. Some pictures below - more in my Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/149366894 ... 4798242771

[cooltrain]

Love the look of your line, looks excellent. Can't wait to see more!

[JonPotter]

So, it's been a while since I updated this - so a few selected highlights over the last month!

Wantage station has acquired some platforms, had the front clad with log roll and been ballasted.



The section from the triangle to the shed, via Woolstone, has had some upvc cloaking profile added to hold the loose ballast in place, and gained some fencing. Woolstone station now has a simple platform, and I've built up a tea room for it



The rest of the track has also been ballasted too - through Kingston Lisle station and between there and Wantage. Seen here is 'Alfred', a Fine Line Alfie I've had on order for a few months which has now arrived via lining by Matt Acton.



There are plenty more photos (including those of the completion of the IP Jessie rebuild) in my Flickr page - https://www.flickr.com/photos/149366894@N08/ - and also a facebook page with some videos on (you don't need to be a member to view) - https://www.facebook.com/vwhr16mm/

[ge_rik]

Great photos. Interested to see the photos of Jessie on Flickr. I see you've replaced the original motor and gearbox with an MFA alternative. A wise move from my experience.

Rik

[JonPotter]

Thanks Rik; yes - I read through your blog posts before going for the MFA one. It's far superior - performs very nicely. It's really designed as something for any young visitors to be able to drive around, but you get the feeling it'll happily handle a reasonable train now.

[bazzer42]

Looking nice with ballast down. I'm just about to pour some beer and sugar on mine to see if it will encourage the nice moss clump that's starting to take off.

That steam loco is a beauty.