The Potters Orchid Railway

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Thanks all for the kind words, these are much appreciated by S&T team. The signals are Pendle Valley Kits, with new bases and cranks that I made for quick installation and removal. Don't look too closely, it has been 40 years since I did any modeling of any form. The signals look OK from 3-5 meters away. The lever frame is fully interlocked so you have to learn how to work the frames correctly. At the other end , "Potters Junction" there will be a 24 lever frame with 23 levers in operation. However continuous unattended signal box operation can be achieved by unlatching two points so they can be trailed through, thus one can spend more time sampling the ales, red wine and fine smelly cheeses before the barbeque. After a few good glasses of Red, one might not be up to operating the frames anyhow. It will take two signal operators to be on their toes if there are two trains running. There could be four trains in operation on the main line but that will require total sobriety and careful driving to avoid a SPAD.

For us it is a garden railway, operation is the Jolly for me and also steam. We are not creating a fine scale layout, but nice landscaping and gardens is the goal. MAM has a collection of Bonsai trees underway that can be dropped in for special run days. There will be some whimsical details for all ages. That is the fun creativity part we are looking forward to.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The morning was working on the 3D drawings for the tender and it's Slomo installation at the Llewellyn Loco works. The arvo was installing and testing the signal installation till darkness was near, but the S & T department ran out of Shimano gear cable casing anyhow. Lots of Mossie repellent was required. The S&T department head has reported to Senior Management that all is going well. It will not be long till Slartibartfast is summed. His work on Norwegian fords is well reconised.

[DonW]

Wow those signals look really good and you say the frame is interlocked. I do like using proper interlocked lever frames I have promised myself I will build one for the indoor trains. I doubt I would need one for the garden as the tracks will be much simpler. One thing I found running a freinds exhibition layout with an interlocked frame was how much easier it made things if you returned all levers to normal after each move.
I was sure you would get a lot done and done well too.

Don

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Wow those signals look really good and you say the frame is interlocked. I do like using proper interlocked lever frames I have promised myself I will build one for the indoor trains. I doubt I would need one for the garden as the tracks will be much simpler. One thing I found running a freinds exhibition layout with an interlocked frame was how much easier it made things if you returned all levers to normal after each move.
I was sure you would get a lot done and done well too.

Don

Thanks, the signal installation has stalled due to work, rain and more rain and a few trips to Gympie to fire and drive.
Yes, the frame is fully interlocked. I did not make the frame that I am installing but I will make the larger 24 lever frame for Potters Junction. Go here for info on the frames
https://modratec.com/
Harold exports the full assembled frames or kits to all parts of the world.he does all the design details of the interlocking following discussion with the punter. In reality for what they are and the time he spends designing and making them, these are far too cheap.

[Puddlejumper]

Just read this thread right through from the beginning and have to say its very inspiring Great workmanship, well done.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Just read this thread right through from the beginning and have to say its very inspiring Great workmanship, well done.

Thanks, but I have to report the landscaping paths and steps and the railway's terra forming have not progressed, the hot weather and frequent rain has the weeds waist high again. I have been away at the Rattler the last three days and the weeds are 2 feet higher. Maybe by next summer we will have progressed the POR over the cooler months.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The S & T appeared at the POR, long over due visit from the contractors. All 9 boards are in operation however the S & T electrical team is yet to make an appearance.













Oie, you have to stop !



The Pottery Works at Potters Junction are working on prototype portals for the POR.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

There has been reports of a steam loco making clandestine evening runs on the POR metals. The reports also hint that the humans voices heard sounded a lot like the pair from senior management of the POR. The next morning an investigation was undertaken and an emptly bottle of Pinot Noir was found at Potter's Junction. Some out of focus photos have arrived via the post at the head office of OGRSR. (Office of Garden Railway Safety and Regulation) that seem to confirm the reports. The loco looks like MAM's Roundhouse Lady Ann kit she is currently building. Also it appears that some of the Llewellyn Loco works staff seem to be joy riding in the first wagon behind the loco. When questioned about this all the workshop staff denied it was them. They all said they were at home reading their Model Engineer magazines and such like. Another rumour in circulation is that the loco performed very well with it's Slomo mech and runs up to 28 mins duration obtained.

[FWLR]

Some nice photos there Dazza. Great seeing MAM'S Lady Anne running.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Some nice photos there Dazza. Great seeing MAM'S Lady Anne running.

Thanks, I will pass on your comments to MAM.
One day the cement will disappear, the terra firming will be done and the planting underway, The Under arch bridge that is here will be installed and then night time runs will be we hope very photogenic.

[FWLR]

Going to be really looking forward to those. Is a video also going to be possible do you think...

[tom_tom_go]

Power to the Slomo!

[DonW]

Excellent progress Dazza. It looks like there will be some impressive scenery on this line.

Don

[ge_rik]

Missed previous updates for some unknown reason. Really like the signals and lever frame and good to see the bike building skills finding an application!

Good to see steam on the rails. Must have been an historic moment ...

Rik

[Old Man Aaron]

Certainly coming on well, and to a very high standard to boot.

[IanC]

Good to see progress on the POR and MAMs Lady Anne. Run time will improve when it's fully run in and MAM gets used to the settings.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

MAM thanks all for the kind compliments, they are much appreciated.
I will make arrangements for the Bollywood film crew to shoot this weekend.

[SeamusOD]

Just read through all this thread, great bit of work and a great read, got lots of good ideas!

[Andrew]

One day the cement will disappear, the terra firming will be done and the planting underway...

I rather like the slightly surreal moonscape effect, especially in the last photo...

Nice to see some steam on your line, looking forward to further photos in due course.

All the best,

Andrew.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Video of MAM's Lady Ann test run post eccentric crank cross pinning. I was not going to sleep that night till I heard it steam and the beat was OK.