The Westwood & Loscoe Light Railway

benchmark · Post by **benchmark** » Mon May 06, 2013 12:21 pm

Nicely presented.

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Mon May 06, 2013 1:07 pm

Thanks guys! Peter the ballast is horticultural grit from B&Q

This morning has seen special services running for May Bank Holiday - unfortunately we're gigging tonight, so I'll miss the rest of the action

The crew preparing Myfanwy at Brinsley Lodge

whilst Robin Square at Westwood awaits the first train of the day

The driver discusses last nights P.Way work at Loscoe with the track gang

The "Special" drifts through Golden Valley...

...where the sunbathers are making the most of the great weather!

Blodwen awaits to work the return trip from Loscoe while Myfanwy takes water.

Now, if ANYONE can tell me of a better way to spend a sunny morning relaxing out in the garden, I'd like to hear it!

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Mon May 06, 2013 1:17 pm

The painters & decorators size up the job-in-hand to spruce up the station buildings at Robin Square

and here's one for Mrs.F - this guy is STILL reading his favourite issue of Garden Rail magazine!

.....

..... on a very shabby looking platform - at least the decorators are in!

Chris Cairns · Post by **Chris Cairns** » Mon May 06, 2013 3:42 pm

Great to see the sun is shining somewhere today Greg.

You have amassed an impressive collection of suitable figures which really does add to the overall enjoyment.

Chris Cairns.

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Mon May 06, 2013 8:17 pm

A really cracking set of photos! I'd forgotten what good weather was...

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Tue May 14, 2013 9:24 am

Finally the track refurbishment is finished!

The last part of the jigsaw was to replace the left-hand turnout for the "Quarry Branch" which had been requisitioned by the P.Way department to install the new passing loop at Codnor Wood.

A replacement was purchased at a bargain price since it had its inner curve rail "trimmed". I knew it could be re-used - but how?
I sat with the turnout, curved section of track and a coffee and waited for the lightbulb moment.........

Hey-presto!
The solution was simple. I cut back the curved inner rail to the next sleeper gap, then cut end of the joining curved section to match. Refitted the fishplates and Robert was indeed my sisters significant other!

By chance, the non-standard geometry entrance curve called for a "shortened section" anyway, so the branch was quickly re-connected and ballasted.

Slightly behind schedule thanks to the lousy weather we've been having, but that's it! The major P.Way project is complete and normal services can be restored!
(Now - on to the next project

)

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Tue May 14, 2013 11:30 am

Smashing, excellent to here that all the re laying is done. Really MUST visit at some point! What is this next project which you taunt us with...

dougrail · Post by **dougrail** » Tue May 14, 2013 2:39 pm

Nicely done Greg - very nicely done indeed

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Tue May 14, 2013 4:03 pm

Thanks chaps! -

What is this next project which you taunt us with...

Well, that'll be the one in the "Projects" thread Mr B, and you'll have to work it out for yourselves (Except you Doug, since I mentioned it in a recent PM

)

laalratty · Post by **laalratty** » Tue May 14, 2013 8:52 pm

Nice work, and just in time for summer assuming we actually get one that lasts more then a week this year!

Post by **Andrew** » Wed May 15, 2013 1:04 pm

That's looking very good - your steam loco's must have to take that curve very carefully!

I've often admired your fencing in your pictures - do you happen to remember the source? I've never seen any mesh in quite that style...

All the best,

Andrew.

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Wed May 15, 2013 5:28 pm

Thanks very much Andrew

Andrew:83477 wrote: - your steam loco's must have to take that curve very carefully!

I've often admired your fencing in your pictures - do you happen to remember the source? I've never seen any mesh in quite that style...

That's an LGB R1 curve leading into the quarry, which used to be worked by the two Mamods (before they entered preservation on the W&LLR

). It's now only worked by the Waingroves Company diesels - a Lister and Simplex (hopefully to be joined by a Ruston in the not-too-distant future

)

The lineside fencing is mostly from one of my favourite suppliers (Loscoe Tip

) and is made up of sections cut from "Harris Fencing", pet cage, or fire guard

dougrail · Post by **dougrail** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:31 pm

I'm keeping my trap shut Greg...

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Fri May 17, 2013 3:03 pm

dougrail:83504 wrote:I'm keeping my trap shut Greg...

Well, the suspense didn't last long - Sir Haydn nailed it straight away!

Here's the freshly re-ballasted Westwood after the recent downpours! Just about to set to and install some foot crossings ;)

Post by **Andrew** » Fri May 17, 2013 5:02 pm

Isn't freshly ballasted track a truly wonderful sight?!! So much potential...

My youngest nephew visited recently, and when he came up from the subway at our local station, he glimsped the rails and blurted out excitedly "The rails are shiny and ready"! Pure poetry! THAT's what it's all about - a single line that makes haiku seem verbose! I may get the phrase printed on a t-shirt. Or perhaps, one day, carved on my gravestone.

Narrow Minded, your rails are shiny and ready.

Enjoy them!

Andrew.

Sir haydn · Post by **Sir haydn** » Fri May 17, 2013 6:46 pm

Brilliant, so fresh and new

DLRdan · Post by **DLRdan** » Fri May 17, 2013 8:16 pm

Looking very neat and tidy

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Tue May 21, 2013 1:22 pm

Ogwen leaves oil stains on the fresh ballast at Robin Square, as passes through en-route to Pentrich Sidings with the latest project - a railbus for re-gauging and restoration as "The Management" attempt to combat falling revenue on certain services.

Chris Cairns · Post by **Chris Cairns** » Tue May 21, 2013 8:12 pm

Oh Oh, that was what BR did with some Branch Lines in Scotland which of course are now closed.

Seriously though I'll be interested to read your re-gauging Topic. Are you going to stick with the 3V motor or try fitting one of the track powered 12V motor's instead?

Is Ogwen's rear light a red one or a dual colour one? I just have the standard IP Eng white one fitted to the front on my Jessie. Had not previously considered fitting one at the rear, now added to my 'To Do' list. Thank You.

Chris Cairns.

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Tue May 21, 2013 8:21 pm

I think the militant wing of the T.I.T.S will make certain the line stays open Chris!

There's no track power on the W&L, and nowhere inconspicuous to hide a hefty battery in the dog-box. Having got as far as dismantling the power bogie (and being impressed to find a metal worm gear!) I'm going to stick with the entire 3v set-up for the initial trials.

The rear lamp on the Jessie was red - I've replaced it with a white light temporarily, a dual colour set-up (for front and rear) is on my 'To Do' list

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