Nonaim Tramway

[Dwayne]

I must admit, since owning an electric loco it now get's the most use as it is quick to get running with it after a day at work or late evening.

Thanks for sharing the photo, I can imagine the prototype belching out black clagg on a bridge like that not so long ago

Glad to post the photo. Another photo.

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The manager of the NT was poking around on ebay this morning and stumbled upon a used LGB Porter for sale. The asking price of $70 seemed reasonable and the purchase was finalized soon after. The unit will be converted to battery & radio control once it arrives at the NT's shop.

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[tom_tom_go]

Great little loco, bargin.

The way the name is written on that loco reminds me of the Hornby 'Smokey Joe' tank that I had as a kid:


eHattons Model Railways

[Dwayne]

This morning I cut in a switch using the last remaining switch on hand from my previous layout. I'm mulling some ideas as to where it will lead off to but haven't come to any concrete decision. Even so, I couldn't resist installing it.

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[philipy]

Looks good Dwayne.
I can't help envying your soil and the ability to simply lay track and be confident that it will stay where its put.

[Soar Valley Light]

Hi Dwayne,

Your tracklaying skills really do you proud. You've got the alignment spot on where you've cut the unit in. I've seen much rougher jobs done in 12" to the foot scale!

Andrew

[Dwayne]

Thanks. The soil in my area leans towards sandy loam about two feet thick resting on clay. Not a rock to be found anywhere in this area. Definitely no threat of frost heaving as it rarely gets cold enough for any spell of time to penetrate deeply. We definitely don't get the amount of rainfall as ya'll do which means that my plantings will always be on the skimpy side. I do envy that you guys can have moss growing on your railways.

Other than the occasional time one of my dogs races across the layout in pursuit of a squirrel (the layout is beneath a pecan tree), the track stays put. I've only had to repair some bent rail a couple of times as a result of such behavior from them. Thankfully aluminum rail can be straightened easily.

[Dwayne]

Worked a bit on the roof of the cab forward critter. My first attempt at trying to form styrene using my wife's hair dryer. Sandwiched the plastic between two pieces of 2x4 lumber and gradually heated the edges of the plastic to cause it to form to the contour of the lumber. Went well enough though there is a ever so slight bow in the center of the roof. But since the NT home brews much of it's own equipment the work imperfection can be over looked by the NT's manager who is always looking to save a buck to keep this little line operating.

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[tom_tom_go]

Went well enough though there is a ever so slight bow in the center of the roof. But since the NT home brews much of it's own equipment the work imperfection can be over looked by the NT's manager who is always looking to save a buck...

That's what I like about narrow gauge garden railways, nothing has to be perfect

[Peter Butler]

Went well enough though there is a ever so slight bow in the center of the roof. But since the NT home brews much of it's own equipment the work imperfection can be over looked by the NT's manager who is always looking to save a buck...

That's what I like about narrow gauge garden railways, nothing has to be perfect

Perfectly imperfect is the way to describe it!

[philipy]

After my own abortive foray into heat forming of styrene, I can only say well done!

[Dwayne]

After my own abortive foray into heat forming of styrene, I can only say well done!

Thanks. I'm still deciding whether it will suffice or try something else...

Anyways, the little LGB 0-4-0 Porter steam outline that I bought on ebay arrived at my doorstep this afternoon. It's a cute little engine but definitely needs a lot done to it in the future. It's slightly smaller than my modified Bachmann Porter.

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[Soar Valley Light]

Very nice Dwayne. I fits in very well, I look forward to seeing what you do to it.

Andrew

[tom_tom_go]

Great looking pair, makes me want to respray Steamy Clare so she matches my Riverdale loco

[Dwayne]

Very nice Dwayne. I fits in very well, I look forward to seeing what you do to it.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew. When I get caught up on other engines (the Bachmann for instance needs a new gear to replace it's split gear), first thing will be to convert it to RC/battery. Then it'll get new paint (black of course).

When I started playing with garden trains my thought was to add more detail to the engines and rolling stock since they were larger and easier on my aging eyes. But now I'm far less inclined to do this and instead opt for more simple facsimiles that work with the 10 foot rule. Operations tends to be more interesting than just running trains round and round.

[daan]

These little LGB loco's are ideal to tinker with..

[jim@NAL]

great looking loco

[Dwayne]

It's been a few months since my last post here. To be honest, I haven't done squat with the layout since then. My other hobby has been taking most of my free time. The two photos show it's current condition looking east and looking west...

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This weekend I'm planning on sending the track crew out to clear the rails at the very least.

[ge_rik]

Blimey Dwayne, that ground cover has grown like crazy. Do you also have triffids in your region?

Rik

[Sylvian Tennant]

Like a real railway :-P. Really good stuff going on here, the track is absolutely sublime.

[Dwayne]

No triffids around here fortunately. We do have a variety of thorned vine that likely can scratch you to death that grows like a weed. Nasty stuff.

What's growing on the layout is Creeping Charlie. Because of the warm to hot/arid climate here it isn't as invasive as some folk in wetter and cooler climes endure. It's easily kept in check unless other interests distract me as has been the case.