News from the H&DLR
November 2009 The poor summer weather hasn't entirely prevented running, but there hasn't been as much as we'd have liked. Nevertheless, a new (well, 20 year old) beer train has joined the roster. See the photos page for some pictures.
May 2009 The new Saxon Meyer is proving an absolute delight. It has worked faultlessly straight out of the box. So it should, of course, but the Regner 399 didn't. Despite a return to Martin's Models and a complete rebuild of the gearbox, the 399 is still less than 100% reliable. But the LGB locos just run and run...
February 2009 The main news must be the arrival of a new locomotive, a class 399 Mh Engerth type locomotive. This fine locomotive has been constructed by Regner and supplied by Martin's Models. I'm not sure how many individual locomotives can carry the soubriquet "pride of the line" at once, but this is a worthy contender. This locomotive is an electric version (Regner usually construct live steam models) and, disappointingly, the redesign has left a few teething problems to be ironed out. As of April, the loco has been returned to Martin's Models for repair.
September 2008 New buildings are being installed at the junction station, and at the main station. A new siding has been laid in at the main station - this was going to be a branch line, but that plan is on hold. On the website, new photos have been added, and the images in the gallery now start with the newest first. The blog records progress, so do check by!
Autumn 2007 The big news has to be that the circuit is now complete! Pictures and probably another video to follow. Autumn is certainly here now, so leaves on the line are a minor hassle!
May 2007 Significant progress has been made in developing the line - another 60 feet or so of track have been laid, and the main station/passing loop has been laid out. The building work on the old garden shed is nearly finished, and this will be the operational home of the line.
December 2006 Progress remains painfully slow in the new garden. It isn't anywhere near level enough - which is not to say that a garden railway must be level, it's just that you need a reasonable starting point! I've lost track (sic) of the number of times I've relaid or re-aligned the new rack railway, essential if anything at all is to run next (yes, next) year. See the blog for the trials and tribulations!
February 2006
Trains no longer operate on the original H&DLR; the last train ran on 26 February. Not long before closure, No.3, Camusterrach Pier, gave good service (Photos 1993-2006) on a cold day with a fine steam plume in evidence. Visiting freight stock allowed slate to be cleared from the yard at Greaves Croft Sidings.
