Author: Simon Wood

A special Xmas train was at 6G Garten Bahn on 25.12. Sadly not steam but from another line just for the occasion!

R&B Tramway Storm Bella This says a lot for Cains buildings

R&B Tramway Santa Special

Finished at last!! It is now qualified to pull my mucky tubs!
Shine and bright colours gone!
Driver to paint now and order a loco remote next week.

Happy new year everyone

Regards from Cain Howley

A train journey through a snowy landscape is always something to look forward to!

With the track cleared, at least into the top station, and with the Campagne Locotracteur back in working condition, a short, seasonal passenger train was run up the line. The run-round loop was still not clear though, and so getting the train back down again meant a long reverse trip! And, by then I expect the Driver was well and truly frozen!

Mike Barton

Sir Christopher Wren was rostered to help with clearing the frozen snow from the track.

But the snow was just too hard and the little track clearing loco with the snow plough fitted was too light and became de-railed!

With a “hand from above” the line to the station was cleared, but the cutting beyond was heavily blocked – and when more sleet started falling the task was abandoned.

Mike Barton

The white stuff fell last night and by this morning it had frozen. The snow plough had already been fitted to the little track cleaning engine in anticipation. A gallant effort was made, but up at the top station the snow was – well not very deep, but very crisp and even – and hard! With wheels slipping it was too much for this engine to cope with and so the big diesel, Sir Christopher Wren, needs to be brought out to help – but after breakfast!

Mike Barton

Base colours complete !!
Quite a lengthy process ahead now to weather up, this loco will not be allowed to run on railway looking this clean.
Alot of the vibrant colours will disappear down through the weathering process, as chipping, rusting and general grime.
Hope you find this project interesting.
SM24 gauge, money spent on this is a whopping £25 ish, need to put a loco remote in it so looking at under £60 for a scratch build, not bad at all.

Have a great new year!

Cain Howley

A fine day had arrived, and with the return to “normal” running after the Christmas celebrations, and after Storm Bella had come whistling through, there was debris that needed clearing from the line. The Tramway Management was keen to get this done before any of the white stuff should come along and make finding twigs and branches across the track more difficult.

With the Ruston under going heavy repairs in the workshop, the natural choice of an engine to pull the track maintenance train was the little French “Campagne” loco. But, it wouldn’t start – batteries were dead! And so Jupiter had to be put hastily into service. With the line clear the track gang returned to the line side hut for cocoa and a game of cards. Just in time, as the white stuff has arrived this evening!

With luck, the Campagne may pull a light seasonal train tomorrow.

Mike Barton