Garden Whistle Apr 2012 - Sandman.org.nz
Garden Whistle Apr 2012 - Sandman.org.nz Garden Whistle Apr 2012 - Sandman.org.nz
The Garden Whistle - April 2012 The Fraser Line Three loops at the main station allowed slower trains to pull in to allow faster trains to over take. Text & photos by Glen Anthony (Christchurch) In complete contrast to what we experienced when we last visited on the garden railway convention, the weather at Ross and Gwyn’s this time was very pleasant; no wind, sunny and hot! Rather than hiding behind the garage to get out of the wind, we were hiding under the trees to get out of the sun! A brief last glimpse of summer on a stunning 27deg day. As you will see elsewhere in this issue, the railway was measured at 136 metres long at the recent garden railway convention, and it is the longest one in the Canterbury area. The long run was fully utilised with three or four trains running at any one time during most of the afternoon. (One on track power and three on various battery powered systems). First to start running trains was the Paterson family who bought some of their Thomas the Tank Engine trains. Kelly (age 4) was in control of James, followed by Lorraine (age 5) who drove Percy. The line quickly became very busy as more and more trains rolled out of the indoor set-up yard and down the incline to the ground level track. Having many trains on the line was much more interesting than just watching one. Luckily the line has two places for passing. One is the main yard which has a number of loops. Slower trains occasionally pulled in to let faster trains Engine & driver swap. Kerry, Kelly & Lorraine Paterson Ian Galbraith’s railcar passing some of Ross’ signals Page 10
The Garden Whistle - April 2012 over take them. But just as in the story “The Hare and the Tortoise ”, its not always about speed. The fastest train on the line soon drained its battery and limped into the yard, meanwhile the slower trains passed it and carried on running for another hour or more. Ross has built a computer controlled signalling system using various components and scratch built signals. It is designed for track powered trains, and detects which section is drawing power. The computer logic then displays red and yellow signals behind the train and works out which way the points are set to display green on the correct signals ahead. Of course this works fine for Ross’ track powered trains but the visiting battery powered trains became ‘ghost’ trains on the system and so the usual rule of watching what is ahead of you prevailed. Dean Farrow’s railcar passes through at afternoon tea time Don Ellis’ Santa Fe passenger. The fastest train on the line....but only for an hour. We were privileged to have two new members arrive, Ian and Ann Galbraith who have recently moved down from Masterton. They have settled in Rangiora, (and Ian is busy planning where the garden railway will go). We look forward to more on that later. Thanks Ross & Gwyn for a great day! Graeme Moar’s train leaving the train shed with Glen and Don’s train waiting at the signal. Page 11
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The <strong>Garden</strong> <strong>Whistle</strong> - <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2012</strong><br />
over take them. But just as in<br />
the story “The Hare and the<br />
Tortoise ”, its not always<br />
about speed. The fastest train<br />
on the line soon drained its<br />
battery and limped into the<br />
yard, meanwhile the slower<br />
trains passed it and carried<br />
on running for another hour<br />
or more.<br />
Ross has built a computer<br />
controlled signalling system<br />
using various components<br />
and scratch built signals. It is<br />
designed for track powered<br />
trains, and detects which<br />
section is drawing power.<br />
The computer logic then displays<br />
red and yellow signals<br />
behind the train and works<br />
out which way the points are<br />
set to display green on the<br />
correct signals ahead. Of<br />
course this works fine for<br />
Ross’ track powered trains<br />
but the visiting battery powered<br />
trains became ‘ghost’<br />
trains on the system and so<br />
the usual rule of watching<br />
what is ahead of you prevailed.<br />
Dean Farrow’s railcar passes through at afternoon tea time<br />
Don Ellis’ Santa Fe passenger. The fastest train on the line....but only for an hour.<br />
We were privileged<br />
to have two<br />
new members arrive,<br />
Ian and Ann<br />
Galbraith who<br />
have recently<br />
moved down from<br />
Masterton. They<br />
have settled in<br />
Rangiora, (and Ian<br />
is busy planning<br />
where the garden<br />
railway will go).<br />
We look forward<br />
to more on that<br />
later.<br />
Thanks Ross &<br />
Gwyn for a great<br />
day!<br />
Graeme Moar’s train leaving the train shed with Glen and Don’s train waiting at the signal.<br />
Page 11
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