Garden Whistle Jul 2013 - Sandman.org.nz

THE GARDEN WHISTLE‐ G Scale news from around New Zealand ‐JULY 2013First tunnel portal on the Culcreuch Fold Garden Railway

Page 2THE GARDEN WHISTLEModel X 2013 Hobby ShowBy Michael HilliarThe Auckland group’s layouthad its third outing in 6 monthsattending the annual QueensBirthday weekend MODEL X atHenderson; most years it’slucky to get out once. Theother outings have been forRail Week at MoTaT lastDecember and Auckland’sGarden Railway Convention inJanuary.The door security gentlemanwas fascinated by the way thelayout came packed in itspaired off modules; brokendown and covering the floorand then like a giant jigsaw,bolting together in no time,something our usual Fridaynight team have got off pat.One night, in discussion withHenrik Dorbeck about notbeing able to run live steambecause of the so called firerisk, we hit on the idea ofhaving a video showing whatlive steam is. Derek Cooperwas contacted because he hadan editing suite on hiscomputer and he put together ashort film made up from anumber of film clips taken byHenrik. It was then thought toextend the film by promoting acouple of our smaller layoutsso a film of Murray and DonnaLee’s and Hugh & JenneyKeal’s Layouts were alsoadded. Hugh and Derek gotvery involved as it was a goodexcuse for them to light up theirsteamers and add even morefilm. We set up the TV monitoron the display table along witha range of live steam models.Brian Millar who spent a lot ofthe time manning the displayend found it to be a good tool inBrian Millar showing, on the TV monitor, what our Group is about

Page 3Robert Graham’s Koppel and Hugh Keal’s punga trees.explaining to the public whatwe are really about.The Group has finally investedin its own controllers; we havepurchased a pair of 15ampAristo Crafttransformers andcontrollers so weshould be nowable to run somesuper power lashups. Murray Boldwas contacted toconvert these intohand heldsystems. It wasgenerally agreedthat most preferredthe simpler handheld hand piecewith forward &reverse directionsand with a turnknob for speedcontrol.A good range of locomotivesand trains covering nearly thefour corners of the earth wererun; only Australia, SouthAmerica and Asia are missing.THE GARDEN WHISTLEAlan Manning came up fromNgaruawahia for two days withhis two battery powereddiesels; this allowed us to runtwo trains on the mainline atthe same time. Murray andDonna also did the same withtheir battery powered trains.Maybe one day in the future wemay be able to run nose to tailtrains…………?A general warning for thosewho operate battery poweredlocomotives; when the batteriesran down on Alan’s EMD 66,he put it on the display standbut forgot to switch it off. Inpowering up its replacementusing the same controller itmoved forwards towards thefloor; fortunately it was savedby grounding on its fuel tankSimon Sharp operating Ray Williams’ lash up

Page 4THE GARDEN WHISTLEhanging a bogie over the side;a heart stopping moment..Don Oliver’s trainsAlf Williams and Don Olliver putting Alf’s Sumpter Valley mallet on the track .As usual Model X is a hobbyshow covering many pastimes;a new exhibit this year was along slot car drag strip, talkabout a hobby that it’s all overin a flash, it’s even faster thanthe real thing. The weatherthis year was fine, it’s usuallythe wet weather that brings thecrowds in but overall there wasa steady stream of visitors sohopefully costs were wellcovered so there will be aModel X next year.In the late afternoon onMonday stuff starteddisappearing off the layout inreadiness for the 4pm closedown; well they had allweekend to see it. The securitychap was again fascinated tosee the reversal of what he sawon the Friday night and withinan hour we wereall loaded up andgone.A big thank you toeveryone whohelped over theweekend nomatter how small,it wouldn’t havehappened withoutyou.Alan Manning’s battery powered EMD Class 66

Page 7THE GARDEN WHISTLEThe Storage Trolley for Auckland’s LayoutBy Michael HilliarThe recent completion of the storage trolley for theAuckland Groups layout now enables the layout tobe stored in an upright position as intended. It alsomeans that after unloading from the trailer it can bewheeled to the back of the garage to await its nextouting.Julius DeWaal designed and built most of the originallayout to a modular design many years ago. As youall know layouts start to expand from the original ideaand one of the ends began to mutate and becamevery unwieldy and heavy with the addition of thesecond circuit.As time went by the newer manufacturers werebuilding locomotives that were now requiring a largerradius than LGB so much thought went intorebuilding the ends, but also keeping the dimensionswithin certain limits. Space is limited at the shows weattend, but the public do prefer to see the largertrains.Taking the same basic design originated by Julius,with measurements computerized by Ian Lewis andplywood cut by Dennis Lindsay the new octagonshaped ends were formed. Accurate constructionwas vital so all the parts would fit together forcompact storage. Not only do the sections have to bepaired up for transport, they also have to sit uponeach other in storage and this point is where all theintricacy of the design is evident.You will also notice that the wheels are set ratherwide on the base of the trolley; this gives a greaterstability to the stacked layout as it is negotiated inand out of show venues. It is now intended to rebuildthe straight section sides to match what’s has beendone to the ends.Original style of packing for the layout.New style of packing for the layout.

Page 8THE GARDEN WHISTLEBuilding the D & R G W C18.Dennis Lindsay, LincolnMy D & R G W C18No 315 in F scaleunder construction,based on an LGBMogul motor blockwith new boiler andunder frame.With extra detail partsto suit. The tenderb o d y a n dWestinghouse pumphave been made byMichael Hilliar.Top photo: DennisLindsay.Bottom photo:Michael Hilliar

Page 10THE GARDEN WHISTLElocomotive or item of rolling stock will align with the 45mm rails.Above: The Mack and battery car sitting on the loading track. Note that all wheels are within the 65mm track width.Below: The Mogul and tender on the loading trackThe Mogul and tender correctly aligned on the track .

Page 11A Roundtuit at MotukararaKabita Whale, MotukararaTHE GARDEN WHISTLEFinally I made use of theroundtuit on the day the plankwalked.I took up Glen Anthony’s offerto help install my trestle bridge.He arrived on a bright sunnySunday on Queen’s Birthdayweekend. Glen checked thelevel of the plank-bridge (OK)and the length ( 3.3m) but queriedthe spacing of the bentsand increased the separation to15cm (from 11cm). (Albi, myson, had previously suggestedthis but as he is no longer ateenager (he is 20) I havestopped believing he knowseverything!)The next step was to affix corbelsto each bent - a job whichGlen showed great faith in mybrad nailer operation skills!Wooden stringers, to be attachedto square section aluminium(for reinforcement),were part sawn through to givethe look of being constructedfrom separate pieces of wood.The bents were then nailed onupside down to the wood andthe wood glued to the aluminiumand left to dry over lunch.After lunch I nailed on the crossbracing.Although my brad nailer washandy it was still necessary touse a drill and hammer for theends, otherwise they wouldsplit.Glen gave me a classic tipwhen I had run out of spare drillbits, he used a nail! I wasastounded , why do I spend somuch on drill bits I only need anail selection? Glen recalledhis youth when his father refusedto allow him & his brotherloose on the drills ( I can seehis point, I had help breakingmy drill bits ).

Page 12THE GARDEN WHISTLEThe team (my husband & Albi - who had surfacedat lunch time) were called to transplantthe bridge (+ table) to site.The next step was to excavate a trench (quite afew barrow loads of soil!) for the bents to sit inand then be cemented. One of the end bentswas screwed to the flat ‘rock face’.

Page 13THE GARDEN WHISTLELevels were checked (my husband brandished his 1.8m level) but passed the test happily on Glen’slevel. Job done; bridge installed!Thanks to Glen for his time. It was nigh on 5 o’clock by this time!

Page 14THE GARDEN WHISTLESnow on Ashburton Forks railwayKerry Paterson, TinwaldHere is a shot of G43 on snow clearing duties on the Ashburton Forks Railway, first fall of the yearso not too much to clear to the disappointment of the driver!!June Running Day on “The Motukarara Branch” cancelled.Kabita Whale had to cancel the Running Day on 23r d June 2013 due the extremeweather conditions.As will be seen in this issue of The Garden Whistle, the plank has ben replaced by a3m long trestle bridge. The weather prevented the reinstallation of track to the trestle.The Running Day on “The Motukarara Branch” has been rescheduled for 22 ndSeptember 2013

Page 15THE GARDEN WHISTLE2014 Garden Railway ConventionThe Wairarapa Garden Railway Group has been elected to run the 2014 National Garden Railway ConventionDate: 15-16 February 2014Garden Railways: We have 10 Garden Railways to visit. many of which have been substantially up gradedsince the last Convention held in the Wairarapa.Included is the world famous “Hydrangea Tram line” of Christine and Lee Collett, as appeared the GardenRailways magazine.Seminars: We propose to hold mini seminars at some of the Garden Railway visits, plus we have the supportof Wellington and Christchurch members to run seminars Saturday afternoon and evening before a Dinner.Wet Weather programme: A programme will be provided if the weather is really bad.Monday Programme: If you are traveling North Murray Bold’s Ashhurst layout will be available to visit. Iftraveling south a conducted tour of Cross Creek and optionally walk part of the incline.Meals: Morning and Afternoon teas and lunch will be provided both days and DinnerSaturday evening.Transport: For those that come in by air and/or train, transport for the weekend will be provided.Limited Billets will be availableRegister Interest: If you would like to get updates please contact LloydContact:Lloyd Dickens Phone (06) 370 3790 lloyd.dickens@wise.net.nz

Page 16THE GARDEN WHISTLEWinter at Wayne’sJohn Robinson, TawaThe Wellington Railway GardenGroup’s June running day wasshifted from the scheduled runon our families H&MGR toWayne Haste’s indoor DRempire at short notice due tothe impending gloom of yetanother wet day. As ithappened the day wasn’training but it was cold so thefire and heating at Wayne’swas much welcomed. In factthe warm and comfort ofWayne and Diana’s lounge wassuch that most of the day wasspent in some very engagingconversation around scratchbuilding wagons and other suchprojects.I took the opportunity of theshift in venues to attend ameeting about earthquakestrengthening of our Church,expecting only to be away for

Page 18THE GARDEN WHISTLEGrant Alexander’s Mid Winter Steam UpReport and photos : Lloyd Dickens, MastertonGrant once again providedsome nice weather, Saturdaywas very nice Sunday a littlecooler and a few spots of rain.The cooler Sunday showed thedifference betweenRoundhouse and AccucraftButane burners. Roundhouse’sefficient burner had the modelrunning in a few minutes. After30 minutes the AccucraftPeveril was not up to pressure,In fact the heat loss beat theburner and it never came up topressure on Sunday. It issuggested that ISO butane mayhave helped.On Saturday Grant cleared theice off the track and then it wasall go with a locomotive on thetrack most of the day. The trackis level so running Live Steamis easy from a control point ofview. There are several area’sto steam up so we were notfalling over everyone else. TheLadies provided some greatfood which helped particularlyon the cooler Sunday. Saturdaynight was once again a Pizzaevening, instead of boringRugby we saw a history ofGrants various railways he hasbuilt.Thanks to Grant for allowing usto run on a great railway layout.There was a good turn out ofLive Steamers from ChrisDrowley, Murray Bold, KenEvens, Lloyd Dickens, AndyWhyman, John Stephensonand Jeff Hallam.There where also several 7¼inch locomotives running on thewider track.Lloyd Dickens’s Isle of Man No 6 Peveril an Accucraft model with 1887 coaches.

Page 19THE GARDEN WHISTLEMurray Bold steaming up Lady Louise (Lady Anne by Roundhouse)Chris Drowley’s Forney taking the logs to the mill.Chris Drowley’s Lady Anne by Roundhouse

Page 20THE GARDEN WHISTLEKen Evans Murray Bold and Jeff Hallam discussing …John Stephenson’s Linda Hunslet a Roundhouse Locomotive

Page 21THE GARDEN WHISTLEPart of Grant’s layout on a Winters morning.Breakfast on Saturday morning – Sunday was not so nice

Page 22THE GARDEN WHISTLE‘00’ Gauge Layout & Design – Ernest F Carter - $15764 Helpful Hints for model railroaders – culled from Kinkscolumns of Model Railroader magazine - $15The World of LGB - $3Semaphore to CTC – Richard W Heine - $80.0060 Plans for Small Railways – Peco Publication - $1.50Focus on Victoria’s Narrow Gauge – Walhalla Line –Puffing Billy Preservation SocietyThe History of Trains & Trams in Tasmania – Thomas C TCooley - $65Railroad Station Planbook – Harold A Edmonson &Richard V Francaviglia - $7The Boys Book of Model Railways – Ernest F Carter - $2The Boys Book of Model Railways – Ernest F Carter - $2Exploring NZ’s Ghost Railways (Revised Edition) – DavidLeith & Brian Scott -NZ Model Railway Journal – June & August 1982Narrow Gauge Memories (20 Years on) The Album – KennPearce - $10Narrow Gauge Memories (20 years on) The Personalities –Kenn Pearce - $10Trains at Work on the West Coast – J A Murphy & G TRadcliffeTaranaki’s First Railway – A B ScanlanCoaling from the Clouds – R J Meyer - $10Rail – the Great New Zealand Adventure – Roy Sinclair -$25.00Farewell to Steam – Four Decades of Change on NZRailways – Tony Hurst - $35.00Streamliner Memories – Mike Schafer - $7NZ Railways – The First 25 years – David Leitch & BobStottNarrow Gauge Adventure-The Story of the Craig &Mertonford Railway – P D Hancock - $20The World of Model Railways – Joseph Martin (1960) - $3Henry Greenly Model Railways – revised by Ernest SteelThe Mount Somers Tramway 1886 – 1943 – I D Maffey -$50.00Catlins Rail – The Story of the Catlins River BranchRailway 1879-1971 – A R Tyrrell - $15.00W W Stewart 20 th Century New Zealand Railway Painter –Euan McQueen - $15.00Pioneer Electrics – A Survey of Railway Electrification inthe South Island – A J Pickering x 2 - $8 eachBooklets 1 – 21 – Railway Modeller – Show You HowBooklet - $1 eachRailway Books For SaleHeritage of Industry – Discovering NZ’s Industrial History –Nigel Smith - $18.00Memories of Eastern Pennsylvania Railroading – GerardBernet - $20.00Philip R Hastings – Portrait of the Pennsylvania Railroad –Photographs from the Collection of the California StateRailroad Museum – Douglas M Nelson - $25.00Pennsy Power – Steam & Electric Locomotives of thePennsylvania Railroad 1900-1957 – Alvin F Staufer - $15Pennsy Power II – Steam & Electric Locomotives of thePennsylvania Railroad – Alvin F Staufer & BertPennypacker - $20The Pennsylvania Railroad 1940s – 1950s – Don Ball Jr -$15.00Great Railway Journeys of the World - $2The History of the Steam Train – Ironhorse – Peter Lorie &Colin Garratt - $3The Last of Steam – Joe G Collias - $35PA Aloo’s Glamour Girl – Andy Romano - $130Pennsylvania Railroad – Mike Schaffer & Brian Solomon -$3Rails to Pittsburg – A Train Watchers Collection – W AFeibelman - $8Steam, Steel & Splendour – David Leitch - $15PRR Colour Guide to Freight & Passenger Equipment –David R Sweetland & Robert J Yanosey - $40Pennsylvania Railroad Steel Open Hooper Cars – A Guidefor Enthusiats – John Teichmoeller - $35Pennsy Diesel Years – 6 – Robert J Yanosey - $35Pennsy Diesel Years – 2 – Robert J Yanosey - $20Pennsy Steam & Semaphores – Fred Westing - 50c.“I Remember Pennsy” – Don Wood - $10The History of the Pennsylvania Railroad – TimothyJacobs\ Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania – PennsylvaniaHistorial & Museum Commission - $70A Museum in Motion – Illinois Railway MuseumCalifornia State Railway MuseumCabin Cars of the Pennsylvania & Long Island Railroads –Caboose Data Book No. 2 - $40Classic North American Steam – Nils Huxtable - 50c.The Twilight of Steam Locomotives – Ron Ziel - $3Preserving The Past – A Guide to Pichi Richi Railway –compiled by Kym Finlay - $20.00The Last Steam Railroad in America – Photo by O WinstonLink, Text by Thomas H Garver - $9Railways – Past, Present & Future – G Freeman Allen -$5

Page 23The World Encyclopaedia of Locomotives – Colin Garratt -$3Narrow Gauge Adventure-The Story of the Craig &Mertonford Railway – P D Hancock - $20The World of Model Railways – Joseph Martin (1960) - $5Henry Greenly Model Railways – revised by Ernest SteelTrains Around the World - 50cThe Complete Book of Locomotives – Colin Garrett - $15Railways of the Twentieth Century – Geoffrey FreemanAllen - 50c.The Collectors All-Colour Guide to Toy Trains – RonMcCrindell - $2Supertrains – Aaron E Klein - $5Atlas of The World’s Railway – Brian Hollingsworth - $2The Great Book of Trains – Brian Hollingsworth & ArthurCook - $1Trains - Steam and Diesel Locomotives in Action Aroundthe World – Victor Hand & Harold Edmonson - $3Japan Railfan Magazine – 2002 1 )Japan Railway Journal, 202 No. 423 )THE GARDEN WHISTLEJapanese Railway Magazine ) All in Japanese7020 Tomix N-Gauge Catalogue 1996 )Kato Model Railroad Catalogue )2006 Traction Engine Rally Rangiora March 2006 – BurrellSpecialTime-Life Books – The Giant Airships - $2The First Aviators - $2Contact Sandra Alexander11A Nicholls StreetRichmondChristchurch 8013Email alex.fam@xtra.co.nzTelephone: 03 381 7129Cellphone: 021 210 4953Chris Drowley’s LGB “Frank S” at the Mid Winter Steam UpComing EventsJuly 13‐14 2013August 10‐11 2013October19‐20 2013November 7‐10 2013February 15‐16 2014April 18‐21 2014May 4‐10 2014May 30‐1 June 2015Christchurch Toy Fair, Pioneer StadiumWRM Model Train Show, Town Hall, MastertonRail 150 Christchurch Big Model Train Show29th Pokaka Cultural ConvocaonNaonal Garden Railway Convenon, WairarapaNZAMRC Convenon, HamiltonNaonal Garden Railway Convenon, Tampa, FloridaAMRA Convenon Auckland, North Shore

Page 24THE GARDEN WHISTLEThe Motukarara BranchIan Galbraith, Rangiora,On Thursday 20 June 2013 Ireceived two emails from Kabita.One was the article about theinstallation of the trestle, the otherwas a note to say that because ofthe weather conditions, Kabita hadnot been able to reconnect thetrack onto the trestle. It wassuggested that as the ground wasso wet the Running Day should becancelled and rescheduled for 22September 2013.That was the reason the emailwas sent out advising of thecancellation. While talking toKabita, I said that Ann and I wouldprobably visit anyway.As it happened, Sunday dawnedfine, so after lunch we picked upAlf and Lyn and travelled toMotukarara where we found RayParmenter and Graeme Woodalready there. (I had forgotten toring those with no internetconnection.)

Page 25THE GARDEN WHISTLEKabita had reconnected the trackin the morning and the railwaywas operational. We ran trains,nattered, had afternoon tea and avery enjoyable afternoon.Lyn and I took photos of my Moguland train.I took the photo of the train on thetrestle, while Lyn took the otherthree.

Page 26THE GARDEN WHISTLEAshburton Forks RailwayFrank Roberts Memorial Running DayIan Galbraith, Rangiora,Kerry and Crisma Patersoninvited members of theChristchurch Garden RailwaySociety to a Frank RobertsMemorial Running Day at theirAshburton Forks Railway. It is50 years since Frank Robertspassed away.Around 30 members attendedand took part in the RunningDay, with a wide variety oflocomotives and rolling stockbeing run. From the small NZRDübs A & C Class locomotivesthrough to modern day Dash 9diesels.The day started with a heavyfrost which soon thawed.Members started arrivingshortly after 10am, (althoughtwo arrived the day before andparked their bus up the driveway. With Kerry, they rantrains until ice formed on therails.) Very soon boxes werebeing unpacked and trainsmade up on the inside yard.One of the first out was GlennWatson with his SouthernPacific A-B-B lash up pulling 12grain cars.Kabita Whale ran a shortpassenger train behind herMogul which had just beenconverted to battery power andRevolution R/c. The receiverKerry Paterson’s Dübs A Photo: Kerry Paterson:Kerry Paterson’s Rogers Q Photo: Kerry Paterson:Glen Anthony’s C Class Photo: Kerry Paterson:

Page 27THE GARDEN WHISTLEhad the generic steam sound.Lyn Mclure had a section of herCircus train running, underRevolution R/c.As is usual on a Running Day,someone has a fault with anitem of rolling stock orlocomotive , which is soonremedied by the host or othersin attendance.While lunch was an a BYObasis, Crisma and Lyn hadprepared hot savouries andprovided continuous tea, coffeeand orange for all..Chris Greer’s Dash 9Trains ran continuouslythroughout the day. Many tookKabita Whale’s MogulPhoto: Glen Anthony:Lyn McClure’s Circus Train. Photo: Glen Anthony:Photo: Ian Galbraiththe opportunity to sit and watchas they either waited their turnto run, or after their run.Afternoon tea startedsoon after lunch andcontinued all afternoon.Goodies were provideby various members.Late in the afternoonmembers started driftingoff home, but somecarried on until nightfalland icy rails stoppedproceedings.Kerry and Crismaprovided tea for thelast stragglers and itwas nearly 9 pm beforethe last of us left.Many thanks to Kerryand Crisma for a veryenjoyable day. Alsothanks to the two little“waitresses”, Lorraineand Kelly who helpedall day ensuring folkhad plates for theirlunch and handing outdrinks.

THE GARDEN WHISTLE Page 28Club Events and ContactsAuckland:July 28 2013 T B AClub Contact: Auckland G Scale Society IncC/- Michael Hilliar, 22 Halver Road, Manurewa, Auckland 2102. Ph 09 266-4745 email:mhilliar@orcon.net.nzWaikato:Saturday 6 July 2013, Clyde Lipsey (indoor/clinic meet?)Club Contact: GROW: Garden Railway Operators of Waikato!Grant Alexander, PO Box 1172, Cambridge. Ph 07 823-0059. gscale@clear.net.nzNo Running Day in JulyWairarapa:Club Contact: Wairarapa Garden Railway Group. C/- Lloyd Dickens, 55 Titoki Street, Masterton.Ph 06 370 3790.Wellington:Sunday 14 July 2013.Hall meeting from 1:30pm, Tawa Baptist Church hall, Main Road, Tawa,Track will be laid on the floor, train DVDs on the big screen and the usual sales tableClub Contact: Wellington Garden Railway GroupC/- John Robinson, PO Box 56039, Tawa, Wellington 5249 Ph 0274 427 160wgtngardenrail@gmail.comChristchurch:Sunday 28 th July 2013 Graeme Wood, 4 Benjamin Mountfort Close, Linden Grove, Christchurch,1:00pmSunday 18 th August 2013 John Napier, details to be advisedClub Contact: Christchurch Garden Railway Society P.O. Box 7145, Christchurch 8240Chairperson: Don Ellis. Email: don@computercables.co.nzThe Garden Whistle is published monthly by the Christchurch Garden Railway Society and featuresnews from various G scale clubs in New Zealand.Each club is a separate identity and the contact details can be found above.Contributions of articles and/or photos are always welcome. Photos should be sent as separate jpgattachments.Editor: Ian c Galbraith, 3 Church Street, RANGIORA 7400.Email: GW@culcreuchfold.org.nz