Harrogate Day Out: A Private Railway...

Hello again everyone. Well, after leaving the Harrogate Show in a procession totalling over 8 cars(!) we made our way across the Yorkshire countryside to a local man's private 7.25" gauge railway. Leaving the car we were greeted with the sight of an overhead bridge, carrying 7.25" single track. This wonderful bridge, standing at least 8ft off the ground was soon crossed by the owner, aboard his lovely Highland Railway 4-6-0 'Jones Goods' loco No17929. After walking up to the "railway level", the full extent of the 'garden railway' was apparent. Running in a dog-bone shape around the garden, the line began near the house and continued on a varying VERY steep gradients before rounding a Tennis Court at the opposite end. The track then curved VERY sharply up-hill before running back towards its own little station, with passing loop, situated near the sheds. In all, I would estimate the track length at over 1000ft. We were then show around the shed and into a very well secured outhouse where we saw the owners entire collection. 5" gauge loco's including Class A3, A4, 'Sweet Pea', Streamlined Duchess, GWR 45XX, Hall and many more. Meanwhile, 7.25" stock included a 'Speedy' or two, Black 5, Dean Goods and more, topped off by a beautiful, glass-box housed King Class No6000 "King George V". There were even 3.5" examples including a lovely 'Rob Roy'. Every loco was absolutely immaculate, most of which, including the Duchess, A3 Pacific, A4 Pacific and the beauitful MASSIVE King Class had seemingly NEVER been run!

Whilst everyone else was looking in awe at the huge collection, I had to go back outside into the wind and have a look at the 'Jones Goods', to stop myself becoming too envious(!) of the fantastic collection, which also included numberplates, lamps and more! Once outside I saw the owner who, to my surprise, said "Do you fancy taking this for a while whilst I have a chat with the others?"..."YES PLEASE", I replied! He showed me the controls on the lovely 'Jones Goods' before I took her for a spin around the garden. I must admit, it was the most challenging line I have ever driven on, in any gauge, simply because of the gradients...they were so steep...up and down! But it did make it very interesting! The track was very well laid and the surroundings were just beautiful. The injector on the 'Jones' was a joy and the bark from the chimney on the steep hill at the foot of the Tennis Court was fantastic to hear! After a few laps of the lovely line, with the injector almost constantly running due to the hard work and steep downward grades (taking the water down to the front), I handed the 'Jones' back to her caring owner. After a chat we all thanked the owner before returning home. (I only took one picture at his house, of the 'Jones', to protect his privacy, security and location). It was however a fantastic, upcoming new garden railway and, when finished, with its new turntable, will be better than ever! Thank you very much for letting us have a look Mr Owner, and for letting me have a drive of your lovely Scottish engine!

Once we had left we had the long journey back home ahead of us, not to mention getting lost in Derby for 45 minutes whilst trying to find the Wetherspoons that we were due to meet up at for a meal! The rest of them were already on their mains when we arrived! Oh well! Thanks must go to my friend Dave and his family, many EWR members and of course the owner of the Private Railway for such a fantastic day! Next outing? I'm helping at the GEC Miniature Railway on Wednesday...Look out for a post on that as and when! Thanks for reading folks, Goodnight...