16mm Live Steam In The Garden...

Hi all. Today I had kindly been invited over to have another look at JB's garden railway. He builds and operates 16mm live steam models, mainly of the coal-fired variety. I went along last year - see post here - although, happily, this visit took place in far more clement weather! The day was mainly organised for other operators to come along and try out the steeply graded little railway and so, as with last time, JB's engines didn't really show themselves. I was treated to a look at the various projects on the go in his Aladdin's cave of a workshop. He tends to pick up a model of exceeding beauty; hand crafted with many hours of skilled labour; before slagging off just about everything about it! I meanwhile am in awe at the models he has created - some are works of art. When I arrived, a visiting coal-fired Darjeeling B was just raising steam in the preparation area, with the aid of an electric blower...

Already on the track and pulling a passenger train was a meths-fired model built to resemble the Vale of Rheidol tank engines...

After climbing the 1 in 37 on the gruelling bend before the tunnel, the 2-6-2 emerged into the light at the summit of the gradient...

Some of JB's engines have been fitted with radio control, understandably as the gradient requires some good regulator but you don't want to shoot off like a rocket on your way down the other side. The climb seems to knock the wind from the sails of the little engines, before they glide gracefully downward back to the preparation area. In warm sunshine, the Darjeeling B sails through the station at the summit...

This 0-4-0 was a lovely thing to watch, merrily chuffing around leaving nothing but the intoxicating aroma of coal smoke behind her. The gent operating her didn't really need to do anything but top the water up occasionally. I was very surprised at how many continuous laps she managed between firing...

Around Midday, Steve Bell steamed up his Baldwin locomotive...

A huge model, the engine came around fairly quickly on the electric blower before setting off with a rake of wagons. Through the greenery of the "Effing Forest" she went, climbing through the passing loop towards the steepest part of the gradient. This engine runs like a watch and was really a pleasure to see in action. It just sailed around, lap after lap. What a lovely thing to run in your garden...

Steve was impressed with the performance of his engine, and rightly so...

JB kindly laid on some lunch for us and we enjoyed the snap over a cuppa' whilst chatting about all things railway. It was a very enjoyable few hours out in good company. When we returned to the garden a little 0-4-0 was trundling round. This was "Marmaduke": a pot-boilered engine of 1970s vintage. I can see why people do 16mm. The little engines operate in much the same way as the big ones, particularly the coal-fired types. They offer the sight, sound and smell of the real thing, just on a smaller scale. The work and skill that goes into creating these things is staggering, much like their larger 5" scale cousins. It looks to be a great side of the hobby with a good social following. Its not for me though, I don't have enough time as it is!...

Around 2pm I had to head for home as we're off on holiday tomorrow so I have plenty to do. I must thank JB for his kind invitation and for allowing me to see his terrific little garden railway again. Unfortunately, yet again, I missed the fabulous sight of the Garrett's in use but hopefully I'll catch them another time. Cheers all, Sam...