While live steam is already wonderful, and has its own challenges and rewards, making the steam with coal (rather than gas, as on my other locos) has always been another ambition. So when I spotted a dealer offering this second hand Accucraft Ragleth, converted by the renowned DJB Engineering, I decided I couldn’t let it … Continue reading New Arrival (2): Coal Fired DJB Ragleth

Not just one new steamer has arrived on the Moel Rhos this year, but two, the first of which is this Roundhouse Katie. I’ve wanted a Katie for the Moel Rhos for 10 years, when I was inspired by the loco Chris Bird fitted with a slomo, as I wrote back then. I wrote back … Continue reading New Arrival (1): Roundhouse Katie

I mentioned recently much of the line had been lifted for new trackbed, and I’ve now finished and relaid. The original trackbed design was motivated by the ‘overgrown’ aesthetic and in particular wanting moss to grow. The moss got rampant enough to derail trains, but the key problem was the sub-base/rowlands mix around and underneath … Continue reading Renewing the Trackbed

A while ago I made some simple toy wagons for my nephew and niece, I thought I’d written it up but I can’t find it! I did mention it when I talked about the lego wagons I printed, because these were the first additions to their Tesco/Caterpillar ‘O’ Gauge trainset, and they can of course … Continue reading Simple Toy Wagons

The Easter Eggspress was in service today, despite significant engineering works (much of the line is lifted for new trackbed, and some of it is underneath a pile of timber…)