The Moira Railway is the personal kingdom of Colin Binnie, who produces models like this......... 
............and I was delighted to be able to accept an invitation to join in at the Severn & Avon Group garden meeting. The track is all set in concrete and is (fairly) level in a garden which slopes away from the house. I kicked off with "ESME" and the gunpowder van........ 
........ which looked well going over the bridge at the bottom end of the garden............. 
...... and going up the other side. 
However, "LADY SYBIL", on her first outing with new cab and paint scheme, disgraced herself running into the station.......... 
......... giving that phrase a whole new meaning! 
However, order was soon restored and the usual steady run ensued........... 
..... trundling over the bridge............ 
...... which looked great from the lower camera angle! 
Sean Cullen brought his Steam Yak, here receiving a little TLC........ 
..... and posing next to a Meccano-inspired loco from Graham Stowell. 
It's interesting to note that both the Yak and the Southern Pacific both make use of Colin's oscillating steam motor. 
Having run happily around the garden solo..................... 
....... Sean hung a bit of a load behind her. 
The cows were totally unimpressed! 
On the upper circuit, battery power reigned supreme, with these very nice CARDBOARD models performing very nicely, thank you! 
The whole train (apart from the wooden load) was made of this vastly under-rated material. 
Another view. 
Colin got well down to photograph Graham's latest loco.......... 
....... which serves as an object lesson in "How to Impress the Judge" (and fail dismally) 
"GYTHA" joined in the "slow running competition", and won! 
..........And it's goodbye from him! |