News From North Devon ... a blog

2010-06-23T15:00:00.002+01:00

It has been decided by management to sell the Rh B coach owned by the company, in order to purchase some British outline coaches, that the company feels is more in keeping with the line. More news to follow on this matter.

2010 Running on the EALR

2010-06-23T14:55:00.002+01:00

After the line being fairly quiet for a while, due to management health problems, things have now picked up again and the line is now busy running for both local and tourist visitors. Here the new Pub can be seen just behind the station, waiting for it's Inn sign to be finished.

Summer running on the EALR

2007-09-10T19:42:00.000+01:00

One of the company's two Stainz locos heads a pick-up freight along Rhododendron Bank towards the quay through countryside that shows just how much rain there has been this year, everything being very green and lush.

Click image for larger version
The garden has been growing well with the wet weather this year, meaning I've had to use a strimmer to keep the line clear at the back of the pond, still it's been successful and it all makes a nice background for the line when a train is running. Smoke courtesy of Photoshop. :-)

Another view of the Signal Box

2007-09-03T20:29:00.001+01:00

Click photo to enlarge

Station enlargement at Myrtle Street

2007-09-03T17:57:00.000+01:00

The increase in traffic on the EALR has necessitated an expansion programme affecting both track and buildings at Myrtle Street Station. The preservation group have just renovated the old signal box and brought it back into full service and a temporary building has been pressed into use as the loco shed for the station pilot. New trackwork allows more services to use the station and further works should be starting soon to build a new cattle dock for the moorland farmers who use the station to move stock down to the quay. Click the photos below to see larger versions:-

New Signals

2007-07-22T07:45:00.000+01:00

Due to the large track extensions being currently made at Myrtle Street Station, to handle the extra traffic, all staff on the EALR are working overtime, producing the necessary infrastructure. These two signals have just been turned out ready to be put in place and roughly follow the GWR practice of lower quadrant working though in the somewhat 'quirky' style of the EALR.

Click to enlarge

Bought off 'that' auction site for the princely sum of £3.95, these lovely vintage wood and tinplate signals, which are perfect in scale (give or take a bit) have been lightly restored with a little paint and straightening of the wires and will now have a new lease of life on the new station area. You can never have too many signals!

Nostalgia on the EALR

2007-07-03T20:27:00.000+01:00

Old photographs of Myrtle Street Station have been found in a cupboard in the Station Master's office that show remarkable similarities with the current line, even down to the passengers!

Click to enlarge

Five minutes playing about in Photoshop ! :-)

Back on Duty

2007-06-18T15:05:00.000+01:00

After a bit of a break due to some health problems, I'm pleased to say that the EALR is now happily running it's summer schedules. Today Bert and Walter, between passenger traffic, are seen posing with the latest wagon to be produced by the EALR's wagon works, shown here in ex-works condition. It's anticipated that it won't be staying this clean for long, once it's put into service running livestock from the moors to the Quay for market.

Click to enlarge

This wagon follows the normal build methods of the EALR and is loosely based on the early cattle wagons used by the W&L in the 1900s before they stopped using oak chassis and uprights. As usual I.P Engineering wheelsets, axleboxes and couplings were incorporated, the wagon itself being made form pine and mahogany stripwood.

Private Owner Wagon

2006-11-04T13:07:00.000Z

Click for a larger image

A new Private Owner Wagon is photographed just after leaving the EALR Wagon Works, prior to being lettered. The EALR was commissioned to supply wagons for a local gravel collection company, working out of Appledore and landing gravel on the local quay from where it will be transported by the EALR.

Another scratch built wagon, made from red cedar for the chassis and mahogany strip wood for the planking. Strapping etc made from Plasticard, as were the rivets. Wheels, axle boxes and buffers are from I.P. Engineering. This one is to be hand lettered with the Owners details. A nice bit of colour next to the grey livery of EALR wagons :-)

Tanker Wagon

2006-10-30T16:24:00.000Z

A new Esso Wagon has been purchased by the EALR to assist the Fisherman in re-fueling their boats with diesel on the quay, which up to now has had no facilities. This is all part of the ongoing improvements and extensions to the line that are underway and will mean that lorries will not have to negotiate the narrow village streets in future.

Purchased from German Ebay at a good price complete with metal wheels, this one was a bit of a bargain as it's in perfect condition.

Click to enlarge

New Coach arrives from Germany

2006-10-25T17:06:00.000+01:00

Click photo to enlarge

As a preservation line, the EALR has been lucky enough to obtain a coach from Germany to help cope with the swelling volumes of passengers that are now using the line since it has connected with the Quay. Although a main line coach, it was felt that it would bring a more luxurious method of travel to those using the line regularly.

Bought from Ebay, this older German LGB coach has a somewhat British air about it and may be re-livered in the future to give it the EALR "Feel " It looks nice on the line and handles the R1 curves that I use, very well.

Engineering Train

2006-10-17T13:16:00.000+01:00

Click the photo for a larger version

An engineering train seen today at Myrtle Street Staion after carrying out some work on the new bridge, part of the line extension.

Nice to see all this stock in one train, all made by me including the loco, with one exception, the crane, which is a modified Toytrain crane with it's toolbox wagon, that I did make. Still more to come in the production line !

New Goods Wagon

2006-09-26T16:31:00.000+01:00

Click photo to enlarge

Walter and Bert pose with the new ventilated goods wagon that has just been built by the EALR to handle the growing demand for moving fresh farm produce from the local farms, down to the new quay, now being developed, for the purpose of shipping it to markets at home and abroad.

This wagon has been scratchbuilt, mainly in Mahogany and Red Cedar, using wheelsets, axleboxes and couplings from I.P Engineering. It will be a Power Van, holding battery, speed controller and radio control for the locos, to be used when the line goes over to full radio control, hopefully in the near future.

Back to Work

2006-09-10T19:51:00.000+01:00

Due to illness The EALR has been quiet for a few months but now construction has re-started on the Harbour Area to enable local fishing boats to off load catches for transportation to market.

Here an engineers train can be seen working the area where the station is to be built whilst Eileen, a fishing boat moors nearby.

More New Staff !

2006-02-25T17:38:00.000Z

Even more staff were seen today on the platform of Myrtle Street station, local volunteers spending the day getting trained up on the new Peckett loco. Nice to see the growing popularity of the line !

These two guys are the first people that I have hand made myself in clay. Having been so impressed by the Busy Bodies figures that I have bought, I thought it about time I made my own, hence these as trials. Not easy to do but very satisfying and hopefully they will cost less than populating the whole line with Busy Bodies' figures ! Now to try some passengers.... :-)

New Staff Member

2006-02-15T15:00:00.000Z

Click photo for a larger image

A new driver, Walter, joined the permanent staff of the EALR today and is seen here putting the Peckett through it's trials early this morning, together with Sid in the guards van. With the increase of traffic on the line and the envisaged extension to the Quay being carried out in the spring, it was thought neccesary to plan ahead with staffing.

Thanks must go to Rob of Busy Bodies for making Walter, as a special job, to fit the small height of the Peckett cab. A very nice job he made of him too!

New Loco for the EALR

2006-02-13T07:10:00.000Z

click photo for enlarged version

After quite a long wait, the first glimpse of the newly restored Peckett 'Helen' is caught by a cameraman at Myrtle Street Station, before the official naming ceremony to be held there soon. Although the restoration is not quite finished, it is obvious that this loco will nicely fill the present gap in the EALR's loco stock, hopefully carrying out shunting duties at the Quay Station, when it is complete, and hauling various short trains when the line is busy during the summer period.

This loco I constructed from a GRS kit on an LGB chassis and is to be fully radio controlled when I've finished building it. Took a fair bit of time but seems to be looking ok now :-)

Fresh from Engineering

2005-12-18T10:59:00.000Z

Early morning on the EALR and the restored crane and associated flat wagon rounds Bloody Corner on it's way to Myrtle Street Station where it will be taking up duties. The engineering section still has a few jobs to carry out on the crane including restoring lettering on the jib relating to the local crane manufacturer. No doubt soon after carrying out work, it will weather and lose its current pristine condition!

I bought this Toytrain crane from Germany very cheaply and having given it a good paint job and building a flat wagon to carry strops, tools etc I think it now gives a fair representation of the sort of crane that could be expected on the line. I shall do some more detailing and lettering and it will, along with my other handbuilt stock, get weathered in the very near future.

Snow on the EALR

2005-11-25T11:40:00.000Z

Click the photo for a larger version

Some very rare snow caught out passengers this morning on the EALR. Cyril can be seen in his shirt sleeves sweeping snow of the platform while others wait, some in very unsuitable clothes, for the early train to the quay, hopefully when right of way has been given for the Stainz to clear the platform with Sid in the Guards Van. Not used to snow in this neck of the woods as you can see.

I really didnt think I'd have the opportunity to see snow on the line but it appears winter has arrived early! In fact its now nearly noon and it's gone already!

Autumn Evening on the EALR

2005-11-16T16:46:00.000Z

On an autumn evening Sid waits in the Guards van for the 5.00pm freight to be assembled, while Cyril sweeps down the station forecourt. A quiet evening reflecting the cold and damp weather!

A test to try out the new station lamp that was fixed on today, a grain of wheat bulb, powered by a PP3 battery inside the station. That and the new guard van lamp seem to be working well. Nightime will tell! As usual click the photo to enlarge

New Myrtle Street Station opens !

2005-11-14T10:37:00.000Z

Today the new Myrtle Street Station opened to the public and is much appreciated by the locals who, up to now, have had to wait for trains in the open, whatever the weather! Sid waits for his van to be coupled ready for a trip to deliver Ethel's new VW, while the guys do some repairs and maintenance to the water tower.

The Station is a kit by Modeltown, which I think succesfully gives the atmosphere of a traditional Westcountry station. It has yet to be finalised with internal detail, lighting etc.

Lady Smythe breaks down

2005-11-12T22:14:00.000Z

After buying her new car today, Lady Smythe is helped with a problem with the steering (it hasn't got any), while Pat looks on. This and another car was purchased today at Morrisons at the price of £3 each...... excellent value and the first vehicles to be seen around the EALR. 1:24 scale Audi A4 and a Volswagon Beetle.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

2005-10-30T14:42:00.000Z

Not much traffic to be seen on the East Appledore today, A lone guards van is returned to Myrtle Street Station goods yard with its new working tail lamp in evidence, as yet unpainted. Sid, the new guard can be seen having a quick fag en route.

New Coal Bunker

2005-10-27T10:42:00.000+01:00

At last a coal bunker has been erected to the northern end of Myrtle Street Station platform, opposite the water tower, and now locos can top up when neccesary when visiting the station. Made up of scrap timber on a slate base and very well varished, it will be interesting to see how long it lasts!

It is hoped that construction of the Station building itself will commence this coming weekend, which will be a relief to the two passengers who have been waiting in the rain and weather for some considerable time! (As usual click the photo for an enlarged version)

Autumn on the EALR

2005-10-22T16:09:00.000+01:00

A lovely autumn day in Devon and I caught the 3.30 p.m. Stainz, just past Bloody Corner, working a light freight from Myrtle Street Station, just as the post was being picked up from the cul-de-sac at Wall's End by Pat.

I noticed that the new flat wagon was being used though still running in it's original colours but having had the EALR lettering applied. I was glad to get the shot between the rain showers we have been having all day. Just off to the station cafe now for a cuppa and a stcky bun!

New Signal on the line

2005-10-17T11:18:00.000+01:00

As I intend eventually to fully signal the East Appledore,according to our own system (which covers me for any apparent errors in prototype :) ), I decided before scratchbuilding one myself, to see what the kit produced by GRS came out like.

The post is a lovely piece of wood, very close grained, knot free and beautifuly tapered. There are a number of whitemetal fittings together with brass rods and rivets and coloured plastic for the lenses.Some of the castings needed a little work, including some fine drilling but overall quality wasn't bad. I had to add my own safety rail but otherwise everything needed was there. When finished, the signal is nicely balanced with the board returning automatically to the 'on' position when left standing. Later all signals will be made operational, when the final layout of the line is decided.

The instructions fall down a bit, being only an exploded view, with no text, so a copy of Freezer's 'Signalling' may come in handy. This kit makes up to the basic 'Home' signal shown here but they also have various other kits including a bracket, post and full bracket signal, so it should be able to construct just about any Signal needed with a bit of fiddling about.

Overall a success and I'll be using both their kits and more particularly, parts for future signalling projects on the E.A.L.R.The result is shown in the picture. (click for an enlargement)

New Wagon completed

2005-10-05T15:57:00.000+01:00

Finally finished making the new Power Van for the East Appledore. Now all is needed is to install the batteries etc. etc. I hope also to fit the innovations to the couplings as and when I've finished with the design. It's proving a bit of a pain but I'm sure I'll get there eventually.

The stock is now starting to get a bit of a corporate look to it which is satisfying..... loads more to do though!

Work continues on the 'experimental' wagon

2005-09-20T08:23:00.000+01:00

Work is continuing apace on the new wagon, that amongst it's duties will be that of providing power for the loco of the day. I am hoping to move away from track power as soon as possible and a wagon that wouldn't look out of place running with either freight or coaching stock was what was required. As usual on the East Appledore Light Railway, the wagon builders are developing their own prototype though sticking to rough British outline style. Hence here we have a ventilated goods wagon which performed this function in real life, appearing as it did on various traffic profiles. Mine will probably be used for moving local organic fruit and veg from the moors down to the quay and such other rustic duties.

This time I have opted for Plasticard rather than mahogany wood strip, for no other reason really than to try it out as a building medium at this scale. The Carcass is being built onto a standard LGB chassis in order to ensure optimal working on some of the very tight curves found on the moorland section and new metal wheels are on order as this vehicle will have very high usage. So far all seems to be going well, though there is heck of a lot more work to do on it and I shall be posting more details will follow soon... As usual click the photo for a larger version

Pattern in Random Events

2005-09-11T08:59:00.000+01:00

It's a well known habit of human beings to try and find a familiar pattern in something that might be entirely random.

I created this totally random image using just ink and paper... can you see anything familliar? If so do, tell me what you see ...........

Click the image to get a better look

Nice little Mathematical Puzzle

2005-09-11T07:48:00.000+01:00

OK, so here we have a puzzle devised by myself and a friend back when I was a young lad.... Ages ago then....... This is the gist.......

ABC is a right angled triangle
BC equals six inches
AD equals 2.3 inches
Angle BCA is bisected by CD, so ....
Angle BCD equals Y degrees and
Angle DCA equals Y degrees

Right, that's the easy bit.... The task is to find out the value of the distance BD... Easy-peasy isn't it, go on then give it a go and send me your results with all stages of working out as per your homework of yesteryear. No prizes, just a mention that you are a right clever dicky.

Off you go then and as per usual you can click the photo to enlarge if you think it will help

Omega Speedmaster PC Wallpaper

2005-09-10T17:30:00.000+01:00

These are wallpaper that I created for my computer and if anyone else has an interest in Omega Speedmasters, you are more than welcome to download and use them. If you want others I have them :). For anyone else who wonders why the heck I would be bothered, have a look at my links and visit Chuck's site ....... now there is obsession in action!

First Post . . . .The East Appledore Light Railway

2005-09-10T12:20:00.000+01:00

Well, this is the first post and somewhat in the nature of a try out of the system. Firstly, a quick picture of the East Appledore Light Railway. For no other reason really than I want to see how easy it is to post pictures. So here goes.....

Seems to have worked I see, .....so lets try another .....

Seems like it's click photos to enlarge as usual

These are just a couple of photos of the new G Scale garden railway project in the garden. Something to keep my brain and body gainfully employed for the odd hour or so of lucidity during this illness of mine ( I have been an M.E. sufferer for five years..) . I have to say the guys on the G Scale Mad Forum are a great bunch and happily as mad as I am! So if you have an interest in large scale model railways, do pay a visit.

Enough for this one.. More to follow........