Watercress Line

As I was looking after the kids yesterday afternoon, we went up to the Watercress Line at Ropley (our local preserved line) to see some steam engines! West Country 34007 "Wadebridge" & 5MT 73096 were both on passenger duties and made a fine sight in the afternoon sun!

Progress (or lack of!)

Well, August has been a quiet month on the W & L Lt Rly. Between holidays away, pretty rubbish weather, being very busy at work and only having 2 out of 5 locos in service, there hasn't been a great deal of running - just the odd hour here or there with the Baguley-Drewery. Any free time has been spent trying to get those locos back in service:

• A new metal worm gear has been fitted to Toby, but the electric motor has failed & I need to get a replacement - hopefully just a trip to the local model shop.
• The steam regulator & replacement cylinders for the MSS have been fitted, but on an initial firing steam pressure wasn't being raised, so there's a leak somewhere that needs to be sorted out.
• Cackler still needs a new filler valve, and in the longer term the steam regulator needs replacing.

Hopefully there'll be more activity in the Autumn!