O&K fettling...

Well as is usual for me - the very least my little O&K was going to get was some minor fettling...

This evening I dug out the satin red and satin black paint. First up was painting the rims (not the tyres!) of the wheels satin red - this makes a big visual difference, so despite the large flanges still being bright silver, it certainly helps reduce the toy appearance of the model. Secondly I used the red to paint the green clips and black screws in the buffer beam at the back under the cab. Finally I touched in the smokebox door handle in red.

The black was used to paint the brass coloured rod that connected the steam feed from the dome to the cylinders to the controls in the cab. I also used the black to paint the red section on the top of the rear coupling.

The big question is what next... I originally intended a repaint but I quite like the base colours. I am planning on doing some etched works and line plates, and could change KJF to KJE quite easily...
I need to check, but I think the underside of the cab roof, and possibly the cab inside front spectacle plate would have been cream or light grey. Then some light weathering perhaps? More soon...

Feldbahn arrives...

The LGB Feldbahn is an interesting range, scaling out at 1:18 making the gauge about 810mm, unusually wide for a field railway but not unheard of! The O&K is a lovely model and runs very smoothly, the four cars are nice enough but the first and last in this first photo are the best. I will look to add a few more cars and the Deutz diesel during the year, and a new layout to run it on? Perhaps....

U tank repairs...

The spare motion arrived from Modell-land this morning so I managed to fit it to the U-tank this evening. The motion bracket is red now rather than black and the motion is a darker silver than before, but it works! 

James

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A new era on the EJ&KLR...

As 2015 draws to a close, and the original line in Cheshire awaits lifting I'm reflecting on my garden railway journey and what the future holds for the EJ&KLR?

The line has matured wonderfully, shown here in May 2015.

This project was started with my Dad in November 2010 just two months before he passed away. He never saw a train run in the garden in anger, but the project was a great tonic during grief and it's construction brought my Mum and I closer together. In the years that have passed since, it's become a real focal point when we visit with both my children loving to play with the big trains in the garden, so much so that when it's raining we still get out the 'indoor' track and set it up in the lounge.

My late father, playing with the original starter set.

The line looked very bare when first built, this is from
May 2011, 4 years prior to the photo at the top of this post.

After my daughter's Stainz starter set, and my Dad's Bachmann 3-truck Shay, my original preference was for Austrian outline narrow gauge - and this included both off the peg LGB models (the U and 2095) and modified (Frank S tank) and scratchbuilt (O&K diesel). I also added some other suitable models (the Rugen tank, with a more standard roof) and a beautiful kit built Romanian built Faur L18H (Lxd2) diesel. The stock was modified and repainted and refurbished bargain purchases of E-bay and some interesting scratchbuild projects (the Roll-wagen).

The LGB Frank S tank conversion, with some
refurbished and repainted rolling stock.

The wonderful Blauturm Faur L18H kit.

The scratchbuilt O&K, parts from a
Bachmann Davenport and LGB cab.

The roll-wagen with LGB standard gauge wagon load.

However as my kids got older nipping over to Mum's was less frequent and the line became less used, and my modelling interest found a home in 009 (1:76) modelling.

Creech Bottom, my 009 layout.

So what does the future hold for the EJ&KLR? Well I don't intend on selling any of the original stock, but where a line will be built remains to be seen. My Mum is keen on a small layout being built at her new home in Pembrokeshire - but the garden is very small so it will be only suitable for the Stainz tanks and small 2-axle stock I'm afraid. There is scope to build a line at my home in Cheshire as well but we have pretty terrible weather so I'm not sure how much running vs maintenance would be required. As my 009 interests have morped into UK outline, French outline and Eastern European outline, I found myself searching for the LGB Feldbahn stuff, and have recently bought a 20hp O&K and 4 wagon set - and plan to add the Deutz diesel when it's available... this gives me options... Re-focus the EJ&KLR as a forestry railway 'somewhere' in Eastern Europe (and rebrand the U-tank as EJ&KLR - sell off the 2095), or think about building a field railway, think overgrown track, scruffy buildings, small trains - that gives me an excuse for 1) low maintenance and 2) use of cheap R1 track and points (field railways usually use sharp radius panel track).

Whatever happens though, LGB and garden railways, albeit indoor for the short-term, have a part in my life. Thank you for reading this blog over the years - I hope in 2016 I have more content to share and more frequently keep things up to date!

Another weekend of trains...

Alex and I had a lovely time playing with the railway today. A little melancholy as this afternoon some people were round looking at Mum's house which is for sale. It really is the swan song of this version of the EJKLR.   

James

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Running weekend...

Well it may be few and far between but the raging EJ&KLR still delights. Alex, my 2/1/2 year old and Elly helped run the line again this weekend. It took just 15 minutes to clean and get back up and running and with a little weeding things looked as good as they always do when you play trains in the garden with blue skies and sunshine. Unfortunately my U-tank has developed a fault in that part of it's motion has snapped so I have contacted Marklin spares to see if they can help. Here's to more trains in 2015!

Christmas trains...

Alex and I ran trains today but the good photos are on the other camera.

Autumn trains...

This year hasn't seen much actual modelling in G scale for me but it has seen a bit more playing over 2013. This may be the last year of the line in it's current location as Mum gas bought a new house so a move in 2015 is definitely going to happen. Enjoy these last shots of trains on the line in the autumn.

James

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VL10 on timber...

I finally got round to cutting up the dried prunings I took last heat for the logging flats, but was surprised by how little they covered...

James

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Late August trains...

Despite the threatening weather more trains ran in the EJ&KLR this weekend. The Frank S, Rugen, Schoema and Stainz ran freight and passenger turns before showers set in at the end of the afternoon. The line has matured beautifully, it'a a delight to operate and relax...

James

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Alex loves trains...

This Bank Holiday saw the EJ&KLR run again as Alex and I ran the little O&K. Only a few weeks ago my niece was enthral led by the little green Stainz too, so the railway is a hit with all the grand children!

James

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