The original SPL - a basement layout
HO, Southern Pacific / New Zealand combined (a what if scenario: after WWII New Zealand was so damaged that the USA rebuilt the railroads and owned them).
Jack's layout
An 8-year-old's un-named portable N-scale railroad that fits in a double closet and runs ATSF and UP prototypes.
Single track folded loop with yard and one passing siding. DC controlled.
Port Bonifacio
An HO double-deck sectional shelf railroad featuring double track Southern Pacific main somewhere near Port Costa in San Francisco, a steam museum, two decks and a train elevator, all in a 10 foot by 11 foot study while still making room for a workshop, windows on two walls and a wall full of bookcases!
The Wettington and Mahawatu Railway Company
A G-scale narrow-gauge garden railroad, vaguely based on a New Zealand prototype The Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company that ran within a mile of here, was new Zealand's only major private railroad, built on 3'6", and was based on mostly US equipment.
Last Run
Submitted by rob on Sun, 2010-05-09 10:42.
The Pukerua Bay wind stayed away, the mist and drizzle washed the tracks, then the watery autumn sun warmed the railroad for the Grand Opening and the Last Run.
Grand Opening and Final Run
Submitted by rob on Mon, 2010-05-03 06:08.
We're moving, just as the W&MR nears completion. Sad but true, house already sold, and the new owner doesn't want the railroad. So up it all comes.
The realism of garden railroading
Submitted by rob on Mon, 2010-05-03 06:06.
Part of the joy of outdoor model railroading is that so many elements are similar to the prototype. I level my right of way with a spade. I lay track in gravel ballast.
Demolishing a railroad
Submitted by rob on Thu, 2010-03-18 21:40.
It is a tough call to demolish a railroad. it is an even tougher call to retire from one scale and sell all your gear. But that is what I am doing.
More summer running on the outdoor Wettington and Mahawatu Railway
Submitted by rob on Tue, 2009-12-29 08:50.
Running in the reverse direction from the previous video.
Running trains!
Submitted by rob on Wed, 2009-11-18 21:22.
The dual-track loop is completed, the first train ran a full circuit in early November, and a dozen friends from a local model railway club assembled on a chilly evening to watch trains run with no major problems!!
W&MR power supply
One 22V DC 6A laptop-charger power pack (one more to come) and one 12V wall-wart, mounted on an old piece of now-rare matai native timber framing from house renovations so i couldn't resist sanding an
W&MR power supply cable
This cable can be lifted in the window and plugged into the power supply unit inside, where all the mains voltage is safely kept
labelling outdoor wiring using cable ties
Cable ties are dirt cheap and colourful. Tie them round wiring to create colour bands.
Wiring the W&MR
The W&MR has separate cab-control panel, near the seats and drinks, and block-control panel, near the complex junction. Power supplies are indoors with a cable out the window, with an automotive 6-way connector.
Wettington outdoor G scale cab control panel
This control panel contains all the throttles and assigns them to two power supplies and to two output cab busses which are used by the Mahawatu panel to do block cab assignment.
TransBridge G scale liftout track bridge
To be built.
Double-track bridge 1.8 metres long, .3 metres wide.
Not hinged, just liftout
Aluminium angle frame, pop riveted.
Wettington and Mahawatu Railway track plan
The track plan for the W&MR is a simple double loop around the outside of my enclosed garden area, circumference each about 30m.
W&MR trains are rolling...just
Submitted by rob on Mon, 2009-08-17 10:44.
The first garden railway loco moved today.
Much gandydancing on the W&MR
Submitted by rob on Wed, 2009-06-24 10:07.
Serious progress on the roadbed, more than half done. About 70% of the main loop has roadbed.
Railways I'd like to ride one day
The world is full of enticing railroads to ride. One day I hope my son and I will share:
Made in New Zealand 