Any event at Weston is well worth the dash back from Oxford. However, a night-time event is particularly special. Although I was busy for most of the evening (keeping the 750 halloween visitors entertained at the keyboard) I did manage to capture a few rather elementary photographs. The ride was fantastic and it is well known, that to me, other than my own railway, this line remains unparalleled to anything else, miniature or otherwise. Indeed the railway forms part of a history that stretches back over fifty years.

A fantastic evening. From 1992 onwards I began to ride regularly behind our number 4. Seventeen years later and it still gets better every time.....

Thanks to you all, indebted as ever....

I coincided our end of season at Hilton (in an operational sense) with a request from Shropshire 16mm association members to come and see the railway at home. They were the first guests to ride over the new track laid through Hilton House Halt. A variety of locomotives were seen in action. A splendid afternoon and a great way to end the season.

My thanks go to our small team at Hilton and to guests. I for one had a fun afternoon.

These photographs were taken by Paul Kings.

After your host remembered the transmitter, the locomotive ran faultlessly as they usually do.....

As much as the cosmetic detail found in plastic kits is desirable, their tendency to become troublesome behind larger locomotives is an issue. With this in mind, a new prototype has been constructed which uses metal wheels and axle boxes. Although the detail is functional, their ruggedness should allow the units to be placed behind a Roundhouse locomotive with comparative ease.

Your host yet again reminisces backward to the early 1990s with this project to scratch build 'Conwy Castle', a once daily performer on the Ffestiniog Railway. The locomotive is fondly remembered for hauling the early and late bird trains. Conwy was the FR's front-line diesel seconded by Upnor Castle. Of course, they both pre-date the arrival of 'Criccieth Castle' in 1995. Following Linda's disappearance during the mid-1990s, one unconsciously witnessed the passing of an outstanding series in operational quality. The new 16mm scale model will no doubt blend with other Ffestiniog models which also gain their inspiration from this wonderful era.

Home for the academic year 2009/10: Green Templeton College, Oxford.

Over the last twelve months or so tastes have changed a little, possibly towards more generic locomotives, which are, in some cases, not based on specific prototypes. This is quite possibly a short phase but nonetheless, such an outlook inspired the choice of this locomotive.

In line with devout 'Katie' practice, a rear lamp and bucket was fitted to the rear of the locomotive.
The 2.4GHz radio control was a welcome surprise. It appears that Roundhouse are fitting this as standard to all their locomotives. Furthermore, the shade of blue applied was a darker shade than expected.

For a few weeks now I have been meaning to wash down, refuel and generally 'spruce up' the Hilton diesel locomotives. For the first time this afternoon, three were running simultaneously (the fourth is off-site undergoing restoration).
Multiple bottles of energy drink were required, as usual, to start and operate the locomotives. Twin cylinder Lister Diesel engines keep their maverick completely occupied and the whole business may be compared to a workout at the gym.
Nonetheless, it was lovely to offer specific attention to the historic diesel fleet, the steam shed remained firmly closed during the day!

The set includes the Welshpool Pickering coaches running in their historic form and some L&B bogie vans and wagons.

I don't usually post photographs of any miniature railway pursuits here but realizing there maybe a common interest I have posted two photos sent to me by the locomotive engineer overhauling the locomotive; a half-size scale model of the Neil Simkins built 'Norfolk Hero' which operates for the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway. We anticipate a christmas 2009 delivery.

Windy conditions influenced the unusually short rolling stock formation shown in these photos. The locomotive appears following a re-calibration of the regulator servo linkage, kindly carried out by David Evans.

A rare outing for scratch-built locomotives 'Prince' and 'Criccieth Castle'. The England locomotive seen here is not to be confused with the Slaters-built 'Prince' photographed earlier this year.

Number Twelve also made an appearance and is seen alongside Fuggles resident 'Jack': a Roundhouse locomotive much-loved by many 'old hands'.

A super day and lovely to see the Puffin Lodge working trains where it all began.....

See you in a couple of weeks Mark for another session!

The locomotive steamed well requiring very little attention. It may now await a repaint into fully early WHR livery; a while yet perhaps!

Stewart Browne of Archangel Locomotives runs coal-fired locomotive William Byrd and offers your host some invaluable tips for coal firing in 16mm scale.
The time passed far too quickly, certainly an action packed afternoon.

A fantastic time. Super to see some master 16millers at work....

See this locomotive at work at Rob Bennett's 'Indian Hill' broadcasting channel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdESpaG8PJs

Although the 'Prince of Wales' remained poised for action, it was not called upon; your host became distracted along with a number of 'old hands'. We became focussed on the second Puffin Lodge loco to attend, 'William Byrd' (see separate collection).

During this year, the Puffin Lodge has expanded disproportionately and refitting the storage and maintenance facilities has formed part of a general catch-up program. Over half the steam locomotives have yet to receive permanent carry boxes. They may be seen stacked alongside one another in their temporary cardboard versions. Provision will be made for this work later in the season.

Some increasingly familiar British Model Supply boxes can be found on one of the shelves, these contain part of a new rolling stock set currently under development. It will consist of mixed-purpose vehicles and may appear before the end of the 2009 season.

The locomotive is a Roundhouse Silver Lady. Unfortunately, due to time constraints the locomotive has yet to be customized. To make use of the three headlamp brackets, three lamps are intended together with a red rear lamp, bucket and firing irons. Number and name plates are also required. Lining may also be considered, although it is currently placed on the lower end of the waiting list created for this work.

Certainly not a typical choice of locomotive for the Puffin Lodge; although, as a regular little workhorse it is becoming a welcome addition to the roster.

When we began a decade ago, we were unsure of scale and certain other 'standards' that we come to expect as our experiences grow. 'O' gauge components taken from Triang 'Big Big Train' sets were the starting point for scratch building in 16mm scale. The photos show these early 'narrow gauge' attempts operating at the Paddock Railway, Hampton Loade. All of the locomotives still exist, some in a much-modified form. They will all re-run during 2009 to mark the first ten years. Now the Puffin Lodge maintains and operates with a fleet of twenty-seven locomotives yet it is fun to look back to those first steps into 16mm NG modeling. Finally, the photographs reveal the Paddock Railway in a somewhat historic light. Here the railway is seen with two operational circuits and a harbor. Some would say this was the railway in a kind of 'secondary form' as originally the line consisted of just a single loop laid on a wooden base. Trellises and other wooden supports occupied the space where the brick arches now stand.

A reliable member of the fleet

I almost have as much affection for the Countax Garden tractor as I do for 16 mm live steam! I find their quaint aesthetic irresistible.....

The new 2008 model arrived this morning and I couldn't resist taking a few photos of this lovely machine.

See Rob Bennett's video of the running session here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/indianhill#p/u/50/XC4crb6WiAc

View Rob Bennett's short film of the day here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkXSbJEjwJ0&feature=channel_page