I’d already a plan in my head for ‘Phase 2’ of the Moel Rhos Railway – to reach the shed. So that’s the goal for this summer. Continue reading Phase 2
Get Chuffed
I’d already bought some bling to accessorise my Millie, but the first real upgrade required some surgery: fitting a chuff pipe to get that chuffing sound. Continue reading Get Chuffed
Twice the Momentum
One of the less desirable characteristics of small live steam locomotives is that they hurtle out of the starting gate, and even if you manage a light enough touch on the regulator to run them slow, they stall on the curves. Continue reading Twice the Momentum
Bling for the Millie
I have been buying some accessories to make my Millie look even lovelier. Continue reading Bling for the Millie
One Year On
It’s (just over) a year since I started work on Phase 1 so I thought I’d revisit my site survey photos in a ‘then and now’ fashion Continue reading One Year On
First Run
When there was a short break between rain showers this afternoon I nipped out and steamed up the Millie for her first run on the railway. Continue reading First Run
Steaming Up
Night before last I steamed up Millie for the first time. I think it counts as a success – I managed to raise steam and run her on blocks for over 25 minutes. Continue reading Steaming Up
Hello, Millie
She’s here! Continue reading Hello, Millie
Choosing Millie
The Moel Rhos Light Railway Co. has placed an order for the first steam locomotive for the line. She will be a ‘Millie’ class, manufactured in Doncaster by Roundhouse. Continue reading Choosing Millie
The Candidates in Steam
Some readers have been a bit reticent to give their opinions on my shortlist of live steam locos! I realised my rather dry summary of the specs might not be enough – I needed to see the locos in action and so do you. Fortunately, there are some rather good videos out there. Please, watch them, and give me your thoughts! Continue reading The Candidates in Steam