Your GMES webmaster, in the former Traralgon signalbox now
located at GMES.
Photo: Maikha Ly
Yes, the Webmaster's Page. This is where I, your GMES webmaster, get to
indulge in one of the privileges of building a website. My own page on the site.
But don't worry. I'm keeping it relevant. Here you will find photos, links,
stories and a bit of humour relating to the hobby of model engineering. Or at
least you will as I add to it. - Darren.
This page added 19th August 2008
Last updated 26 July, 2012
You can contact me regarding this site by
7A at Walhalla. The return of an NA class 2-6-2T locomotive to Walhalla for a few days only.
Selection of photos taken of 7A's test runs on Thursday May 27, 2010. The
locomotive was renumbered 9A as this was the first to haul a train into
Walhalla.
On the Sunday, 7A had its correct number restored. 7A hauled the last train on
the last remaining section of the Walhalla line, the Erica - Moe section, in
1954.
Video of 7A on the last run, Sunday. Train was an hour late due to
landslides. It was extremely wet and almost dark when the train got back to
Walhalla.
Swiss Vapeur Parc Video of the miniature park of Le Bouveret, Switzerland. Well worth a look.
If the video plays faster than it loads, just press pause and go and do
something else while it loads. Then press play and watch it non-stop.
On 12-13 September 2009 I took
part in the Croydon Model Railway Club's exhibition at Lilydale. On the Saturday
members and exhibitors were invited to a BBQ dinner and night run at the nearby
Mooroolbark Miniature Railway. Weather for the
evening could not have been better. Here's a short video of the track.
The Beer Heights Light Railway at Pecorama, UK.
The Hilton Valley Railway - UK
Two-part video detailing the restoration of this well-known private line.
TAIWAN - July/August 2008.
I spent 3 weeks in Taiwan over July/August, so here's some photos of interest
taken at various stations along the Jiji mountain branchline during their 5-week
Jiji Train Festival.
Some other Taiwan railway photos appear on my own
Gunzel Gallery site.
See Taiwan 4.
Photos from previous trips appear on other pages.
5" gauge Mikado.
2-8-2 live steam locomotive of Taiwan prototype. Like many of Taiwan's steam locomotives, it is a Japanese design.
Remote control level crossing signals.
These battery-operated crossing signals feature LEDs and electronic bell, as per the prototype signals in Taiwan.
DT 688 attracting attention.
As with live steam anywhere, many interested people crowd around.
Portable track.
Despite being several hundred metres in length, the entire track here was portable, having been set up as part of the 5-week long Jiji Train Festival.
DT 688 with 8 cars in tow.
Portable track ran around a large pond in a park.
Last look.
Lack of time meant I had to move on to other displays, as much as I wanted to linger here.
Alishan Shay No. 22.
Shay locomotives like this are scattered all across Taiwan. As far as I know, all came from the Alishan Forestry Railway. One or two are still there in running order.
5" gauge US Shay.
Shay fever seems to have taken modellers all over Taiwan. You see photos, paintings and models of them everywhere - or at least it feels that way at times.
Battery operated 5" gauge train
This circular portable track was sighted at one of the stations along the Jiji branch.
Another look at the battery locos.
Note the, err 'rail fan' to the left of the train. :)
Jiji branch Diesel Railcar set
This short branch line receives 8 services each way per day.
Note the bamboo crossing gates.
View from the front of the Jiji line DRC set
Top speed on this picturesque branch was 55km/h.
CK 124 2-6-2T
In addition to the normal DRC services, this tank loco was running shuttle trips too.
End of the Line
Here's one of the DRC sets at Checheng station at the end of the Jiji branch.
Tunnel at Checheng
DRC set arriving at the station for our return journey.
Raw power in 5" gauge at Cobden.
HUGE 5" gauge miniature
railway INDOORS. Here are some videos showing what appears to be a
temporary 5" gauge exhibiiton layout in Germany.
Imagine what could be done if this was a permanent installation.
See also here,
here and
here. Others available
from the same person. Just look for them on the right of the pages.
RACV Live Steam TV
commercial-At last - a television commercial model engineers
will enjoy. Although the "Miniature Railway Club of Victoria" mentioned in
the ad is fictitious, the train and track was provided for the filming by the Altona Miniature Railway.
