The Grockle Garden Railway

[71/4Nick]

really like your railway mate it looks so simple but affective n a good old skool selection of locos

[thomas the plank engine]

I try my best. Have most manufacturers accounted for, (british outlined only) be it coaching stock, goods stock, steam loco's and diesels. Must admit to having kept a couple of Yank loco's though.

Ian

[thomas the plank engine]

Over the year of 2010 very little if any work has been done on the GGR. Weather and a cash flow problem being the main causes of non activity building wise.
Hopefully 2011 will see the final part of the hard contruction finished, ie posts up and timber sourced to finally seperate the higher level grassed area from the patio. Once this is done then the final timbers can be positioned and fixed so that I can then think about track laying and the positioning of the bridge, which might yet have to be extended by another foot or so. Will also mean that I can find out if I have enough platform pieces to complete the twin platforms on the curve by the green fence and source a couple more Hornby-Dublo foot bridges.
If all goes to plan after a couple of phone calls earlier this month, I might be shortly in receipt of a load of secondhand flexi track that is hardly used, if so this will save me a huge amount of dosh, so fingers crossed please.

Finally would like to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New year from the GGR and its staff

Ian

[TVGR]

Lost and Found!!

Due to many changes in the Networks management, and Unreliable staff, this wagon has been lost on the network, however is now finally after a few years, prepped and ready for departure, Loaded with the Previous network control manager, for disciplinary action!!
Please advise destination, and except our apologies from the crew at Taw Vale



Thanks Again
"Ferndale Box"

[thomas the plank engine]

Darren

PM sent

Ian

[thomas the plank engine]

Update May 2011

As of yet nothing has happened since that last time of writing. The big tree next door has finally got rid of its blossom so now its a case of blowing the muck away, tracking cleaning and a touch of maintenance where the dog has been running about on it and dislodged the track in a couple of places.
However this might not go as planned due to family commitments elsewhere. Father-in-law is not in the best of health and is at present in hospital in Blackpool so might be going up there at short notice. If this happens will get Mirrlees to try and sort out a visit to anyone in the area if its possible but will definetly be calling in at the Model Exchange on Central Drive, Blackpool.
I have however aquired a couple of steam loco's, Duchess class 4-6-2 'Duckess of Norfolk' in LMS livery with BR markingsand a 2-6-0 Crab in Br black. Both will be put to work once the GGR is up and running. At present they are just getting run in the shed to keep them active.

Ian

[thomas the plank engine]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

trying something out and it ain't naffing worked....ticked off a tad.

Ian

[thomas the plank engine]

Actually got to have a running session today on the GGR and for those of you on facebook there are 3 vidoe clips to be viewed.

Ian

[MOHAAPlayer]

Ian's video one on FaceBook
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150204466534637&comments
Ian's video two on FaceBook
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150204468709637&comments
Ian's video three on FaceBook
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150204473644637&comments
I hope you don't mind Ian

[MOHAAPlayer]

Dear Ian

I hope you are going to post the new paint jobs of your 3 steam loco's.
Only friends on FaceBook might know what I am talking about.

From Nicholas Peck

[thomas the plank engine]

Nick,
I haven't even taken any photographs of the in process paint jobs, never crossed my mind to do that, old age taking its toll again, but will get some pictures taken at some time or another but at present to many other commitments that there is little if any time for the GGR.
As a footnote that trip to Blackpool did take place earlier this year, to say a fond fare well to my father-in-law. RIP Pete.

Ian

[thomas the plank engine]

Update Time again.

This could be the final update for 2011 due to family commitments. Youngest daughter had a boy in January this year and is exspecting her second child in Dec 2011 so the GGR is going to have to take a back seat for some time, now and in the near future.
This has not stopped my from buying a few loco's for the future generation and now in the GGR fleet are;
1. Gordon
2. James
3. Bill
4. Ben
5. Toby (via forum member) & Henreitta
6. Thomas & Anne & Clarabell
7. Project over the dark winter nights this year will be two Deeley/Johnsons as the Jock twins Donald & Douglas
8. Murdured, my own interpretation of Murdock (just awaiting nameplates to arrive to complete this project)

Hopefully also over the winter session when little if any running is done I might be able to finally finish off the unfinished project that have been running around nameless for at least a couple of years in one case.

A4 in post GWR green 'Pagend Mith'
Princess Victoria in br blue
Captain Cuttle br experimentail dark blue
Albert Hall in br experimentail br light green (looks disgusting)
Just awaiting the name plates that I have ordered to arrive then can finish them off completely.

The PINK class 31 now has a rake of 10 coaches including a restarant car and is awaiting loco head boards 'Porquay Express' along with coach destination boards and the restarant is being called 'Porkies Diner'

No work has been done to the garden sections at all this year, what with the prices of everything still going up pennies are not stretching as far as they used to and with the youngest daughter living with us with our latest grandchild life is that bit more hectic than normal.
The way things are going at present I cannot see the complete circuit of the garden getting done within the next couple of years but who knows a miracle might happen. Fingers crossed.

Footnote. For those that know me on the dreaded Facebook there are 10 small vidoe clips of some of my stock running around the GGR, enjoy..............................!!


Ian

[thomas the plank engine]

February 2012 update.

Nothing of interest has happened on the GGR. Part of the original phase 3 build has collasped so all phase 3 build is going to be dismantled and redone when time permits. Family committments have kept me away from the GGR but have been able to spend some time in the shed doing a few other projects. A small Thomas 0-4-0 version has been renumbered to 1/2 and called Tom and now has 4 x 2 compartment couches. (Doctored Anne's & Clarabell's) and they have been named as follows Ann, Nee, Clare, Bella. That should keep the thomas buffs bemused. Murdock has finally got his name plates and is now called Murder. Again Thomas buffs are not amused. HO HO HO as if I care. Captain Cuttle, Albert Hall and Princess Victoria has all been finally finished and have taken their respective places in the engine shed awaiting duty call. Pagend Mith is still missing name plates but will have a nice headboard on the front 'Grockle Express' and should be ready for the summer roster, weather permitting. Also got a couple of little 0-4-0's based on the Holden 101 0-4-0 design, Terry No34 in orange and Connie No7 in yellow. A Bachmann 43XX has also found its way to the GGR and is undergoing test in regards to its pulling power. So far so good.

Ian

[HARRYMALLARD]

Any news from the bottom of yer garden?

[thomas the plank engine]

Its all quite on the GGR at present. Have got a lot of maintenance to carry out his year prior to any running, and the weather is not being nice again. Considering that its now been up and running for 6 years its the first lot of serious maintenence I am having to carry out, so must consider myself very lucky on that score.

Ian