Bit of a different format this month, people have been kind enough to send me pictures of projects they have bought showing progress - with permission, I reproduce them here.

The 5 inch gauge "Duchess" that was in last year created a great deal of interest. A large, very powerful engine that had done a lot of work since it was built as one of a batch of four in 1992. It went to a very capable engineer and has recently emerged from a comprehensive overhaul (and before I get a hundred emails, no, it's not for sale!).

   
Then...                                            ...and now

Not a restoration project but an older engine still doing sterling service (with a couple of well-known faces from the 10 1/4 inch gauge world in charge)

Rather a magnificent Fowler B5 built as a crane engine. Originally one of a pair, the other was built as a Showmans engine

   
Then...                                            ...and now

This was a really nice old coal-fired boiler, unused from new, which emerged from a barn collection. The new owner has put it into service housed in its own brick-built boiler house.

   
Then...                ...and now

A professionally-built 2 inch scale "Minnie" traction engine - the work on it was excellent, it ended up in similarly skilled hands and is now virtually finished, having been steamed earlier this year.

   
Then...                                        ...and now

A rather tired looking LMS 2F to LBSC's "Molly" design went to a highly accomplished engineer who has had many "projects" from me. Not only does this man do an excellent job in double quick time (by which I mean weeks rather than months!) I always get an email and picture of the finished engine.

   
Then...                                    ...and now

24th September 2006

News Archive

July 2006 - Evergreens Miniature Railway, local 10 1/4 line, collecting the Pacific from Cleethorpes
April 2006 - Progress in the workshop, visit to the National Railway Museum, visit to Woody Bay
January 2006 - Moving to new units, grit-blasting my hands, shiny Romulus
October 2005 - Stamford SME, Sam starts the restoration of "Pendle Witch", Casterton Working Weekend
August 2005 - New workshop, Thurston Pacific back from Cleethorpes
May 2005 - Berkely Light Railway, dodgy boiler certificates, full-size ploughing engines at auction
January 2005 - digging
October 2004 - initial planning for the garden railway
July 2004 - Fowler ploughing engines in Yorkshire
May 2004 - Moving the workshop, a 9 1/2 inch gauge garden railway
Apr 2004 - Holiday in Shropshire & The Severn Valley Railway, LNER liveried Black 5
Feb 2004 - Refacing a Tangye slide valve, new acquisition 10 ton Aveling roller