The Gauge 1 Model Railway Association – NZ Group

The Gauge 1 Model Railway Association – NZ Group
Summer 2011/12

Contents
Contents 2
Editorial 2
Get Together Dates for the Diary 3
Debbie & Stuart’s October 2011 4
Bert’s Memorial GTG November 2011 7
Sue & Geoff’s GTG December 2011 10
Editorial
Well we are three get together’s into this summer now, due to a lack of articles from any one I just have
a pictorial summers of these events. So if anyone feels inclined some more thoughts and words would be
appreciated.
For those of you going to Steam Up North Convention in January I hope you have a good time as I plan
to be there one or two days. Remember at great effort Geoff has built a semi-portable track which will
be operated during the event to promote G1 here in New Zealand.
Cover Picture: Geoff’s Double Fairlie at Bert’s Memorial GTG in November 2011 on the narrow gauge
scenic line.
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Page: 2

Get Together Dates for the Diary
Jan 7/8 2011
Feb 26th 2011
March 11th 2011
April 8 th 2011
Whangarei at the convention
Jack Horner in Auckland using Geoff’s portable track
Robyn & Neil’s in Devonport
Geoff's in Tirau
Page: 3

Debbie & Stuart’s October 2011
Compared to last year we have had a very wet start to the spring and summer. On this day we had a few
showers and as the race book says the going was very soft under foot. This is the day that Wales where robbed
in the rugby world cup semi-final.
Here we have Geoff’s
Evening Star with almost a
full rake of coaches, he had
three and has managed to
find the other three that
made up this set when it
got broken up in an estate
sale many years ago. Neil
is preparing his MR
Compound. My new A4
lies in the siding having
retired with mechanical
difficulties, one of the
gears keeps slipping even
though the grub screw was
done up tight.
Geoff checks over David’s
4472 before raising steam.
This had run fine a few
days prior at Geoff’s, but
was another locomotive
schedule to be placed in the
works before the days end.
Page : 4

Here we have the ladies
with the other attraction,
our alpacas in the adjoining
paddock.
Neil’s ever reliable MR
Compound performs
flawlessly, round and
round she goes.
Page : 5

Page : 6
David’s 4472 problems
starting to develop.

Bert’s Memorial GTG November 2011
Jill very kindly allowed us to have one last GTG using Bert’s track before the property was sold.
I arrived a little late and
the first loco I
photographed running was
this little gas fired US
outline switcher style loco
formally Bert’s and know
owned by Carl. This has
RC.
As befits Bert’s mainline
Geoff ran one of Bert’s
large US steam loco’s with
a rake of 9 coaches.
Page : 7

Here we have the narrow
gauge halt adjoining the
mainline. Goeff’s double
fairlie in the halt with the
mainline steam in the
background.
As I am usually the one
behind the camera there
are very few photo’s of
myself in these newletters.
Here we have my repaired
MR1000 running the best
is has performed for a long
time. Yes the GWR
coaches aren’t quite right,
I have some MR 4 wheel
coaches in the process of
being assembled from
Mercian Kits.
Page : 8

David’s 4472 made
another appearance, but
again developed issues.
Geoff informs me the
valves which are grub
screw fixed are slipping
and timing is being lost.
Page : 9

Sue & Geoff’s GTG December 2011
In December Sue and Geoff had there first GTG of the season. Another very nice lunch was proved with fresh
produce from the vegetable garden.
I was first out the block
this day, one proud owner
of his Barrett J38 crossing
the viaduct.
The new addition to
Geoff’s is a steaming bay
which enters the track on
the viaduct approaches.
The bridge pivots
providing free access to
the operator for the chase
once the loco has entered
the track.
Here this new addition is
being subjected to critical
review. The conclusion is
a very valuable addition to
the track.
Page : 10

In an earlier newsletter a
photo was provided of a
East African Garratt
locomotive being built.
Well here is the progress
so far, this is going to be
an awesome locomotive. I
just can’t wait to see it in
steam in the near future.
Here we have Carl with his
gas fired RC switcher
running faultlessly.
Page : 11

The new steaming bay in
operation. On the right
Geoff prepares his “Spam
Can” while on the left Neil
prepares his MR
Compound.
Neil running his MR
compound over the
viaduct.
Page : 12

Page : 13
Geoff watches his SR
“Spam Can” over the
viaduct. Considering the
problems Geoff has getting
this running it now
performs well.