Hillhead & Dales Light Railway

Camusterrach Pier in winter...

2012-01-15T18:44:00.004Z

Battery power

2012-01-15T17:13:00.003Z

It was cold out this morning. The General Manager decided that on board power was required, so the battery powered 2092.02 was first out.

Passenger services were in the capable hands of U Class 298.56, running on this occasion with a battery van and hauling the Steyrtalbahn set.

Late in the day, the Dottendorf Bürgermeister realised that beer stocks were running low. Supplies were soon en route.

Keeping the supplies topped up...

2011-12-27T13:54:00.003Z

A delivery to Birkenhof...

Fresh supplies reach Dottendorf...

All safely stored away.

Autumn turns to winter

2011-11-06T15:48:00.001Z

StLB VL51 hauls the Waldviertel rake on a late autumn afternoon...

399 improvments

2011-10-28T14:32:00.011+01:00

The General Manager is very fond of 399.03, and the loco has just received some further cosmetic improvements (though I'm not sure that power drilling through sheet brass is necessarily "cosmetic").

The wiring connection to the trailing pick up van has been tidied up so that it is easier to connect the loco to the van, and the van looks neater when used on its own.

The new front coupling is more prototypical, and the handrails always should have been painted red... so now they are.

Zillertal's birthday video

2011-10-15T22:23:00.002+01:00

Zillertal's 25th Birthday

2011-10-15T21:39:00.004+01:00

The very first LGB locomotive I acquired was No.2, Zillertal, way back in the autumn of 1986. So it was time celebrate 25 years in G scale, and Zillertal's 25th birthday. Here, Zillertal leads a classic formation through the autumn sunshine.

A total of six Zillertal Fasselwagen were assembled, seen here behind a green U class passing Dottendorf. These cover three different issues by LGB over the years.

Some of the crew who arrived to help celebrate Zillertal's birthday.

Motive power for the day was provided primarily by U class locomotives, as one would expect.

Guests brought a fine selection of Zillertal rolling stock and some varied trains were run.

In addition, a Stain bottle train also ran, adding more colour to the event. All in all, a successful celebration.

Autumn shades

2011-10-01T20:29:00.006+01:00

It's been a glorious autumn day on the H&DLR, so trains have been running...

Tidying up at Dottendorf

2011-08-21T21:23:00.014+01:00

The bar has been in place at Dottendorf for over three years now. The model is a Pola kit, and a very highly detailed one at that. I was dubious about the wisdom of an open front from the start, rightly as it turned out. Over the past few years, debris has accumulated around the tables and chairs, and inside the "kitchen" area. This has all been cleaned out, the front glazed in, and a few running repairs made.

At the same time, it has been slightly re-located a little more square on to the station, so that the detail can be seen better. The water fountain and the signal box were also re-levelled, even though it's not obvious from this shot!

Beer train

2011-08-07T21:25:00.004+01:00

Beer stocks are running low... so the Dortmunder beer train was mobilised in the afternoon to replenish supplies.

More visitors...

2011-07-25T18:13:00.004+01:00

This time from the Elly, James & Keith Light Railway . James brought his very nice reliveried coach and van along together with his rebuilt Nikki+Frank S now running as a tank loco. James' 798.201 is seen alongside the H&DLR's own loco of similar origin, also reliveried, as 798.03.

The set is seen passing Dottendorf, delightfully recreating the atmosphere of the Austrian narrow gauge.

Afternoon running

2011-07-10T21:55:00.005+01:00

A little late afternoon sunshine on the H&DLR.

A Waldviertel reflection...

2011-07-03T19:26:00.002+01:00

2091.03 with a typical Waldviertelbahn consist...

Visitors to the H&DLR

2011-06-14T21:50:00.004+01:00

It's always a pleasure to welcome visiting engines to the H&DLR...

Progress in the shed

2011-06-05T10:09:00.005+01:00

The project to add some scenery to the track and baseboard running through the shed is now complete - at least for now. There will be opportunities to add more detail, but in essence the route through the shed now has vaguely plausible scenery throughout.

The final section to be tackled was the area around the loco shed. Space is a bit restricted and I've tried to resist the temptation to add too much clutter - photos of the real loco shed at Garsten show quite a neat and tidy appearance!

New block post installed

2011-05-30T19:59:00.010+01:00

The "new" block post or signal box was installed at Dottendorf yesterday. I've only had the kit about a year...

As is usual on the H&DLR, the kit has been slightly modified. Exterior lights have been added, together with an internal floor. I'm now slightly regretting not installing an interior; I didn't for two reasons. Firstly I'm not really familiar with the internal layout of German/Austrian block posts, and secondly I didn't think it would be at all noticeable. However, the evening sun across the station does highlight the empty upper floor. I may yet install some shutters on the opposite side.

It looks a little raw by comparison to the buildings that have been outside a few years. Some more details will be added - perhaps the signalman's bicycle, a coal store for the stove. Thought it all looked quite nice by night, though.

Been trainspotting in the Harz Mountains...

2011-05-21T19:32:00.004+01:00

Rügensfest

2011-05-01T10:50:00.006+01:00

Been running trains with friends... theme for the day was the Rügenschen Bäderbahn, and everyone was asked to bring rolling stock from that railway. In general, this meant LGB's excellent model of the 0-8-0 locomotive typically associated with the line, and seven examples in total were assembled on the H&DLR. Running a cavalcade proved a little difficult even for such seasoned MTS users, but here are the results... some photos will follow...

And another, courtesy of Alan...

Sunshine and shadows...

2011-04-22T18:35:00.007+01:00

A Waldviertel sort of a day...

2011-04-17T21:37:00.006+01:00

Edited highlights

2011-04-15T13:10:00.005+01:00

Well, I like the landscape version more than the potrait version, anyway.

Saxon running

2011-04-10T20:09:00.003+01:00

Spring colour

2011-04-06T19:35:00.002+01:00

Spring on the H&DLR

2011-02-26T18:10:00.002Z

Cyclamen coum and snowdrops in flower along the line.

Progress...

2011-02-26T18:04:00.004Z

The scenery is gradually extending through the shed. Still a few areas - the tunnel mouths and the loco shed - to receive some scenery.

Various details are starting to appear, though.

Scenic work in the shed

2011-01-23T12:11:00.007Z

Although the tracks in the shed are there first and foremost as a storage facility, I've always had it in mind to add some basic scenery. On the old railway, the loco shed seen above was outside, but there isn't a suitable location outside for it now, so it found a home indoors. It looked a little forlorn on its own, but will now be integrated into a scenic section.

For continuity, I shall use the same ballast as I've used outside - the baseboards are deliberately very substantial. The "grass" is matting from the garden centre sold for lining hanging baskets and such like. The photo above shows the first tentative steps - neither the ballast nor the grass mat has been fixed yet. Overall, the intention is to create the look of the former depot at Garsten on the Steyrtalbahn in its final years.

Cl 2092 on tour again

2011-01-16T17:33:00.005Z

The little class 2092 shunter and a rake of ÖBB vans had a trip out on Saturday to the monthly meeting of the North West Area Group of the G Scale Society.

Latest technology

2011-01-07T21:53:00.003Z

Never unwilling to experiment with the latest technology, the H&DLR has recently (today!) taken delivery of an LED based station customer information system (well, a name badge, actually, but you get the idea). No, I realise that it doesn't comply with the ATOC code of practice, but it has amused me and will be a fun addition to Dottendorf station.

First trains of 2011

2011-01-03T17:10:00.003Z

It was bitterly cold, but trains ran... a visiting 0-8-0 with a set of 3 DR coaches, a visiting Heidi with a matching pair of RhB coaches, and a Harz 2-6-2 and a very nice rake of HSB coaches.

It's cold out there...

2010-12-19T10:29:00.002Z

It's a bit chilly outside...

On tour at the Linz Gstadt Bahn

2010-11-27T22:17:00.008Z

The H&DLR's brown box vans have been on tour to the Linz Gstadt Bahn. They're seen here passing Wieselburg station in the snow, headed by a visiting locomotive from the Lazy Grange Bay.

As evening fell, VL21 took over the service...

A busy day on the H&DLR

2010-11-13T17:33:00.005Z

It's been a busy day on the H&DLR. The track gang have been improving clearance at Whitebeam Curve approaching Dottendorf station. The tree has grown almost exponentially since some nearby leylandii were removed; hopefully the minor surgery won't harm the tree but will allow the passage of trains for some years to come.

The station lamps from Miniature Scale Models have now been wired in. These lamps have 12v bulbs, whereas the H&DLR runs a 16v lighting circuit, so a resistor has been included to step the voltage down.

Progress at Birkenhof

2010-10-24T18:01:00.006+01:00

The new platform has been laid, the buildings cleaned, and now the lighting has been (re-)installed. Looks like there's been a delivery at Brewery Siding as well.

Freight on the line

2010-10-10T21:57:00.009+01:00

This would have been a more interesting video with some footage of passenger services as well, but in the course of filming the General Manager accidentally discovered the "compact" setting on the camera. Which produces videos that are unusable... seven carefully(-ish) composed videos down the pan. Hope you enjoy this short clip, anyway.

Autumn services

2010-10-09T16:25:00.004+01:00

It's leaf fall season, otherwise known as "autumn". Here, a Saxon IVk waits for the right of way at Dottendorf station. Whitebeam leaves play havoc with the train service...

Goods van joins the fleet

2010-09-19T10:18:00.008+01:00

The H&DLR is pleased to announce that goods van Gw/s 10086 has completed its refurbishment programme and is now ready to enter service. This photo shows it in "ex works" condition prior to entering service.

Here the van is seen at Birkenhof. The photo below shows what it looked like before refurbishment.

Some work on the station platform at Birkenhof has also been completed this weekend. The vans are seen in the siding adjacent to the "new" lean-to addition to the station on the new platform surface.

Late summer sun

2010-09-04T18:46:00.003+01:00

Nature taking over...

2010-08-15T13:27:00.002+01:00

So the General Manager simply closed the siding to traffic...

Summer running... 2010...

2010-06-20T21:21:00.003+01:00

The beer train passes through the countryside...

Seems to be a bit of a theme developing here...

A Stainz in a Stainz-free zone?

2010-05-26T16:25:00.007+01:00

Many garden railways have begun with the iconic LGB starter set which includes a Stainz locomotive - which features on LGB's own logo. This wasn't the case with the H&DLR, whose General Manager tends to plough a slightly independent/idiosyncratic (delete as appropriate) furrow. Until last year when the Dortmunder Bier Train arrived, the H&DLR had always been a strictly Stainz-free zone (visitors excepted, of course). However, the General Manager has in mind to fashion a slightly more accurate model out of the basic LGB Stainz. Modell Land are selling these at €89.99, and since they also had some other bits and bobs that the General Manager "needed", it seemed too good an offer to pass up as an order was being placed anyway. This little chap arrived today, and is seen here approaching the halt at Holzapfel.

Springtime trains

2010-05-24T18:57:00.004+01:00

On a classic Steyrtal working, 298.56 passes Dottendorf in the warm sunshine of early summer (well, we can dream).

At Birkenhof, there's freight to be unloaded...

Bank Holiday running

2010-05-01T18:36:00.006+01:00

This bank holiday, the line was very much open for traffic. A visiting Saxon IVK, a Regner live steam Stainz and an LGB electric Stainz provided a variation on the H&DLR's normal traction.

The H&DLR's own Regner locomotive, the electrically powered class 399.03, also had a run out on a classic Pinzgau formation.

Dienstwagen on tour

2010-04-25T21:28:00.008+01:00

Saturday 24 April saw the G Scale Society AGM and G-Rail show take place in Nottingham. The H&DLR acquired a few bits and bobs for the line but no major new rolling stock acquisitions were made (hardly necessary in the light of recent additions to the fleet, really). However, the H&DLR's Dienstwagen conversion was awarded class winner for rolling stock on a modified proprietary base - in this case, a rebuilt LGB 4030 type van. The full story of the conversion can be read here, here and here.

Die Bahn fährt Rad

2010-04-08T22:11:00.003+01:00

The H&DLR has finally acquired a blue ÖBB cycle van to complement the bogie coaches, replicating services on the Pinzgau and Mariazell lines. LGB were due to re-issue this model during 2009, but later cancelled it. This example came from Grootspoor in the Netherlands and is new, although has presumably been on the shelf for some time. Makes for a colourful train, to say the least!

Bank Holiday engineering work

2010-04-05T20:31:00.008+01:00

The H&DLR decided to follow prototype practice today, and let all the passengers travel by bus instead. The General Manager decided that the station throat at Birkenhof would be remodelled, and the line was closed until mid afternoon. The longest loop has been shortened to provide easier access to the points controlling the rear loop and Brewery siding. The track is now clear of the lilac tree and the entry to the station is now plain line. Everything was reconnected by mid afternoon and extensively tested (obviously). The Orient Express (connecting service) still fits comfortably in the main loops, and Brewery siding now holds four beer vans easily. Or would, if we had four beer vans... The next stage is to provide a few more isolating sections in the station area. The photo shows Steve's visiting Niki & Frank S last weekend...

New vans join the fleet

2010-03-21T15:00:00.008Z

Two new - well, refurbished - vans have joined the fleet. On the far right, one that I repainted and lettered a couple of years ago, with the two new arrivals. There are detail differences (deliberately) but essentially this increases the number of standard 4 wheel ÖBB vans to three. Both vans were acquired second hand and needed underframe repairs as well as a full repaint and new lettering (courtesy, as ever, of Michael Tröger). And, as the photo below proves, spring has finally sprung here on the H&DLR.

Lighting the way at Birkenhof station

2010-03-07T18:31:00.004Z

A couple of new station lamps have appeared at Birkenhof. The platform area isn't really well enough lit and so two more lights should help. These are a slightly more elegant design than the Busch lights used at Dottendorf.

Spring on the H&DLR

2010-02-28T21:37:00.003Z

Been running a few trains...

Not exactly spring sunshine but good to be outside at any rate...

Saxon HHw wagon enters service

2010-02-13T15:09:00.005Z

As part of a desire to run more prototypical Saxon rolling stock, a flat wagon has been converted into a Saxon HHw wagon. It started life like this:

It has received new lettering, uprights and chains, along with a handbrake wheel and a level loading deck. Now it looks like this:

Services restored

2010-01-17T12:00:00.004Z

There's still plenty of snow and ice around. An inspection train pauses at an area of sheet ice just beyond Dottendorf station.

Services have, however, been resumed. Seen here in the capable hands of 2095.11, a passenger service passes through the remaining snow.

Although main line services have now resumed, the service up to Quince Bottom is distinctly "summer-only"; it seems unlikely that trains will reach here for some time yet.

Still cold out there...

2010-01-09T15:24:00.003Z

Snow on the H&DLR (2)

2010-01-07T15:49:00.003Z

A couple of photos to show how much more snow we have had compared to the previous post. Dottendorf station is all but lost in the snow, but the H&DLR plough once again does the business. It's being propelled by three diesel locomotives to enable the snow to be cleared as far as the station platform; in the picture above the track that has already been cleared is visible behind the train.

Snow on the H&DLR

2010-01-07T13:14:00.004Z

This picture is a little misleading... although the plough gave good service a few days ago and cleared the line right the way round, later falls have meant the temporary suspension of services.

...and the first trains of 2010

2010-01-03T21:05:00.005Z

...as have the first of 2010, which in this case turned out to be No. 3, Camusterrach Pier, giving a fine plume of steam in the icy weather.

Last trains of 2009...

2010-01-03T20:15:00.004Z

The last trains of 2009 have run...

New loco undergoes acceptance tests

2009-12-28T11:23:00.002Z

Trials with the new loco have started... runs like a dream. Seen here, running light engine, in the snow at Holzapfel.

Heavy hauler

2009-12-26T16:55:00.006Z

Latest arrival on the H&DLR... a model of the Rügenschen Kleinbahn locomotive 99 4632-8 in Deutsche Reichsbahn livery. This will complement the two Saxon style coaches; coaches of the same design operated on the island of Rügen as well as in Saxony.

'Tis mid winter

2009-12-19T20:37:00.012Z

A chilly morning at Birkenhof...

...with little work being done in the yard...

...meanwhile, it's very quiet down at Dottendorf, although the woodsman is up and about...

...although the station cleaning team are busy at Holzapfel making sure that the platforms are safe...

Evening services

2009-11-29T22:34:00.005Z

Early evening services on the H&DLR... managed to grab half an hour's R&R this afternoon. It's been a slightly stressful fortnight, so running a few trains provided a little light relief.

The Saxon set (well, the IVK, coaches and brake van or "Fakultativ Wagen") are seen at Dottendorf.

The same train is glimpsed later arriving at Birkenhof. Station lights add to the ambience.

New arrival...

2009-11-10T22:41:00.015Z

Just arrived is a Saxon coach to run with the IVK Saxon Meyer loco acquired earlier this year, and another Saxon coach which the H&DLR purchased a few years ago. The general idea is to re-create the sort of once typical scene on the Saxon narrow gauge seen in the photo below... pure narrow gauge charm...

The H&DLR features in GardenRail once again

2009-10-31T20:53:00.008Z

The H&DLR has just featured once again in GardenRail, with a feature article on the railway's timetable (thanks, Tag!). To read the full article, you'll need to buy a copy of Issue 183 (November 2009), or subscribe on line. Here's a photo of 298.56 arriving at Birkenhof with a passenger service.

New train...

2009-10-17T18:00:00.004+01:00

The H&DLR is pleased to annouce the arrival of a new excursion service. The LGB Dortmunder Bier Train now operates an occasional trip out for those who enjoy a beer or two... certainly there are plenty of supplies...

Autumnal running

2009-10-12T15:47:00.003+01:00

On the Leyland, Garstang and Burscough...

2009-10-11T21:44:00.002+01:00

Had a day out today...

Late summer running

2009-09-09T21:28:00.004+01:00

It's been a while since we posted, but a few trains have been run...

VL21 heads a freight working in the late afternoon sunshine (yes, we've finally had some).

Traincrew enjoying the late summer weather.

Summer running...

2009-07-18T10:53:00.004+01:00

Not that the weather's been fit... 399.03 on a classic Waldviertel formation a little earlier this year. More updates if and when we get some sunshine!

Dienstwagen D/s 6485 enters service

2009-05-24T09:22:00.007+01:00

Regular readers will know that the General Manager believes a railway cannot have too many brake vans. Until very recently, the H&DLR didn't have much in the way of authentic ÖBB brake vans or service vehicles. However, with the entry into service of passenger brake vans D/s 6495 (ex Steyrtalbahn) and D/s 6461, the problem was alleviated. Nevertheless, there was a long standing desire to acquire a suitable vehicle for freight trains. ÖBB practice is to provide a passenger coach for the travelling shunters to use. On the Steyrtal, a coach was permanently converted for their use... D/s 6485...

The management obtained a second hand vehicle in Zillertal livery, similar to the one seen on the left of the photo. This was stripped down and repainted, a stove added to keep the staff warm, new decals (as ever from Michael Tröger)...

The service vehicle entered service yesterday. Seen here at Holzapfel in a scene just possibly reminiscent of the final days of the Sierning branch on the Steyrtalbahn...

Some photos...

2009-05-18T15:14:00.002+01:00

A quiet moment at the little halt of Holzapfel...

2095.11 heads a freight service...

Zillertal waits at Birkenhof for the right of way...

Double headed service passes Dottendorf...

Saxon Meyer

2009-04-26T19:01:00.003+01:00

I know, the H&DLR has just had a new locomotive, another one so soon is quite unjustified. But the price was right, and who knows with LGB in receivership (again) whether the opportunity will ever arise again. The H&DLR took delivery of Saxon Meyer 99 594 this afternoon. Unlike a certain other locomotive, this one worked absolutely perfectly straight out of the box. The detailing is also much better than the Regner 399. All in all, a superb locomotive. You might be able to tell that I'm absolutely delighted with it.

...and the Class 399 arrives again...

2009-04-23T22:05:00.004+01:00

After a trip back to Martin's Models, 399.03 has resumed acceptance tests on the H&DLR. The gearbox has been rebuilt, and it now runs smoothly. Power pickup is still highly suspect and the steel wheels appear to be very susceptible to collecting dirt. But so far, operation has been significantly more reliable than previously.

Dienstwagen D/s 6461 enters service

2009-04-02T11:22:00.003+01:00

The second Dienstwagen, D/s 6461, recently entered service. The management would prefer this vehicle to have a low profile roof but LGB spare parts continue to be all but unobtainable. For the time being, therefore, it will have to operate with the high profile roof that rather too obviously betrays its origins.

...and the Class 399 departs...

2009-04-02T10:42:00.005+01:00

Regular readers might wonder why the long dreamed for class 399 has not featured more on this blog. The locomotive has, sadly, been little short of a complete failure. The redesign by Regner from live steam to electric propulsion shows, in my opinion, some very serious design flaws and the locomotive has simply failed to operate reliably. It will now be returned to Martin's Models for investigation and repair. In my view a locomotive that cost much more than any LGB locomotive and which took two years to be redesigned, constructed and delivered, should work properly. It may look nice but I did not buy it as an ornament. Words cannot convey my disappointment.

The Class 399 arrives...

2009-02-28T18:44:00.002Z

Here she is...

Dienstwagen D/s 6495 finished

2009-02-26T18:41:00.003Z

The first of the two new Dienstwagen has been completed, and will enter service this weekend. Here it is, resplendent in green passenger livery with new transfers applied and all ready to roll.

Dienstwagen update

2009-02-15T18:08:00.005Z

Well, the project to create a couple of new Dienstwagen has moved on. The van seen here was originally brown (see the article below) but has now got new side windows, the door has been reversed, new door furniture has been fitted, and everything has been painted. New transfers have been received from Michael Troeger, and will be applied soon. The chassis has received metal wheels, a bit of clean up, and may yet get some paint as well. More to follow, and there's another van in the paint shops as well.

Class 399 to arrive shortly

2009-02-08T20:24:00.004Z

The Mh class locomotives spent most of their lives up on the Waldviertelbahn. Here, 399.06 is seen at Gmünd on a passenger train in 1981. The H&DLR has long hankered after just such a locomotive, and now the Regner version is available. The H&DLR should be taking delivery of this fine locomotive at the Lincoln garden railway show in a few weeks time. Photos will follow, as will extensive testing!

Snow plough in action...

2009-02-03T14:24:00.014Z

Driver's eye view exiting the tunnel into the drifts...

2091.03 does sterling work battling through heavy snow with the plough. The plough is capable of clearing snow to a depth of 6" or 7", as it has done today. The loco is battery powered and heavy, although repeated ramming of the drifts was very necessary!

I don't think that there will be many passengers today...

Clearing the way...

But the fuel oil train managed to get through in the end.

Conversion work

2009-02-03T12:51:00.004Z

The H&DLR recently took delivery of two second hand vans. One is already a baggage vehicle, the other was a goods van but is being converted - as the Austrian railways actually did - into a baggage/brake vehicle. The photos show that work has started. The side doors have been reversed to slide the other way, new windows have been formed, a door has been made in the veranda end, holes are being filled. Must get some transfers ordered...

Last trains of 2008

2008-12-31T15:16:00.008Z

It may have been -4°C outside today with a heavy frost, but such matters do not stop trains operating on the H&DLR! Both battery and track powered trains ran this afternoon, to see the old year out. All things being equal, trains will also run tomorrow to see the New Year in. Of course, the station bar was open, serving Glühwein no doubt. Seen in the lower photo, 2091.03 leads a short passenger train into Dottendorf station on the last services of 2008.

More station upgrades

2008-12-31T15:05:00.002Z

Following on from the repaint and new station name boards at Holzapfel, some further work at Birkenhof has seen new posters on the walls. The original ones lasted about a fortnight before they faded away, so new posters on self adhesive vinyl have been made and applied. So far, these seem to be lasting much better. The very observant may also notice that there is now a water fountain on the front of the station, inspired by Mittersil station on the Pinzgau line, and the station staff have left a pushbike against the wall.

Meanwhile, at Dottendorf, the station has also received new a name board and new timetables. The old name board from the station's previous incarnation on the old H&DLR (see main website for details) has been removed and all the stations on the line now sport new name boards in a reasonably consistent Austrian style.

Holzapfel halt updated

2008-12-24T16:55:00.005Z

The halt has now received a nameboard - Holzapfel, from the halt of similar design on the Ybbstalbahn Bergstrecke. It has also received a new, darker coat of paint, again similar to the prototype. Like the H&DLR station, the real Holzapfel has a single, dead-end siding. A number of these small Austrian halts seem to have additional benches along the end wall, and so to add a little colour, Holzapfel has acquired such a bench, inspired by Andlwirt on the Taurachbahn.

New loco joins the fleet

2008-12-16T22:27:00.013Z

A new loco has joined the H&DLR roster - a former Deutsche Bundesbahn class V51 diesel loco, acquired second hand and in good condition. Now sporting the patch panel applied during the 27 years spent on the Steiermärkische Landesbahnen in Austria, VL21 is seen posing at Birkenhof station (above) and hard at work on an oil train passing Dottendorf (below).

Looking after our customers

2008-11-21T18:52:00.003Z

The H&DLR has always sought to provide a fine range of beers for its customers. Now, in response to customer demand (!) spirits are also served on board. Here customers enjoy an evening drink in the Zillertal beer car.

Orient Express

2008-11-16T11:23:00.007Z

The H&DLR has long provided baggage van accommodation for the passengers on the Orient Express (connecting service). However, the plain box van provided didn't really match the style to which the management would like to become accustomed. A more appropriate baggage van, acquired second hand from the line of the late Brian Williams, has now entered service and is seen just behind the locomotive in these photos. The loco has also been in the workshops, and has emerged with a replacement brass shield on one side. For many years a photographic copy has been in situ, but a recent e-bay bid resulted in a nice brass replacement finding its way to the H&DLR.

Birkenhof station update

2008-11-06T21:41:00.006Z

The new station has acquired name boards - Birkenhof, courtesy of "Nostalgic Miniatures", and some advertising. Mainly beer adverts... logos from the internet, to accompany the traffic that will soon be flowing (we hope) through brewery siding, seen just to the right of the building. The station looks a little windswept on this distinctly autumnal photo. A couple of dioramas are planned to bring it to life.

Autumn 2008 on the H&DLR

2008-10-30T13:54:00.004Z

Had a visitor last weekend, with a very good camera... thanks, Chris! For more images, visit the album I've created.

Autumn on the H&DLR

2008-10-19T20:49:00.006+01:00

The autumn "leaf fall" season is well under way here on the H&DLR. A new (well, second hand) ÖBB coach joined the fleet in the week... it will allow the operation of more prototypical Steyrtal and Waldviertel trains going forwards. No.3 Camusterrach Pier has been out and about today as well.

New station building

2008-10-14T14:41:00.008+01:00

Following hard on the heels of Brewery Siding, a new station building has been installed. This is the Piko Rosenbach kit, although with a few modifications. The kit as supplied belies its 1:32 scale origins and the proportions aren't quite right for 1:22.5. However, it is a compact (bijou?!) building that just fits the available space.

The main objection that I had to the building as designed by Piko was that the windows on the first floor were impossibly low... so I raised them! On one side I have raised one central window, while on the other, I made the windows smaller. I've also amended the canopy to be more typical of the Austrian narrow gauge.

Brewery siding open for traffic

2008-09-28T17:29:00.004+01:00

The new siding at the main station has opened to traffic. There isn't a station building yet (I'm working on that), but the beer is being delivered! The original plan foresaw an extension up onto another part of the garden, and the siding may yet become a branch line, but for now the new siding will add some operating interest.

New building installed

2008-09-06T18:05:00.003+01:00

Light refreshments for waiting passengers are now assured, thanks to a new snack food bar that has just opened outside the station. Customers are queuing up already!

Zillertal train gains a buffet car

2008-09-06T18:00:00.003+01:00

At the Garden Rail show in Llanfair last weekend the H&DLR acquired a buffet car for the Zillertal train. Seems it was an immediate "hit" with the passengers... but then again, it seems to have a well stocked bar!

A welcome visitor on the H&DLR

2008-08-22T17:24:00.004+01:00

The H&DLR was pleased to welcome a visiting Cambrai from the Stychevale Gardens Light Railway. Cambrai is seen with the H&DLR's Zillertal rolling stock...

And here at the main station passing a freight train...

And finally double headed super power...

It's all in the details

2008-08-09T16:25:00.003+01:00

The post van now has... some post...

The railbus now has important supplies loaded into the panniers. Milk, post... and beer.

New arrival

2008-07-28T22:18:00.004+01:00

Latest arrival on the H&DLR is another "U" Class locomotive, this time the NÖLB U1/no. 5, later Steyrtalbahn 298.51. Running in green primer livery, as recreated in preservation on the mountain section of the Ybbstalbahn, it is seen here undergoing acceptance trials and in the company of sister locomotives 298.56 and Zillertalbahn no. 2.

An update

2008-07-22T15:18:00.002+01:00

The weather hasn't really been good this summer, but that hasn't prevented some running at least. Here's U Class 298.56 coming off the bridge with a Zillertal rake in tow. Some embellishments in the form of beer crates have arrived... well, we can't have thirsty passengers in our buffet cars, now can we!

New transfers applied

2008-05-31T22:24:00.004+01:00

New waterslide transfers have now been applied to the H&DLR's former Heeresfeldbahn HF 110 C locomotive to transform it into Steyrtalbahn no. 798.03. At the same time, Lazy Grange Bay also took delivery of one of these locos, also minus any decals, so the H&DLR workshop has been busy. The Lazy Grange Bay locomotive is detailed as Deutsche Reichsbahn 994652. Both were tested extensively prior to being returned to service...

Newly lettered rolling stock

2008-05-30T13:01:00.009+01:00

Just been re-decalling a couple of pieces of stock. First up was a box van, purchased second hand at G Rail last month. It's been repainted into ÖBB brown and then lettered in ÖBB style. Next up is a Heeresfeldbahn HF 110 C, from which the original lettering had been removed by the previous owner. This too has emerged in ÖBB livery, as no. 798.03. The original locomotive was allocated to the Steyrtalbahn after the Second World War but was scrapped in 1956. On the H&DLR, which draws much of its inspiration and rolling stock from the now preserved Steyrtalbahn, 798.03 runs again. I'm doing the same for a friend's loco, but as Deutsche Reichsbahn 994652 - photos to follow. The waterslide transfers are from Herr Tröger in Germany.

G Rail

2008-05-16T16:34:00.005+01:00

At G Rail, the annual exhibition and AGM of the G Scale Society, the H&DLR's maintenance train (see below) was awarded 2nd prize! But we haven't been resting on our laurels. The church now boasts internal and external lighting, and the village fountain has a flood light (couldn't resist that). Trains have been running in the recent good weather as well...

Running afternoon

2008-04-22T19:10:00.003+01:00

Despite the damp weather, trains were run thanks to everyone who turned up last Sunday. Here we see a new (second hand) loco (will soon be 798.03!) on acceptance tests hauling the famous Black Pudding train.

Out on our travels

2008-04-13T17:21:00.007+01:00

The H&DLR has been on tour again, to the Lazy Grange Bay Mk 2 in Bolton. Much testing needed - of blue Mallets, grey Corpet Louvets and black U Class locomotives... We proved that Gillian's blue Mallet draws fewer amps than Mike's, and is well within "normal" motor draw tolerances. It runs relatively slowly, but then again so does Mike's. The "lightweight" Corpet, missing most of its lead weight but with on board batteries, managed Mike's inclines. The U Class with the suspect chip read out on Mike's MTS test track. Only those auxiliary sockets that supply rear lighting are blown, it would appear.

Tested some of Mike and Simon's locomotives as well for good measure!