Fairlight Works

Official blog of the High Weald Light Railway (1977) Co. Ltd.

I've been a lazy blogger

expong ffestiniog kits model-railways narrow-gauge photos preservation

Pressures of work and other activities over the last few months have led to a pause in updates here – although that doesn’t mean I haven’t been up to anything of interest. Now I have a few days rest before it all starts again in 2012 here’s a brief summary…

FR Vintage Weekend

Followed by another...

My first vist to a gala event at the Ffestiniog, and it was a great one! The weather was superb over both days (a big ask for north Wales in mid-October) and along with a few friends we had a brilliant time on the railway on the Saturday and then lineside on the Sunday – the final highlight being the quadruple headed (3 double Fairlies and Blanche) service leaving Tan-y-Bwlch late in the afternoon. All rounded off with a look around the slate museum at Llanberis before heading home.

Photos from Saturday, 15th October
Photos from Sunday, 16th October
Photos from Monday, 17th October

ExpoNG 2011

Grossbierdorf - O14

Another year and another ExpoNG. With Narrow Planet now firmly established as a custom nameplates service we had a stand at the show for a second year, so a lot of time was taken up with that. However there were a few chances to look around the rest of the show, and it felt like the quality was great with a good variety of layouts and some deserved prize winners with Garreg Wen, Corris 1930 and Landswood Park Farm all receiving trophies.

My personal favourite, pictured above, was the O14 Grossbierdorf by Escadrille St. Michel, who come over from France with an excellent new layout every year and this was no exception.

Photos from ExpoNG

And a little bit of modelling

Didn’t want to over-do it, of course, but I have found a bit of time to put together the excellent new 009 Society kit for the Hudson toastrack coach as used on the FR & WHHR. Currently in progress is a Chivers Finelines L&B bogie open, which I picked up at ExpoNG and is also a great kit with very free-running bogies.

With a hope of having a bit more time in the new year (ever optimistic, usually foiled) I’ve been accumulating a few projects via eBay and other sources so with luck there will be more updates from here in 2012!