Repaints in action

Today's open day at the Weymouth model Railway Assocation gave me an opportunity to test the layout fully prior to next weekend's two day exhibition in Wimborne. It also gave me the chance to test my home-made restorations.

Testing on these had been limited to running on the bench with wires across the pickups and wheels, hence two of them ran in reverse, this was swiftly resolved by turning the magnets. However I manged to forget to refit the handrails to 80054 completely, so this ran without for the duration of the day and are unlikely to be refitted before next weekend.

Four restored 2-6-4 locos, all formerly 80054 standard tanks

80104 & 80105

80053 & 80054 (minus handrails)

69568 & 69569 on the shuttle - these were very similarly matched for power and ran well together 

69567 waiting in the shuttle siding, this one was sent out on the main loop later in the day

69568 hauling the local goods train

69569 on the passenger shuttle

80104 rounds the corner on the upper loop hauling Pullman coaches

69569 waiting at Brough for the goods train to return

69568 & 69569 together

80104 waits in the upper rear siding

80054 & 80105 await their turns in the turntable sidings

All performed really well, some welcome additions and a bit of variety.

Not bad for someone with very little artistic experience!