Waipara Sleepers - Accommodation for Train Lovers

The Weka Pass Railway starts at a place called Waipara - north of Christchurch.  There is a camp ground there that is set out in a Railway theme, where you can stay in an old railway car.

Inside the cars they still have all of the old tongue and groove wood and the guards area is the lounge!

The main kitchen area is an old railway station house.

Staying here overnight then riding the Weka Pass Railway the next day is the best way to get a great train fix!

All aboard!

Weka Pass Railway

Recently we decided to ride the Weka Pass Railway which is situated about 60kms north of Christchurch. It it starts in Waipara.

The Weka Pass Railway is a vintage railway, using both steam and diesel locomotives and the day that we were there was a steam day.

Running through Rural New Zealand the line is 12.8ks long and was built in the 1880's.

Not part of the main trunk line, it branches off across flat farmland before climbing on a grade of 1:50 or 2%.

Photo Runs are also a part of this trip and well as the outdoor carriages for viewing

  

Part of the line follows the main road and cars traveling this road often pull over to take photos as we steam past.

The price is very reasonable and well worth the ticket cost.

Weka Pass Railway is the official website which has the operating schedule and alot more information on the history of this vintage railway.

All Aboard!

Easily Convert Prototypes To Scale

If you are a scratchbuilder, or want to build models from scratch, one thing that you need to get right is the scale, so that what you are building fits into your model railroad, and is not out of place because it is either too big or too small.

This involves being able to do mathematical calculations and can be quite daunting.

However, an easy way to do this is to use the following tool that I found and have added it here for you to make life easier.

Just put in the measurement you  want to convert, choose the scale you want to convert to and click the "Click To Convert" button and it is worked out for you.




Really easy to use and saves you alot of time in calculating the perfect size for your model railroad.

Relive Real Train Journeys Time and Time Again Through Model Railroading

Having traveled on many trains in many parts of the world being able to relive the journey is a great reason to take up model railroading.

While watching DVDs of the trips and looking at photos helps to relive the trip, actually recreating the line and the scenery takes reliving a journey to the next level.

Take as many photos as you can on the trip as these will help to guide you when it comes to modeling. Here is a photo I took while on the Taieri Gorge Railway from the engine.

It shows the bridge which is part wooden and part metal, the bridge number, the retaining walls behind the bridge foundations, the type of rock and how the vegetation is.  There is great detail in this photo to help me when I recreate this section of track.

Look out also for interesting things to add to your scene and take photos - here is one idea that I particularly like from this journey.

In the middle of this photo you may be able to make out an upside down wagon! Originally they were used to stop banks from collapsing after being filled with rock - there is more than one. Then a flood washed them down stream - imagine the power of the water to move fully laden rolling stock!

Of course I will have to find an old broken wagon - wouldn't want to use a new one like that!

All aboard!

About This Blog

The passion for trains started as a young boy when my father worked as a train driver and would take us on journeys on the trains.

Years later that passion is still with me and I still love to ride the trains.

The steam trains on tracks that are not welded so I can still get the swaying and the clackity clack sound as the wheels cross the joins and the train whistle blows! Listening to the pressure slowly building up and the sounds of the stem never cease to enthrall me.

Riding on trains through spectacular terrain, marveling at where the tracks will take you. Getting glimpes of the back yards of people and how they live.

Staying in railway carriage accommodation allows me to really see inside the old carriages and the possibilities that there are.

Marveling at the skill and craftsmanship of the model railroaders who recreate incredible scenery.

This blog is dedicated to all things trains! 

All aboard!