This Report covers recent progress with the overhaul and restoration back to operational condition of 2-ft gauge John Fowler 0-6-0TT B/n 8766 of 1900, one of the collection of Pete’s Hobby Railway. As covered in my previous Progress Report 47 (dated 12/09/2018), I had decided to prepare a second steam locomotive in the Pete’s Hobby …
Continue reading "Progress Report 48: Restoring the Fowler"
Previous Progress Report No. 46 posted on 1/9/2018 covered the works undertaken to prepare Fowler 0-6-0 TT locomotive 8766 of 1900 to allow a detailed boiler inspection to be undertaken, with the idea of restoring the engine to operational condition for occasional use on Pete’s Hobby Railway. Inspection of the boiler (out of the frame) …
Continue reading "Progress Report 47: The Mysteries of Fowler 8766 — Assistance sought!"
Apart from the currently working Hunslet 0-4-2T (B/n 1187 of 1915), Pete’s Hobby Railway possesses two other steam locomotives, both non-operational and on static display at the front of the property behind Loftus station. These are a Fowler 0-6-0TT (B/n 8766 of 1900) and an 0-6-2T, built by Perry Engineering in South Australia in 1938, …
Continue reading "Progress Report 46: Preliminary Work commences on Fowler locomotive restoration"
It was during our Rhythm n Rail operating weekend earlier this year that Scott Kirkwood, a friend of one of our regular volunteers, offered to take an aerial photograph of Pete’s Hobby Railway using his drone. The end result was most impressive and will certainly explain better than my waffling-on, the construction stage that had …
Continue reading "An aerial look at Pete’s Hobby Railway"
If there is one word which puts fear and trepidation amongst volunteers on preserved and tourist railways of all gauges, it is “trackwork”, with the emphasis on the last four letters! This is no different on Pete’s Hobby Railway, although I must say in defence of my volunteers, they still answer the call when made. …
Continue reading "Progress Report No. 45: Trackwork!"
Saturday afternoon, 30th June, saw the official opening of the just-completed 1914 era replica waiting shed at Pete’s Hobby Railway. We were honoured to have the opening undertaken by our local State Member of Parliament, Steph Cooke MP, Member for Cootamundra. Weather conditions were, to say the least, a little cool, but at least the …
Continue reading "Progress Report 44: Waiting Shed for Loftus — Official Opening"
Preliminary Works As covered in Progress Report No. 37 of 14/11/2017, construction works commenced on Thursday 9th November, with a hired-in bob-cat excavating for the concrete floor base of the waiting shed. At that time, it was anticipated that the waiting room would be completed in time for an official opening in conjunction with the …
Continue reading "Progress Report 43: Waiting Shed for Loftus — the Construction"
When Pete’s Hobby Railway was officially opened in February last year as part of my 75th Birthday celebrations, the only infrastructure (apart from the initial section of track itself) was a very basic station or platform. What is the difference between a platform and a station? I don’t know… is it the lack of supporting …
Continue reading "Progress Report 42: Waiting Shed for Loftus — What type of Building?"
The July 6, 2018 issue of Your Local Weekly Torque featured a massive FOUR pages (out of 16) of coverage of Pete’s Hobby Railway. Kieren Tilly, the “Torque Big Wheel” attended the Grand Opening of the new 1915-style Unattended Waiting Shed that has been constructed on Loftus Station platform. The front cover featured a photo …
Continue reading "Torque July 6, 2018 – Four Pages of Coverage"
For the second year running, Pete’s Hobby Railway participated in Junee’s annual Rhythm n Rail Festival, this year held over the weekend of March 9-11, 2018. Preliminaries so far as PHR were concerned have already been covered in Progress Report No. 39. On this occasion, PHR also accepted an invitation to be included in the …
Continue reading "Progress Report 41: 2018 Junee Rhythm n Rail Festival"