A
&
B
Report
Spring 2013
Bontenzaka Garden welcomed early spring after long winter.
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You can see large ones by click on the photos in this page
Snowscape
Bontenzaka Garden was covered with beautiful white from January to March.
Because of dry powder snow, there is the smooth surface in the morning, and the footprints become obscure by wind.
Ordinary service
By the works of Rotary snowplow the main line was always available.
The trains run everyday in the snow garden.
Railbus in snow garden
*MOVIE in YouTube*
The photos are after the snow disappeared in last March.
The chassis of big Railcar was used to Rotary snowplow, so It could not run during the winter.
Baldwin B1 rear tank
Baldwin B1 rear tank ran with new tank car, that works as additional water tank for locomotive.
Baldwin matches the forest scenery.
Baldwin B1 running
*MOVIE in YouTube*
Small size locomotives
The first photos shows O gauge 0-6-0 side tank, that has V-type twin oscillating engine and meths fired pot boiler.
The second photos is O gauge 4-6-0 tender likes to Battle of Britten, that has oscillating engine and meths fired pot boiler.
The third is 16mm scale 0-4-0 tank using Roundhouse chassis and engine with coal fired boiler.
The last is 7/8inch scale Gofer 0-4-0 saddle tank, that was converted from Mamod with dummy outside engine and crosshead.
7/8inch scale Gofer running
*MOVIE in YouTube*
The first photos shows Archangel's O gauge 0-6-0 side tank, that has single cylinder engine within chassis and meths fired pot boiler.
The second photos is Mamod bashed 0-4-0 tank with new scratchbuilt body and meths fired burner.
The third is 7/8inch scale 0-4-0 industrial tank, that was scratchbuilt, meths fired and pot boiler.
The last is 16mm scale Simplex, scratchbuilt battery loco.
16mm scale Simplex running
*MOVIE in YouTube*
The first photos shows 16mm scale 0-4-0 side tank, scratchbuilt, oscillating engine, gas fired.
The second photos is Mamod bashed 0-4-0 likes to Vale of Rheidol's loco, meths fired.
The third is 16mm scale Hunslet 0-4-0 with single cylinder engine within chassis, meths fired.
The last is 7/8inch scale Emma 0-4-0 saddle tank, that is Accucraft's new product, 45mm gauge, gas fired.
7/8inch scale Emma running
*MOVIE in YouTube*
Building Aster Shay
The photos show building Aster's new Shay kit, the scale model of Taiwanese conserved loco, gas fired.
Aster Shay running
*MOVIE in YouTube*
Little projects
I purchased the part built model of little Hunslet 0-4-0. The first photo shows scratchbuilt gas burner.
The second and the third are steam up and running tests.
This trolley was static model with electric music system and mechanical dancing dolls on the deck.
I rebuilt it to running model by setting in the trolley with sound board, speakers, and new driving wheels and many batteries.
Music trolley running
*MOVIE in YouTube*
Gyro car and new gyro test
I obtained one more Lehmann Gyro car, that was the product in 1913.
This yellow one has perfect mechanical state, no broken part, and can run with two wheels.
Lehmann Gyro car running
*MOVIE in YouTube*
I built new large gyro for the experiment on some problems.
The wheel diameter is 150mm. If it is used, the gyro monorail of 10kg weight can be made.
New project
The new 5inch gauge locomotive was started to construction.
It is 3inch scale Whitcomb, designed by Sugiura, available to both 7.25inch and 5inch gauges.
Construction of tunnel
The civil engineering construction started in late March.
The first and second photos show the foundation for setting three precast concrete gutters.
The third photo is after setting, and the last shows reinforcing bars for additional concrete cast in the space of curve outside.
After concrete works, the 34 cubic meter of soil was carried onto concrete tunnel.
Setting track again, the train ran through the tunnel with Assistant stationmaster.
Building tunnel portal
The brick works after making mountain mentioned above must be carried out by one man.
The bricks were set both side, and then built the arch of portal by using wood temporary support.
After setting the all bricks and hardened mortar, the wood support was removed.
The second and third photos show completed tunnel portal.
But it is the only one side of tunnel. The construction is still continued.
Stationmaster and Assistant stationmaster
Stationmaster Pascal and Assistant stationmaster Hecto full of vigor in cold winter.
Going on the track
*MOVIE in YouTube*
Inspecting the track
*MOVIE in YouTube*
Therefor, they are looking forward to playing with water in the garden.
Harmonizing brothers
*MOVIE in YouTube*
More harmonizing brothers
*MOVIE in YouTube*
Waiting green summer
Green leaves will appear in late May or June here. Until then the garden is sunny, so grasses and flowers on ground are vital.
The second and third photos show pheasant and woodpecker, they can be seen everyday in the garden.
Birds sing (please listen with up volume of sound)
*MOVIE in YouTube*
Next A&B report would be in July. We will be under sunlight through the green.
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