A & B Report

Autumn 2013


The garden lightened up by the morning sun, and Whitcomb against the clear blue sky.

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You can see large ones by click on the photos in this page
Ordinary service

No.28 loco Whitcomb Marcia works every day. In this season, many guests visit to Bontenzaka Garden, so the train service is busy.


The photo above shows the commemoration tickets of Akubi Light Railway, and the second photo is the experimental windmill.


The first photo shows No.26 loco big Railcar, and the second is No.1 loco Workdiesel.
The third photo is No.3 loco Goose, and the last is No.9 loco Plymouth.


Many locomotive worked in Summer Opendays, and the guests enjoyed to drive them.

Summer Openday *MOVIE in YouTube*


The first photo shows newest No.29 loco Railbus mentioned later, and the second shows the night driving by AB10 and AB20 double-header train.

Railcar running *MOVIE in YouTube*


Railbus from 7.25inch to 5inch

The photo above is No.6 loco Bigwork built 10 years ago.
This locomotive was separated into the parts then the driving truck was used to new project.


The 7.25inch gauge Railbus went from my friend, that is large wooden scratchbuilt model.

I converted the model into 5inch gauge by using the driving truck from No.6 loco and another bogie for front.


The cow-catcher (aluminum casting) and headlight (kitchen measure spoon) and the driver Mr. Holmes figure were joined.
This Railbus became No.29 loco of Akubi L.R. officially with the lettering "A & B" on the sides.


The engine sound module made by Trax Controls was installed. So, it is very fun to drive.

Railbus with sound *MOVIE in YouTube*


Ropeway

The ropeway was built on the mountain for the tunnel. It is G scale LGB model, motorized by battery.


It will be new attractive sight. Assistant stationmaster climbs to look the base station of ropeway hearing a little motor sound.


Track construction

To reduce the upward grade, the track construction in the yard was carried out.


For smooth curvature the some tracks were changed near by the bridge of Bontenzaka station.


Rare models

A.W.N.U.T.S! special models were obtained. They are comical and cool designed G scale train.


Airplane on the caboose roof, big telescope or garden gazebo on the freight car, and green broken van by dynamite explosion.


Three G scale models of rare 30mm gauge from Germany, two DL and SL, made by Regner.


16mm scale Garratt

Accucraft Garratt NG16 2-6-2+2-6-2, 16mm scale, gas fired.

Accucraft Garratt running *MOVIE in YouTube*


Arcade and fence

This rose arcade was built for Bentengaoka garden before moving, and then it was carried here and rebuilt.
The fence was painted blue for new arcade. We will plant rose in next spring.


Signal system construction
Signal system for my garden railway has been considered for long years, and many experiments about sensor and waterproof structure.
In Summer Openday in August, one semaphore signal was tested for three days, then the durability and the reliability were confirmed.
So, the project started in late August to built nine signals and ten sensors, moreover the civil engineering construction was carried out.


The photos above shows building two-lights signals. Six signals were built in this type.


Above photos are semaphore signal. The servo for RC models was used to move the signal wing as shown in the second photo.
Total three were built in this semaphore type.


The sensors were built from kit, that can sense the distance to object by infrared rays.
Total ten sensors were set in wooden boxes placed at behind the signals.


The photos above show the construction to lay the cable tube under the ground 10cm depth.


The cable that connected the sensors are totally 180m long, so this civil engineering was hardest works in this project.


At late October the almost construction was completed, and the test or adjustment of sensor are in the middle, now.
There are two functions in the signal system. The first is to prevent the crash at the crossing track point.
And the second is to prevent rear-end crash by controlling the distance between the trains.
This project was very interesting for me, but in usual, this signal system is not necessary because there is only one train driven by me.


Stationmaster and Assistant stationmaster

Stationmaster Pascal and Assistant stationmaster Hecto are always together.

Fine day strolling *MOVIE in YouTube*
Rain day strolling *MOVIE in YouTube*


The first and second photos are the shots of them sitting on the new Railbus.
The bibs they wear in the photos are for meals time and forgotten to take off.
As shown in the last photo above, the season of firewood stove has come.

Stationmaster in 8 years ago *MOVIE in YouTube*
More one movie in the same day night *MOVIE in YouTube*


End of the season

This summer was very cool and short. We will have to face to huge fallen leaves soon.

Next A&B report would be in Jan. new year. Everything in the garden will be frozen.

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