A visit to the Isle of Stoner...

It's sometime since I enjoyed operating a 'proper' model railway rather than a round and round or micro layout, and a kind invitation from John Wooden to go and 'play trains' followed by a curry in Llanberis seemed to good an opportunity to miss...

Squeezed in his garage with a myriad of other hobbies and interests, the 'Isle of Stoner' railway is on it's third or fourth (possibly more?) incarnation but is looking remarkably finished and was great fun to operate. Steve from Narrow Planet was in charge of staging, sending me trains down to Underhill (the terminus) where I had to try and keep things moving. The length of run was refreshing and the challenge of shunting with at least some purpose really engaging.

I didn't have time for many photos, but I snapped this rather lovely coal bunker, as well as a few shots of Chattenden which had arrived shortly before, and just after the passenger train had departed...

It's got me longing for a larger space, and time and money to build a larger layout. Definitely a one day, just how long before remains to be seen.

Following a highly enjoyable hour, we headed down to Llanberis to 'Spice' for a curry, nothing to write home about but tasty never the less, and excellent company with David and Stuart arriving, along with John's friend and partner in crime, Chris. A great end to a lovely weekend. More soon...