this railway currently has no name - because it doesn't exist yet

2' (60cm) gauge in the garden

Go back to the July 2007 diary

August 2007 diary

I have been chatting with the organiser of steam rail-tours to Java who says that someone with a lot of money went there to buy some redundant steam locos at overly inflated prices. This has pushed the prices out of the reach of "normal" people, so that may not be a viable option any more.

Stefan Matthäus, a regular visitor to my railway discussion forum is going to Java on a trip in September to visit the sugar mills that still use steam. Though I cannot go, I have asked if he would be so kind as to check out a few things such as probable costs of small 0-4-0s.

I downloaded a list of locos in Java [click here for the full list] and highlighted those that looked to be about the right size for what I have in mind. I know this is seriously wishful thinking, but hey, you gotta dream! And besides, until I know for sure, I am only assuming that I cannot afford one.

SRAGI:

0-4-2T O&K 722/1902 SRAGI II stored

0-4-2T O&K 2648/1907 SRAGI III stored

0-4-0T Henschel 20537/1925 stored (photo below is of 20538, identical to this loco)

Photo from the "Railways of Indonesia" discussion forum
I am not too bothered about the proportions of this loco.

0-4-0T Henschel 20538/1925 stored (photo above)

0-4-2T Decauville 317/1901 SRAGI stored

Cepiring:

Photo from the "Railways of Indonesia" discussion forum
I hate the word "cute" when used in connection with locomotives, but I think this one actually is.
I would be really happy to be able to get a locomotive like this for myself.

0-4-0T Henschel 17516/1925 stored (photo above)

Soedhono:

0-4-0T Henschel 20047/1926 stored serviceable

There are (were) also a whole bunch of 0-6-0s at Panji that appear to have a fairly short rigid wheelbase.

0-6-0T O&K 11156/1925 ARTJA stored

Photo from the "Railways of Indonesia" discussion forum
I like O&K locos and the proportions of these locos looks just right to me.

0-6-0T O&K 11155/1925 BANON stored (photo above)

Photo from the "Railways of Indonesia" discussion forum
I like O&K locos and the proportions of these locos looks just right to me.

0-6-0T O&K 11157/1925 LANDANGAN stored (photo above)

Photo from the "Railways of Indonesia" discussion forum
I like O&K locos and the proportions of these locos looks just right to me.

0-6-0T O&K 11158/1925 TENGGIR stored (photo above)

0-6-0T O&K 4909/1911 SKF NGELOM stored

0-6-0T O&K 10928/1925 BRANTAS stored

I cannot make it to Java in September, but Stefan Matthäus has said he'll ask a few questions when he is there to see whether there is any chance of buying a loco and if so how much it is likely to cost me.

It appears that I got my photograph taken when I went to visit the Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway on the 22nd July. Click HERE to visit their website, select the July 2007 Bredgar Bugle (their newsletter) and in the 2nd image down on the lefthand side I am wearing a light grey sweater and am standing to the left of the crossing.

Look what turned up on eBay:

A 600mm gauge Diema from 1949. I am not going to bid on it (I'd like to), partly because it is "sell to Germany only"; interesting though.

And a used mining equipment dealer in Canada (Savona Equipment Ltd) has two Jenbach diesels; one 10hp, the other 20hp and some side-dump cars:

So there is definitely equipment around if you look for them.

The Diema loco on eBay (see picture above) finally sold for US$4,600. That seems reasonable. For a comparison, the Simplex shown in the July 2007 Diary page is for sale at about US$7,000 and is fully restored.

I have sent an email to Savona Equipment Ltd in Canada asking about the 2 Jenbach diesels and some dump cars.

I came across a "warning" on another discussion forum about the potential cost of rebuidling a steam loco repatriated from overseas. Though it may be in "working order" in that country, European (and probably New Zealand) boiler testing would classify them as unusable and dangerous, so you have to budget for a total rebuild and most likely a new boiler too.

I have a tip on somewhere I might be able to get some 30lb/ft rail almost "free". Watch this space.

This is very interesting, look what turned up on eBay - again. I wonder whether the buyer backed out. Curious.

Well, the cheap/free rail opportunity has stumbled at the first hurdle, but I have not given up hope yet.

Go forward to the September 2007 diary

News

I have decided to put on hold any plans for a 2' gauge line here in New Zealand. It is not easy to source equipment from overseas and any line built to a gauge of 540mm or more requires an inspection every year by Transit New Zealand - just the same as the standard (3'6") lines.

I am not sure what I am going to do at the moment, but I am erring towards going 15" gauge and building practically everything myself.

Narrow-minded and proud of it!