A Fascinating Hobby.

But the activities of the R.S.R.R. extend beyond the collection of information and photographs. A friendship of long page 26 standing between Mr. Stewart and an exlocomotive driver, Mr. F. Roberts, has been responsible for development in another direction. Mr. Roberts, who is of a decidedly mechanical turn of mind, constructed years ago some interesting working models, and from time to time, as a hobby, has turned out other work of that nature. His association with Mr. Stewart, and their joint interest in Railway matters, has led now to a definite plan of construction, and thus the R.S.R.R. has come into being.

The concern is now above all things a working railway, though profits, unfortunately, do not find a place in the accounts. The practical side of the business is located at the home of Mr. Roberts, whose interest in the subject and ability as a mechanic can be gauged by the results of his efforts as Chief Mechanical Engineer of the combination. A hobby must not be permitted to encroach too far upon time which otherwise might be spent upon domestic affairs, therefore the output of the construction sheds is to some extent limited. Nevertheless, the fear of a “blister” from the domestic departmental boss does not altogether prevail, and the railway is steadily progressing. At present it possesses seven locomotives, all of them modelled on classes of early period. The intention of the management is to construct, in the course of time, a range of locomotives which will represent fairly closely the development of our New Zealand Government Railways.

The rolling stock comprised originally a working steam model 2 ½in. gauge loco, with a short train to steady its pace a little, which, by the way, it failed to do. However, it was very soon realised that a collection of steam models would involve a lifetime of work in construction, and that they could not be employed satisfactorily as part of a timetable demonstration. There is too much “get there” about a steam model once it is started off, and control from a distance is impossible. Steam, therefore, was voted out of place, and the scheme at present is the construction of electrically driven models of what are steam engines as far as outward appearance goes.

Power is picked up from the track, and trains can therefore be controlled from either terminus. An article in our issue of September, 1929, has sufficiently described the system, but since that date five locos, have been added to the “fleet.” The pioneer of the team in the 1 3/4 in. gauge was a representative of the “D” class, and surely a more appropriate beginning could not have been made. The “D” was the first orthodox main line engine built in New Zealand, the makers being Messrs. Scott Bros., of Christchurch. There are still many people (railwaymen included) who remember the first appearance of these Scott-built engines. One can picture the scene at Christchurch station on the morning of 24th February, 1888, when Sir John Hall, the Hon. E. Mitchelson, Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. T. Peacock, Minister of Railways, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, and other public men took their departure by special train for Little River as guests of Messrs. Scott Bros., the contractors. D139 drew that train.