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Day Five, Pt. II (BONUS 2) A video of myself operating the Wren!! The driver very kindly let me blow the whistle too! My left ear will never forgive me-!

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Day Five, Pt. II (BONUS 1) A video of myself operating Winston Churchill on ‘Making Tracks’!

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Day Five, Pt. II - Vale of Rheidol Railway The afternoon saw me venture to the VoR - where I not only got to operate a loco on ‘Making Tracks’, but also drive the Wren! Admittedly, I was disappointed that the final train of the roadtrip wasn’t steam hauled. …til Dad let slip tomorrow’s surprise..!

Day Five, Pt. I - Bala Lake Railway A short but sweet venture for the morning of the penultimate day, albeit quite a rainy one too…! Holy War put up a great performance, and it was nice to see the Quarry Hunslet everyone is convinced is my birthright…!

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Day Four, Pt. II - Fairbourne Railway (BONUS) Forgot to share the Busbie photo I took at Barmouth..! Whoopsie~!

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Day Four, Pt. II - Fairbourne Railway Our second stop, the only miniature railway on our list! Since it was sunny, we went for an open coach, and it was well worth it behind Yeo and Sherpa! The views from Barmouth Ferry Station were just stunning! Now to get some rest. Next stop - Bala!!

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Day Four, Pt. I - Corris Railway (BONUS) Dad managed to get a video of me assisting the crew with the traverser! 12 1/2 tons of narrow gauge diesel - not bad, eh?

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Day Four, Pt. I - Corris Railway Probably the shortest line on my list, but the conversely most hands-on experience - as I not only helped the crew with the traverser, but even cabbed the Falcon! A beautiful little line that I would absolutely love to come back to!

84F Studios @84fstudios.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Day Three, Pt. II - Welsh Highland Heritage Railway It was the Super Summer Weekend on the WHHR - featuring a guest appearance from Welsh Pony! A small but lovely little line with a quaint museum and miniature railway - both of which were open! Next stop - Machynlleth!

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84F Studios @84fstudios.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Day Three, Pt. I - Ffestiniog Railway You could probably tell this was coming…! Somewhat sad I didn’t get any heritage stock this time around, but still a lovely railway to visit! And behind my favourite Fairlie, Ol’ DLG! A gorgeous journey and only one half of the day….!

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84F Studios @84fstudios.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Day Two - Welsh Highland Railway What a start to the trip! A lovely 50 mile journey from Porthmadog to Caernarfon and back, behind a hulking Garratt! A wonderful first impression of the line, with simply gorgeous views all the way along! Back again tomorrow though - not for the WHR, mind…!

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84F Studios @84fstudios.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

84 Does Wales! Day One - Journey Down + Porthmadog Here comes that thing where I spend my summer holiday on a railway road trip - this time it’s Wales! Dad and I have landed in Porthmadog and we’re just settling in for now. Don’t worry - we have more exciting plans tomorrow…

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84F Studios @84fstudios.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

The more you build them, the more forgiving they become - and I speak from experience having built several open wagons by H. Jones for the Horse and Cart! I’m quite tempted by these vans - can they be assembled with doors on both sides, or is it only one sided because of the brake handle?

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In no uncertain terms, I can safely say my first year of being a 16mm modeller has been the most wonderful experience I have ever had. Gerry may be my first loco, but certainly won’t be my last. Maybe I’ll make a video about my first year in this hobby - to show you what the experience is like…

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Tomorrow, the 21st of July, will mark one whole year since Gerry’s first run on Llechfan - when he was little more than a 3D Printed Shell on steel wheels and roller bearings - practically a ghost..! I think you can agree he looks very smart now, running with the Horse and Cart under his own power…

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I was also given the wonderful opportunity to operate Gerry on the Llechfan Garden Railway, alongside some of my fellows in the 16mm NG Association, over the weekend! Below are some of my favourite shots… (Feat. Enfys and Lucy, owned by @mrjoj.bsky.social)

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84F Studios @84fstudios.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Today I returned from North Wales, and bade farewell to Little Engines 2026 - an event I absolutely loved from start to finish! The @talyllyn.co.uk is a railway with charm, character and heart. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you visit!

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Today’s the Craven Arms MRS - and Plas B is running a special time table for its ‘Goods Gala’, featuring some special guests… Come and say hello!!

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An additional thank you to @colloquial-kayak.bsky.social, @mrjoj.bsky.social and Raz for the full compliment of Gerry’s faces! He looks absolutely fantastic!!

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The rest of the show was great too! It was my first time actually attending the NGRS, so everything was very new to me - thank you to everyone I met for making it a great day!

He even got to pull the Horse and Cart for the first time! Very happy with how he performed! (Thank you @mrjoj.bsky.social and @insane-edward.bsky.social for letting me borrow their stock for this!)

A week following his appearance at the CHMRC Open Day, Gerry made his way to the National Garden Railway Show - and he reunited with some old acquaintances!

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Bring on Stoneleigh! (….G-Gerry, please, get a grip man-)

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I’d also like to give special thanks to @mrjoj.bsky.social, @colloquial-kayak.bsky.social and Raz for… Gerry’s face!! There are more expressions on the way, but Joj very kindly got his simple smile ready in good time - now he’s really looking like the MSR’s ‘Gentleman Soldier’!

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Allan of Grainge and Hodder has recently acquired a new layout with SM32 track! Once the Gunpowder Wagon was painted, I was invited to operate on the layout - so massive thanks to him and CHMRC for hosting the event!

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