Profile
When I was a boy, my parents bought me a Hornby Dublo train set. Since then, my interest in trains has become a lifelong passion.
I served an apprenticeship in motor mechanics, and learned how to gas and arc weld. I have built several trailers and beach buggies, and have completely stripped and restored several motor bikes. My favourite bike is a Yamaha XJ750 Police bike, similar to the one I used to ride when I was a traffic officer in the old Ministry of Transport in the early 1970s (pictured above).
My other interests include black powder shooting (that's me showing Dale how to use a black powder gun in the picture above.)
In the family photograph taken in 2001, my older twins are Jason (seated) and Aaron, and the younger twins are Blair (front) and Callum, and my wife Dale.
I also belong to the Ulysses Motorcycle Club, and go on occasional rides around the lower North Island.
After visiting the Keirunga Park Railway in 1993, I became interested in model engineering, especially the popular 7-1/4" gauge. This led to the decision to build my own locomotive and passenger carriage which is featured on this site.
I now belong to three clubs: Hutt Valley Model Engineers, Kapiti Live Steamers, and Havelock North Live Steamers.
That's Dale driving DG760 in the banner photograph above at the 2008 Convention, with me in the passenger carriage.
Having completed my project of building DG760 and its accompanying carriage 787, I am now moving on to building an electric engine, and have recently received components from overseas. I am also building a railbus - a freelance version of the Galloping Goose.