A convenient source of high-power (~20 kW) stable mode-locked pulses at 1.54 μm, suitable for pulse-compression studies in the negative group-velocity-dispersion region of optical fibres, is described. The source is based on a capillary-waveguide Raman laser, using CH4gas, and pumped by a mode-lockedQ-switched CW Nd:YAG laser. Initial results for a synchronously pumped Raman laser are also presented.