Simon Glidewell
Western Thunderer
One word, Geoff... stunning!
All the best
Simon
All the best
Simon
From Llangunllo to Llanbister Rd.
- Thread starter Geoff
- Start date
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Thank you Simon, but I'm not sure that stunning is the correct word, its still early days and so much can go wrong.
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Thank you, but I wish I shared your confidence Simon, there's been times, especially when I started to dismantle the old layout, when I needed something stronger than a brew.
My biggest worry is in maintaining a feeling of time, place, and a believable slice of Mid Wales, which I think is captured in the above photo.
Captain Kernow
Western Thunderer
Geoff, I think I can say with confidence that you have achieved this aim.
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Nice of you to say so Tim, thank you, but as you can see from the WIP photos on the previous page, there's still a long way to go yet.
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Since my last update I've been experimenting with various designs of station building, and finally decided to model the original design for Limekilns (Dolyhir), on the New Radnor branch. Drawings for the building are featured in, 'The New Radnor Branch', by Nick de Courtais. But I've had to carry out a little selective compression, as the first mock up, built to the dimensions quoted on the drawing came out far too large. What you see here is the Mk3 mock up, the actual model will be built from 3mm Foamtex, and feature York Model Making laser cut roof slates, valences, and Brassmasters etched windows. The window and door lintels will be curved as per the prototype and not straight as in this view.
A spoiler showing how I intend developing the station, and the area around it.
The same scene but with steam, the Pannier was formally a Bachmann 64XX, converted to EM with a set of Gibson wheels, crankpins and coupling rods. The body has been chopped and changed to represent a 74XX, and features smaller wheel splashers, a new chimney, not to mention a modified bunker. The brake gear is incorrect, but I can live with that, she's numbered 7416, which was a regular on the Kington, and Presteign branches.
Old faithful 1455, waits for a cassette to be put in place, slack operating on my part.
Still in pristine condition D6331 shunts the yard.......
A few days, and weeds later 1455 was captured on the same shunt.
The next job will involve laying the point rodding runs using 'Modelu' printed stools, Brassmasters cranks, and MSE square section rods.
john lewsey
Western Thunderer
Geof your modelling is quite simply superb 
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Geof your modelling is quite simply superb
Thank you John, alas I can find far too many faults, but I'll keep practising
Exquisitely lovely as this model was, I'm going to be a bit heretical and say that I never quite "bought" the milk siding going under the bridge, so don't mind your re-arrangement
I'm very much looking forward to seeing this version develop.....
Simon
You are not the only one to question the dairy siding bridge on the old layout Simon, it was added to create a bit of interest to what was nothing more than a scenic shunting plank.
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Thank you Simon, I'm doing my best to capture the 'workaday look' of one of those places that we've all passed through, without giving it a second glance.
The bridge is built from 3mm 'Foamex', with additional detail from styrene sheet, and odds, and ends from the scrap box. It took a while to scribe the stonework, but as they say, 'no pain, no gain, it still needs a little tidying up before I attack it with the paintbrush. It is my intention to eventually model a fully scenic cassette deck, which should, if my ideas work out, blend into a wrap around backscene. The makeshift dairy building behind the bridge, which will eventually be nothing more than 3/4 relief structure, hides the Cobalt lever frame. Inspiration for the bridge came from within the pages of L.V Woods book, 'Bridges for Modellers'.
The same book also providing plans, and inspiration for this 'BR Pressed steel trough bridge', an example of which still survives on the track bed of Blaenau to Trawsfyyned branch near Maentwrog Road.
The Titley Junction cassette deck, and lever frame, which is arranged for operating convenience rather than in the correct prototypical manner.
This is how I would like to model the road, or should I say cart track over the bridge. The diary building will be partially hidden by bushes, and trees, like those to the right of the photo.
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geoff_nicholls
Western Thunderer
Would that be how the passenger services were provided? Just one B set coach, with the engine running round at the terminus?
Geoff
Western Thunderer
It was common practice on some branch lines Geoff, notably on the Culm Valley, Bala - Blaenau Ffestiniog, and the Presteign branches, to name just a few. The GWR built a batch of E147 B -set coaches in 1936, to run as individual coaches, their numbers being 6207-10, 6822/23/27/37/38/50. On other branches in G(WR) territory older mainline stock, such as Toplights and ex slip coaches were even pressed into service. Even single Mk1 corridor coaches were used on the Bala branch from time to time.
Geoff
Western Thunderer
For the past couple of weeks I've been pondering as to what shape, and form the goods shed might take.
I started off with a mock up based on the shed that once stood at Llansilin Road on the Tanet Valley line, but mounted on a loading bank.
This is the Mk 2 version following a few tweaks to its height, and the pitch of the roof. I've also decided to mount it on a timber base as per the prototype. As it stands the canopy is a touch too low, but apart from that I'm ready to go ahead with the build using Wills corrugated iron sheet.
Meanwhile work continues on the river scene, 2538 is an old Airfix / Mainline model but with Comet chassis under both loco and tender.
On a different note, I know there are several fans of the BR Blue era on the forum who might find my new blog of interest. Scenes From The Past & Present
I started off with a mock up based on the shed that once stood at Llansilin Road on the Tanet Valley line, but mounted on a loading bank.
This is the Mk 2 version following a few tweaks to its height, and the pitch of the roof. I've also decided to mount it on a timber base as per the prototype. As it stands the canopy is a touch too low, but apart from that I'm ready to go ahead with the build using Wills corrugated iron sheet.
Meanwhile work continues on the river scene, 2538 is an old Airfix / Mainline model but with Comet chassis under both loco and tender.
On a different note, I know there are several fans of the BR Blue era on the forum who might find my new blog of interest. Scenes From The Past & Present
Neil
Western Thunderer
You're spot on there Geoff. I've taken a look and I like it a lot; the header photo is splendidly evocative.
Geoff
Western Thunderer
I thought it might have been up your street Neil
I've since started a new thread, and will be adding a few more images in due course. Prototype - Something for the BR blue brigade....... | Western Thunder
Geoff
Western Thunderer
I've made a bit more progress over the last week or two.......
A recent visit to my quack for a routine checkup saw me leaving his surgery with a supply of plaster bandage roll ends. A couple of hours later the landscape had been formed. As I've mentioned before, the cassette deck will be partially scenic with the embankment, and backscene continuing beyond the bridge.
The goods shed is now almost complete, and other than scenery this is all there is to the layout looking in the direction of Titley Junction.
In the other direction, there is just the signal box, level crossing and river bridge beyond the cottages, but its more than enough for me.
A recent visit to my quack for a routine checkup saw me leaving his surgery with a supply of plaster bandage roll ends. A couple of hours later the landscape had been formed. As I've mentioned before, the cassette deck will be partially scenic with the embankment, and backscene continuing beyond the bridge.
The goods shed is now almost complete, and other than scenery this is all there is to the layout looking in the direction of Titley Junction.
In the other direction, there is just the signal box, level crossing and river bridge beyond the cottages, but its more than enough for me.
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Not much progress has been made of late due to life getting in the way of modelling.
At the moment I'm working up the goods yard, and scenery using a mix of Heki, Noch and Silflor grass matting. Won't be long now before the backscene goes in.
You will have to excuse the lack of couplings on the 16t mineral, its awaiting new smaller coupling mounts and loops, as is all my stock.
I also managed to take advantage of the warm weather and primed my Comet A44 Driving trailer. Which I think makes a pleasant change from the usual modified Airfix autocoach. Naturally I only noticed the bent step after taking the photo, the body is not secured to the underframe at this stage hence the gap and misalignment between the two. I hope to make a start on the point rodding soon using Modelu stools, Brassmasters cranks, etc, etc, and MSE square rod. Everything is in stock, so I've no excuse really
At the moment I'm working up the goods yard, and scenery using a mix of Heki, Noch and Silflor grass matting. Won't be long now before the backscene goes in.
You will have to excuse the lack of couplings on the 16t mineral, its awaiting new smaller coupling mounts and loops, as is all my stock.
I also managed to take advantage of the warm weather and primed my Comet A44 Driving trailer. Which I think makes a pleasant change from the usual modified Airfix autocoach. Naturally I only noticed the bent step after taking the photo, the body is not secured to the underframe at this stage hence the gap and misalignment between the two. I hope to make a start on the point rodding soon using Modelu stools, Brassmasters cranks, etc, etc, and MSE square rod. Everything is in stock, so I've no excuse really
adrian
Flying Squad
Thanks for the update it's looking good - I agree about the driving trailer - nice to see something not quite run of the mill.