4mm Morfa Mawr (aberath)

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D7093

Guest
After browsing this months Railway Modeller and seeing Geoff's article on "Penhydd", I just had to sit down with a cup of tea and give it a read. "Penhydd" is something I and I'm sure many of you have followed over the past years, apart from its excellent modeling the feel of the way it just all blends together with its sloping landscape and curve, just does that something different from the norm.

After reading the article, it got me thinking about my layout "Morfa Mawr", the modelling is not to the same standard and it probably doesn't have that same feel, but again its a tranquil outpost in Wales.

"Morfa Mawr" is set in West Wales near Aberath, on the coastal route from Aberaeron to Aberystwyth in the late 1960's early 1970's. Although the station is a through route it only has one fiddle yard at the Southern end (Aberaeron), or as the railways preferred to spell it, Aberayron. The idea to run through would be nice but the length of a second fiddle yard constrains this. The scenic section is 8' x 18" wide with a 4' fiddle yard board.

Most of you will of seen this already, but its always nice to revisit a bit of WR activity. Now how can I have a room like "Penhydd" where I can just sit and play trains.

Pictures are courtesy of Kier.

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aberath_freightdmu-a.jpg

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aberath_hymek-a.jpg
 

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
Very nice modelling - particularly the point rodding (six at one end of the platform and four at the other end... a track plan will answer the question).

regards, Graham
 
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D7093

Guest
It is the seaside, well Kier's representation of it:), including a ship on the horizon. The coast is off scene at the front/viewing side of the layout, about half mile away.

Hope this picture of track plan explains all, I cant vouch for the point rodding as been exactly right.

mma3.jpg

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The scenic boards evolved from what was just a test track originally.

mma1.jpg
 

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
Thank you, the track plan helps to understand the photographs and does explain why there are four runs at one end and six runs at the other end etc..
 

lancer1027

Western Thunderer
Very inspirational:thumbs:. The Hymek in the last pic does it for me.
But it is a hydraulic:rolleyes:
Ooops just realised the last pic is a DMU:oops:
Rob
 
D

D7093

Guest
Nice pics - I haven't seen this one before!

The track plan is interesting, with the diamond crossing - is it based on the prototype?

The layout is fictitious, although the station building is a mirror image of the one based at Aberaeron, which I built originally back in the 90's and thought it was too nice to throw away.

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Map showing route of the line, which starts to head inland at Morfa Mawr until it joins the Lampeter line at Crossways.

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The dashed line that goes direct to Aberaeron was an old narrow gauge industrial railway that went to the harbour.

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D

D7093

Guest
Very nice compact track plan :cool: ..............would make a nice 7mm layout too :)
Have thought about this before Phill.

74xx, Hymek and a couple of milk tanks sounds bliss:), but a bit too much out of my scope I think.
 

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
... the station building is a mirror image of the one based at Aberaeron, which I built originally back in the 90's and thought it was too nice to throw away.

A sound decisions, too good to throw away.... lovely rendition of old, faded, rusty, wriggly tin.
 

Pennine MC

Western Thunderer
The track plan is interesting, with the diamond crossing - is it based on the prototype?

I'd hesitate to stick my neck out with definitive comments, but diamonds in rural locations are/were probably not as rare as you'd think.
 
D

D7093

Guest
To build a layout around the diamond was never my initial intention. As the layout evolved from the test track, I thought if my stock could run through it, then hopefully it should be able to run through almost anything. As the layout evolved (which it nearly ended up been a more industrial setting), I did wonder if I could still incorporate it into the layout. I'm glad I did as it gave me the opportunity to get more operating potential and keep its flowing curves, without it looking to cluttered.

Morfa Mawr was completed in 2007 and first exhibited at Cheltenham in 2008, followed by Trainwest in 2011. Apart from these two appearances, it has spent all its life crated up. So serious thoughts over past weeks have turned to, how can it be adapted and be passed by the housing authority:rolleyes: , so it can be kept up and be used for its proper intention, of just sitting back and playing trains:) .

Anyhow a few more photos of the layout, showing the overall look of the layout. These were from its early days before a decent backscene and improvements on the scenics had taken place. This time taken by Steve Harrod on its first exhibition at Cheltenham back in 2008.

aMorfa%20goods%20yard[1].jpg

aMett%20camm%20at%20Morfa[1].jpg

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aHymek%20D7070%20in%20Morfa%20sidings[1].jpg

aHymek%20D7070%20in%20Morfa%20sidings[1]-b.jpg

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rosspeacock

Modelling on a £1200 table.
What a superb little layout:thumbs: Very very atmosperic, could be 7mm just from looking at the pictures. The trackwork is excellent, point rodding looks great and love the corrugated station building too, all added together make it a superb looking thing... Fantastic! :bowdown::thumbs:
Ross:cool:
 

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
I quite fancy a small helping of watching the trains go by from that station. I do hope that you get an exhibition invite soon... and down south preferably.
regards, Graham
 

lancer1027

Western Thunderer
SUPERB !!!!. I think it looks so real, very atmospheric.

The Hymek looks great especially as its in blue:D.

Rob
 

Geoff

Western Thunderer
It’s good to see Morfa Mawr here Trevor, getting the praise and appreciation it deserves. It’s yet another example of a fictional branch which makes you believe that it could have actually existed.
Everything is modelled to a lovely consistent standard and for me it all fits into place perfectly. The station building is not only a lovely model but looks so at home within it’s surroundings.
In short the whole model proves that “Less really can mean more”

Geoff
 
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