Nick G Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 (edited) I have always wanted to model a real location and always had a interest in the Blaenau Ffestiniog branch due to my mother and her side of the family coming from there. I used to go to Blaenau frequently in the 70's visiting by car or when I was old enough by train. I still go several times a week and to Trawsfynydd now with work. I intend to model Maentwrog Road with its siding for the explosives traffic from Cookes Penrhyndeudraeth. in 1986- 87. I am indebted to Merfyn Jones for all his help with photos and information to help my research. A few views of the site to be modelled taken by me in July 2017, the old GWR goods shed still stands. The Blaenau Ffestiniog & Trawsfynydd Railway Society have plans to reopen the line and have been clearing the site, hence the container placed on the siding. Edited January 1, 2020 by Nick G 17 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 It's been a while since I have modified any wagons as my usual layouts are depots/stabling points. Although the siding only handles vans of the VAA, VBA and VDA several different liveried CAR brake vans were used and different barrier wagons due to explosives being carried. The usual 2 barrier wagons were used from the list below: 400173 a steel bolster wagon un-modified 460001 a container flat un-modified 511002 a low floor container flat 786883 a ferry van with body removed 787270 a ferry van un-modified. I made a start making a representation of 400173 using the Hornby SAA steel carrier. Thanks again to Merfyn for the barrier wagon information, hopefully he will be along to post a photo of the prototype 400173. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merfyn Jones Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 It's been a while since I have modified any wagons as my usual layouts are depots/stabling points. Although the siding only handles vans of the VAA, VBA and VDA several different liveried CAR brake vans were used and different barrier wagons due to explosives being carried. The usual 2 barrier wagons were used from the list below: 400173 a steel bolster wagon un-modified 460001 a container flat un-modified 511002 a low floor container flat 786883 a ferry van with body removed 787270 a ferry van un-modified. I made a start making a representation of 400173 using the Hornby SAA steel carrier. Thanks again to Merfyn for the barrier wagon information, hopefully he will be along to post a photo of the prototype 400173. Here it is outside our office at the Junction. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merfyn Jones Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 A couple of the vans used on the traffic outside the office. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 Both types of van are produced by Bachmann although the VAA produced is one of the early batch fitted with vents on the ends. A bit of work required to remove them. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 A couple of the vans used on the traffic outside the office. Is it the light reflecting or has that VDA got a white roof? I know some vans on the cadbury's traffic in the North East had a white roof. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Bendall Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 I made a start making a representation of 400173 using the Hornby SAA steel carrier. You can also use the underframe from the Bachmann VAA to do a SAA, main thing is adding a new planked deck. I've done a RRA this way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 You can also use the underframe from the Bachmann VAA to do a SAA, main thing is adding a new planked deck. I've done a RRA this way. Thanks Si, probably a better option than using the Hornby SAA steel carrier as it sits very high. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 It has been recorded that on a couple of occasions a OBA 31 tonne open wagon was used as a barrier wagon but I have never seen a photo. If anyone has a photo or can point me in the direction of a photo I would be most grateful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merfyn Jones Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 It has been recorded that on a couple of occasions a OBA 31 tonne open wagon was used as a barrier wagon but I have never seen a photo. If anyone has a photo or can point me in the direction of a photo I would be most grateful. No luck so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CazRail Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 Very interesting topic! Will be great to watch this develop along with the real thing! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 No luck so far. I am sure a photo will turn up eventually I have enough to be getting on with in the meantime. Also looking for photos of the flask trains that passed through Maentwrog Road on the way to/from Trawsfynydd around 1986/7. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merfyn Jones Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 I am sure a photo will turn up eventually I have enough to be getting on with in the meantime. Also looking for photos of the flask trains that passed through Maentwrog Road on the way to/from Trawsfynydd around 1986/7. Should manage a few ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 Should manage a few ! Thanks, I intend to have a fiddle yard each end of the Maentwrog Road scenic section so flak trains can pass through. Flask trains aswell as engineers/ballast trains will add some operational interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazjones1711 Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 (edited) Interesting little layout, the only information I can add for now is the barrier wagons were in pool 6303 NBM (coal) Trawsfynydd Branch barriers , this is from approx 1989 wagons were 400173 460001 prototype SPA http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brspa/h38fd8fff B 786883 RRX Also the flask traffic occasionally used BDA bogie steel wagons http://www.6g.nwrail.org.uk/alanhaywardpage10.html Edited July 17, 2017 by bazjones1711 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim V Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 That bridge looks fairly recent, though my pictures are from a while ago (1975). 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted July 18, 2017 Author Share Posted July 18, 2017 Interesting little layout, the only information I can add for now is the barrier wagons were in pool 6303 NBM (coal) Trawsfynydd Branch barriers , this is from approx 1989 wagons were 400173 460001 prototype SPA http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brspa/h38fd8fff B 786883 RRX Also the flask traffic occasionally used BDA bogie steel wagons http://www.6g.nwrail.org.uk/alanhaywardpage10.html Thanks Baz, few photos on that link I haven't seen before. The prototype SPA had the body removed when it was used as a barrier wagon. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazjones1711 Posted July 19, 2017 Share Posted July 19, 2017 https://www.flickr.com/photos/74121005@N07/albums/72157671261680946 You may find some of the pics on here of interest to you 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share Posted July 20, 2017 https://www.flickr.com/photos/74121005@N07/albums/72157671261680946 You may find some of the pics on here of interest to you Thanks very much. I have seen some of those photos before but there are some new to me, cheers. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted July 22, 2017 Author Share Posted July 22, 2017 Does anyone know the rules on propelling brake van first? What lamp if any would be on the brake van? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted July 22, 2017 Author Share Posted July 22, 2017 Been working on a typical formation that ran to Maentwrog Road for the explosives traffic. VAA van sandwiched between two barrier wagons and a brake van. Very much work in progress with more detailing and weathering to do. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merfyn Jones Posted July 22, 2017 Share Posted July 22, 2017 Does anyone know the rules on propelling brake van first? What lamp if any would be on the brake van? Don't think a lamp was used on the train to Traws. Guard probably kept a look out for sheep with his Bardic if dark. Probably had the tail lamp on ready for the return ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted August 6, 2017 Author Share Posted August 6, 2017 A bit more work on some of the wagons to be used on Maentwrog Road, they are work in progress. Coupled to the VAA van is barrier wagon 460001 a chassis from a SPA wagon and in the foreground barrier wagon 786883 a continental ferry van with body removed. I need to model 400173 next, a steel bolster wagon also used as a barrier then a start on the brake vans. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Digital Posted August 6, 2017 Share Posted August 6, 2017 Nice work Nick. Looks like another excellent layout following in the footsteps of the iconic "Dyserth Road". Will be very interesting watching progress. Regards John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted August 11, 2017 Author Share Posted August 11, 2017 I was passing Maentwrog Road today with work so stopped for some photos particularly the bridge at the Blaenau Ffestiniog end for some modelling inspiration. 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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