7APT7

Hi Anthony Well, 1,248 Photo's today (Don't be surprised at that...lol) I have been out to Conwy Station and Castle Area's and the building on Rosehill Street, The Guild Building it's called, as the Information centre told me, I have plenty of photo's for you, that I can upload. I did attempted to beach side the front of the Penmeanmawr Viaduct today, despite being there hour before low tide at 8:34 am (29th February 2020) but I attempted from the Llanfairfechan side, but to rocky and fair bit of rocks to climb across, and humorously slipped 3 times on the Rocks, I felt a right plonker...lol, so I gave it up as a bad job, unfortunately...sorry. I did get as far as the Engine Shed and Signal by the Hut and just past that area, and I manged to get right up close inside the Engine Shed, and there are 3 windows on the sea front side, two are bricked up and one windows still as a window on the sea side of the Shed, the Middle one was Longer, so may have been a door, rather than a window, which I didn't know was there, so that part was a bit of good news to see, if you are going to model that. Penmeanmawr Viaduct I think I will have to try it from Penmeanmawr side and try and get round to the Viaduct from that side. I need the tide to go out further I think, the next Spring Tide is 30th April at 1:58am which I also found out today to, so I may try the day before or shortly after, and as it's night time and dark, I will leave the day before or after, so leave that one with me for a bit. Spoke to a few locals in Penmeanmawr and got some good information... which may be of good use... The Car Tunnels (Pen-y-Clip and Pen-y-bach) was Officially Opened by Queen Elizabeth in 1991, 31st October, and work started in mid 1989 on both Car tunnels that are at either end of Penmeanmawr itself. Those Buildings you showed me by the two Bridges, they we knocked down the year a before the work started on the tunnels in mid 1989... The two bridges and the Narrow Bridge apparently had a conveyor belts going over that Narrow one to bring the Aggregate down to those two buildings you showed a few Posts back from off the quarry, which used to be ARC before it became Hanson Aggregate. Historians of Penmeanmawr If you are on Face Book aka FB, then search for Ron Watson-Jones (he is on FaceBook) and he uploads historic photos regularly, I was told, and the Official Historian for Penmeanmawr is Denis Robert, apparently they are getting the Electric Engine that pulled open wagons for taking workers up to the Quarry, that ran on Two Foot Gauge up the mountain to the quarry, they are getting it re-instated to open up as a tourist attraction, to bring money to the local economy for Penmeanmawr, but I'm not sure how far away that is from completion, that will be interesting as and when they do, Hansons Aggregate Speaking to another guy whose father works for Hanson Aggregates, he said they have had the go-ahead to start using the Building by the Railway Station (See the photo of the Class 66 Freightliner, I up loaded) which ties in with what Neil aka sakokid said a few days ago on this thread. The Grand Hotel and Cinema The Cinema was knocked down in 1976c and as several houses on the land now, so there was no visible signs that it ever existed. The Grand Hotel, that closed much later and became a Carpet Shop for a few years after the Hotel Closed before that got flattened and again, as about 20 houses on that land now, again I could see no physical evidence that, that ever existed,. I stopped at the local Co-op for a drink and a sandwich and a very nice man, offered to get in my car to show me where they were or existed, which was very nice of him to show me, what was there now etc,... sadly that doesn't help you I know... but he knew Ron Watson-Jones (he is on Face Book) and he said he as loads of photo's that he puts on his FB page of times gone by, so he may be a good start, sadly I am no longer on FB, so I can't look either, but if you are on FB, search for Ron...!?! And I think that is about it for the knowledge I have found just be asking the locals, I do hope that will help you or maybe hinder...Doh! to find out any further information that may help your research and find more photo's of the time period you are covering. More Photo's to Follow Shortly... Ar there photo's you want ASAP... Bangor Station and Sheds... etc, or Conwy and Castle/Bridges etc,. or more of Penmeanmawr Hanson... etc, If you have any preference on what photo's and the area you need sooner rather than later, let me know... Speak again soon... take care. Regards Jamie

Hi stovepipe Yes, and it's 370 005 & 370 006 or 370 007 (Built as a Spare) is the running numbers I want most, more than any of the numbers they have released, for the very reason you have stated... the most commonly used. I do hope Hornby release a New Second APT-P Set in 2021 or even announce it before hand, my order would be in ASAP... along with the 48#05 & 48#06 Twin Packs, that would be excellent and then Every Number Released, I just hope they have that in the Pipeline, I guess they will need to see how good or quick the APT-P fly's of the shelves, before they make that decision on a second batch of new running numbers and they could re-use the New Tooling for Second Run of New Running Numbers... Let's hope so, anyway....! Then we can buy any variants that was built in real life, well, that is if Hornby could release N-DM 49005, 49006 as well and the Spare TBF 48607 (Built as a Spare), then every number would be released, Finger's Crossed hey... My first modification, is to re-number my APT-P Set to 370 006 & 370 007 Black Fronted Ends. Its the sole reason I have ordered two sets of the same set... and I just hope, either eBay or shop will sell the sets off individually, so I can buy a Black Fronted to re-number that one to 370 005.... Unless Hornby Release it in the Pipeline, then I may wait... Regards Jamie

Is that the name the Class 800/801/802 have been given is it... SNAKES...? Interesting... that's a first for me, but then I don't get them in my neck of the woods... Regards Jamie

Hi SRman Very colourful livery, I like the SWT livery... Looks really smart... How do you find the putting the vinyl overlays on a coach, are they straight forward or can they be a bit of a pain to get right or in the correct place...? Nice Work though... Regards Jamie

Hi, My own Artist impression in adapting my photo, Excuse the crude image of... but the building would have been roughly there... Regards Jamie

Hi Below... is the looking towards second tunnel or Avalanche Tunnel.... Regards Jamie

Hi, The Photo you have uploaded Anthony, the photo below will show where I must be standing within what use to be those buildings... Regards Jamie

I guess, I can possibly take a photo of this area, looking down from the A55, if I walk towards the Viaduct from the end of Penmeanmawr end If I had have done I may have spotted those two bridges much earlier on rather than walk from Llanfairechan end of the A55 as I did, which I will the next time I go for more photos of the Viaduct. Regards Jamie

I couldn't agree more for Anthony braveness and insight to even take on such a project... I just wish WE could fly over and see the layout in person... Yes the Photo's of his work and those Rocks look superb... Anthony... have you been to North Wales many time on Holiday then...?... in order to take on such project and yet alone the distance you are, I think, it is that, that make even more interesting... for you to have the inspiration to take on the project. Regards Jamie

Wow... Anthony... That's picture says it all, I have never come across that photo before, so I was mostly correct in my photos and thinking it was a single road track way of some sort. That building or Two buildings look great, I never knew they ever existed.. funny, though I never said in my posts above, while I was walking towards the second Avalanche tunnel, I did wonder if that was all tracks at one point in time before the flyover aka A55 was constructed or a building of some kind, although I would have gone for Engine or Wagon Sheds, so It been great to see that, where did you pull that out from, Upload more if you have any, to see the comparisons of Now & Then... It's Interesting... I can see in the photo, what looks like Pylon Wires, although from the angle in the photo, doesn't look in line to pass right over the two bridges on the railway but I have thought, were the Stones sticking out between the two tunnels, were then to lower the Pylon Cables down for maintenance or installing the cables originally, funny... as there are no Pylons now over that area anymore. I wonder if they go through the Dual Carriageway Tunnel, but saying that, I have a loads of photo's of that tunnel to (no surprise there though lol) and I don't see any Electrical Cabling coming out of the Tunnel either, but I will look to see where the nearest Pylons are, I know there are some prior to the Viaduct and much further back on the approach to Llanfairechan, and way before the viaduct but they go up high in to the mountains and over the tops of, so whether there were re-directed when the A55 Tunnelling was completed, I know know... Regard Jamie

Ah Lezz Thanks very kind of you to say, and the information makes good sense to... I have plenty of photo's in the Pipeline, I just hope no one thinks I'm uploading to many lol I took 1300 Photo on Thursday, of Bangor Station and Engine Sheds, Hanson Aggregates of the Mining area and conveyor belts system and includes a fair few In the above photo's I uploaded last night. Thank you for your support in the photo's and in Anthony achieving his dream of the layout he is modelling the area on. Regards Jamie

Hi Pete the Elaner Yeah... Lets hope they don't back track (no Pun Intended) on the information they have currently put out, once the results are in on the tests hey... lol Regards Jamie

Hi Alan Very Informative Information, the wheels part, explain's it perfectly. However the last part did make me laugh, where you said (assuming Hornby don't make the trailers out of lead).... lol Thanks again Alan Regards Jamie

Hi SRman Thank you for that my friend, I guess they drop under gravity and if they weigh a ton... then, yes they will drop like a lead balloon. Interesting Link on YouTube, that was a great find, to show. Regards Jamie

Hi Lee Which livery came first out of those two Lee...? and do you know how many year of each different type of livery lasted for (Year to Year...etc...)...? Great work...., you always impress me with your detailed work. Regards Jamie

Superb Dave, as always... s it ever possible to go a bit overboard on the (mainly Scottish) 47s.... Nooooo... Jamie

Hi Agree for the most part The Black Hat When it is an Hatton's own make or production run of an item, Class 66's, RHTT, YOB Crane still to be released, surely they are much closer to the required numbers, however, I guess they can only base that off pre-orders for the guaranteed numbers, but they have sold enough stock over time to understand what percentage on average over the counter or online orders are placed, without those who pre-order. Whatever percentage on top the counter order or online orders...is, excluding those who pre-order the item, they should be able to add those percetages together to come up with a fairy near to numbers they will sell, yes, I know they Class 66 they have failed to see just how many was going to order but even then, the pre-orders should have a guarantee due to pre-order, on the other hand, if you fail to pre-order, then that's no one else's fault other than your own by not pre-ordering one in the first place which would help Hatton's have a more accurate numbers of required items for sure or guarantee they will sell them. When an ITEM comes into stock, lets say for example... They order 1200 Loco's and the 800 of them are on pre-order, as soon as the ITEM comes in to stock at Hattons. the 800 on pre-order should be kept separate to the bulk 1200 ordered first and foremost, thus guaranteeing that the 800 Pre-Ordered are safe and secure they will get the item in question. leaving the [1200 - 800 (Pre-Order) =] 400 to tom, Dick and Harry, who just order when in stock without pre-ordering, or walk in and buy over the counter. Soon as the 400 are sold, unless a Pre-Order specifically cancels his or her order, only then that can be added to the 400 extra ordered. Surely selling 400 and Tom, Dick and Harry comes in and wants one Cash over the counter or Online, well sorry you are to late, you should have pre-ordered one, or else if I sell you the 5 you want, then that is 5 people on pre-order we have to be sent a very sad email... It is not Rocket Science (no Pun Intended), if out of the 5, we only have 2 left of the 400, well, Hattons can only sell you 2 of the 5 you want, as we are out of stock according to records. The only disappointed Buyer are those who regrettably failed to order, and its totally out of order... lol to pinch one off Jack and Jill who have gone out of there way to plan ahead and pre-order one... Yes, I agree with insight you can not see breakages etc. within an Item ordered as that could apply to those on Pre-Order or Over the Counter Sale orders. Regards Jamie

Hi SRman Very interesting layout, I like the building work you have done. I like that Blue and Orange Line 4-Car Set... unit 319 388, is that an Australia loco or older UK stock...? It look smart... Regards Jamie

Hi Below...is the Slimmer Bridge of the two together... We are looking towards Penmeanmawr just round the corner, with second Avalanche tunnel, behind me in the photo below.... I said earlier, I wonder if this used to be one Tunnel, and I conclude this by the stones seen sticking out of the walls as seen on the Left, which if you notice seems to be at the same level with the starting point of the Arch of the bridge in the photo (above and below), hence the cut out, in the wall for workmen to stand in when I train is passing... (seen in the photos below...) that's my thinking but not sure if old maps show this as a single tunnel or two separate bridges, One a Single Track width, which is where I am taking the photo from and looking at the Slimmer bridge, but the slimmer bridge was blocked off to access it, to see if it was some Pipeline going over as it was only a few feet wide... Perhaps someone can confirm if those Blocks sticking out are Tunnel supports maybe from when it may have been a Tunnel... The two photos below are looking towards the sides of the Walls between the two bridges together... with Penmeanmawr to the Right as the sea it in front of me (i'm facing the sea, so I have crossed the bridge to take the photo below) and to the Left is the second Single / Track Bridge and then further down in to the Avalanche tunnel, in the photo below.... Below... is the second Single / Track Bridge with the Slimmer bridge to my Right which goes on to Penmeanmawr Station.... Regards Jamie

Win/Win then John, Bonus, Drinks all round for that one John ... yay That's a point... I wonder if oversea's buyer's stand a much higher chance than the people in the UK and getting a LTD Ed... Jamie

Sorry to hear about that John, I feel your pain on that mate, I am still mad about it now with the RHTT's. Customer service and a good customer reputation surely is key to a successful business, but It seems to be only Hatton's by the sounds of it... I just don't understand, as they must know what figure Hornby have said what numbers they are having up front, before Hatton's even List it on there website, so why accept more order's than they are actually receiving in the first place... its NUTS... bad management... I think Hatton's think they are invincible now they have become a manufacturer, and for them, it's a Win/Win situation... really.., but at the cost of loosing a good reputation... they need to re-evaluate the sales process of how they do things.... But again sorry to hear it as happened to you to... that's the third tonight including myself... its bad business practice... Jamie

Hi Paul I totally know where you are coming from, on that. My RHTT, I had to by off eBay, and lucky only £12 more than the Hatton's price, but even so, I had it on Pre-Order for over a year, and I even notified them and they put a note on my file the week before they came in to stock, in to Hatton's... I don't thing Pre-Order guarantees you nothing today, well certainly from Hatton's, regardless of any Pre-Order, Hatton's are just interested in SALES, SALES and SALES, First come First Served, don't worry about the Pre-Orders... Crazy logic... No customer care whatsoever...! Jamie

Hi Below is the First of the Two Together, (If I refer to them as Single Track and Slim Bridge together), and virtually right underneath the A55 Dual Carriageway... as you can see from the photos, the concrete pillars holding up the carriageway. Regards Jamie

Hi (Apologise for the repeat Post and photos in the above, not sure how that happened) Below... is the Wall that raised up above track level, which made me think, is there a bridge.... (the Sea is directly behind me) Below is the Track at the end of the stone walls from the side view of the two photo's above, and the photo below leads up to the two extra bridges.... (The Sea is more to the Left of me in this photo below now...) Regards Jamie

Hi Funny on the Above Post Photo..., the Photo above with the signal facing the second Avalanche tunnel, I thought the railway track when through the tunnel straight, due to earlier photo's of zooming in from a far and I through the second Avalanche tunnel, made me think the railway entered the tunnel straight, which it may well do, once it enters the second Avalanche tunnel, and that's what I all so thought when I was taking the Signal / Tunnel Photo in the Above Post... how wrong could I have been... I came across original stock wall that seemed to go off to one side and raised up above track level, when I got there, I discovered another two bridges fairly close to each other and between two narrow stone walls (is seems like it make have been a small tunnel as between the to narrow walls was an inlay for Workmen to stand in when I train was approaching) there was a single Track/Car Bride with another Unused Slimmer Bridge Possibly a Large Pipe over the slimmer bridge, but below I was standing in the centre of the bridge and looking towards second tunnel or Avalanche Tunnel.... Regards Jamie