Nick G Posted February 9, 2018 Author Share Posted February 9, 2018 My memories up there on hot sunny days make me prejudiced... Which day was it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Those pics of the 24 shunting at Maentwrog are great - fab modelling And I agree - that's the neatest fiddle yard I've ever seen! If only I was half that organised and tidy lol Which day was it? I'm sure there was one in 1981... and again in 1985 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted February 9, 2018 Author Share Posted February 9, 2018 I'm sure there was one in 1981... and again in 1985 No, it was a half day in 1985! I see your location is Cardiff, I should be at the Cardiff small show next January with the layout. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke the train spotter Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Looks really good! Fantastic modeling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 No, it was a half day in 1985! I see your location is Cardiff, I should be at the Cardiff small show next January with the layout. Was that a whole half day? Great news re the Cardiff small show. All things being equal, I will be there too So looking forward to seeing Maentwrog Rd in the flesh PS. We cannot guarantee that it won't be raining in Cardiff in January! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke the train spotter Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 This layout looks great. Really inspirational. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share Posted February 18, 2018 PS. We cannot guarantee that it won't be raining in Cardiff in January! Coming from North Wales I am used to rain! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted February 18, 2018 Author Share Posted February 18, 2018 A couple of typical explosives trains in the fiddle yard. VAA van CAR brake van and barrier wagons. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 No, it was a half day in 1985! I see your location is Cardiff, I should be at the Cardiff small show next January with the layout. Looking forward to a guided tour of Maentwrog Road ! . Brian R 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.C.M Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Looking good Nick. Any info on how you did your latest barrier wagon. Looks like an ex SPA. I have one to do myself so any info would be most useful. Cheers Peter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted February 25, 2018 Author Share Posted February 25, 2018 A solitary VAA van gets loaded with gelignite from the ICI lorry that has come from Cookes factory in Penrhyndeudraeth. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James37501 Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 This excellent layout is providing me with a mountain of inspiration for a project I've had in the planning stages for a while, thanks for sharing it's construction and the excellent photographs. I recall seeing an image a while ago of the location with a DMU providing a shuttle service, maybe you could build a removable delightfully Heath Robinson platform to replicate this... J. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted February 26, 2018 Author Share Posted February 26, 2018 This excellent layout is providing me with a mountain of inspiration for a project I've had in the planning stages for a while, thanks for sharing it's construction and the excellent photographs. I recall seeing an image a while ago of the location with a DMU providing a shuttle service, maybe you could build a removable delightfully Heath Robinson platform to replicate this... J. Thanks for your kind comments. There was a temporary platform constructed over the siding when the explosives traffic finished. Have a look at Dave Sallery's page for a photo: http://www.penmorfa.com/Conwy/eight.htm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted February 26, 2018 Author Share Posted February 26, 2018 Here is the Bedford van as used by the S&T lineman to maintain the ground frames in your period (1983-8) Don't forget the roof rack. YCH625Y.jpg Merf. Here you go Merf, as you said "don't forget the roof rack" work in progress thanks to my talented friend Mark. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 (edited) The 1T39 Special Press Run from Blaenau Ffestiniog is seen standing in the new platform constructed over the siding at Maentwrog Road on 17th July 1989 (hot sunny day!). Crosville Motors took the passengers forward to Trawsfynydd Nuclealr Power Station. A regular service commenced 23 July connecting with the Conwy Valley 'Sunday Shuttles' service.... While Maentwrog Road became the terminus for the first passenger trains on this ex. GWR branch since 1960, the 1990 service was an extended 'Sunday Shuttle" from Llandudno to Trawsfynydd . Such a train is seen passing the site of the removed wooden platform in Maentwrog Road goods yard on 21st July 1990... Edited February 26, 2018 by coachmann 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted February 27, 2018 Author Share Posted February 27, 2018 The van now has mirrors. The mirrors and roof rack need painting and the front grille and bumpers need painting black. Numberplates will then be fitted. The photo of the van shows a 5 pence coin next to it to show how small it is. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James37501 Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 The 1T39 Special Press Run from Blaenau Ffestiniog is seen standing in the new platform constructed over the siding at Maentwrog Road on 17th July 1989 (hot sunny day!). Crosville Motors... Can't beat a Leyland Olympian either... Thanks for sharing these images... Nick, no need for the thanks, the standards of your layouts are something that I, and others I am sure, aspire to. I look forward to seeing how the layout develops, and how any extensions to it come along. I know you have chosen to model in a particular time period, but you must admit - for a rural branch line it's had a lot of different traffic; nuclear trains, explosive freight, charters, 153's, saloon / weedkiller workings to name but a few. Forgive my lack of knowledge here, and I won't hijack this thread with questions, but was the explosives traffic on the branch sent to another location then forwarded by speedlink, or did it run to where needed just as is? J. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 (edited) I know you have chosen to model in a particular time period, but you must admit - for a rural branch line it's had a lot of different traffic; nuclear trains, explosive freight, charters, 153's, saloon / weedkiller workings to name but a few. Forgive my lack of knowledge here, and I won't hijack this thread with questions, but was the explosives traffic on the branch sent to another location then forwarded by speedlink, or did it run to where needed just as is? J. There was a morning Speedlink to Valley & Holyhead and there was a morning Speedlink to Maentwrog Road initially. Economies were affected from 6th July 1987 in order to save a locomotive and crew when the two workings were combined. This was great for photographers like myself who could shoot the Conwy Valley trains in the afternoon instead of some ungodly hour of the morning! On its return to Llandudno Junction, it was combined with other Speedlink traffic and went west to Chester where further re-marshalling took place. Edited February 28, 2018 by coachmann Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted March 7, 2018 Author Share Posted March 7, 2018 Bedford HA now with roof rack and mirrors as per the van used by the S&T engineer based at Llandudno Junction. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250BOB Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Wonderful project Nick, have enjoyed catching up........will follow with interest. I read recently about some society being kicked off by Network Rail for dislodging stonework.???....was it this track..?? Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted March 7, 2018 Author Share Posted March 7, 2018 Thanks Bob I read recently about some society being kicked off by Network Rail for dislodging stonework.???....was it this track..?? Yes it was this line Blaenau to Trawsfynydd... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevblokey Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Some more work on the fiddle yard today... That fiddle yard would make a damn fine depot layout... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick G Posted April 10, 2018 Author Share Posted April 10, 2018 Maentwrog Road today in the rain... 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold mudmagnet Posted April 11, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 11, 2018 Maentwrog Road today in the rain... A normal day in North Wales then! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 A normal day in North Wales then! I wish every tourist thought like this then our roads wouldn't be clogged up... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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