Fochriw (formally Mynydd Du)

[Re6/6]

A good evening of running on DRAG's test track was held this week..

 

These 16t minerals have been converted and weathered by CK for use on 'Fochriw' and 'Marsh Sidings' They are a mixture of Airfix, Bachmann and Parkside. They all weigh around 40g with a lead floor added and fitted with three link couplings which have the bottom link of steel to facilitate magnetic' hand in the sky' coupling. All freight stock will now be thus fitted. All locos will have screw couplings with steel bottom links. 

 

Also on here is a successful test run at speed in reverse of Brinkly's wagons.

 

 

 

Edited November 29, 2022 by Re6/6

[Captain Kernow]

A bit more footage on what was a well-attended club night:

 

 

[Neil]

I know I should be watching the minerals, very nice they are too, but I'm intrigued by the Italian job running anti clockwise on one of the inner tracks.

[Re6/6]

Indeed Neil, the stock was being tested for 'Lisanno' an FS layout set in the 60s and 70s.

 

I'm starting a thread in a while on the building of the layout by Rod (10800) and me. It's inspired by bgman's planned layout that he had only just started before his death.

 

We have acquired a fair selection of 50s and 60s stock in the Isabella/Castano brown. We particularly like the articulated E636 type so watch that space in 'overseas railways' after I've posted something!

 

Edited December 4, 2022 by Re6/6

[Tim Dubya]

25 minutes ago, Re6/6 said:

 

Now that is a brutal looking loco, love it👍

[MrWolf]

1 hour ago, Tim Dubya said:

 

Now that is a brutal looking loco, love it👍

 

Seconded, looks like it escaped from the set of a WWII movie.

[mullie]

2 hours ago, Re6/6 said:

Indeed Neil, the stock was being tested for 'Lisanno' an FS layout set in the 60s and 70s.

 

I'm starting a thread in a while on the building of the layout by Rod (10800) and me. It's inspired by bgman's planned layout that he had only just started before his death.

 

We have acquired a fair selection of 50s and 60s stock in the Isabella/Castano brown. We particularly like the articulated E636 type so watch that space in 'overseas railways' after I've posted something!

 

Please let us know where to find the thread, any chance of a link?

 

Martyn 

Edited December 4, 2022 by mullie

[Re6/6]

Martyn, there isn't one yet as it's still in preparation. Other stuff keeps getting in the way! I'll post a link on this thread when it's up.

 

Here's something to be going on with....!

 

Some of Grahame's lovely scratchbuilt Italian buildings which inspired us to progress with his work.

Edited December 5, 2022 by Re6/6

[phil_sutters]

11 hours ago, Tim Dubya said:

 

Now that is a brutal looking loco, love it👍

The Italians apparently quite like brutal locos. I think that this is from 1934, when my Dad was passing through Italy on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but it may not have been taken by him. It was loose among photos in a box accompanying his railway albums which I inherited.

 

 

 

[37Oban]

1 hour ago, phil_sutters said:

The Italians apparently quite like brutal locos. I think that this is from 1934, when my Dad was passing through Italy on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but it may not have been taken by him. It was loose among photos in a box accompanying his railway albums which I inherited.

 

 

 

And people say Steam Punk is just fantasy!😆

 

Roja

[Tim Dubya]

1 hour ago, phil_sutters said:

 

 

That's a rather eclectic looking electric too Phil.  Is that a battery box or a picnic hamper ?

[Captain Kernow]

49 minutes ago, Tim Dubya said:

 

That's a rather eclectic looking electric too Phil.  Is that a battery box or a picnic hamper ?

We like eclectic electrics!

 

[melmoth]

2 hours ago, phil_sutters said:

The Italians apparently quite like brutal locos. I think that this is from 1934, when my Dad was passing through Italy on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but it may not have been taken by him. It was loose among photos in a box accompanying his railway albums which I inherited.

 

 

 

 

A Crosti-boilered locomotive in its native setting

[Re6/6]

The 'eclectic electric' looks like it's a three-phase.  We did have one but didn't fancy all that complex 'multi catenary knitting'! We do have a Crosti loco!

 

I must get the Italian thread started before this stuff gets out of hand on a Welsh colliery layout thread!

 

Now started!  https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/175964-lisanno-a-layout-in-memoriam-of-the-late-bgman/#comment-5012333

Edited December 5, 2022 by Re6/6

[Re6/6]

A new roof has been fitted to the workshop with insulation which has now made it a damp free environment which will be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer (if we get another hot one!)

 

As most of the previous images have disappeared from the thread, I thought that some updates and repeats of the original images might be useful.

 

For the New Year, work has started again on 'Fochriw'. The track layout has finally been settled under the guidance of CK. He and 10800 will be coming over this week to decide on the wiring and sections (and for luncheon!) Rod is my 'go-to' chap for planning and making the electrics work. My capabilities in that sphere are rather rudimentary!

 

It will be an 'exchange sidings' affair with one leg to/from BR and the other to/from an NCB pit. The other end of the 'wye' will be two separate lifted colliery lines.

 

All the surface wiring and connectors are temporary. Most of the pointwork was salvaged from the late Nigel Hunt's layout which were repaired being too good to throw away.

 

 

 

There will be workman trains to and from BR and the NCB using decrepit Dean four wheelers and some old Dean clerestories which will be equally run down.

 

 

 

 

This is the sort of bleakness that is what is hoped to be achieved.

 

The goods traffic will be unloaded and loaded 16T minerals with some of the excellent Accurascale large minerals which are shunted in and out of the exchange sidings. Motive power will be the ubiquitous 57XX panniers and several 0-6-2Ts including Rhymney, Taff Vale and Cardiff Railway absorbed engines and of course 56XXs.

 

Rhymney 'R' class on Marsh Sidings.

 

Edited January 8, 2023 by Re6/6

[NHY 581]

Tidy. 

[Darwinian]

Oh this looks right up my street! Looking forward to seeing the miners trains, I’ve held off doing one for Cwmhir.

 

Must sort out the Rhymney style signals first.Then there’s a GWR rebuilt Taff A class in the to do box and .........

[Re6/6]

This will give an idea of the anticipated contours.

[philip-griffiths]

You need to capture that, ‘it’s raining look’.  I can never remember driving up the Deri valley when it was not raining or going to rain.  Desolate and desperate is the look you need, a forgotten landscape.  Will be looking forward to it.  I have a similar project on the go, further along the Heads of the Valleys.  

[Re6/6]

Work on Fochriw has paused in order to 'completely' finish 'Parkend Marsh Sidings' ready for the S4 society AGM and Wells...not to mention 'Balcombe' which is due out next year so enough work for now!

 

There has been a new arrival in the shape of a 56xx.

 

Having just seen Al's new 'N' small terminus has made me think about building something similar for my Swiss and Austrian 'N' stock to play with! ..Yet another crackpot idea.....!

 

 

Edited May 4, 2023 by Re6/6

[Timber]

hello - sorry to jump in with a question but the title of this thread caught my eye.  I am starting to build a model of Fochriw station, in B&M days.  if anyone has any photos of the goods shed or back of the station then please can they let me know - happy to be contacted outside of thiis thread, either by direct message or on the post i have placed on Railways of Wales, rather then disrupt this flow.

 

Thank you.

Edited August 29, 2023 by Timber

[88C]

Somehow I seem to have missed this thread but glad that I have found it now. It looks like a project that appeals to my interests.

 

Brian

Edited August 29, 2023 by 88C
Grammar

[Captain Kernow]

2 hours ago, Timber said:

hello - sorry to jump in with a question but the title of this thread caught my eye.  I am starting to build a model of Fochriw station, in B&M days.  if anyone has any photos of the goods shed or back of the station then please can they let me know - happy to be contacted outside of thiis thread, either by direct message or on the post i have placed on Railways of Wales, rather then disrupt this flow.

 

Thank you.

I take it you have 'Brecon & Merthyr', Vol.2, by John Hodge (Pen & Sword Publications)?

 

[Timber]

yes - excellent book...and some great photos....but nothing on the goods shed (other than one distant distance of part of the front)  or what the rear of the station looked like....I can guess on the station rear but the goods shed was a prominent structure and i need to get this right.

Edited September 3, 2023 by Timber

[Captain Kernow]

If I find anything, I'll advise (not that I have any extra sources of information as compared to anyone else!).