Bleddfa Road

[sparky]

I originally tagged my first venture into the world of 7mm scale modelling onto my long running 'Change Here For Penhydd, Llangunllo and Bleddfa Road' thread. But at the suggestion of one of my friends here, I am moving the 7mm gauge content to this new  thread. It will take me a while to move things across so please bear with me. I do of course have a blog, but not everyone feels comfortable asking questions or in joining  the discussion there. So to kick this thread off I am going to upload the layout plan, and its planned development...........

 

 

 

 

The plan is inspired by Blodwell Junction and Llansilin Road on the Tanat Valley line, however the location is along, and within the Welsh Marches. Layout operation isn't high on my my list of priorities as I am happy to run trains much in the same way as the real thing. So it might be hours between trains, or sometimes days as I just wander into the layout room to run the next train in the  sequence as it suits me. Sometimes I might shunt the pick up goods whilst I am waiting for adhesives to set or paint to dry, so you might well ask what is the purpose of the project, well I wanted to see if my 'less is more' ideas would work in 7mm scale, and if I could create a believable scene in a small space.

 

 

You might have seen this map elsewhere albeit with a few changes, the original was drawn by myself and enhanced by the Peco Studio for one of my articles in the Railway Modeller. Alas at least one person out there is claiming it as his own and is in breach of copyright.

 

 

 

 

The trackwork was constructed from Slater's ply sleepers and rail, with two bolt rail chairs from the C&L range. Each point had to be tailor made to suit its given location if the plan was to fit into the same footprint as Penhydd and Llangunllo. The open frame baseboards on which the layout is built are the same ones which once supported Penhydd and Llangunllo. but with new plywood tops, they are also slightly wider to suit the larger scale. The white rectangles beside the track are styrene bases for the Modelu point rodding stools, once the ballasting was completed they were no longer visible.

 

 

 

 

 

This is how the layout will eventually look, well I hope it does!  The hedgerows along the station approach track and in front of the goods yard have been added using my simple photo editing software, but the remainder are either painted onto the backscene or modelled in 3D. Since this photo was taken the platelayers hut has been completed, but the ground around it is still in the process of being worked up. The water tower at the far end of the layout disguises the now lifted line to Llangunllo, the coal merchants office is another design of my own, and uses the shell of the proposed but never modelled signal box as featured in the second photo. I felt that an open lever frame would suit the scene much better and so it has proved. The other buildings are slightly modified prototypical examples from along the Tanat Valley.

 

So there we have a brief introduction, if there is enough interest I will take you on a journey along the line and update the thread as more progress is made.

 

Geoff

Edited April 6, 2022 by sparky
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[sparky]

 

 

I couldn't make my mind up as to where to start the journey along the branch, in the end I thought it best to start at the occupation crossing and work towards the end of the line. This photo shows the completed platelayers hut as viewed from the crossing, the area around the hut is far from complete. Imagine a push bike leaning against the end wall, a gate across the cart track leading to the hut and some typical GWR spear fencing around it all. More static grasses will also be applied around the base of the hut and the embankment on the right.

 

 

Geoff

Edited April 7, 2022 by sparky
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[MrWolf]

I really like the finish on that hut, particularly the light coating of mildew on the roof. It also reminds me that my smaller scale version it needs some details around it.

[Northroader]

I’m really taken with this layout, and your philosophy of how to operate it. The projected scenic work looks very good.

[westerner]

Good to see you showing the layout on here Geoff. Excellent as always.

[sparky]

On 02/12/2021 at 21:09, MrWolf said:

I really like the finish on that hut, particularly the light coating of mildew on the roof. It also reminds me that my smaller scale version it needs some details around it.

Thank you, the hut is a scaled up model of my old Coopercraft kit that saw light of day on Penhydd and Llangunllo

 

 

 

The basic shell was constructed from 60 thou styrene sheet, Evergreen strip and Slater's embossed brick. The door and window shutter planking was created with an Olfa Scriber, and all the hinges are from styrene strip.

 

 

Being a glutton for punishment I made a batch of roof slates from a postcard, which had been pre painted in various shades of grey. The hut was painted with 'Lifecolor' weathered black, and weathered with washes of Lifecolor smoke and rail dust. Ridge tiles are from 20 thou sheet, and half round styrene section, they were painted in Railmatch brick and toned down with the same washes. The chimney was painted with Humbrol light earth enamel and dry brushed with weathered black to represent soot deposits, the whole model was then given a dusting of talc. Before I forget the chimney is a 3D print, as is the 45 gallon drum from 'Model Railway Scenes' . 

 

 

A few more oil drums will litter the area in front of the hut, and then they, together with the sleepers will be almost hidden from view amongst tall unkempt grass. The two vans which are currently waiting to be weathered are stood on the siding leading to a small lime kiln, another larger kiln and sidings are supposedly situated, but not modelled beyond the overbridge

 

On 02/12/2021 at 21:28, Northroader said:

I’m really taken with this layout, and your philosophy of how to operate it. The projected scenic work looks very good.

Thank you, it is true to say that as I have grown older operating has become less important. Of course I still take pleasure from watching the trains and even more so in 7mm scale. 

 

On 02/12/2021 at 22:06, westerner said:

Good to see you showing the layout on here Geoff. Excellent as always.

 

Thanks Alan, I made the mistake of adding my 7mm scale exploits onto my old Penhydd/Llangunllo thread. My posting here is an attempt to keep all of my friends and followers happy, some feel awkward about posting on my blog because they see that as a personal space. Others don't care for Western Thunder because they have to join up to see the photos, so hopefully everyone will be happy now 🙂

 

Geoff

Edited April 7, 2022 by sparky
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[Captain Kernow]

Superb, Geoff, as ever and an utter joy to see.

 

[MrWolf]

Marvelous job with the hut, now I feel lazy because all I did was make a new roof and ridge for the old Coopercraft kit! 

 

 

 

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Geoff, really glad you have posted the layout here as I had missed it in the layouts forum.

 

This is looking great and I will be following your progress.

 

Cheers, Ade.

[daifly]

30 minutes ago, Adrian Stevenson said:

Hi Geoff, really glad you have posted the layout here as I had missed it in the layouts forum.

 

This is looking great and I will be following your progress.

 

Cheers, Ade.

You should spend more time on Western Thunder. The Bleddfa Road thread has been running there for over two years!

Dave

[Hal Nail]

4 hours ago, sparky said:

my old Penhydd/Llangunllo thread.

Funnily enough the first shots of this layout reminded me of something and then realised it was your previous stuff, which I've come across when searching for things from time to time.

 

Interesting that we obviously put our personal stamp on things!

[JustinDean]

Great to see this here Geoff, I’ve been following your progress on your online blog over the last year or so already. Very inspirational to the point where I’m having a crack at my own Welsh end of steam era micro layout in 4mm scale. 
I look forward to seeing more updates!

 

Jay

 

[Regularity]

16 minutes ago, Hal Nail said:

Funnily enough the first shots of this layout reminded me of something and then realised it was your previous stuff

The fact that 1455 “starred” on both the EM layouts and now this one will have only added to the confusion!

[sparky]

On 03/12/2021 at 10:34, Captain Kernow said:

Superb, Geoff, as ever and an utter joy to see.

 

Thank you Tim, I often wonder where my modelling would be now had you not suggested that I have a dabble in 7mm scale 

 

On 03/12/2021 at 11:00, Adrian Stevenson said:

Hi Geoff, really glad you have posted the layout here as I had missed it in the layouts forum.

 

This is looking great and I will be following your progress.

 

Cheers, Ade.

 

Cheers Ade.

 

On 03/12/2021 at 14:42, Regularity said:

The fact that 1455 “starred” on both the EM layouts and now this one will have only added to the confusion!

 

Only having a spot of fun, but seriously 1455 and 7416 were frequent visitors to the Kington Railways and I wanted to continue with the same feeling of time and place.

 

On 03/12/2021 at 14:25, Hal Nail said:

Funnily enough the first shots of this layout reminded me of something and then realised it was your previous stuff, which I've come across when searching for things from time to time.

 

Interesting that we obviously put our personal stamp on things!

 

It is indeed, what shall we call it 'house style' ?

 

On 03/12/2021 at 10:59, MrWolf said:

Marvelous job with the hut, now I feel lazy because all I did was make a new roof and ridge for the old Coopercraft kit! 

 

 

 

Oh I don't think you have been lazy at all, your hut looks great.

 

On 03/12/2021 at 14:37, JustinDean said:

Great to see this here Geoff, I’ve been following your progress on your online blog over the last year or so already. Very inspirational to the point where I’m having a crack at my own Welsh end of steam era micro layout in 4mm scale. 
I look forward to seeing more updates!

 

Jay

 

 

I wondered who else visited my blog from RMweb, hope you enjoy looking around. I'm pleased that you find the place inspirational and are building your own Welsh layout.

 

Anyway I will leave you with this view, I'll explain what is what next time

 

 

 

 

Thanks for taking an interest and for your kind comments.

 

Geoff

Edited April 7, 2022 by sparky
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[Captain Kernow]

1 hour ago, sparky said:

Thank you Tim, I often wonder where my modelling would be now had you not suggested that I have a dabble in 7mm scale 

The thing is, I don't actually remember doing that and I am no shining advert for taking up 7mm modelling myself, all my 7mm bits and pieces, such as they area, remain in their boxes!

 

[sparky]

14 hours ago, Captain Kernow said:

The thing is, I don't actually remember doing that and I am no shining advert for taking up 7mm modelling myself, all my 7mm bits and pieces, such as they area, remain in their boxes!

 

 

Here you go Tim hardly surprising that you don't remember this exchange that we had over on Western Thunder, seeing as it took place over 5 years ago! I suppose it stuck in my mind due the amount I spent on 7mm goodies over the following weeks

 

Geoff said: 

Certain people here on the forum have been trying to lead me down the 7mm path, and might yet succeed. So I thought it best if I got back to work on my current trainset, before the temptation proved too much. 

"Why not try to do some 7mm in parallel with 4mm stuff, which is what I'm going to be trying to do, in due course".

Captain Kernow, 4 November 2016  ThreadmarkReportBookmark

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[Regularity]

16 hours ago, sparky said:

Only having a spot of fun, but seriously 1455 and 7416 were frequent visitors to the Kington Railways and I wanted to continue with the same feeling of time and place.

I knew that - you are continuing in the search for verisimilitude, but rarely is scenery in 7mm scale indistinguishable from that produced for 4mm scale, where (a few exceptions aside, e.g. Pempoul, Martin Welch’s work) 7mm scenery is often a touch coarse and unconvincing.

[bcnPete]

Glad to find this thread now relocated.

 

Awesome stuff Geoff

[sparky]

 

Bleddfa Road’s station building was two years in the making, I liked the idea of model something cheap and cheerful, the sort of structure that might have been provided as a temporary measure. A corrugated iron structure like the one which once stood Llanrhaiadr Mochnant on the ‘Tanat Valley Railway’ appealed to me, but I was unsure if it would fit into the scene that I planned to model. The real building underwent many changes over the years, following the withdrawal of passenger services the ladies WC was replaced by an office. It is believed that an extra door was added to the main building at the same time. Liking a bit of artistic freedom I decided that my version of the building would feature the ladies WC, and the extra door. The ground frame was built from the MSE etch and set into a brick platform.

 

 

Rainwater goods  are from the Modelu range, the poster boards are scratch built, with posters by Tiny Signs. The platform was also built from 'Palight', then covered in DAS modelling clay which was scribed to represent individual stone. 

 

 

The shell of the building was made from 3mm 'Palight' foamboard, then clad in Slater's corrugated sheet.

 

 

Finally a couple of photos of the pick up goods arriving at Bleddfa Road...............

 

 

Geoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 7, 2022 by sparky
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[sparky]

On 04/12/2021 at 11:38, Regularity said:

I knew that - you are continuing in the search for verisimilitude, but rarely is scenery in 7mm scale indistinguishable from that produced for 4mm scale, where (a few exceptions aside, e.g. Pempoul, Martin Welch’s work) 7mm scenery is often a touch coarse and unconvincing.

 

Once I have the basic ground cover down I hope to improve on it, Messer's Gravatt and Welch have really set the bar high. I always knew it would be a challenge to create decent scenery in 7mm scale, but I will be giving it my best shot. 

[Ray H]

From what I can see from the pictures posted so far, I don't think you've made a bad job of it.

[sparky]

On 05/12/2021 at 17:20, Ray H said:

From what I can see from the pictures posted so far, I don't think you've made a bad job of it.

Thanks Ray, some areas are a little more advanced than others as I experiment with different materials and techniques

 

 

I've used a mix of homemade grass tufts and mating, with Silflor and Greenscenes static grasses. 

 

 

 

 

I use a Warpainter Flockbox 'Fusion' static grass applicator, which is a very versatile piece of kit. You can make your own small grass mats and tufts which are built up on silicon paper, far right. Or apply the fibres directly through a tea strainer, taking care to insulate the handle unless you want a shock There are plenty of videos circulating, and an instructional DVD come with the kit. 

 

 

 

Geoff

 

 

 

Edited April 7, 2022 by sparky
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[sparky]

A few more photos showing the area in and around the goods yard.

 

 

The water tower started life as a 'Palight' foamboard shell which was the covered in DAS modelling clay. Once the clay had dried the walls were tidied up and stones were scribed into the surface. I used castings from Invertrains for the water tank, and the ladder is Peco. A Ragstone models water crane was then assembled, painted and planted in place on an etched grid.

 

 

The layout is 22" inches wide at this point, unkempt hedgerows are slowly being added and follow Gordon Gravatts methods. The small building towards the end of the platform is a combined lamp room and gents.  

 

 

Hedgerows are also being added between the water tower and backscene, groundcover is a mix of static grasses and homemade tufts. The lane serving the goods yard drops down and bears right to disappear off scene amongst the trees.

 

 

Finally a view of the goods shed from the opposite direction, and that concludes the journey from the level crossing down to the goods yard.

 

Merry Christmas,

 

Geoff

Edited April 7, 2022 by sparky
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[Argos]

Lovely  views. I've enjoyed following the developments via your blog so great to see the layout on RMweb also. 

Edited December 23, 2021 by Argos

[sidmouth]

Just WoW . Couple of images I had to do a double take on , so convincing are they