Anthony Ashley Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 Lezz, Ed and Simon, I have used some of the old maps to ensure accuracy in the track plans for the relevant stations. The other sites referred to are also useful and some provide a different perspective. All are very useful and appreciated. Jamie, With respect to the disused loco shed to the west of the viaduct may be possible to fit it between my viaduct and the tunnel mouth shown on the plan below. It would be an interesting feature to include in the layout. Jamie going from top to bottom with your latest photos posted on line. The 2 ladders at either end of the rail viaduct and the stairway were not seen by me in any other pictures ans therefore are of great value. I should be able to model the area behind and underneath the viaduct much more accurately with the photos provided. I only have one or 2 photos in close up of the font of the rail viaduct as I suppose access to this area is often difficult. It is difficult to determine from these photos the decorative features on the front. Any photos showing the front surface of the viaduct would be appreciated. I am going to presume the front is the same as the back if I am unable to get better photos. Of course I know there are some differences. For instance the rounded piers at the front compared to square at the back. There my be other decorative features i am unaware of . "Questions I need from you... Conwy... is it just the Railway Station you want photos of...? or more... if so state where about you want photo's of..! I do have quite a few photos of the castle. Any photos of the medieval town wall would be very useful. I would need to know what section is relevant to each photo. If you check the posts I have some photos of the front garden area on the eastern end of the castle. There is a building in Conwy on the wets of the round about behind the castle on the corner of Rosehill St which is of interesting design and will be quite difficult to model. It is next to the clock shop and has a black and gold sign out the front. It may be an old guild building or some thing similar. I do not think that photos of the station area will assist greatly as it has changed so much since 1960. I do have a plan of the old station and can replicate that in a 3D printed building with brick paper coverage.Most of the streets I can view in street view by Google earth. It is amazing how I can do a lot of this from Australia! Bangor... is it just the Railway Station you want photos of...? or more... and the Carriage and Engine Sheds or whatever is left ..! Any detailed photos of the sheds that are left would be of great assistance. I have quite a few of the engine shed, but you never know what detail a photo will pick up. I have no photos of the back of the engine or good sheds Penmeanmawr... the Railway Station Building up close, which I already have more of, that you want photos of...? or more... if so state where about you want photo's of..! I am really happy with all of the photos for the Penmaenmawr station building. I am missing detailed photos of the Grand Hotel and the cinema, both of which have been torn down!! How inconsiderate for a modeller. Detailed photos of the goods area would be great if there is anything lying around but given the passage of time it is unlikely. The area around the conveyor belts over the track area in detail is not in my collection. Including the Loading of Aggregate and conveyor belts etc... Building and track work...?" I hope this is detailed enough for you in terms of your questions. I presume that photos 3 and 4 of the Conwy area are of the town wall parallel with the castle front. If not can you let me know where they are in relation to the castle. Great shots but I just need to site them. All of the castle and bridge photos are great. It is interesting that the goods area across the other side of the river has had all track torn up. I have laid this already and am certain it was still there in 1960. I have modelled some of the castle and one of the bridges. They are on page 15 of the posts. Any detailed shots of the pedestrian bridge would be appreciated. I was thinking of getting at least one HST to run out of era. Your photos certainly reinforce the great effect they make against the castle. The shots around the fishing boats at the bottom of the castle will really add to the atmosphere and quite inspiring. I hope I can continue to contribute to your fitness regime!!! Your situating the photos of the cliff and avalanche shelter under the yellow/orange sign was a good idea, as I know exactly where you are talking about in the area. It looks from the photos if I am reading them correctly that both of the avalanche shelters have grass growing on their roofs? Is this correct? Jamie you have contributed a considerable number of photos in assisting me. Thank you again it is appreciated. If you can get anything of the front of the rail viaduct that will really help. Thanks to all others who have posted in the last week. There is certainly much more interest in the posts with the influx of fresh photos and material. All contributions are very welcome. Regards, Anthony Ashley 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 6 hours ago, Anthony Ashley said: Lezz, Ed and Simon, I have used some of the old maps to ensure accuracy in the track plans for the relevant stations. The other sites referred to are also useful and some provide a different perspective. All are very useful and appreciated. Jamie, With respect to the disused loco shed to the west of the viaduct may be possible to fit it between my viaduct and the tunnel mouth shown on the plan below. It would be an interesting feature to include in the layout. Jamie going from top to bottom with your latest photos posted on line. The 2 ladders at either end of the rail viaduct and the stairway were not seen by me in any other pictures ans therefore are of great value. I should be able to model the area behind and underneath the viaduct much more accurately with the photos provided. I only have one or 2 photos in close up of the font of the rail viaduct as I suppose access to this area is often difficult. It is difficult to determine from these photos the decorative features on the front. Any photos showing the front surface of the viaduct would be appreciated. I am going to presume the front is the same as the back if I am unable to get better photos. Of course I know there are some differences. For instance the rounded piers at the front compared to square at the back. There my be other decorative features i am unaware of . "Questions I need from you... Conwy... is it just the Railway Station you want photos of...? or more... if so state where about you want photo's of..! I do have quite a few photos of the castle. Any photos of the medieval town wall would be very useful. I would need to know what section is relevant to each photo. If you check the posts I have some photos of the front garden area on the eastern end of the castle. There is a building in Conwy on the wets of the round about behind the castle on the corner of Rosehill St which is of interesting design and will be quite difficult to model. It is next to the clock shop and has a black and gold sign out the front. It may be an old guild building or some thing similar. I do not think that photos of the station area will assist greatly as it has changed so much since 1960. I do have a plan of the old station and can replicate that in a 3D printed building with brick paper coverage.Most of the streets I can view in street view by Google earth. It is amazing how I can do a lot of this from Australia! Bangor... is it just the Railway Station you want photos of...? or more... and the Carriage and Engine Sheds or whatever is left ..! Any detailed photos of the sheds that are left would be of great assistance. I have quite a few of the engine shed, but you never know what detail a photo will pick up. I have no photos of the back of the engine or good sheds Penmeanmawr... the Railway Station Building up close, which I already have more of, that you want photos of...? or more... if so state where about you want photo's of..! I am really happy with all of the photos for the Penmaenmawr station building. I am missing detailed photos of the Grand Hotel and the cinema, both of which have been torn down!! How inconsiderate for a modeller. Detailed photos of the goods area would be great if there is anything lying around but given the passage of time it is unlikely. The area around the conveyor belts over the track area in detail is not in my collection. Including the Loading of Aggregate and conveyor belts etc... Building and track work...?" I hope this is detailed enough for you in terms of your questions. I presume that photos 3 and 4 of the Conwy area are of the town wall parallel with the castle front. If not can you let me know where they are in relation to the castle. Great shots but I just need to site them. All of the castle and bridge photos are great. It is interesting that the goods area across the other side of the river has had all track torn up. I have laid this already and am certain it was still there in 1960. I have modelled some of the castle and one of the bridges. They are on page 15 of the posts. Any detailed shots of the pedestrian bridge would be appreciated. I was thinking of getting at least one HST to run out of era. Your photos certainly reinforce the great effect they make against the castle. The shots around the fishing boats at the bottom of the castle will really add to the atmosphere and quite inspiring. I hope I can continue to contribute to your fitness regime!!! Your situating the photos of the cliff and avalanche shelter under the yellow/orange sign was a good idea, as I know exactly where you are talking about in the area. It looks from the photos if I am reading them correctly that both of the avalanche shelters have grass growing on their roofs? Is this correct? Jamie you have contributed a considerable number of photos in assisting me. Thank you again it is appreciated. If you can get anything of the front of the rail viaduct that will really help. Thanks to all others who have posted in the last week. There is certainly much more interest in the posts with the influx of fresh photos and material. All contributions are very welcome. Regards, Anthony Ashley Hi Anthony Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments, I appreciate you input and help, and also to help you accomplish what you need... I will work on the above details and thank you for your in-depth information to explain where you need photos of, that will help me to. Yes, I agree, I find it hard to believe you are in Australia, and I am not sure how many times you have seen the places you are modelling in person for real, but I find what you are doing from that distance, truly inspirational, when you consider, other people that you show in your club/group have never seen the place in person, possibly ever to. That is where I have been more than happy to help those ones, to picture the place that you are modelling in the form of photos that Google Earth can't reach and help piece together the modelling area's you are doing, and can help bring the three place's together and get a true understanding of what it looks like in real and therefore can relate to the real Photo's to your Modelling of... Speak again soon Anthony, take care... off to Bangor now... Warmest of regards to you and Family and your fellow modellers... Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Hi Anthony I came across this Poster Information Boards along the dog walk track towards second tunnel or Avalanche Tunnel.... I thought it was interesting information to read... Below... I am only showing you the LEFT Information board and the RIGHT was all about more Wild Life and Birds etc... you may see in the area...! The Right Board as a whole below... See lower down as I have broken each part of the board down See... A to F Below.... Part A (Dual Language) Part B (Dual Language) Part C (Dual Language) Part D (Dual Language) Part E (Dual Language) Part F (Dual Language) Regards Jamie 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Hi This is getting as close as one can get and looking towards second tunnel or Avalanche Tunnel.... The two below was right where I was standing at track level but kind of looking away from the Tunnel, so out of the tunnel then passed me or these two photo below... Regards Jamie 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 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 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 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 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 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 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 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 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 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 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Ashley Posted February 28, 2020 Author Share Posted February 28, 2020 Jamie, A great series of photos. The most interesting is the shot between the 2 bridges showing the safety niche and the stone outcrops. I was not aware of this structure or how the area between the 2 bridges was configured. In my shots of the area I think it unlikely that there was a cover over this area, although I am happy to be told otherwise by those who may know. What is now the single pedestrian bridge I think carried the conveyor belt and material to the pier. I note from your picture of the info boards that the pier was torn down in 1960. Again that info is very useful. I will include the pier in my layout as it will add to the interest, and I have no idea when it was torn down in that year anyway. The shot below shows the 2 bridges in less detail, but will really assist in the construction of the storage facilities on the left. I am hoping to scale the buildings using hte tunnel portal as my unit of measure. . I spent today confirming my wiring from 4 years ago, mapping the colours and recording the details for the switches, including the bearer wiring colour and the wire colour to the tracks. I have recorded this in an Excel spread sheet. I shall be adding the cork underlay in the new hidden track area leading to the "Chester" storage yard. Regards, Anthony Ashley 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted February 28, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28, 2020 I suspect that the stone, or are they concrete, protrusions on the retaining walls were mounting points for a temporary cover over the tracks to protect them from anything falling on the track during the construction of the "new" dual carriageway flyover and date from whenever that was built. They are clearly cut into the wall and not a part of the original construction. They would have also had the effect of keeping the landward retaining wall from pushing inwards because of the increased weight of the flyover piers just behind them. The pressure on that wall would have increased significantly during and after construction of that flyover. The landward wall is significantly higher than it was before the flyover was built and the cutting in the pic with the building in situ before the flyover was built seem to be more consistent with the angle of the cutting on the western side of the west bridge. I'm getting right into this architectural archaeology from photos lark keep them coming mate. Regards Lez. 1 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 10 hours ago, lezz01 said: I suspect that the stone, or are they concrete, protrusions on the retaining walls were mounting points for a temporary cover over the tracks to protect them from anything falling on the track during the construction of the "new" dual carriageway flyover and date from whenever that was built. They are clearly cut into the wall and not a part of the original construction. They would have also had the effect of keeping the landward retaining wall from pushing inwards because of the increased weight of the flyover piers just behind them. The pressure on that wall would have increased significantly during and after construction of that flyover. The landward wall is significantly higher than it was before the flyover was built and the cutting in the pic with the building in situ before the flyover was built seem to be more consistent with the angle of the cutting on the western side of the west bridge. I'm getting right into this architectural archaeology from photos lark keep them coming mate. Regards Lez. 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 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted February 29, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 29, 2020 I've been with him pretty much all the way Jamie. He caught my attention with the conwy castle build and I've stuck with him since. He's a brave chap taking on the north Welch coast from 12k miles away I've tried to give him as much help and advise as I can. He's doing a fine job of it all as well so what's not to admire. I hope he succeeds. Regards Lez. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 13 hours ago, Anthony Ashley said: Jamie, A great series of photos. The most interesting is the shot between the 2 bridges showing the safety niche and the stone outcrops. I was not aware of this structure or how the area between the 2 bridges was configured. In my shots of the area I think it unlikely that there was a cover over this area, although I am happy to be told otherwise by those who may know. What is now the single pedestrian bridge I think carried the conveyor belt and material to the pier. I note from your picture of the info boards that the pier was torn down in 1960. Again that info is very useful. I will include the pier in my layout as it will add to the interest, and I have no idea when it was torn down in that year anyway. The shot below shows the 2 bridges in less detail, but will really assist in the construction of the storage facilities on the left. I am hoping to scale the buildings using hte tunnel portal as my unit of measure. . I spent today confirming my wiring from 4 years ago, mapping the colours and recording the details for the switches, including the bearer wiring colour and the wire colour to the tracks. I have recorded this in an Excel spread sheet. I shall be adding the cork underlay in the new hidden track area leading to the "Chester" storage yard. Regards, Anthony Ashley 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 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 9 minutes ago, lezz01 said: I've been with him pretty much all the way Jamie. He caught my attention with the conwy castle build and I've stuck with him since. He's a brave chap taking on the north Welch coast from 12k miles away I've tried to give him as much help and advise as I can. He's doing a fine job of it all as well so what's not to admire. I hope he succeeds. Regards Lez. 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 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted February 29, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 29, 2020 They would have buried those wires when the flyover was built mate . There would have been big cranes in there right where the wires are in that pic. They either buried them or re-routed them. Regards Lez. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 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 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 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 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 Hi Below... is the looking towards second tunnel or Avalanche Tunnel.... Regards Jamie 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 Hi, My own Artist impression in adapting my photo, Excuse the crude image of... but the building would have been roughly there... Regards Jamie 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
7APT7 Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 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 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Ashley Posted March 4, 2020 Author Share Posted March 4, 2020 Jamie and Lezz, I am having trouble keeping up with all of the posts. I shall answer each in turn from my last reply. Lezz I agree with your assessment on the walls between the 2 bridges. While I am a long way from North Wales the internet is an amazing tool for gathering information and making contacts with some very helpful and knowledgeable people. I have continued to really appreciate the assistance from a large number of persons who have written, provided information and photos. Such a large construction effort is really a team experience and Ross in Brisbane and the team on RM Web have been fantastic. I have been to the UK on 2 occasions but never to North Wales. I decided on the route and stations, prior to building any model train layout, by consulting a model train expert in Brisbane. his amazing library and knowledge was used to determine the stations. 12 months planning later, largely using historical track plans and Any Rail for my plan, I commenced the process of construction. The high school carpentry classes came in very useful for base board construction. Jamie the photos for the location of the old storage buildings given me a good view of the surrounding hills for modelling. I like your drawings over the photos to identify current buildings. The shots of the foreshores and walkways are very instructive. Does anyone know what the huge structure on the top of the angled avalanche shelter is? The lower level is a steel beam but the top is really hard to see in detail to ID the material. It may be just dirt covered by grass? Another great series of photos. Thank you very much for the time and expense in the production of them. I am very interested in the guild building photos. I shall include the engine shed so the additional information is great. Pse be careful in executing the photos as I do not want an injury for you!!! I was fairly certain the smaller bridge held a conveyor belt, so you have confirmed that. I have attempted to contact Ron Watson-Jones but no success to date. I shall try to find Denis Robert this evening. You never know when a conversation with a local will uncover an amazing thread to follow and explore. Part of the joy of doing a layout set in the past is the thrill of hunting down people, events and places to assist in the layout construction. Thanks to Jamie and Lezz for most instructive recent contributions and generally to all who have assisted. For the first time in about 3 years I am laying track and wiring again. Photos are below. Cork ready for painting First piece of track wired in but requires switches for frogs. Much more track for wiring. With all of the points in this area I decided I needed to get under the boards, which is not possible unless removed. One very stubborn screw out of about 10 refused to budge!!! Next week is more cork, track laying, wiring and switching. The rail viaduct, tenement houses and the mountain scenicing. Regards, Anthony Ashley 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Ashley Posted March 13, 2020 Author Share Posted March 13, 2020 (edited) Dear All, I have been busy the last week although the chatter on the posts has really died down. I have been focussing on wiring Penmaenmawr scenic area. I have wired up the run around loop transition area which is at the top of the Penmaemawr boards. I have completed wiring on this section to the input terminals, but have yet to lay the main bus lines or connect the bus lines to the terminal strips. This final stage should be relatively quick and simple. The photos do not seem to show a great deal of progress, although the wiring process I find is very slow. Photos are below. I have wired in the diamond crossing at the bottom and completed up to rust coloured point at the very top of the photo. Frogs have been wired but the switching is not completed. Repaired section where I had to gouge out the cork to get to some screws. I have not added the power wires for the frog switches. I need to set up the ECoS to make the fogs work off the controller. Once I have sorted out the track I shall buy the TC Gold program and use the computer for my switching on a large screen monitor to display the electronic track diagram. The wires are colour coded ie Pink/Grey up main line, Red/Black Down main line Every track is recorded on my wiring track diagram and then labelled on the terminal strips. I can pull the power by disconnecting the input wire, which will cover a number of track pieces. Process for short detection is as follows: One of the seven power zones will shut down. Turn off all of the manual switches in that power zone and turn on one at a time. Once the relevant switch is detected. Unscrew the inputs to the terminal strips and reconnect to determine the short area. Once the input area is detected use the same process disconnecting the track wires and reconnect one at a time. This should be a quick process despite the size of the layout. (I hope!!!) I shall continue with the Penmaenmawr wiring. The next small section is largely flex track and should be much quicker. I test the track for conductivity at every stage and the track laid to date is good to go. Regards, Anthony Ashley Edited March 13, 2020 by Anthony Ashley 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Ashley Posted March 13, 2020 Author Share Posted March 13, 2020 (edited) Dear All, Track plan of the area just wired. The track piece names are visible on the plan. Regards, Anthony Ashley Edited March 15, 2020 by Anthony Ashley 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Ashley Posted March 20, 2020 Author Share Posted March 20, 2020 (edited) Dear All, It has been a very quiet week on the train blog for me. I hope Jamie is OK given his frantic posting over the last few weeks I am a little concerned at his silence. As with most counties in the world Australia is dealing with the COVID 19. Our local train modelling club on the north side of Brisbane has closed down until further notice. Self isolation is being strongly recommended in Australia and I have been following that advice. This has focused me more on the train layout so there has been some progress. My focus has been on the Penmaenmawr track area. I have now wired up to at least dropper stage all of the Penmaenmawr track area, apart from the last 5 pieces of track in the western end of the goods yard (at the bottom of the layout in my plan). The last 5 pieces will be completed tomorrow. I find the wiring process to be relatively slow, particularly if you test every piece of track as you go. Photos are below of the sections that have been completed. Hopefully tomorrow I shall get all of the track wired up to the plastic terminal stage. Starting at the most recently completed end shows the western end of the goods yard using an asymetric 3 way point. The cork has been laid and painted white at this stage. The large gaps between the rails in this area provide space for the the granite loading platforms. There are 3 with the first to the left of the N gauge track and then the other 2 in the wider gaps showing to the right of this area. The coach in this picture provides an idea of the scale. The dinosaur is strategically placed in the platform area of the station area, once it has been built! You can see the hidden track to the "Holyhead" storage yards to the left of the scenic Penmaenmawr track. The interchange area for the scenic and hidden loop. The hidden loops run off the diamond crossings. A forest of droppers which require connection to the terminal strips and then to the power bearers. One bearer or switch each within the Penmaenmawr power zone for the main up line, down line both separated north and south as well as 5 goods areas with separate bearer wiring. The hidden track going to the "Holyhead"storage yard is also visible. I will complete the wiring for Penmaenmawr and then move onto the mountain again for a little scenic relief. One the the down side of COVID 19 is that it is now unlikely we will make a trip to the UK this year. Likely we will delay to next year. Regards, Anthony Ashley Edited March 20, 2020 by Anthony Ashley 10 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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