North Welsh Coast Railway - Welsh Dragon Rail

[Anthony Ashley]

Ben,

 

Thank you for your comment. In answer to your question the period of the layout is the summer of 1960 as I have a time table for this period, and it will allow me to run a selection of steam and diesel. Most of my locos I have bought are suitable for operating in the LMS environment, However I have a few odd assortments with which I just decided to buy. All are relevant to 1960 of thereabouts but a few would be more likely on the LNER regions. The excel spread sheet below has a list of nearly all of my locos and a time table for a 24 operation in the Summer of 1960. I hope it will work, but will need to post it to check.

 

Locos listed include:

BR 4MT Tank

Royal Scot

BR Std 5 MT X3 

A2 (licence here)

Britainnia

A3 (Flying Scotsman I think from memory - It did once visit the Holyhead line I believe!)

4F X2

Castle (I have the loco so will use it Licence involved)

Jubillee X2

Class 25 

BR Std 4MT X3

3F Jinty

WD Austerity

Royal Scot X2

Princess X 3

Black 5 X3

Class 24

Fairburn

3F1

BR Std 3MT X3

DP1 Deltic Prototype (Baby Deltic)

A4  (Again a lot of licence!!)

4F

Class 24

DMU 101 X3 - I have been looking for Derby Light weights but not found any

Class 20

A1

 Sunday Train rakes 6 Oct 19.xlsx

 

Hope I have answered your question. Thanks again for asking.

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

Edited April 14, 2021 by Anthony Ashley

[Anthony Ashley]

Dear All,

 

I have been working on the walls next to the tune portal and the cliff walls. Pictures are below.

 

 

 

T

 

 

There was a need to use the jack hammer by workers on the cliff face and surrounding rock in order to have the avalanche shelter removable with the wall sections in place. The pristine white areas of  rock (plaster) are where they did there work suspended on ropes and abseiling down. Quite dangerous really!! Yu can also see the new road wall on the road section above. 

 

 

Need to finish off the Avalanche shelter with painting and a whole lot of vegetation on a huge area. 

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

   

[Anthony Ashley]

Dear All,

 

Just a few more photos of the painted avalanche shelter. 

 

 

 

 

 

Next is vegetation finally over this whole cliff area, the avalanche shelters and the cliff area with scree around the corner. 

 

Hope all are well

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

[lezz01]

Anthony! You are a true artist mate.

Regards Lez.

[Anthony Ashley]

Lez,

 

Thanks for the comment. As I said in your site there are so many options for a modeller to specialise in by creating a model train layout. 

 

Please find enclosed some photos of the initial vegetation in the area of the first avalanche shelter. Nothing added yet to the actual shelter, but will focus on this next. I have only added the lowest level of the vegetation and will add more chunky vegetation ontop of the lowest level next. I think the highest level would be om top of the ridge lines areas next, losing height as vegetation moves down to the bottom of the ridge line. Photos below.

 

 

 

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

 

   

[Anthony Ashley]

Dear All,

 

Some vegetation has been added to the avalanche shelter. Photos are below:

 

 

 

 

 

More vegetation to follow.

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

 

 

[Simond]

Anthony

 

the shelter and rockface are progressing nicely.  very believable.

 

my regrets, the ideas I had to help your 3DP row of terraces are not progressing.  I had a plan in mind but it is not working.  If I have a flash of inspiration, I will do some more, but my advice is "don't hold your breath!"

 

Sorry. 

 

atb

Simon

[Bogie]

I really do have to come and see this layout in the flesh. 

 

The scope of this project just boggles the mind.

[Anthony Ashley]

Simon,

 

What ever you can do is great but if you are too busy then that is fine. I have really appreciated all of your advice in assisting me so I totally understand.

 

Bogie all visitors are always welcome. I have a spare bedroom with ensuite overlooking a park and lake so it is an ideal spot for a short holiday. I is however a very long way!!! 

 

I have done a little more vegetation. Photos are below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I shall move onto the cliff areas tomorrow with more vegetation.

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

 

 

 

 

 

 

[richard i]

Careful, you are making it sound very tempting. Once travel restrictions are removed you might find yourself inundated with requests.

richard 

[Simond]

Hi Anthony, 

 

it’s not the time, it’s that the idea wasn’t working!  I’m sure it could, but it didn’t!

 

As for visiting, well, I’d love to.  MrsD & I had our last “pre-kids” holiday in QLD and we loved it.   The kids are now at University, so it’s a wee while ago.  I’m not sure we’ll ever get back, but I’ll let you know!

 

Cheers

Simon

[Anthony Ashley]

Richard,

 

I think it unlikely I will get many takers but I am prepared!!!

 

Simon,

 

Thanks for the attempt, much appreciated.   As for a Brisbane visit it sounds as though it was may be 20 years ago. Time for another visit. 

 

I have attached photos from my phone on further vegetation work. I think the clarity of my phone photos is much better, as there is less operator error involved!!!!

 

 

 

I shall continue to make my way around the layout with more vegetation,

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

 

 

 

[Simond]

Anthony,

 

it was I believe, Feb 1997, as Master D was born in early 98.  We had a wonderful holiday, although we were a little surprised by Mardi Gras in Sydney - we had no idea - but it was great fun.  We caught the overnight train to Bris, and hired a 4x4 camper, drove the coast to Yeppoon and back, scuba-diving along the way, with a visit to Fraser Island too.  We then returned a Mazda camper to the camper company's base in Sydney, had a last 24h there, and flew home.  We were travelling el cheapo, on standby, and having got the last two seats on the return flight, MrsD bought me the leather bush hat to celebrate - I still have it, and I suspect it will still be giving good service when Master D is in his 60's

 

Another trip?  Well, I guess we would both love to, but we are atoning for our travelling lifestyles (we both flew lots for business) and we are trying never to fly again.  But never say never!

 

The rocks and vegetation are brilliant!  One thought, you might want to line the road tunnel as it looks like viewers can see inside!

 

atb

Simon

 

Edited May 10, 2021 by Simond

[St Enodoc]

15 minutes ago, Simond said:

We caught the overnight train to Bris

That was brave!

 

16 minutes ago, Simond said:

MrsD bought me the leather bush hat to celebrate - I still have it, and I suspect it will still be giving good service when Master D is in his 60's

Yes it should. I bought one during a visit in 2002, in Hahndorf SA as it happens, which I still wear regularly.

[Anthony Ashley]

Simon,

 

It sounds like a great time was had in Australia, although some time ago. One thing about Australia is its diversity given how large it is. There is something for nearly everyone. I once tried to drive back from a friends place through the middle of Sydney about 1 hour after the mardi gras with only a 15 year old street directory to navigate. It was horrendous as many of the streets were blocked off or 1 way. Took 5 times the normal time to get home!!! I think it was James Bond who said never say never again!!

 

John,

I have a large variety of hats. Hopefully one for every occasion.

 

I did a little bit of decoration by putting in some road support. Photo of the area is below with my effort below that.

 

 

 

 

More vegetation wok to move around the bend of the layout.

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

 

 

 

 

[Anthony Ashley]

Dear All,

 

I have messed around with the tunnel lining. In an effort to retain the correct shape I have bent wire to hold the card in place. Will try it out on the layout tomorrow to see if it works inside the tunnel. A couple of photos of the idea.

 

 

 

   Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

 

 

[Simond]

Papier-mâché again, Anthony.

or, more accurately multi-ply cardboard

 

Glue a couple of strips of card to it, and you’ll find it’ll start to hold its shape, and it can be really quite thin.

 

atb

Simon

Edited May 20, 2021 by Simond

[Leekhockey]

Anthony just seen your work as BRM email featured it.  Having lived in Llandudno Junction for the 30 years until the early 80’s you have rekindled many happy memories.  Your attention to detail is amazing - loved Bodlondeb in the background and the “cemented in rocks” on Penmaen head - keep up the great work.

[Kris]

When making a tunnel I tend to make multiple copies of the entrance on card. I then make the opening a little larger for each one and place them over the tunnel liner. This works for me. 

[Anthony Ashley]

Lee,

Can you tell me where the BRM email was located as I am interested in having a look at it. It may have been on RM Web but not sure.

 

Simon and Kris,

Thanks for the suggestions. I realised when I tried to fit the 2 portals that they have to be slid into position from the top down due to scenery obstructions of plaster rock and walls. Of course with the long tunnel liners attached this was not possible. I ripped them off and using card cut to exactly the right size poked the right shape through the tunnel from end. I used this technique I used on the first tunnel but it was shorter. This worked fine even on the longer tunnel. I thought there was  a bit of a bend in this tunnel but it must be very slight as it had no appreciable effect. I shall have to stick the liner onto the card again as the first one is now  well and truly ripped, cut it to exact size, poke it through the tunnel  and then attach to the tunnel portals which will be affixed before this, given the difficulty in getting them into place.  I am about to catch up with your suggestion Simon, bit it has taken a few weeks with  me now working on a work project.

 

I did consider putting a cut down plumbing pipe into the tunnel, but it is really too small for the pipe I have, and the card with paper should do the job as suggested by Simon.

 

Regards,

Anthony Ashley  

Edited May 21, 2021 by Anthony Ashley

[Anthony Ashley]

Lee,

 

I have another question for you. What or where is Bodlondeb. I am very happy to have modelled it but have no idea what it is!!!. You can never have too many pictures in terms of recreating a scene or piece of geography.

 

Regards,

 

Anthony ashley

[Leekhockey]

Ashley

Bodlondeb is the fine building in the trees - it was the headquarters of Conway (as it then was) Borough Council for many years after they moved out of the Guildhall which was by the castle.  It then became one of the offices of Aberconwy Borough Council with a considerable extension joining the old stable block which was behind the main building and since has become Conwy County Council offices. In the early 70's I worked as a gardener there during my summer holidays! I am not sure I have any pictures but a google search on images for Bodlondeb Conwy brings up quite a few.

 

 

The email that sent me in your direction has an online version

http://email.world-of-railways.co.uk/YiK11vm77ldQksL2f61rtWVhSN7B_64Vf~gqpRqXqVn/WebView.aspx

 

Ken

 

[Anthony Ashley]

Ken,

 

Thankyou for your extensive reply. Such background information adds a lot to the blog and the layout as a whole. I have received much information through RM Web with many of the readers providing very valuable assistance. Simon has provided a lot of really valuable advice over the years. The information about Boblondeb is particularly interesting and I am fascinated that you have a personal history with the building. About 7 years ago I gave my mother in law a photo of the hill behind Conwy which clearly showed the building. Jenny, my mother in  law did a great job with her painting and her art work of the building is easy to pick exactly what it is. I told her about your comments and she also was quire interested. I am very lucky that she and my wife are so talented artists. My wife touched up the back scene about 6 months ago.

 

Thank you for providing the BRM link. I was very interested to see it as I had not been contacted at all  about it. It is exciting to think that what I am modelling in Australia is being looked at in Britain.  Such little things really inspire more continued effort on the layout.

 

I have rethought my tunnel technique, and cut a tunnel liner to fit all the way through. Prior to fitting it I glued the two tunnel portals into place. Photos are below.

 

 

Road works have commenced on the higher road as shown below.

 

 

I need to put some quoins on the tunnel portals and add vegetation to the next area. I shall also continue the higher road with more edging and then plaster (bitumen).

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

 

 

   

[Anthony Ashley]

Dear All,

 

A little more vegetation work. I still need to sprinkle fine turf to blend the colours a little more.

 

 

I shall continue vegetation down and around the cliff face.

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

 

Edited May 24, 2021 by Anthony Ashley

[ed1234]

Your scenery belies the scale - if you had told me some of these pictures were 4mm or even 7mm I'd have believed you. I think it comes down to the light - your pictures have a very natural quite harsh wintry light as is often found along the British coastline, which produces very credible shadows in your scenery (particularly the rock faces) which give them a real sense of texture. I assume you have a panel of pure white LEDs overhead?