Irishrailwaymodeller Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 (edited) Following my first foray into British outline N-gauge with Llangollen in N (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/91600-llangollen-in-n/) I have decided to develop a new end-to-end layout based on the closed station/goods yard at Cynwyd. This station was just over two miles west of Corwen on the Ruabon to Barmouth (Llangollen) line and was closed in 1964 with virtually no trace remining today. The layout was nice and simple for a fiddle yard-to-fiddle yard layout. My plan is to have a scenic section of 4 foot 6 inches (54 cm in new money), use DC power and to semi-automate the running (including station stops) using Heathcote Electronic's controls. This line is popular with a number of modellers with other examples of Llangollen being modelled in N and OO, Carrog in N, Berwyn in N and others looking at Corwen etc. I have posted up some prototype pictures here (http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/5580-Cynwyd-in-N-based-on-closed-station-goods-yard-on-the-Llangollen-line-BR-GWR-etc?p=89358#post89358) and will keep updating this from time to time. Edited May 13, 2016 by Irishrailwaymodeller 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 A couple of photos of the prototype over the years (courtesy of Martin Williams from his book The Ruabon to Barmouth Line with due acknowledgements of the copyright detailed). 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 (edited) I have now laid the trackwork and wired up the layout for manual DC and with a switcheable automatic shuttle system between sector plate fiddle yards. Also wired in are four Peco electromagnetic uncouplers around the Goods Yard. Edited August 9, 2016 by Irishrailwaymodeller 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted August 8, 2016 Author Share Posted August 8, 2016 For this model I chose Peco Brown Stone Ballast fine grade (PS-28). I used Deluxe's Ballast Bond product which worked well. Note push-rods for operating points which may be used from the back or front of the layout. A couple of pics show the rough location of some of the model buildings also. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gismorail Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Looking good like the idea of small well detailed models . Just as a matter of interest I work part time for Williams Haulage who operate from the station site will take some photographs later this week to show you what it looks now ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
380John Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Fantastic project. I looked into this myself and think you have a lovely little area to model. All the best with it. If it's a fraction as good as your Llangollen you will have a belting model. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 Looking good like the idea of small well detailed models . Just as a matter of interest I work part time for Williams Haulage who operate from the station site will take some photographs later this week to show you what it looks now ... Great, many thanks for that. I visit Llangollen each year on holidays (I'm based in Wexford Ireland) and visited the Cynwyd site last year. We plan to visit Llangollen again this year from September 5th for 10 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 (edited) Fantastic project. I looked into this myself and think you have a lovely little area to model. All the best with it. If it's a fraction as good as your Llangollen you will have a belting model. John Thank you John for your kind comments. I like exploring different layout configurations and to maximise exhibition/play potential while offering realistic detailed settings for model photographic/video purposes. If I can find a suitable prototype location to base these on, so much the better. Gerry Edited August 10, 2016 by Irishrailwaymodeller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 (edited) Wiring completed, controls labelled and ready for testing. Each piece of rolling stock (at the front and end of each train formation) must have a small magnet attached beneath in order to trigger the reed switches buried in the track ballast and wired to the electronic shuttle/station-stop board. This enables the automatic train shuttle to work: slow start, acceleration, slow down entering station, station stop, wait time, slow acceleration, full speed to end-of-fiddle yard, stop, wait time, reverse and repeat sequence. Each parameter may be adjusted as required.With three lines on each fiddle-yard sector plate, a different train (5 in total, one in-transit) may be released from either fiddle-yard by gently moving the appropriate running line into place manually and connecting the line selected electrically using the bull-dog clip. The main-line may be alternatively operated manually at the flick of a switch. The Goods Yard works on manual only with the turn-outs operated easily by simple push/pull rods (elegant and simple!).Goods wagons will need modification to operate with the Peco Electromagnetic un-coupler system. Then the canvas will be ready to develop the scenic section of the lay-out... Edited August 31, 2016 by Irishrailwaymodeller 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gismorail Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Layout coming together well Took a picture of what remains of the old goods shed. As you can see only the lower storey remains but you can see the lower part of the second floor window stone work.The building now stores a large fuel tank for re-fueling the transport fleet along with general spares Hope it is of interest and will take some other shots 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 20160812_152315 (500x294).jpg Layout coming together well Took a picture of what remains of the old goods shed. As you can see only the lower storey remains but you can see the lower part of the second floor window stone work.The building now stores a large fuel tank for re-fueling the transport fleet along with general spares Hope it is of interest and will take some other shots Amazing the workmanship on the stone of that building and that it has survived! Has any of the station building or platforms survived? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 Rolling stock for Cynwyd (shared with Llangollen in N) is a mixture of GWR and BR suiting the model to each era (if it had survived Dr Beeching's cuts) or combined as a "might have been" restored line. Each item has been fitted as appropriate with a tiny magnet to activate the automatic shuttle system at the front/back of each train formation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gismorail Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 hi again. you are really pushing on with the layout looking good. Just for your and maybe others interest I managed to take some further pictures of the site as it is today Taken from around about where the station building once stood looking towards the enterance gate The road over bridge used to be at this point I'm about at the end of the platform in this picture the bridge was taken out when a gas main was put in many years ago. Looking down the road to the goods yard area you can see the old good shed on the right hand side pasted the main office building (the old which I sent earlier) You can see this building in one of your earlier photo's think it must have been some type of office. Hope they are of interest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 Great shots Gismorail. I suspect that the small hut was associated with the weighbridge device which was in the yard behind the cattle dock. Just back from a lovely 10 day trip to Llangollen where I spotted a few Williams trucks and wondered if you might have been driving one of them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted September 26, 2016 Author Share Posted September 26, 2016 Moving on to the scenic work: first it is necessary to add the fascia/front board suitably shaped to suggest undulating countryside beside the rails. Next the specially cut mirrors are added to each end for an "infinity" or continuity illusion. The platform is glued in place allowing rolling stock to clear each side and ends. The completed buildings are placed temporarily to allow the landscape to be created around them and for the composition to flow as naturally as possible. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted October 3, 2016 Author Share Posted October 3, 2016 Bridge now in place and work commenced on scenery using crumpled damp newspaper/PVA glue as a base for Polyfilla impregnated cloth. Further layers of Polyfilla to be added allowing each to dry and harden. Looks like a heavy snowfall but this will change when an undercoat of grey paint is added to protect the hard shell! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share Posted November 10, 2016 Progress with the scenery at the back of the layout using scrap wood/cardboard/cotton sheet, wood and PVA glue, damp newspaper, plasticard etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share Posted November 10, 2016 Adding the polyfilla makes this look like a snow scene! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernboy Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 (edited) I just clocked the use of a mirror left-hand side to extend the apparent back scene. I always liked that trick Good luck with the layout Edited November 10, 2016 by Southernboy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted November 11, 2016 Author Share Posted November 11, 2016 (edited) I just clocked the use of a mirror left-hand side to extend the apparent back scene. I always liked that trick Good luck with the layout Thanks Southernboy. I have placed mirrors at both ends. I have also done this to good effect on my other layouts Llangollen in N (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/91600-llangollen-in-n/) and Shunters Yard (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/115977-shunters-yard/ ) which you may like to view. The mirrors come in to their own when the layout is completed and trees/cars etc are arranged to best effect with the reflections... Edited November 19, 2016 by Irishrailwaymodeller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted November 13, 2016 Author Share Posted November 13, 2016 In answer to a query on Cynwyd's push/pull rod system for turnout changes, I use K&S Precision Metal Brass Rod 3/64 inches (1.19 mm) Product #8161 available on-line from Kernow Model Rail Centre, UK supplied as 4 by 30.5 mm rods. I fit these across underneath the layout through 3mm holes enabling operation from front or back of layout with just 1 cm protruding either side (you could have them operate from one side only if you wish). I channel these underneath with short sections of narrow plastic rawl plug glued to the baseboard. The "L" section of rod that protrudes through the baseboard to pass through the turnout/point is attached to the main push rod using standard electrical connectors with screw fittings. I have used this system successfully on my Llangollen (N gauge, DC) as well as my Shunters Yard (OO gauge, DCC) layouts and it enables fast, simple turnout changes especially useful for shunting (both layouts are on separate threads on RMweb). A couple of pics might make this description clearer. Double-sided sticky pads and insulating tape are used to hold the rods in place under the baseboard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted November 19, 2016 Author Share Posted November 19, 2016 The snow has been buried following a coat of solvent-based undercoat and green water-based base coat! Beginning to look more like a model railway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted December 2, 2016 Author Share Posted December 2, 2016 Progress being made on Cynwyd with additional layers of scenic detail being added daily... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwaymodeller Posted December 22, 2016 Author Share Posted December 22, 2016 A fair amount of the scenery is now complete with numerous details added to bring the layout to life. More trees being prepared over Christmas using a sea foam kit. Functional testing underway also to iron out small snags relating to track/rolling stock. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
380John Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 This is looking really wonderful! It's come on in such a short space of time! Thank you for the lovely PM also. When I get 5 minutes il send you a proper reply! All the very best, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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