The Skarloey Railway 1942-1960: Scaca Fell Forestry Crossing

[Tom F]

 

After a pretty tough year, I think I'm finally able to face my own modelling projects again. As disposable income is fairly limited, I've had to think outside of the box with this project.

 

Those who have followed my work, will know I'm a keen researcher of the fictional world created by the Revered Wilbert Vere Awdry. Sodor is an island situated between the Furness peninsular and the Isle of Man. Special thanks to my good friend Ben @BritishGypsum4who together we have explored the Reverend's writings. Many of which are unpublished and I'm very grateful to have been given access to this material in my research. What follows is in principle what the Reverend Awdry created, but in places myself and Ben have gone into further detail and have filled in our own gaps (which I feel the Reverend would have approved of).

 

 

The Skarloey Railway (S.R) runs from the town of Crovan's Gate (where there is a joint station with the standard gauge 'North Western Railway's' Main Line). The line traverses the picturesque Hawin Dooiey valley before reaching the terminus station of 'Skarloey'. From here there is a quarry extension for 2 miles which climbs high above the Ben Glas valley before reaching the 'Ward Fell Slate Quarry'. 

 

Scaca Fell Forestry Crossing is my interpretation of the approach to the Ward Fell Quarry. The area is surrounded by forestry which to my mind comes under the authority of the 'Sodor Forestry Commission' a subsidiary of the British Forestry Commission. Trees are felled by 'Taylforth Timber Haulage' of Glennock, dragged in their trusty Douglas Timber Tractor and loaded into S.R bolster wagons to head down the valley. 

 

In 1942, an agreement was reached with the Ward Fell Quarry and the Wartime Government, for the RNAD (Royal Naval Armaments Department) to use some of the older, disused slate workings as an 'Ammunition Dump'. The S.R locomotive fleet consisted of two locomotives at this time, No. 1 'Skarloey' and No. 2 'Rheneas'. Both engines were in poor mechanical condition and were already struggling to maintain the railways passenger and goods service. The Government loaned the railway two diesel locomotives which were utilised throughout the remainder of the war. 

 

By the late 1940s the diesels had gone and the railway was operated primarily by one locomotive ,'No. 2' (with 'No.1' to be used in dire emergencies only!) 

In 1952 the railway was able to purchase two additional locomotives from the 'Sodor Aluminium Company' at Peel Godred. These were ex Mid Sodor 'No.3' and 'No. 4' which were subsequently renamed 'Sir Handel' and 'Peter Sam'.

By 1953 the Ward Fell Quarry had closed which was to be a heavy blow to the railway. However, the Ministry of Defence were to be the railways saviour. Keen to continue to use the Quarry as an 'Ammunition Dump', they approached Sir Handel Brown II (the new owner) offering to purchase the site. A sale was agreed, the quarry reopened for a limited time, clearing out the remaining slate over the next 5 years. By late 1958 the Quarry was cleared and under the control of the RNAD. S.R locomotives would work the RNAD empty and loaded trains as far as the start of the quarry extension, where the vans were handed over to a RNAD locomotive. The S.R had also acquired two more locomotives in this period, No. 5 'Rusty' a Ruston and Hornsby 0-4-0 diesel and No. 6 'Duncan' an Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 well tank. It is my intention to depict the traffic as referenced above, with an operating period of '1942-1958'. 

 

Awdry states that ScacaLoey ('Scaca' meaning Wooded Hillside and 'Loey' Lake) was the original name for the area, but a scribes error created the more common name of 'Skarloey'. It was my idea that the hillside above the area could be called Scaca Fell (using the mix of Sudrian and Norse heritage). With such forestry in abundance, and Awdry stating the railway had carried timber, I was drawn to depicting this traffic. In modelling terms, it will be heavily influenced by Forestry Crossing on the Talyllyn Railway.

 

The three lines branching out represents the start of the slate quarry transfer sidings. I am fortunate enough to have been given access to a sketch by Awdry of the Ward Fell Quarry, heavily influenced it would seem by the Nant Gwernol sidings on the Talyllyn. The aqueduct and water tower as seen in Book 14 'Little Old Engine' will act as the scenic break to the layout.

 

To help keep my costs down, I'm building the baseboards using various layers of 10mm foam board. This should form a sturdy yet light layout, ideal for outdoor photography, and exhibiting.

 

 

Edited September 29, 2021 by Tom F

[Tom F]

Although finished last year, I finally got around to adding No. 3s.....No. 3! Plan to add the 'Falcon' works plates tomorrow.

 

Loco driver is from Modelu and painted superbly by Claudia Everett. The stance seems incredibly appropriate for dealing with 'Sir Handel'!

 

 

[Tom F]

 

No. 3 has now had 'his' worksplates added (Falcon Works).

 

This week I'm going to be focusing on getting some rolling stock put together (primarily focusing on slate wagons followed by timber bolsters).

 

[Tom F]

Last one for today of the little photoshoot.

This week's modelling time will be dedicated to wagon building! Next weekend.......track laying just might begin!

[Tom F]

Last night I made my first 009 rolling stock in nearly a year. Three '2 bar' Talyllyn slate wagons and an 'incline' wagon, which I hope to get painted over the next few days.

 

I have also made some amendments to the track plan, primarily shortening the layout down to '2ft-7in'. There is always a temptation to go 'big', but the long term plan is that 'Scaca Fell Forestry Crossing' as a modular layout, fits to a bigger board which would be 'Skarloey Station'.

 

Edited May 14, 2021 by Tom F

[Tom F]

Built, painted and branded. Ready to join the others once weathered.

[Tom F]

Productive day!

 

Client's models were weathered, before turning my attention to the four 'Skarloey' wagons. Three '2 bar' slate wagons, and one incline wagon. I knew I wanted to depict the incline wagon as fairly well rusted with paint peeling. Really pleased with how it has come out.

 

The four layers of foam baseboards are currently gluing together, ironically weighted down with several heavy 'Talyllyn Railway' books!

 

[Tom F]

One more photo for the evening.

 

No. 6 propelling stock (for the layout this would depict one of the last  workings in 1958, before the Quarry closed and became a permanent RNAD ammo depot).

[LDM34046]

Loving the work so far. What couplings are you using on the layout? There seems to be a mix in the photos. I'm thinking of a 009 layout in the future and thinking of going with 3-link but I don't know if it's too fiddly when it comes to operating.

[Tom F]

6 hours ago, LDM34046 said:

Loving the work so far. What couplings are you using on the layout? There seems to be a mix in the photos. I'm thinking of a 009 layout in the future and thinking of going with 3-link but I don't know if it's too fiddly when it comes to operating.

 

Thank you!

It's sort of my own method as I wasn't happy with any of the off the shelf couplings.. Wire bar under the buffers of locos and stock, with a single '3 link' loop shackle  and one  shackle opened into a hook. It works, but I'm going to have to remember to hook them up around the bar when not in use, as they will get caught in the points.

As the layers of foam board had dried, I've now done some sculpting of the front area this morning. It is actually looking like a layout.  My WIP Skarloey poses on the 'Forestry Crossing'.

Edited May 16, 2021 by Tom F

[LDM34046]

1 hour ago, Tom F said:

It's sort of my own method as I wasn't happy with any of the off the shelf couplings.. Wire bar under the buffers of locos and stock, with a single '3 link' loop shackle  and one  shackle opened into a hook. It works, but I'm going to have to remember to hook them up around the bar when not in use, as they will get caught in the points.

I’ve seen both the N Gauge couplings and the peco 009 used but neither suit my fancy. Most of my locos will be 3D Printed so a simple copper bar and 3-link chain will do the job I think...

 

Excited to see the progress!

[Tom F]

I started some basic work last night forming up the landscape. Gives a good idea of the look I'm going for though.

 

 

[Tortuga]

Although it’s only in the rough at the moment, it’s very reminiscent of the forestry commission track crossing the Talyllyn near Abergynolwyn station.

 

Excellent work to be instantly recognisable even at this early stage! Following with interest, although wondering if the Ffarquhar project has been abandoned in favour of this one?

[Tom F]

1 hour ago, Tortuga said:

Excellent work to be instantly recognisable even at this early stage! Following with interest, although wondering if the Ffarquhar project has been abandoned in favour of this one?

Ffarqhuar is on long term hold. Finances are very limited, and this allows me to still be able to model at least.

[Tom F]

Thank you for those.

 

However I will be scratch building the water tower and guttering. It will keep my costs down, but will also help me learn some new skills.

 

I won’t be needing any road vehicles, other than the AEC Timber Tractor which is kindly being made for me.

[Tom F]

The main landscaping work is done. Next stage will be some scribing and plaster work on the rock face (to the left)

[BritishGypsum4]

Lovely work Tom. It is going to be interesting to see how it develops and looks when finished. 
Do I spy a model of I?
Hands in my Pockets,

Not a care in world.

Trucks rattling and loco steaming,

And I don't seem to give a hoot!

 

Right that's the end of the (poor) poetry from me! 

[Tom F]

12 hours ago, BritishGypsum4 said:

Lovely work Tom. It is going to be interesting to see how it develops and looks when finished. 
Do I spy a model of I?
Hands in my Pockets,

Not a care in world.

Trucks rattling and loco steaming,

And I don't seem to give a hoot!

 

Right that's the end of the (poor) poetry from me! 

It is indeed mate! I imagine you'd be letting the fireman do all the work!

 

Granted if this is 1945-1952 period, you might be playing the role of 'Mr Hugh' and driving and firing! 

Edited May 24, 2021 by Tom F

[Tom F]

Work has started on No. 2 'Rheneas'

Now broken down into its component parts ready for the orange livery to be stripped and detailing to commence.

Edited May 25, 2021 by Tom F

[BritishGypsum4]

On 24/05/2021 at 10:36, Tom F said:

It is indeed mate! I imagine you'd be letting the fireman do all the work!

 

Granted if this is 1945-1952 period, you might be playing the role of 'Mr Hugh' and driving and firing! 

 

Well I'd only have myself to blame if it ran out of steam then! 

[LBSC123]

Looking good Tom

On 23/05/2021 at 21:40, Tom F said:

The main landscaping work is done. Next stage will be some scribing and plaster work on the rock face (to the left)

Looking good. How have you constructed the baseboards? 

Will

[Tom F]

4 minutes ago, LBSC123 said:

Looking good Tom

Looking good. How have you constructed the baseboards? 

Will

Thanks Will

 

It is various layers of 10mm foam board.

 

Just had a browse of your Welsh Highland thread, very nice! Love the rocky outcrops. I'm going to be scribing into the polystyrene rock face, before adding plaster to resemble the craggy rock face in the illustrations (and at Nant Gwernol)
 

 

[Tom F]

It’s pay day! 
 

So I’ve treated myself to some layout bits and pieces!

[LBSC123]

23 hours ago, Tom F said:

Thanks Will

 

It is various layers of 10mm foam board.

 

Just had a browse of your Welsh Highland thread, very nice! Love the rocky outcrops. I'm going to be scribing into the polystyrene rock face, before adding plaster to resemble the craggy rock face in the illustrations (and at Nant Gwernol)
 

 

 

The baseboard looks like an interesting idea, I'll be interested to see how it lasts. Thanks for the comments regarding the WHR Layout, it was my first foray into modelling for about 10 years and was built under the (self inflicted) time pressures of lockdown and so has a few areas I know I could do better next time! I'm trying hard to resist starting another OO9 Layout/Diorama and this isn't helping!

Looking forward to seeing the layout progress, keep up the good work. 

[Tom F]

Rheneas is coming along nicely. It’s gone from looking like an animated cartoon character into something actually resembling No. 2!

Mocked up the water tower on the layout too which helps give a nice impression of how it will all look.