Caia Road Goods Station, Wrexham

[westernviscount]

1 hour ago, sb67 said:

Hi David, just found your thread. That looks a great project and you've made a cracking start. You've done a good bit of research so I'm sure it will be a fine layout. I'll follow this with interest. 

Hi Steve, good to hear from you. Yes it has grabbed me this project. The remains have always held intrigue and as I said above  I grew up a fe hundred yards from the site, albeit virtually in the same state it is now, the line closing in '81 before I was born. 

 

I am particulary excited by creating the embankment and bridges, although having created 3 of the uprights which will hold the trackbed, I realise I have to think carefully about wiring access and point motors etc. 

 

Speak soon. 

[Sitham Yard]

11 hours ago, westernviscount said:

Hi Sitham, thank you for the info. This is really useful and I am more hopeful that pics and info will start to trickle in. Can I ask the title of the book? Is it one of Larkin's aquired wagons titles? 

 

Many thanks again. 

Yes Volume 5 Open Goods Wagons.

Andrew

[westernviscount]

A bit more progress this evening. 

Excepting the uprights, everything remains loose just whilst I iron out any problems and work out my next moves. I may need to cut parts of the lower plywood away depending on the height of the roads etc. 

Heading up towards Marchwiel. 

The gap nearest, under the trackbed, will be the Salop road bridge. Terraced houses will back onto the embankment from the second upright from the camera. This is mount street. On thebright will be at least part of the Anchor pub. 

 

[westernviscount]

A couple of Caia Road project stock items are on or near the bench.

A ratio toad brakevan I am detailing. At this stage I have scraped away the handrails and am about to extend the side stanchions to below the solebar (see the geoff Kent 4mm wagon part 3). 

 

And for my birthday, I was treated to an a44 BR converted auto trailer to go with the 14s I am working on. 

 

Here is a lovely video of the line Caia Road is part of (not in the video of course!). Featured is the a44 autocoach. 

 

https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-wrexham-central-to-ellesmere-line-1962-1962-online

 

[Enterprisingwestern]

 

 

There is an article in an MRC from the 70's I think on detailing the Ratio Toad if you're not already aware of it.

 

Mike.

[beast66606]

Don't know if you've seen this ?

 

https://www.wrexham-history.com/caia-road-railway-sidings/

[westernviscount]

On 03/06/2023 at 20:44, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

 

There is an article in an MRC from the 70's I think on detailing the Ratio Toad if you're not already aware of it.

 

Mike.

Thanks Mike. The kit has gone together nicely so far and having picked it up for £3, its a bargain. 

[westernviscount]

On 03/06/2023 at 20:53, beast66606 said:

Don't know if you've seen this ?

 

https://www.wrexham-history.com/caia-road-railway-sidings/

Thank you beast. Yes I have seen this picture and as it stands it is the sole reference for the goods shed (barring footprint measurements taken from a map and a few blurry distance shots. 

 

The structures at Bangor on Dee are still extant and althought clearly different, some parts like the doors etc might give me some idea of how it looked. 

 

[westernviscount]

After a week away I have made a little progress tonight. 

Cross pieces added to the baseboard frames. The upright supports will be affixed to these. 

A taster of the effect I am looking for. A 14xx plodding along to Ellesmere from Wrexham. 

[hayfield]

Just found this thread and the hand building of the turnouts is always of interest to me, when will the turnout building start?

[westernviscount]

7 hours ago, hayfield said:

Just found this thread and the hand building of the turnouts is always of interest to me, when will the turnout building start?

I am not sure yet hayfield. It is being buily at a club so time on the layout is limited but will pick up after finishing the track bed. I would be disappointed if I hadn't started to tackle the track by July. It will only be copperclad in construction btw. 

 

here is some previous work. 

[westernviscount]

A couple of club nights has led to some progress. It took a while to work out and decide on the track bed position and which areas to create as high level. 

Everything except the upright supports remains loose so I assure you my carpentry is not totally appalling. 

 

The paper rectangle is the footprint of the goods shed which was 40' by 20'. 

 

There appears to be a difference in track layout from the ordnance survery from about 1920 ish and photographs in the 60s. I think, looking at this photo, I have made an error as widening of the embankment marks the line to the cattle dock which I think ought to swing out to the right at a steeper angle. I think a compromise between the early trackplan and photographs will need to be made. 

 

Looking "up" away from Wrexham, the headshunt/shunting neck on the left slew out towards the goods shed. The crossover is not positioned correctly here and should be nearer the camera on this side of the third upright which marks the position of the Salop Road bridge. 

[westernviscount]

Here is another piece of 'stock' ready for Caia Road. 

Dad gifted this van to me for display as at the time I was firmly modelling pre tops 1970s so wasnt intended for a layout. However...

I've started adapting it, spraying it matt amd replacing the side and rear windows with clearfix to make the moderately more flush. 

 

I also set the front wheels in a turn position for more realism amd added wing mirrors. 

Since the photo I have dulled the tyres and now need to do some very light weathering. 

 

Onwards!

[westernviscount]

And one more update to the stock

Work has begjn on the dia. A44 auto trailer. No expert here at the brass so slowly does it at this stage. 

 

And finally the two 14s continue. The nearest will now be 1432 with topfeed and the green one will be 1458 in...green. 

 

I have had some lovely cycling lions from railtec and added then to 1432. I have also matted up the smokebox and will take a photo soon. 

 

I intend to get plates from 247 dev as reccomended elsewhere. They also supplied the lovely chimneys. No affiliation just  pleased with service and product. 

 

Al the best for now.

Edited June 15, 2023 by westernviscount

[westernviscount]

I have built a quick mockup to get a feel for the look of the shed. I only have access to 2 useful photos. They suggest a tall building with a lean too type canopy. 

The above mimics one of the photos I have access to...

I am looking forward to putting this onto the layout so I can get a feel for the proportions. 

 

At this point it might be a tad narrow from front to back. I am working off the footprint being 40ft by 20ft. The ends look square so I assumed the height would be 20ft up to the gutter line. 

[westernviscount]

Two tinkered pics for atmosphere...

 

Up towards Marchwiel

And down to Wrexham.

[westernviscount]

I realise I haven't updated here for a while. Progress is slow but steady. 

Most of the woodwork was left loose in this shot but I have since screwed everything down. 

The mock up goods shed has really helped with visualisation. 

This gives a feel for the feel of the layout. I like how the goods shed will dominate the scene. 

An update on stock. 1432 is complete in terms of modelling a painting. Weathering next. 

And a diag a44 driving trailer. 

Cheers for now. 

[Enterprisingwestern]

 

Is that an Australian turnout or did you have the plan upside down?!!

 

Mike.

[westernviscount]

The track bed embankment is reaching completion woodwork wise. The goods yard is truncated but should still give a feel of the real thing. 

 

 

[westernviscount]

I have completed the main carpentry now and here is a pic from the Marchwiel end.

 

Tonight is club night and I am going armed with some templot prints to try and finalise the plan before getting the track down. 

 

I am recording the progress on the A44 auto eleswhere but here it is as of now...

 

Still some interior bits and window wiper to do. 

[sb67]

Coming along very nicely David, the Autocoach looks great, some fine modelling there. 👍

[westernviscount]

Here is the trailer on my layout, Templefield. 

Despite being modelled for blue diesels, the coach fits in nicely. 

[Enterprisingwestern]

 

Pardon my ignorance, but in relation to the current layout at Wrexham, where is Caia Road, ie, which line was it on?

 

Mike.

[westernviscount]

3 hours ago, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

Pardon my ignorance, but in relation to the current layout at Wrexham, where is Caia Road, ie, which line was it on?

 

Mike.

Hi Mike,

 

Caia Road Goods was between Wrexham Central and Hightown Halt on the Wrexham to Ellesmere line (Cambrian Railways then Gw the BR(w). 

Bottom right on the map which is on disused stations site. 

[westernviscount]

On 04/08/2023 at 06:42, sb67 said:

Coming along very nicely David, the Autocoach looks great, some fine modelling there. 👍

Hey Steve, many thanks. I recieved a box of track and copperclad today from Marcway so track laying and building can commence!! 

 

I am really pleased with the coach. I havent got many photos of the original and I think there are multiple discrepancies but I am aimimg for a flavour in terms od stock ans the actual location.