Ruffnut Thorston Posted September 7, 2012 Author Share Posted September 7, 2012 (edited) Here we go! I did not get the size quite right!Ffrwd Locks Main Board Dimensions.(approx.)Length 5 Feet 4 Inches (163 CM)Width 1 Foot 2 1/4 Inches (36 CM)Rough Plan...There will be some ground signals, and at least one "Trap Point" on the "Loop Line" near the 3-Way Point.Really, I would think that the 3-Way Point would be two separate, but interlaced, Points.Most of the points would require Facing Point Locks, if the "Loop" was to be used by Passenger Trains. I am not too sure if this would be allowed, as I believe Highley Loop, which also does not have a Platform, is not to be used for Passenger Trains.There are other "Off Stage" signals, and the Goods Line to the Ironworks has an "Off Scene" Trap Point on the other side of the Aqueduct and Railway Bridges.The "Main Line" to Moss and Wrexham is the central line from the "toe" of the 3-Way Point.The Goods Line is the "top" line in the plan, running in front of the Signal Box.The plan has some faults, most noticeable is the fact that the Cattle Dock and End Loading is "blocked in " by any Coal Wagons unloadingat the Coal Merchants. The Coal Siding should really be a separate siding.The Goods Shed siding is also a bit limited.Marc...Gogledd Cymru Am Byth! Edited June 20, 2018 by Sarahagain 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted September 9, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 9, 2012 Sarah, I go away for a week, and come back to this! Fantastic stuff, there are those of use who say that the South Wales valleys are neglected from the modelling perspective, but the GW in North Wales is even more so. More please! Regards Richard 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Hi Richard & Sarah, Yes, I agree, North Wales is definately under-represented in model form, except of course when it comes to narrow gauge modelling There are plenty of examples of North Walian NG layouts... Much of the scenery in that part of Wales really lends itself to narrow lines and I'm tempted by such a layout myself.... in 7mm scale.... drool Neil Rushby's superb "Shell Island" - a benchmark in micro layouts is a wonderful example of standard gauge rails in NW and I've oft fancied building something similar.... drool Oh for more time Ditto - more please, and let us have pics when the signals are in place Hwyl Marc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54Strat Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Looking good. I've a real soft spot for this area too, in fact I've part of the Ffrith branch (Coed Talon to Padewood freight only) as my back garden! I've long mused about re-creating Coed Talon down to Coppas sidings. One day perhaps.. Apparently from the road you can still see the ditch which is the last remains of this canal.. http://tinyurl.com/bur3djz Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 (edited) Hi All... Yes, that image from Google Maps is the end nearest Gwersyllt. There was approximately 2 1/3 Miles of canal actually built. There used to be a bridge over the canal at this point, the canal continuing behind the "camera" to a wharf on the outskirts of Gwersyllt. Most of this is now built over, but there is a road that seems to follow the canal line in part. In front of the "Camera", the canal continues to Sydallt, where it is at the bottom of the gardens in Tan Yr Allt, before just about disappearing under houses in Bronallt. The WM & CQ branch climbed up from the railway at Sydallt, though it too seems to have been built over. (Railway Terrace.) I would say that the WM & CQ Ffrwd Branch was alongside the road Bronallt. The field boundary hedge and trees follows the canal and railway's line as it swings around the hill. The railway here cut through the canal, as the canal turned sharper than the railway. The railway ended up on the "outside" of the canal bend. The canal remains re-appear and curve around to go into the trees, where the railway comes on top of the canal. A cutting and road overbridge have gone on a branch off the WM & C Q railway to Ffos Y Go colliery. The remains of the abutment walls can be found alongside the road. (At a "dog leg" in the Sydallt to Ffrwd road.) The railway remains on top of the canal through to the site of an aqueduct by the Ffrwd Coaching Inn remains. There are the remains of the abutments of girder bridges here, where the WM & C Q railway went over the GWR Ffrwd Ironworks branch, and the road. A house labelled as "the Cottage" is the Level Crossing Keepers House where the GWR Branch crossed the road. A new house is opposite. The gate is on the GWR line, and the abutments of the WM & CQ bridge over the GWR can be seen beyond. The canal emerges from the side of the railway embankment on the other side of the bridge (aqueduct) and runs to the remains of the Yord Canal Basin. This was the end of the canal as built. The canal would have continued, via a flight of locks, to a Reservoir at Coed Talon. This was the planned end of the canal. The “other” end would have run to Poolmouth, outside Wrexham, where it would join the main line of the canal, running from the River Dee at Chester (opposite the present lock from the Chester Canal) climbing roughly on the line now occupied by the Railway, and continuing on via Ruabon to the Trefor end of the Pontcysllte Aqueduct. That is the "Factual" history..... Edited September 11, 2012 by Sarahagain Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 (edited) A Sketch Map of the Ffrwd Area. This is the "Real Life" history map. Ffrwd Ironworks and Colliery was worked from Pre 1796 until 1904. Brynmally Colliery and Brickworks was worked from 1770 until 1935. Ffos-Y-Go Collliery was worked from Post 1849 until 1917 Caepenty Colliery Closed C1920. Westminster Colliery was worked from 1846 until 1925. WMCQR Ffos-Y-Go Branch Closed and lifted by 1912. WMCQR Ffrwd Branch Closed 1930, lifted 1935 (Except for a siding at Ffrwd Junction.) GWR Ffrwd Branch Closed 1st January 1931. GWR Moss Valley Railway (To Moss Crossing Halt.) Closed to Passengers 1st January 1931. GWR Moss Valley Railway Closed to Goods 1935. Real Life Map... MOSS VALLEY on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia....Valley,_Wrexham Some more on the Ffrwd Canal... http://www.peter-quita.demon.co.uk/articles/Ffrwd.pdf Edited February 8, 2021 by Ruffnut Thorston Replacement map photo 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted September 13, 2012 Author Share Posted September 13, 2012 (edited) A Sketch Map of the Ffrwd Area. This is the "Fictional" history map. The canal construction started in June 1796. Ffrwd to Gwersllt Wharf Opened in 1798. Llanfynedd Quarry Basin (and reservoir) to Ffrwd, and Gwersllt Wharf to Wrexham Town Basin Opened in 1799. Wrexham Junction (Poolmouth) to Chester opened 1805. Abandonment of the Wrexham to Trefor Canal Plans led to the "temporary" tramway (Opened in 1808) becoming permanent. This was (between Ruabon and Wrexham) aquired by the North Wales Mineral Railway in 1844, and converted into part of the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway's main line. Opened 1848. First branch railway to Ffrwd opened July 1847. Part of the North Wales Mineral Railway. Included two cable hauled inclines. Moss Valley Railway opened 11 may 1882. Ffrwd Ironworks and Colliery was worked from Pre 1796 until 1990 (The Colliery was closed in 1956). Brynmally Colliery and Brickworks was worked from 1770 until 1960.(The Colliery was closed in 1956). Ffos-Y-Go Collliery was worked from Post 1849 until 1935. Caepenty Colliery Closed C1920. Westminster Colliery was worked from 1846 until 1925. WMCQR Ffos-Y-Go Branch Closed 1935 and lifted 1940. WMCQR Ffrwd Branch Closed 1991, lifted 2000 (Except for a siding at Ffrwd Junction.) The GWR and LMS Joint Railway from Ffrwd to Coed Talon closed "temporarily" after a landslip at Ffrith Viaduct in 1952. This closure was quietly made permanent, Crosville Motor Services continuing to run a "replacement" Bus service. This took the busy Ffrwd Level crossing out of use.The local authorities had been campaigning for this to be replaced by a bridge. The road had become busy, and the frequent closing of the gates to road traffic during shunting, etc. were causing problems. This caused some problems for the railway, limiting the length of train that could be dealt with at Ffrwd. A lot of the Ironworks (Later known as the Steelworks.) traffic was afterwards to use the LNER Ffrwd Branch, except for the times this was closed for maintenance. (The landslip was never repaired.) GWR Moss Valley Railway Closed to Passengers 1st January 1960. GWR Moss Valley Railway Closed to Goods 1970. A preservation scheme for the Moss Valley Railway failed, and the line was lifted after 1990. Edited February 8, 2021 by Ruffnut Thorston Replacement map photo 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted September 22, 2012 Author Share Posted September 22, 2012 (edited) Gresford Colliery Disaster September 22nd 1934 I would like to draw draw peoples attention to the Anniversary Today, Saturday 22nd September of the disastrous explosion and fire at Gresford Colliery (Near Wrexham.) in 1934. This claimed 266 lives. Coal mining has always been a dangerous occupation, as shown by the many accidents and disasters over the years. A relative of mine was amongst the dead at Gresford. More details here http://en.wikipedia....esford_disaster There have been some model railway wagons made in the livery of Gresford Colliery, the photos show one of these made by Dapol (now based in Chirk, the other side of Wrexham from Gresford.) for West Wales Wagon Works. Quote from a reader last year... “"The wage packets of the dead miners were docked quarter of a shift's pay for failure to complete the shift" As bad a name as unions get these days when they mis-behave, this is why they were needed, I guess...” Quote from another reader last year... “Just to add a little to this tale........ A public inquiry took two years to investigate the disaster. The report's appendix lists names, ages and occupations of all 265 men who perished - the youngest was 15-year-old Charles Harrison and the oldest was 68-year-old Edward Wynn. Like the majority of victims, they were entombed in the workings of Gresford Colliery, where they remain, remembered now on a memorial and in the lines of a folk song:- "Down there in the dark they are lying. They died for nine shillings a day. They have worked out their shift and now they must lie. In the darkness until judgement day." Nearly three years later, the colliery employers were found guilty of breaching a total of eight coal mine safety regulations. Their punishment? They were fined £140. In other words, 1 weeks wages for all those who died nearly paid the fine! Hugh” Sarah Again… It is also said that the majority of the bodies could have been recovered, but the mine-owners refused "on safety grounds". The opinion seems to be that the mine-owners wanted to hide the true state of the mine. Inadequate ventilation for example. A passage to help in this was meant to have been constructed, but work on it was only allowed by the management when there were "spare" men not needed in winning coal. It is no surprise that profit came before welfare! The mine actually re-opened, except for the "Dennis" section, which was walled off, and was worked until 1973. The original "monument" to the dead was the complete headgear to one shaft, all that was left after the site was cleared. It was visible for miles around. When walking from Wrexham General Railway Station out to Gresford to visit family, it was always a lift to see the headgear come into view, as it meant I was nearing journey's end. It seems that this was in the way of the industrial estate, so it was demolished, just the wheel being mounted as a new memorial. It is not the same. Edited September 22, 2012 by Sarahagain 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share Posted October 28, 2012 I am at present re-modelling the main goods siding at Ffrwd. I had become aware of a serious limitation of having the Cattle Dock at the end of the siding with the Coal Merchant's facilities between the dock and the "main line". The end of the siding would be out of use if there was a wagon being unloaded at the Coal Merchants. (Though it seems that there was at least one place with a similar arrangement in "real life"!) The original idea of installing a new point on the loop to serve a slewed connection to the Cattle Dock seemed a good idea, and I did cut the siding and loop tracks to install the point. In the end it became only too clear that this wouldn't work. I did install a PECO trap point at the Wrexham end of the loop though. The rest of the loop track was re-laid using some left over track and some pre-wired fishplates to provide some extra feeds. The siding has been re-arranged to have the Coal Merchant at the far end of the siding, and a small Cattle Dock where the Coal Merchant was. This has involved the demolition of the End Loading and Cattle Dock, and the Coal Merchants coal bins and office. The siding has been lengthened slightly with the removal of the End Loading Ramp, using some more left over track and some pre-wired fish-plates to reinstate the feed. A new Coal Order Office has been made from an old Airfix Coal Office. This has new windows, door, roof, and chimney. Mainly spare parts from the Wills Goods Yard Store Kit, with Wills Slate sheet for the roof. Signs have been made on the computer. The Coal Bins have been re-built from the original parts. A new "bagging platform" has been constructed from the staging from the Wills Goods Yard Store Kit, with Wills Planking sheet from the Level Crossing kit for the platform, Evergreen Styrene strips for the roof supports and other planking walls, and Wills corrugated sheeting sheet for the roof. Bagged Coal is Merit/ PECO Modelscene Coal Bags. Spilled coal is shot blasting compound. Scales are scratch built, and various figures are in use (Langley and Merit/ PECO Modelscene /Slater's.) Pics to follow when I get them off the camera! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted October 28, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 28, 2012 Sarah, Just a thought about cattle docks: They were not in use every day! So they were often stuck in odd places. there was not a dedicated siding for each sort of traffic. If something needed to be shifted, a horse, or a labourer(s) with a pinch bar would soon shift a wagon out of the way. Cattle was a quite specialised traffic, and a cattle train would be a special occasion for a station such as Ffrwd Locks. The coal merchant would have plenty of warning that his wagon would have to be emptied and I suspect the station master would start muttering about demurrage if the coal merchant was not co-operative! Regards Richard 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted November 2, 2012 Author Share Posted November 2, 2012 Hi Richard. Yes, I know about demurrage. That was the charge made by the owning company if a wagon was not returned promptly. This was one good reason why many coal merchants had their own wagons before WW2 and nationalisation. They could unload them at their leisure, or use them as storage. I still think the "new" scheme looks better. Though it was a big moment when I got the rail cutting shears out and chopped the siding rails! After that, there was no going back. I should have planned a bit more before chopping though, as the first cut turned out not to have been necessary once I had worked out that the extra point would leave two short sidings, with little use. The GWR wouldn't have spent out on the pointwork I believe! (I still have some points, etc. in stock, so I did not have to buy any new bits.) Putting the trap point in gave some reason to my chopping the loop rails, and the extra feeds should help, once I have wired them up. I am having to re-do some of the ballast, and paint some of the track again, but it does look a bit better now. The only thing is, where do I put the End Loading Ramp now? The only possible place is on the PW depts "siding" on the trap spur of the siding where it joins the main line, under the Aqueduct. Access for vehicles seems to be problematic, but I think I may find a way! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 Some photos... The Coal Order Office... Interior. (This is stuck to the baseboard, and the building slots over the top.) Together with the newly re-constructed Coal Bunkers. With the Mk2 Signage. The bagging platform... In situ... With more added...(The "wrong way" around to shew the track side.) 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted December 9, 2012 Author Share Posted December 9, 2012 Some work has taken place on the Loco Front... Putting the crew into the Bachmann BR Standard 4MT Tank Loco... The body is held on by 5 (Five) Screws. 2 are "hidden" under the side tanks. A thin shaft cross head screwdriver is required to slip down between the side rods and valve gear! The speedometer drive would need to be unscrewd from the crank end. (The linkage on my S/H model was already missing, so no problem.) The Injector pipework is mounted on a bracket that is a tight fit over the chassis. It took me a while to work out how to free the pipes, as they are attached to the body (I took a knife to the bracket sides and removed a sliver from the bracket both sides of the frame to make it easier to get back together. I also glued the bracket to the floor of the cab to hold it in place!) The cab back and bunker is a seperate moulding, held onto the "body frame" by two screws. The rest of the body, boiler and side tanks is held on by 1 screw in the "firebox" area. I have painted in the backhead detail, and the Cab floor. The Driver is a Tri-ang figure. The Fireman is from the Dapol (Ex Airfix) Railway Figures Set. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted December 13, 2012 Author Share Posted December 13, 2012 A bit of Photoshop "Magic" there... I have been doing a bit. Putting real coal in bunkers, crew in cabs, and a bit of Weathering to a few locos. These are of the Bachmann 43XX that is almost "finished" now, with Crew added. (Bachmann Figures too...) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted December 16, 2012 Author Share Posted December 16, 2012 (edited) The Ffrwd Aqueduct again.... I have finally built the "other" abutment. Cornflake packet again. I have used some more up-to-date foliage on this, and replaced the Lichen on the Roadside Abutment as well. Mainly Woodland Scenics, as used on the Tree. The Abutment... The stone courses were "scribed" into the card while it was flat!. Painted with Acrylics, "mortar" lines inked in, then matt varnish, then powdered pastels, black mainly, dusted on and wiped down. In Situ... The Road Arch of the Aqueduct has a Low Headroom of about 12 Feet (Scale). I have made up a sign, based on one in Nottingham. It says: WARNING LOW BRIDGE 12' 0" HEADROOM The "Old Road Signs Font" is downloadable from the "Fun Stuff" "Fonts" Section on the CBRD Site http://www.cbrd.co.uk/ Together with some white markers, and a Road Sign on the Abutment, this should help avoid any bridge bashing! Edited December 19, 2012 by Sarahagain 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
5050 Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 A friend of mine spent some time at Gresford pit when we were just leaving school (Grove Park) in the late 60's. He told me that the coats etc. of the miners killed in the disaster were still hanging where they left them as a mark of respect. I wonder what ultimately happened to all this when the site was redeveloped? Interesting concept for the layout. I'm always interested in anything from my old stamping ground and often think about ideas for 'might have beens' for the area. Geoff Kent's 'Black Lion Crossing' layout has similar origins. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 (edited) That is very interesting information. (RE: Gresford.) The Black Lion layout looks to be interesting. Is there a web site? I will also have to find a back copy of the MRJ 214? Thanks for posting. Edited December 20, 2012 by Sarahagain Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted December 27, 2012 Author Share Posted December 27, 2012 (edited) Here is the revised track plan. A new loco for Ffrwd. Some work required..... Bachmann "Jinty" 3f Tank Loco. Edited June 24, 2021 by Ruffnut Thorston Photo source changed...Ex Photobucket... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted January 1, 2013 Author Share Posted January 1, 2013 (edited) Some more photos. A Diesel on Ffrwd. My favourite type, in the original Plain Black, with the best BR emblem. (My opinions. ) The cab steps are still to be fitted. As a "brand new" loco in the 1950s, the weathering will be light... A "British Waterways" ex Fellows Morton and Clayton motor boat still in the old livery on the Aqueduct. (Craftline Models balsa wood kit detailed, etc.) The underside of the Aqueduct... The "other" abutment of the Aqueduct... The "Low Bridge" warning signs on the Aqueduct... The Standard 4 Tank with crew and weathering, etc. (Some steps need re-attaching.) The 93XX GWR Mogul with crew and weathering, etc... Edited February 7, 2021 by Ruffnut Thorston Typo some replacement photos added. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 (edited) That is very interesting information. (RE: Gresford.) The Black Lion layout looks to be interesting. Is there a web site? I will also have to find a back copy of the MRJ 214? Thanks for posting. I have now read the Model Railway Journal 214. "Black Lion Crossing" is another 1950s Wrexham Area Railway with the Shropshire Union Canal (That wasn't built) represented. This is a might-have-been Wrexham Mold & Connah's Quay (LNER) route. A work in progress. Very inspiring. This goes along with "Wrexham Hightown" the O gauge model of a Loco-shed by Chester MRC . (Chester MRC seems to no longer have an O Gauge section, and the page has gone "404" error!) I will have to compile a map shewing all three sections in relation to Wrexham..... Here is a link to an OS map (Streetmap.co.uk) of the Ffrwd area. The arrow shows the supposed location of Ffrwd Locks Station. http://http://www.streetmap.co.uk/idld.srf?X=330145&Y=354720&A=Y&Z=115&lm=1 Edited June 8, 2015 by Sarahagain Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve O. Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Hi Sarah, Great layout. I liked the 'history' of the line to put all the stock / freight in context. Lots of detail inside that signal box too! Echoing an earlier post, good to see old stock used - especially the Dublo breakdown crane. Cheers, Steve. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 Hi Steve. Thanks. I do like "Industrial Archaeology", and History in general. We have rather a lot of "older stock", having our own "Model Railway Museum" in several boxes. Tri-ang, Dublo, etc... We would like to build a "fifties/sixties" layout, but there is no room at the moment! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted January 29, 2013 Author Share Posted January 29, 2013 (edited) The Bachmann 08. Putting the crew in. The "trick" with getting the body off is a small metal wire "lighting Conduit" at the top right of the "Port" (Left) Side Steps. This needs removing from its hole. Mine seems to have been glued, and took some levering. The wire needed re-shaping afterwards. (I also made the locating hole slightly larger, and I didn't glue it back in!) There is one screw that needs to come out, this is under the cab. The back coupling mount needs to come off to reveal the screw. Then there is a clip in a hole. This needs careful levering while gently applying some force to remove the body from the cab end. The front of the body is clipped in, and will come away if lifted from the cab end and moved "backwards" . This bush is where the body securing screw screws into. This is the Wire Lighting Conduit. The cab is clipped onto the rest of the body by two clips at the bottom front corners. These have to be carefully prised out, while sliding the cab upwards... The previous pictures shew the crew and the cab painting already done. I took the body off again for the photos... Cab interior, as painted by me. The crew have to have part of their legs removed, as the floor is too high... The "Driver" is from the Dapol Figures set, the "Fireman", later known as the "Second man" is from Tri-ang Railways. And back together again..With the cab steps fitted. These actually just plugged in, no glue required! Edited February 7, 2021 by Ruffnut Thorston Typos 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Lovely layout - really like the mods to the station building. I do like the weathering on the standard 4 tank. I think I have one of the Airfix coal office models somewhere, although I think it had a bit of an accident and got crushed! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 (edited) Hi Jules, and welcome to Ffrwd Locks. Construction has halted for now. There is a very good chance of a complete re-build, using the buildings, on a similar plan, but with curves at either end, so I have the space for the trains to go somewhere! The present board was built in a different location, and there is not enough room to get a curve in in the present location... In the meantime I have been working on some rolling stock. Edited February 7, 2021 by Ruffnut Thorston Tidying Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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