RMweb Gold Popular Post Re6/6 Posted August 9, 2021 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted August 9, 2021 (edited) A change in plan! After a chance encounter with a Welsh speaking friend at the EM society show at Bracknell recently, and after a short lesson in proper Welsh pronunciation, it was decided to change the name from Mynydd to Fochriew where there was a real colliery! It will differ from the supposed reality in that there will be exchange sidings between the NCB and BR. This proposed plan came about after falling under the influence of that sheep bloke with his high output of new layouts! Having temporarily become a bit fed up with Marsh Sidings, attention on something new and different was required, albeit for a short while! This picture was really what I was looking for....bleak....! From 'Modelling Aspects of the Coal Industry', by Rob Johnson (BLP Publications). A down-at-heel Welsh valley colliery line seemed to fit the bill. Being a cheapskate who never throws anything away, most of it will use recycled baseboards and pointwork. The plan evolved by jiggling around the recovered pointwork (P4 set-track!) that had been accumulated over the years fitting around a tandem threeway that came on a small baseboard that I was given years ago so everything would radiate from that. The pointwork is all repairable with all the crossing noses in excellent condition. These were recovered many years ago when a large layout built by the late Nigel Hunt was dismantled so the crossings can be guaranteed to be accurate. Nigel was a very fine P4 modeller. Some may remember his exquisite GER and GNR scratchbuilt loco pictures that I posted on here some years ago. The back story of this 'might-have-been' is that there were four pits connected to a BR line, three of which have closed with their access tracks lifted. There will also be a short wooden platform that will be served by a workmans service using scruffy old Dean four wheelers and clerestories. From 'Tondu Valleys' Pen and Sword, Hodge and Davies. I've always had a soft spot for the Rhymney and Taff Vale railways, particularly the RR A1 class. From 'The Rhymney Railway' publisher Oakwood Press by Kidner. One of my particular favourites is the Cardiff Rly 0-6-2T No 155 on the left of the picture. I had hoped to chop about a Bachmann body but there are too many differences including a shorter wheelbase and other complications so it will have to be scratchbuilt. This will give an ideal layout for CK's industrials to shunt about! I've recently acquired a beautifully soldered together Wills/SEH TVR U1 on an old Hornby Dublo R1 chassis which runs like a Swiss watch. The plan is to fit Ultrascales to it because it runs so sweetly. The fore and aft wheelbase is accurate (according to the drawings in Russell) but I know that the centre wheel spacing isn't quite right but I can live with that! It will save me building a new chassis. I'm not quite such a 'rivet counter' as I used to be! The first Fochriew loco is a Rhymney 'R' Class, a Nu-Cast Models with a scratchbuilt chassis awaiting numbering. This won't be started for a while until I've finished the first phase of Marsh Sidings which will have be completed for its first semi-public outing in September....https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/155788-parkend-marsh-sidings-in-p4/&tab=comments#comment-4016088 ....then there's Ruthi, the Swiss H0 plan! https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/150631-rüthi-rheintal-sbb-industrial-shunting-layout/&tab=comments#comment-3795430 Edited November 17, 2022 by Re6/6 Re-instate pictures 21 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium t-b-g Posted August 9, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 9, 2021 A fascinating idea for a layout and very nice to see somebody going off the beaten track with their thinking. I have been considering something I can do as a "quicky" to keep me busy during a lack of enthusiasm for other projects. Seeing what you are up to has fired up my enthusiasm for getting started. I have 2 baseboards, each 4ft by 1ft, just crying out to be used. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted August 9, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 9, 2021 Thanks for your kind comments. My 'application' isn't what it was and I soon tire of the current project, hence this! Scenics is my great interest so 'bleak' will be a challenge! 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted August 23, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 23, 2021 (edited) This SEF/Wills U1 (TVR) was recently acquired. To my surprise it had been very nicely soldered together. The heavily hand painted maroon 'livery' (why?) will be removed, buffers and handrails replaced. The original thinking was to build a chassis from AG frames but the HD R1 chassis runs and crawls like a Swiss watch so I am tempted to just re-wheel it with Ultrascales although the centre wheel position is not quite right but I can probably live with that in my dotage! Edited November 16, 2022 by Re6/6 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwinian Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 This looks a smashing layout project. Regarding the U1 are you planning putting it into a colliery livery as a sold on example? If I recall correctly they were passenger locos and had all gone from TVR/GWR by the mid 20s. The similar smaller wheeled mineral 02 and O3 lasted longer. I will be following developments with interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgman Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 Ref our conversation earlier, I do like the thought of repurposing some of the Ratio coaches to per those shown in the Tondu Valleys photograph. This could be a lovely little layout. G 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted August 25, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 25, 2021 (edited) Thanks old chap! This is what I had in mind. I built these from Ratio kits for CK's South Polden Light Railway (Bleakhouse Road) in a 'distressed and mouldy' condition. Restored! Edited November 17, 2022 by Re6/6 10 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NHY 581 Posted August 25, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 25, 2021 Well......this looks rather jolly. Watching with some interest. Rob 1 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted August 25, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 25, 2021 11 hours ago, Darwinian said: This looks a smashing layout project. Regarding the U1 are you planning putting it into a colliery livery as a sold on example? If I recall correctly they were passenger locos and had all gone from TVR/GWR by the mid 20s. The similar smaller wheeled mineral 02 and O3 lasted longer. I will be following developments with interest. Yet to be decided. Rule 1 will probably apply! Russell will be studied! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted August 31, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 31, 2021 (edited) Removed. Picture above. Edited November 17, 2022 by Re6/6 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NHY 581 Posted August 31, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 31, 2021 7 minutes ago, Re6/6 said: New engine for Mynydd. The Rhymney Railway R class was built by Andrew Howlet and is awaiting numbering and heavy weathering by CK. That's very nice. Will we be seeing some 56xx, John? R 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozzer models Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 45 minutes ago, Re6/6 said: New engine for Mynydd. The Rhymney Railway R class was built by Andrew Howlet and is awaiting numbering and heavy weathering by CK. Is it been Numbered 34 ?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted August 31, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 31, 2021 44 minutes ago, mozzer models said: Is it been Numbered 34 ?? I'd have to check which plate has been put in the box upstairs! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted August 31, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 31, 2021 1 hour ago, NHY 581 said: Will we be seeing some 56xx There are two such examples waiting to be used, which will normally live on 'Callow Lane'. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted September 1, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 1, 2021 Just spotted this thread and I'm looking forward to developments with great anticipation. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted September 1, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 1, 2021 Another layout John. You seem to have some sort of finescale production line going. If you like bleak, down at heal Welsh colliery lines then I can recommend 'Visions of Steam - Peter Cavalier and Geoff Silcock - OPC' it's full of fabulously atmospheric photos. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted September 1, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 1, 2021 I get bored easily Neil! If that sheep bloke can do it, so can I! On a more serious note, Marsh Sidings is not too far from completion but it's the last 20% to do that I find the most difficult...attention span at my age and all that! There are a load of scenics to finish off but with the first showing at the end of the month attention has had to be focussed! Book duly ordered 2 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 1, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 1, 2021 I really don't know why I don't have a copy of this book as well, so I have taken steps to rectify the situation! Thanks for the tip, Neil. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted September 1, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 1, 2021 1 hour ago, Re6/6 said: ..... On a more serious note, Marsh Sidings is not too far from completion but it's the last 20% to do that I find the most difficult...attention span at my age and all that! .... I find that the last push to completion the hardest to do too. Weird as all that I consider to be hard work has been done by then. I wonder if in my case it's something to do with getting a bit complacent and taking my foot off the gas or perhaps it's the thought of the next interesting project to tackle? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NHY 581 Posted September 1, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 1, 2021 1 hour ago, Captain Kernow said: I really don't know why I don't have a copy of this book as well, so I have taken steps to rectify the situation! Thanks for the tip, Neil. It's a lovely book, CK. One of my all time favourites. Rob. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted September 1, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 1, 2021 5 hours ago, Neil said: .......... or perhaps it's the thought of the next interesting project to tackle? You've hit the nail on the head there Neil! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted September 9, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 9, 2021 On 01/09/2021 at 14:40, Neil said: Another layout John. You seem to have some sort of finescale production line going. If you like bleak, down at heal Welsh colliery lines then I can recommend 'Visions of Steam - Peter Cavalier and Geoff Silcock - OPC' it's full of fabulously atmospheric photos. Duly acquired! Thanks for the recommendation Neil. Wonderful pictures in there. I wish that I could model those up and down 'thruppeny bit' curves unfortunately it doesn't work in P4 (it probably would if one was skilful enough!) 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted September 9, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 9, 2021 45 minutes ago, Re6/6 said: I wish that I could model those up and down 'thruppeny bit' curves unfortunately it doesn't work in P4 (it probably would if one was skilful enough!) I'd have thought P4 was the best option, as the wagons all have compensation/suspension... 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted September 9, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 9, 2021 I've tried it! Theoretically you'd be right there Stu but my P4 skills come into question running stock on billiard table flat track sometimes! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 9, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 9, 2021 6 hours ago, Stubby47 said: I'd have thought P4 was the best option, as the wagons all have compensation/suspension... Perhaps so, but Kernow Governmental scientists, working for long hours in white coats over many years in well equipped laboratories, have concluded that it is the rigid and non-compensated wagons (but properly weighted) that hold the track better, as compared to those with compensation or suspension. 3 1 2 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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