ChrisN

Thank you, they are nearly the same size as the big ones that I have. Perhaps I ought to get some just to compare the size.

Thank you both. Would the Brewery really want to move coal on their dray that carried the barrels? I remember a discussion on I think Edwardians thread about barrels, and I have a Preiser set of various sizes. The largest I thought was the one I wanted so I checked its volume and is around 77 gallons, or about the size of a butt. I had bought some Dapol ones and they were just a shade smaller. There were some in the pack that were about the right size, 36 gallons. I am not sure they deliver that size anymore but if Youngs still do their 'every pub' challenge then that is the size you win.

I assume that he would bag it up and take it like that as then there would be no argument on how much he had delivered?

I think I am right in saying that one of the uses of anthracite was in brewing. Before I go on a trawl of the internet, does anyone know how much anthracite a small brewery would use? (Yes, I know it is like asking how long is a piece of string, which does of course have an answer?) Now Thomas Edwards, of Edwards Brewery, purveyors of fine Welsh Beer, does not have its own siding, so could he be supplied by R. Parry Coal Merchants, or would that be too much? Mr Parry at the moment has exclusive use of the coal yard at Traeth Mawr.

I do like your layout, and the way you run your trains right to the edge. I have to do the same and will shortly be installing a protection barrier like yours, although mine will be a bit higher as it has to be grandchild proof.

Especially like the third picture, I think there is something special about two steam locomotives together like that.

Thank you both. Jonathan, there is a lot of useful information there. If there are no pictures then who can tell me if I wagon I use is wrong? Probably the early type axleboxes are correct for when I am modelling. I will make notes, as I am not really onto wagons yet, As for dumb buffered ones, I have some, three, from 5 &9, but if I need to make some more I shall trawl through your thread Stephen

Alan, Thank you. I may have know that at some time, but of course I had forgotten it. It also means I can put the right wagons on the right trains. I assume that 'Evans and Bevan', (lovely name), and Hedleys both Collieries in Neath would have supplied anthracite?

Thank you, that seems a really useful tool, and er, a good rabbit hole to disappear down.

Jonathan. I think I have seen that picture before. Fascinating. I wonder how far down the colliery it was; was it dug out especially so she could stand up? I have a POW sides Black Park Colliery, Ruabon, and there could be a second. I do like the look of yours, well done, Was the Coal and Coke Co. a Factor, merchant or colliery?

James, Thank you. I did know about this, and in fact this is how I know I have the size of Mr Price's house correct as the side I am not modelling, in the recent past has put in a planning application for a balcony. (I think it is more to have doors open to let in the sea air than to sit and watch cars in the car park.) This is a good reminder as there are buildings I need to know the exact sizes of, or rather it would be better than doing it from my photos and measurements. (Criccieth Chapel for instance.)

Shaun, Thank you. I think it appears big next to the Airfix Inn, but it is also larger than 'Sportsman's Cottage' which in real life is larger than the cottages next to it. This is the prototype of Sportsman's and yes, that green next to it covers a cottage. Mr Price is a local and has Welsh as his first language so I think he would have no problems with the older locals. As for the contractor, he just needs an interpreter, full stop.

Nick, Yes, I think it looks more like this one.

Yes, and of course we have the refreshment rooms, which must be a rich source of material. How about Owen? How is he getting on with the doctor's daughter, or has he found someone else? Who knows? (I think the ladies in the refreshment rooms are too old for him.)

Yes that is the book. I think sometimes, although it may be someone different he is referred to as Mike Morton-Lloyd. I am working from a memory that is not as good as it was. Yes, there is still hope. Eventually I might build my own, but in the meantime.............

Yes no one really photographed much on the Cambrian, let alone wagons. I have the Morton book, (?) and I have a a list of the POW sides wagons that correspond, some of which I have waiting to be built. What we really want, is some wagons from around Wrexham, or Ruabon, or into Cheshire. I do mention this on the Rapido thread in the hope that someone might take it up.

Thank you. I think most people would find it very boring. Just normal everyday life. People working hard and trying to get on with each other. Not much industry, plenty of hotels on the sea front, lovely beach, (of course), a boy's boarding school, and a girl's boarding school, whose pupils are rigorously kept apart, half a dozen churches, (not counted them up really), a happy little community with two or three gossips so that everyone knows everyone else's business, and no TV cameras trying to rake up things to keep people from switching off as it is ordinary boring life. I had thought of writing a blog of interviews with locals, but I have not done so, 1) because I want the layout to look more like the town before I do, and 2) I think it would probably be misunderstood, as the people would speak with the mindset of 1895, although written in a way to poke fun at some things, ( "What is the point of giving bursaries to local girls to go to Lady Gwyneth's school. What is the point of educating girls anyway?)

These look very good, well done. I am probably biased but figures are generally the poor relations on model railways, yet the railways existed for people. I think the Stadden figures are the best. You have to be careful though as sometimes you might find them posting on your thread. (Trust me I know, 🙂.)

"Hello, I am not sure that you know me. I am Mr Parry, the Traeth Mawr Coal Merchant. Now you see my wagon at the end there. That has proper buffers, not like these two. Now you see these are nicely painted, not like mine, I am still waiting for the contractor to finish it off! Now where is he, you may ask? That is a good question. He is around somewhere, but not here which is why I am speaking to you. Last time I saw him he was making windows, and not doing a very good job of it. 'Working it out as I go along,' he said, 'once I know what I am doing I will be quicker.' It makes you want to cry. These are windows for Mr Price's house, poor man. I feel really sorry for him. He is a nice man, a bit pompous at times but really nice. The contractor has had him locked up somewhere, just to stop him complaining. His poor wife has had to go and live with her mother in Dolgelly, took four of her children as well. Young Owen mind, I think he is enjoying it, says he is Acting Station Master, or some such thing, even when there are more senior staff members around. He sleeps in the Station Masters office, except on Saturday night when he catches the last train out, stays with his Granny and his family, and then comes back on the first train on a Monday morning. He sits in the guards van, jumps off as soon as it stops, runs across the tracks, no footbridge yet, opens everything up, and sells tickets for the first train in from Pwllheli. The Foreman Porter Mr Richards is not happy about this as the station is supposed to be open from 6am, so he comes in a six and open the goods shed. Me, I am glad I live further out in Traeth Mawr, as I have my house, and very comfortable it is too." "Now why am I here? It is these two wagons. What are they doing here? In my siding? I only hope they do not make me pay 'demurrage' on them." "Why are they here? I heard someone somewhere say they came 'quickly', or something like that. They are a bit far away, I mean we usually get our coals from the North Wales coal fields, or maybe Cheshire, so maybe they could not get the right contracts. They seem a bit clean to me, but still. As one has no coal in, well not much anyway, lets turn it over and have a look." "See, brakes on one side, and stuff for the buffers I think. Let's take a look from the other side." "Well, not sure why they are here but I need to get the coal out of the other one before it disappears. As he says, 'If you have been thanks for looking'"

Lovely specimen Shaun. It is a bit close to the house so you will need to be careful it does not undermine its foundations. 🙂

Shaun, It takes a brave man to do an actual scale size tree, as most people are worried that it will look too big and overpower the layout. Yours looks really good, and I like the way you have changed the colour of the grass underneath the trees. I hope the dof does not miss its bed stuffing and comes to look for it.

That is interesting. The Cambrian were using 4-4-0 for their passenger expresses from 1878, but express might be typed 'express' as they went nowhere very fast.

Great work Mike. I assume your original one has bogies that pivot, or does it just sit there looking pretty?

I find it interesting that they went for bogies but retained a single driving wheel. It would be interesting to know their thinking. Still, the Pearson one is quite beautiful in its own way.

Well done Mike. I can see why they were not adopted as a standard design. I can also see why they were not express engines, as the stress on the boiler could have been disastrous.