rhyd-y-clafdy

7405 is back from the cleaners, having spent Lock Down at Steve's Grimey Times. 7405 spent time at both Oswestry and Machynlleth sheds. There are photos of it at Ellesmere and there is a photo of it on the auto train (I think in the book on the Ellesmere-Wrexham line). Not being auto fitted I assume it had to run round. A must to be included in the operating sequence. The photo shows 7405 on the baseboards of Rhyd-y-Clafdy (a bit of the back scene in the background). Rhyd-y-Clafdy is being re-visit-ed having been in store for the last few years. It is being completely rebuilt to live permanently in my garage for me to play with. I'm not sure I can write about this under the heading "Modelling Real Locations". It is a real location but the railway is a definite "Might have been". The Cambrian submitted plans to Parliament for an extension from Pwllheli to Porth Dinllaen in 1870 and 1880. The plans are to be found at the Welsh National Library in Aberystwyth, as also is Brunel's plan for a railway to Porth Dinllaen. Perhaps I need to start a new thread on that. Ellesmere has spent Lock Down locked down at a friends house in Crewe, he has had fun operating it although with some very dubious stock at times. It was booked for Warrington and Gaydon exhibitions this Autumn but we'll have to wait and see if they take place.

Hi Ian That looks really good. I wonder how many other people have produced the same coach. I noticed a while back a thread on building the Comet A44 kit which might be useful to people. I notice you have painted the bar across the driver's window cream. I've left it off because I couldn't decide on the colour and was leaving it out until I redo the drivers window. Thanks for the interest and comments. Phil

Its been quiet at Ellesmere for quite a while, however, there is an addition to the coaching stock! W6820W of lot 1550 was an autocoach built by the GWR built in 1936. Essentially, a Diagram E147 Brake Composite (half a B set) with a drivers compartment at the Brake end. Driver's access was via the Guards compartment. Photographic evidence in books shows at least 2 of these vehicles in use at Oswestry, often used as strengtheners on the Oswestry-Gobowen auto train. There are also photos and video of one in use on the Ellesmere-Wrexham auto train, either singly or as a strengthener. To produce this model I used the Comet (W80) Diagram A44 kit which was a brake second trailer apparently converted from Diagram D117 non corridor brake 3rd in the early 1950s by BR for work initially in South Wales! I used Comet's E147 (W51) sides to make the brake composite. The only info and detailed photos I could find are in J H Russell's GWR coaches. Not experienced in making Comet coaches this has been quite a mission with many tribulations on the way and there are some errors. The most obvious one is the driver's window which was smaller in height (2mm I think) on the Composite. Also the Comet etch for the drivers end is the wrong way round, a mirror image. I suppose I could have reversed it but didn't and will have to live with it! I had to cut my own drivers windows out of the sides (not easy for me) and apparently the bogie centres were moved inwards from 41'6" to 38'. I had to compromise on this because they were fouling the trusses on the underframe so I split the difference at 39'9"! I also made a complete botch of applying varnish and had to strip all the paint and transfers off and start again. Glazing was also an issue with so many door handles and grab rails close to windows hence the need to redo the drivers window at some point! However I'm looking forward to seeing this on the layout (hoping the overwidth cosmetic bogie sides don't hit the ground signals. Anyway, all will be revealed at Wakefield exhibition, November 15/16/17, where I hope Ellesmere functions well after 6 months storage in the garage!

Hello to everyone: Just to let you know Ellesmere will be at the Warley Exhibition at the NEC this weekend 24/25th November (Stand C17). We are very approachable if you have any questions or just want a chat. I hope everything is ready now anyway its all packed away! Think I finally ironed out our signal problem and have just ironed the drapes, just need to sort out the coach sets so we know which ones to use when! Here's hoping there aren't too many gremlins!!! See you there. Phil

Hi Everybody I'm starting to think that the Brickworks and siding were on the site now occupied by Cargotec. I've looked on google maps, earth and street view and can see no evidence thats useful. My only conclusion is that from the point of view of operating Ellesmere I should substitute vans for open wagons loaded with bricks!!!! Beyond that as my layout just covers the area between the Elson Road bridge and Grange Road bridge and apart from the academic interest I'm not going to worry too much about Elson Siding unless I can find someone in the area who knows!! Apart from exhibiting Ellesmere my energy is heading towards my next layout. For anyone interested it will be at the NEC in November but beware taking too much interest because I am always on the lookout for operators!!! By the way the layout was featured in the October 2016 BRM magazine. Cheers Phil

Hi Paul and Brian I have pondered over Elson Siding. I thought like you that it was off the Oswestry line at the west junction of the triangle. But the triangle was taken out of use a long time ago whereas the WTT shows a morning and afternoon 'pilot' shunt to Elson Siding as late as 1962. Having just googled Elson I noticed a reference to a wharf and siding for Elson Brick Works (Duddleston Road) in the National Archive. Don't know what that was or when! I did wonder about including the moves in my operating sequence but decided it was a complication too far for my operators. As far as I know the loco propelled the vehicles with a brake van at the front. I planned to send a couple of vans in the morning and bring them back in the afternoon. As far as buildings are concerned - I based my Goods shed on the ones at Bettisfield and Llanfyllin which were very similar and are still standing. My signal box is adapted from measurements and brick counts of Pwllheli box and photos of Ellesmere box. The stable and weigh office are based on the photos in Derek Lowe's book (not always easy to count bricks from a black and white photo!) whilst everything else is guesswork. I think my Up platform shelter is a bit on the small side in retrospect. Hope that's useful. Phil

Hi Paul I passed through Ellesmere a couple of weeks ago. The site is owned by Fulwoods and it appears to be surrounded by new security fencing so access at a weekend may not be possible (Maybe a Saturday if Fulwoods are open). I assume the gates will be open during the week and you might be able to get in (I never got chased off!). Otherwise the Elson Road bridge provides a vantage point. The Vic Rogers and Keith Mitchell book - Oswestry to Whitchurch is also useful. Have you tried the Disused Stations website on t'interweb? And Google images will throw up so pics as well. Phil

Hi The track plan I have used is from the late 1950s after the turntable was taken out. Earlier plans do show different access to the goods yard but photos from the late 50s/60s clearly show just the one point accessing the yard from the down line and protected by the trap point with a ground signal. On the up side the two sidings come off a headshunt/refuge siding which continues under Grange Road bridge. It isn't double track although it appears that way. One thing that has bothered me is that I can't see any ground signals controlling movements from the headhunt back onto the up running line although arlier photos show a 2 arm shunt signal. I have put a double ground signal in on my layout! Ellesmere model railway club had an old 2mm model of Ellesmere but I am not sure where they are up to with it after it suffered some damage a while ago. Derek Lowe's book on the Cambrian Main lIne has some useful views of Ellesmere. Hope that helps and I am glad to answer any questions you may have Cheers Phil

However, we have finished the Mess van which we saw in a photo taken when it was parked at Ellesmere in 1961. It was presumably there when the Elson Road bridge at the west end of the station was being strengthened. It belonged to the Oswestry Division Bridge Department which was based at Caersws near Newtown. The model is a modified Ratio GWR 4 wheeler. Transfers were produced by Railtec and the end detail and painting were done by Ian Chapman. The roof still needs sticking on and it still lacks screw couplings. Plenty of time to do that now!

Apologies to anyone who was hoping to see us at Aylesbury Railex. Unfortunately, we've had to cancel at the last minute! Our next exhibition is currently Warley at the NEC in November.

Sincere thanks to Ian C. 2239 made its debut appearance at Liverpool exhibition over the weekend. An old mainline loco which met with an accident at Stafford exhibition last year. 2239 was built during the war without cab windows and spent much of its life on the Cambrian. Apart from filling in the cab windows and adding lining It now has a Comet chassis and a new chimney. Just needs lamps and a crew now. Time to get in touch with Alan at ModelU

Hi. thanks for that. We decided to paint it black then give it a quick dust of navy before weathering it. Although I am told (from someone who should know) that it was navy I have found no reference to that anywhere and assume like you suggest that it is black that has faded bluish. I will go with cream lettering assuming the yellow has faded. Yes there is an extra door at the end with ventilator and droplight but I couldn't figure out how to represent the vent to match the ratio moulding on the other doors. I used very thin plasticard (paper thin) for the plating but even now as i look at the photo can see bits i overlooked. I found the photo on Facebook but it would be inappropriate to divulge the actual source or to stick it on here for copyright reasons. I have to hold my hands up and admit that I cheated with the other side of the vehicle. With no photos I decided to make both sides the same!!! At least it won't matter which way round we put it on the layout. Many thanks Phil

Hello everyone I'm in the process of doing DW14928 Mess and Sleeping Van (Bridge Department) from a photo I have seen of it at Ellesmere in 1961. As my layout is Ellesmere it has to be done. Modified from a GWR 4 wheel Ratio kit I am at the painting stage. Lettering is coming from Railtech but i'm not sure whether it should be white or cream. Additionally the vehicle looks black in the photo but I am told it was Navy Blue!!!!!??? I notice from the link that PauL Bartlett has a photo of it. Anybody able to help. Thanks Phil

For anyone who might be interested Ellesmere will be at Alsager exhibition Sat 4th Nov 10.00 - 16.30 and Sun 5th 10.00 - 16.00. Legends Conference and Leisure Centre, Bentley Motors, Crewe CW2 8WD. If any of you manage it please come and have a chat. Next exhibitions are Liverpool April 2018 and Aylesbury May 2018. Phil

For anyone who might be interested Ellesmere will be at Halifax exhibition Sat 23rd Sept 10.00 - 17.00 and Sun 24th 10.00 - 16.30. North Bridge Leisure Centre, Halifax, HX3 6TE. If any of you manage it please come and have a chat. Phil

Hi Rich Thanks for the comment. Ive not been on here for ages and a friend told me you'd left a message. I'm afraid there are no exhibitions in your direction for a while, Doncaster in 2019 any use? This year we have Halifax Sept 23/24 and Alsager Nov 4/5. Next year at the moment is Liverpool April 21/22, Railex at Aylesbury in May and Blackburn in September. As far as progress on the layout is concerned I haven't touched it since Preston exhibition in March but have just set it up in the garage to sort out one or two issues. My other issue of planning another layout (not for exhibitions!) is no nearer a decision although several plans have been drawn. Cheers for now Phil

Happy New Year Bob! Thanks but if I go for a terminus it would have to be the Porth Dinllaen thing! Meanwhile it looks like rain at Ellesmere!

Hi Alan That looks excellent. Can I ask where you sourced the tender? Its very similar to that on the Dean Goods as far as I can tell. I fancied doing one with that tender. I also fancied 2268. There are shots of it in filthy condition but with clean cab sides and tender which appeals to me! Meanwhile I'm trying to figure out the best way of removing the cab windows for 2239 without making it into a major trauma. I'm also struggling to decide what to do for my next layout. I always wanted to do a terminus at Porth Dinllaen and have copied the plans for the 1880 proposal to extend from Pwllheli (passing Rhyd-y-Clafdy of course). But I struggle to come up with a design. Maybe a terminus would have been built at or near Morfa Nefyn and a siding extended down to the beach and round to the lifeboat station. But there again a terminus with the few buildings, Whitehall and the Ty Coch Inn appeals! But I cant really imagine there would have been sufficient development along the headland to justify a station there. But then a harbour facility similar to the at Aberdovey could make it into a nice layout. But then I have some LMS locos and have a fancy to do something on Anglesey along the lines of Bodorgan etc. Choices eh!

Aaargh! Don't we make problems for ourselves in the drive for authenticity! I've not touched the layout since returning from Peterborough in October. Well there was decorating to do! However, in the last couple of weeks i've started messing with Locos. Well I do like to have the right ones. I've got all the right sort but not the right numbers. Most of the locos were used on Rhyd-y-Clafdy and therefore were mainly 89C/6F Machynlleth locos. Most of these are justifiable because they often got to the other end of the Cambrian system on workings or on running in turns after attention in Oswestry works. I'd ordered one of the DJ 14xxs from Hattons and went for 1432 because that worked the Wrexham branch from Ellesmere for many years. Another notable one was 1458. I already have one as 1438 (another that spent time at Oswestry). That one is a Airfix/Dapol body (weathered by Grimy Times) on a Hornby chassis as shown in the October BRM article. The Hornby body is waiting to be improved with the detailing kit from Mainly Trains and a Comet chassis and that could become 1458 (I'm sure I don't need 3 14xxs!). However, having seen the decorated sample of the heavily weathered 1432 at Hattons I decided to change the order to a pristine green, lined, late crest example which will be renumbered and weathered a bit! All this as a result of looking at too many photos. Well don't the experts always tell you to look at photos! So 1432 black early crest, lined green late crest, nice and clean, a bit weathered, quite dirty or even ready for the scrapyard. 1458 lined green early crest. Never mind top feeds OR NOT! Mind you I don't think Oswestry were particularly bothered about cleaning locos (apart from when there was a royal train!). Then I got in a pickle with tenders! Well there are photos of 7803 Barcote Manor running with a large tender in the 60s, same one as on the Bachmann Collett goods. Oh that would be a bit different I could renumber my 7802 Bradley Manor! So one of the Collett goods could have the Manor tender. But which one? Oh look 3209 was at Oswestry from 58-62 then at Machynlleth (well according to my research) and look there's a picture of it with the smaller tender (3500 gallon? I actually found useful info on the tenders on the Martin Finney kits bit on the Brassmasters website). But I'm not paying £40 ish for a kit I'm not capable of assembling). Oh, but there is a picture of 3209 with the larger tender. Confusing or what!? Then I found 2239 was at Oswestry from 56 to 61 then at Machynlleth. That would be a good one to have then. Most of the other Oswestry Collett goods were there for much shorter periods. Oh wow! In Derek Lowes book (Cambrian Main line) there is a picture of 2239 (P143) at Aberystwyth - looks green, late crest- oh side window filled in!!! That might be nice to do - a bit different! More photos of 2239 - the windows weren't filled in they weren't there at all!! And the lining goes up to the cab roof!!! And its got the smaller tender! That would be a bit different - how do I do that? Anyway the order has gone in to Modelmaster for the number plates! 63xxs! Difficult to decide which numbers to use, every photo seems to be a different one. Anyway the chimneys on the 2 Mainline/Bachmann models need replacing AND the pony trucks (comet replacements by my good friend Ian Chapman) still keep bouncing off on the point work even after weighting and back to backing. Anyway all this research can be so frustrating (if interesting) often difficult to tell liveries in black and white, how accurate are the colours on colour photos from the 60s and most photos show 3/4 views of locos and not much help with detail or tenders. On a positive note the renumbered 7807 Compton Manor (Oswestry loco) is now running beautifully on it's Comet chassis - thanks Ian. On another note can I justify running my Standard 3 Tanks (82005 Bachmann and 82021 DJH) they were used mainly on the Cambrian Coast hence on Rhyd-y-Clafdy. Well they must have gone to Oswestry works for attention on occasions! And for the gentleman at Peterborough yes it did happen there is a photo of 4578 on the Wrexham auto train although it was only at Oswestry for about 3 months in 1958. Does this come across as a bit of rant?

Thankyou for those very kind comments gentlemen. Much appreciated! Yes the running did let us down, gremlins and operator inexperience. I can't set it up at home so in reality it doesn't get a proper test until we get to an exhibition and this was really only its second serious outing! We lost power in the goods yard for a while on Saturday, some of the slider switches for the points seem to be iffy at times and we need to get on top of back to backs and couplings although when set up well the Sprat and Winkles were encouraging and I will stick with them. The simplified sequence worked well (only missed out the Elson pilot shunts and the second Wrexham freight) and brought several comments about the 2 trains in 1 platform at the same time and the milk being attached to a passenger train (when it worked). The signals controlled by servos and megapoints controller worked well throughout (when we remembered to use them) and above all the traverser designed and built by myself has worked well to my surprise. Post mortem and snag list tonight. What about the back scene? Hmmm! Stafford next!

So Wigan next weekend! Afraid there still won't be a back scene although I bought a couple of ID Backscenes from the 'into the town' set which I will probably use as a basis and hopefully stick bits of Ellesmere on top, notable Grange Road, the cattle market, Elson Road and the school. Managed to get 2 signals to bounce a bit but didn't try with the bracket - (there is too much slop in the operating wires and cranks). The Sprat and Winkle couplings appear to work and I have spread magnets (the neodymium type - 3mm x 2mm off Amazon) like confetti in all the places I think they will be useful. Thus some of the electro magnets are now redundant. It didn't occur to me that I would need 2 magnets at each location however. Pretty obvious really there are 2 couplings to disconnect. Some people do S & Ws handed (kind of male-female) each vehicle having S & W at one end and just a bar across at the other end. but we have to run round wagons and Brake vans so that wouldn't work of course. I stuck a bit of track and a couple of magnets down with double sided tape for a trial run. When I tried to sink the magnets level with the top of the cork/ballast I find them a bit weak so they do stick up somewhat proud of the track bed. I slopped a wash of Sleeper grime over them to tone them down and whilst they are visible they are not as ugly as the Kadee uncouplers. Have a look! Notice I did have to do a bit of hacking and bending to stop the couplings catching on the wheels and axles on the Bachmann wagons. Lets see how it all works next weekend!

Thank you for that kind comment! Much appreciated. The track plan in the October BRM is pretty accurate. There's also a good plan in Derek Lowes 'Cambrian main line' book. The scenic bit is 16' x 3' widening to 4' at one end where the cattle market was! There are 2 x 5' storage yards at either end.

So! Article in October BRM and exhibitions in October at Wigan and Peterborough. No pressure then!!! On the positive side freight stock now has a supply of Spratt and Winkle couplings but they have not been tested on the layout yet. And! We have working signals (4 of them) thanks to Megapoints. I finally got it sussed after some tribulations with faulty regulated transformers. 2 of the signals work well although I still have to investigate the bounce feature. The bracket signal was more of a problem and doesn't work as smoothly as i'd like and the arms don't drop as far as i'd like, but that is down to my iffy workmanship with the cranks, balance weight levers and operating wires which I struggled with when I made the signal. Onwards and upwards with the back scene then. I'm thinking about cobbling something out of a couple of the ID Backscenes with bits of Ellesmere stuck on top. Took a load more photos a few weeks ago but I haven't played with them yet. Photoshop is beyond me so we might have to put up with modern lamp posts and traffic signs for the time being. I'm always looking for operators for exhibitions if anyone knows anyone who can put up with my operating regime - The sequence!!!!!! Phil

Really enjoyed the photo shoot with Andy York yesterday. Cant wait to see the pics. Hopefully the layout will be in BRM later this year. Phil

Thanks Martin. I'll check that out. I'm at the raIlway on Saturday. Cheers Phil