Anthony Ashley

Dear Edd, Lez and Simon, I am not sure I agree with you on your choice of hair spray. For me the real deal is Taft "Schwartz kopf". Not sure if that is the correct spelling but it is good German. I bought the can 5 years ago for about $2 great value for money!!! I have asked all of the ladies in my house if they have heard of Ellenette but no one has. It must be a particularly British thing! I have filled in more vegetation on the mountain. It is a little bit like filling in a canvas as you paint in the detail. Again I think it looks good and I am happy with the outcome. I have experimented with my grass applicator and am really happy with the light yellow tufts next to the wall in some of the photos below. Sarah and I are experimenting with producing flowers. We have produced goods looking tufts and need to let them dry and add the flowers tomorrow. Photos are below: I shall add a few more photos in another post. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Dear Simon and John, Thankyou for your hair spray comments. I have a container from about 5 years ago and am using it liberally. The other section of the mountain in the vicinity of the track has been done. Fortunately most of the mountain does not have as much vegetation on it. Photos are below: I need to check my picture to see if there is more vegetation on the foreground I have added a couple of walls, which are fairly hard to see in the photo see below. Some more vegetation. I am also painting our family room so need to complete it tomorrow. Once I have finished this section I will focus on the rail viaduct. Happy modelling in this time of restrictions. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Lez, Scott and John, I appreciate the positive feed back, thank you as it is very encouraging. A disaster occurred last night when I picked up something near my laptop and it touched a cord which moved a glass which spilled half the content of water over my laptop. Rather unlucky sequence of events. The laptop was working when I went to bed but now refuses to switch on. I hope that perhaps tomorrow it may dry out enough to switch on again. I get rid of all the water I could but it may mean a new lap top. I need the lap top to take out to the shed to match photos for my scenery. I managed to convince my wife to help with the scenery so it was fun to have her sharing "shed time." We have done a small section with various grades of scatter and foliage. I am happy with the result to date. A lot more to be done tomorrow. Some of the photos I took showed the white glue still to dry but there are a few wher ethe glue is largely hidden so at least a couple to whet the appetite for more to come! I am really happy with this shot as the tripod and a long exposure makes a big difference. I have not done this sort of scenery before but it seems to have come out very well. Fortunately the area I have chosen is the exception with quite a deal of vegetation. Most of the mountain is scree and rock. The piece of foam on the left side of the photo is to a fix a stone wall. A slightly more elevated shot. I need to add more vegetation in the right side of the picture. The minor lower track is very overgrown. More vegetation tomorrow. I have a query. Has anyone used hair spray as a glue to fix in place the last fine scatter I have added to the bushes to blend them in. I think hair spay, if it sticks the fine particles, would be a finer means and less intrusive that misted PVA glue. I would really appreciate any comments on this if you have any ideas. I have yet to finish sealing the vegetation, although the heavier stuff was fixed with aquadere. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Dear Simon and Lez, Your comments are much appreciated, thankyou for responding so positively. Underneath the viaduct is virtually finished. The photos below do not include the grass areas I have added late this afternoon. I shall add a few more photos tomorrow. First stage was to paint the foam brown, There are a few rocky outcrops on the slope area. I started taking the pictures by hand but resorted to a tripod for more stability. Tomorrow I shall try to vegetate the rest of the top end of the mountain. I am happy with the result so far. Hope you are having a relaxing and safe easter. All comments are welcome Regards, Anthony Ashley

Dear All, A quiet few days in the shed. I have made progress on the area under the Road viaduct. Photos are below. One slip with a blunt knife caused damage to a finger but I shall survive!! Two of the seven bays under the Rail viaduct with foam cut and placed. I have just glued down the foam insert and expect to be able to slide the viaduct forward to release it. That will enable me to tidy up the foam in place covering any gaps and to add the scree and vegetation required. I certainly hope the viaduct will slide forward. I used a few online photos to match the areas under the viaduct. Close up of another bay. Preferred method for using gorilla glue is using lots of weight as the glue expands. It is really sticky for gluing foam. The bay in the for ground has yet to be trimmed. Perhaps a new sharp blade for tomorrow to reduce the risk of slipping and therefore injury. The main rock face with a rocky area comkpleted above it Over view of the area The yellow pieces of foam on hte road are the pieces to fit behind the pylons. Tomorrow I shall try to extract the viaduct and then paint, scree and vegetate the foam inserts. After that I need to vegetate the the rest of the mountain. I hope everyone is staying well in these uncertain times. Good modelling!! Regards, Anthony Ashley

Simon, Glad to hear from you and that you are coping with the change in living conditions. I believe that i am fortunate with a large house ans outside shed that I can disappear to! I have now completed laying and testing all of the Penmaenmawr wiring, including the creation of the switch board, for the 8 sectors within the power booster zone. The area covered is below in a picture. Each square is a foot. It has taken a fair while to complete this task. I now need to work out exactly where all of the power boosters will go, and where to put the ECOSLink terminal. This will facilitate another 4 power boosters in addition to the 3 that can be added to the train controller. I will also need some additional cabling to connect at least 2 of the boosters. The ECOSLink terminal comes with a cable that is only .9 metres long so I shall need a 7 metre cable for that as well. Prior to laying the track at the foot of the mountain I need to complete the mountain area above it. I have laid more scree today and done some more rock painting. The area under the road viaduct will need to be landscaped and the rail viaduct completed. I should be able to add vegetation over the next few days. This should really lift the area scenically. More photos to follow as I add more scenic detail. Jamie I hope you are OK with the virus going around? Regards, Anthony Ashley .

Dear All, Made good progress over the last day or so, having completed the wiring and testing up to the power switches for northern end of the Penmaenmawr area. I still need to create the switch board for the Penmaenmawr scenic area, but that is also underway. I have the 8 switches and just have to drill holes in the board and insert them. Pictures of my wiring efforts are below. Not very exciting but very time consuming!! I have 6 posts with similar wiring ion them as I move down the layout. The wires coming from the bottom of the terminal strips are the outputs to the power bearers. The wiring will have a board over the top of them with a hanging curtain covering the wiring. This is the section of the track that has been fully wired and tested and is now ready for operation!!! Photo shows the track area now completed for wiring Today I shall lay the power bearer lines for the bottom half of Penmaenmawr, Wire up the terminal strips to those bearers ans install the switch board. This should keep me out of trouble. I have not left home for a .week or so now with CONVID 19 government restrictions and my susceptability to chest infections. I hope you are all safe and taking adequate precautions as the news from the UK is not very good. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Dear All, It has been a long week in the shed wiring up the Penmaenmawr area. I only have about 26 wires left to connect up the whole of the area to the terminal strip stage. Wiring to the main power lines from the switches should be simple and quick, given they are on the outside of the layout area. I hope to have all of the wiring completed to the switch stage by the end of tomorrow. Once I get this done it is much easier to retest all of the track work using the ESU ECoS train controller. Once I am using the ECoS I can connect up the frogs for the points and work on the switches. I am using ESU decoders to control the switches and the ECoS to throw the switches. Simon, Your comments on the yard issue are right on point. Having looked at what I did 5 years ago with the Conwy points I have used the wire and tube, I shall connect to a lever frame. As with my electronic points I have set up a switch near each manual point for frog p[olarity. The MODRATEC system allows you to connect a clutch to the wire which facilitates the throw of the switch polarity. I can use that switch to also connect to a electronic unit from MERG. This will take 8 inputs from 8 separate frogs. One wire then connects this electronic board to another MERG board which will turn on and off LEDs on a mimic board. The second electronic board can handle up to 16 switches. For Conwy I need 12 I think. 24 for Penmaenmawr and I believe 32 for Bangor. I shall need to check my figures. I got some advice from the local MERG expert. He is going to do a demo of 2 points and a small mimic board and the required electronic components. I shall have some pictures once I the demo display. Such a mimic board should be great in providing the info for decent operation of the layout. I might take some photos of the forest of wires I have created. There are quire a few!!. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Dear Rodney, Thanks for the post. I expect I shall have some trains running in the next 6 months around the scenic area. I would certainly be keen to sow the layout at the convention.I am progressing with Penmaenmawr wiring quite nicely. Today was about 33 degrees and a little hot in the shed. I manged to get some done regardless. Tomorrow will be only 28 so rather more comfortable. Once Penmaenmaw ris completed I will focus on the Bangor platform area rather than the goods yard at Bangor, as this will complete the scenic oval. I am reviewing my plans for wire and tube points in all the goods areas, as having connected the Penmaenmawr goods yards I know realise how complicated it is with the number of points just in that area. I have someone coming on Wed this week to discuss options. I would at least need an electronic mimic board for each goods yard situated at the relevant station. I am not sure how to do that with with a manual lever frame, which was my current plan. Any advice on how to connect a mimic board when using wire and tube with a manual lever frame to change the points? Look forward to any ideas. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Dear All, It has been a very quiet week on the train blog for me. I hope Jamie is OK given his frantic posting over the last few weeks I am a little concerned at his silence. As with most counties in the world Australia is dealing with the COVID 19. Our local train modelling club on the north side of Brisbane has closed down until further notice. Self isolation is being strongly recommended in Australia and I have been following that advice. This has focused me more on the train layout so there has been some progress. My focus has been on the Penmaenmawr track area. I have now wired up to at least dropper stage all of the Penmaenmawr track area, apart from the last 5 pieces of track in the western end of the goods yard (at the bottom of the layout in my plan). The last 5 pieces will be completed tomorrow. I find the wiring process to be relatively slow, particularly if you test every piece of track as you go. Photos are below of the sections that have been completed. Hopefully tomorrow I shall get all of the track wired up to the plastic terminal stage. Starting at the most recently completed end shows the western end of the goods yard using an asymetric 3 way point. The cork has been laid and painted white at this stage. The large gaps between the rails in this area provide space for the the granite loading platforms. There are 3 with the first to the left of the N gauge track and then the other 2 in the wider gaps showing to the right of this area. The coach in this picture provides an idea of the scale. The dinosaur is strategically placed in the platform area of the station area, once it has been built! You can see the hidden track to the "Holyhead" storage yards to the left of the scenic Penmaenmawr track. The interchange area for the scenic and hidden loop. The hidden loops run off the diamond crossings. A forest of droppers which require connection to the terminal strips and then to the power bearers. One bearer or switch each within the Penmaenmawr power zone for the main up line, down line both separated north and south as well as 5 goods areas with separate bearer wiring. The hidden track going to the "Holyhead"storage yard is also visible. I will complete the wiring for Penmaenmawr and then move onto the mountain again for a little scenic relief. One the the down side of COVID 19 is that it is now unlikely we will make a trip to the UK this year. Likely we will delay to next year. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Dear All, Track plan of the area just wired. The track piece names are visible on the plan. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Dear All, I have been busy the last week although the chatter on the posts has really died down. I have been focussing on wiring Penmaenmawr scenic area. I have wired up the run around loop transition area which is at the top of the Penmaemawr boards. I have completed wiring on this section to the input terminals, but have yet to lay the main bus lines or connect the bus lines to the terminal strips. This final stage should be relatively quick and simple. The photos do not seem to show a great deal of progress, although the wiring process I find is very slow. Photos are below. I have wired in the diamond crossing at the bottom and completed up to rust coloured point at the very top of the photo. Frogs have been wired but the switching is not completed. Repaired section where I had to gouge out the cork to get to some screws. I have not added the power wires for the frog switches. I need to set up the ECoS to make the fogs work off the controller. Once I have sorted out the track I shall buy the TC Gold program and use the computer for my switching on a large screen monitor to display the electronic track diagram. The wires are colour coded ie Pink/Grey up main line, Red/Black Down main line Every track is recorded on my wiring track diagram and then labelled on the terminal strips. I can pull the power by disconnecting the input wire, which will cover a number of track pieces. Process for short detection is as follows: One of the seven power zones will shut down. Turn off all of the manual switches in that power zone and turn on one at a time. Once the relevant switch is detected. Unscrew the inputs to the terminal strips and reconnect to determine the short area. Once the input area is detected use the same process disconnecting the track wires and reconnect one at a time. This should be a quick process despite the size of the layout. (I hope!!!) I shall continue with the Penmaenmawr wiring. The next small section is largely flex track and should be much quicker. I test the track for conductivity at every stage and the track laid to date is good to go. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Jamie and Lezz, I am having trouble keeping up with all of the posts. I shall answer each in turn from my last reply. Lezz I agree with your assessment on the walls between the 2 bridges. While I am a long way from North Wales the internet is an amazing tool for gathering information and making contacts with some very helpful and knowledgeable people. I have continued to really appreciate the assistance from a large number of persons who have written, provided information and photos. Such a large construction effort is really a team experience and Ross in Brisbane and the team on RM Web have been fantastic. I have been to the UK on 2 occasions but never to North Wales. I decided on the route and stations, prior to building any model train layout, by consulting a model train expert in Brisbane. his amazing library and knowledge was used to determine the stations. 12 months planning later, largely using historical track plans and Any Rail for my plan, I commenced the process of construction. The high school carpentry classes came in very useful for base board construction. Jamie the photos for the location of the old storage buildings given me a good view of the surrounding hills for modelling. I like your drawings over the photos to identify current buildings. The shots of the foreshores and walkways are very instructive. Does anyone know what the huge structure on the top of the angled avalanche shelter is? The lower level is a steel beam but the top is really hard to see in detail to ID the material. It may be just dirt covered by grass? Another great series of photos. Thank you very much for the time and expense in the production of them. I am very interested in the guild building photos. I shall include the engine shed so the additional information is great. Pse be careful in executing the photos as I do not want an injury for you!!! I was fairly certain the smaller bridge held a conveyor belt, so you have confirmed that. I have attempted to contact Ron Watson-Jones but no success to date. I shall try to find Denis Robert this evening. You never know when a conversation with a local will uncover an amazing thread to follow and explore. Part of the joy of doing a layout set in the past is the thrill of hunting down people, events and places to assist in the layout construction. Thanks to Jamie and Lezz for most instructive recent contributions and generally to all who have assisted. For the first time in about 3 years I am laying track and wiring again. Photos are below. Cork ready for painting First piece of track wired in but requires switches for frogs. Much more track for wiring. With all of the points in this area I decided I needed to get under the boards, which is not possible unless removed. One very stubborn screw out of about 10 refused to budge!!! Next week is more cork, track laying, wiring and switching. The rail viaduct, tenement houses and the mountain scenicing. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Jamie, A great series of photos. The most interesting is the shot between the 2 bridges showing the safety niche and the stone outcrops. I was not aware of this structure or how the area between the 2 bridges was configured. In my shots of the area I think it unlikely that there was a cover over this area, although I am happy to be told otherwise by those who may know. What is now the single pedestrian bridge I think carried the conveyor belt and material to the pier. I note from your picture of the info boards that the pier was torn down in 1960. Again that info is very useful. I will include the pier in my layout as it will add to the interest, and I have no idea when it was torn down in that year anyway. The shot below shows the 2 bridges in less detail, but will really assist in the construction of the storage facilities on the left. I am hoping to scale the buildings using hte tunnel portal as my unit of measure. . I spent today confirming my wiring from 4 years ago, mapping the colours and recording the details for the switches, including the bearer wiring colour and the wire colour to the tracks. I have recorded this in an Excel spread sheet. I shall be adding the cork underlay in the new hidden track area leading to the "Chester" storage yard. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Lezz, Ed and Simon, I have used some of the old maps to ensure accuracy in the track plans for the relevant stations. The other sites referred to are also useful and some provide a different perspective. All are very useful and appreciated. Jamie, With respect to the disused loco shed to the west of the viaduct may be possible to fit it between my viaduct and the tunnel mouth shown on the plan below. It would be an interesting feature to include in the layout. Jamie going from top to bottom with your latest photos posted on line. The 2 ladders at either end of the rail viaduct and the stairway were not seen by me in any other pictures ans therefore are of great value. I should be able to model the area behind and underneath the viaduct much more accurately with the photos provided. I only have one or 2 photos in close up of the font of the rail viaduct as I suppose access to this area is often difficult. It is difficult to determine from these photos the decorative features on the front. Any photos showing the front surface of the viaduct would be appreciated. I am going to presume the front is the same as the back if I am unable to get better photos. Of course I know there are some differences. For instance the rounded piers at the front compared to square at the back. There my be other decorative features i am unaware of . "Questions I need from you... Conwy... is it just the Railway Station you want photos of...? or more... if so state where about you want photo's of..! I do have quite a few photos of the castle. Any photos of the medieval town wall would be very useful. I would need to know what section is relevant to each photo. If you check the posts I have some photos of the front garden area on the eastern end of the castle. There is a building in Conwy on the wets of the round about behind the castle on the corner of Rosehill St which is of interesting design and will be quite difficult to model. It is next to the clock shop and has a black and gold sign out the front. It may be an old guild building or some thing similar. I do not think that photos of the station area will assist greatly as it has changed so much since 1960. I do have a plan of the old station and can replicate that in a 3D printed building with brick paper coverage.Most of the streets I can view in street view by Google earth. It is amazing how I can do a lot of this from Australia! Bangor... is it just the Railway Station you want photos of...? or more... and the Carriage and Engine Sheds or whatever is left ..! Any detailed photos of the sheds that are left would be of great assistance. I have quite a few of the engine shed, but you never know what detail a photo will pick up. I have no photos of the back of the engine or good sheds Penmeanmawr... the Railway Station Building up close, which I already have more of, that you want photos of...? or more... if so state where about you want photo's of..! I am really happy with all of the photos for the Penmaenmawr station building. I am missing detailed photos of the Grand Hotel and the cinema, both of which have been torn down!! How inconsiderate for a modeller. Detailed photos of the goods area would be great if there is anything lying around but given the passage of time it is unlikely. The area around the conveyor belts over the track area in detail is not in my collection. Including the Loading of Aggregate and conveyor belts etc... Building and track work...?" I hope this is detailed enough for you in terms of your questions. I presume that photos 3 and 4 of the Conwy area are of the town wall parallel with the castle front. If not can you let me know where they are in relation to the castle. Great shots but I just need to site them. All of the castle and bridge photos are great. It is interesting that the goods area across the other side of the river has had all track torn up. I have laid this already and am certain it was still there in 1960. I have modelled some of the castle and one of the bridges. They are on page 15 of the posts. Any detailed shots of the pedestrian bridge would be appreciated. I was thinking of getting at least one HST to run out of era. Your photos certainly reinforce the great effect they make against the castle. The shots around the fishing boats at the bottom of the castle will really add to the atmosphere and quite inspiring. I hope I can continue to contribute to your fitness regime!!! Your situating the photos of the cliff and avalanche shelter under the yellow/orange sign was a good idea, as I know exactly where you are talking about in the area. It looks from the photos if I am reading them correctly that both of the avalanche shelters have grass growing on their roofs? Is this correct? Jamie you have contributed a considerable number of photos in assisting me. Thank you again it is appreciated. If you can get anything of the front of the rail viaduct that will really help. Thanks to all others who have posted in the last week. There is certainly much more interest in the posts with the influx of fresh photos and material. All contributions are very welcome. Regards, Anthony Ashley

James, I have been away at a conference for 3 days and have just opened up the train posts. Fantastic shots of the viaduct, the surrounding buildings and the overview of the area shown above. Many of your shots are the first I have seen of much of the detail in the features to be modelled so they are really valuable and add a great deal to my knowledge. Starting from the top the wide scan views of the rail viaduct approaches will assist in correctly modelling that area, especially the walling leading into the viaduct. The detail at the far end of the wall in the area of the viaduct showing the stairs is a view also not seen before and therefore I know realise a stairway will be required at that end of the lead up area. The shots of the train coming out of the tunnel give me much more detail on the area of the tunnel mouths. The decorations on the sides of the viaduct walls are clearly evident in your photos and much clearer than any others I have seen. While not affecting the base construction I shall be able to add much better detailing on the viaduct walls. The shots of the derelict hut are great, but I am not sure if they are in the area to be modelled. The other consideration with that building is that I am setting the time frame in 1960, so while it may be derelict now, it was probably merely neglected than. Can you tell me if that building is to the west or east of the rail viaduct. If to the east then it may not be in my layout. I think for your description it is to the east of the viaduct. Nevertheless case I might be able to squeeze it in before the line disappears into my modelling tunnel for transition to Bangor. Even in N gauge and a length of 38 feet there are still space limitations!! The far shots looking towards the mountain directly above have provided an overview not clearly seen before, particularly capturing the 2 viaducts and avalanche shelter in 1 picture is outstanding. Thanks for the considerable effort you have gone to to assist, I am very appreciative. Every aspect of the scenery ion this area will be enhanced by your photos. Svitapeenela, Chris and Lezz your comments are most instructive and the reference to mapping very helpful. I do have a range of old maps printed out but will interrogate the site listed for additional information. Jamie your contributions to the posts have stirred up much more response than my prior ramblings on construction of the layout so thanks again. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Jamie, The N Gauge modeller in Brisbane who is doing my 3D printing has a very extensive library of British wagon and coach books which I am fortunate enough to access. It is likely that a number of the books you have listed above are in his library. My library is quite modest but I have supplemented those photos with everything I can find on line. In terms of your viaduct assessment you are correct. The relevant viaduct is the 13 arch rail viaduct sitting below the 7 arch (I think- it is in the shed) road viaduct. I am not aware of any other viaducts in the immediate vicinity. I used Goggle earth to measure the length of the viaduct and have looked up the dimensions on line. I needed to do this prior to cutting the ply. I have looked at the Goggle Earth view of the viaduct quite often in the last 2 years!! The weather in Brisbane has been very hot over the last 2 days so less work on the rail viaduct, as much of the work needs to be done in my workshop in the garage. I do have another 7 resin pieces to fit on the faces of the viaduct. I may recommence work on the tenement houses in Bangor. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Dear All, More photos of my experiments with the rail viaduct. I think the techniques will work. Please read the last post on the prior page in conjunction with this one. Rounded pier front in place. Brick surface on the underside of the arch. I used a misprinted sheet to test the thickness of the card. The section covering under the arch and wrapped over the front of the arch covered by a separately printed brick section covering the diameter of the arch front. Brickwork added above the resin stone and the round pillar back in place. Obviously all of the resin surfaces will be painted using mortar coloured paint and then dry brushed onto the stone surfaces before any paper surfaces are added. None of the pictures above have any of the paper brick permanently attached, so the brick arch front is slightly misaligned. I have sprayed all of the brick paper with matte varnish. I shall add a few plasticard strips between the different surfaces to more closely replicate the viaduct. The flat resin brick will be dark red in colour. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Jamie, I had a good look at the Great Tunsley Dale posts and those of Porth Penrhyn. They were very impressive and obviously a great amount of work. The layouts look great. The photos posted above are useful, but not quite so as the others. The reason being is that the highway awas added in about 1968, 8 years after I am modelling the layout set in 1960. The avalanche shelters are very useful. I have constructed one and part built the second. The one shown in the photos above has a roof at a crazy angle, designed i suppose to deflect rocks and anything else landing on it. The other is flat with grass growing on it form other photos I have seen. There is some confusion in what I am using for construction. The rock formations are all rock moulds made out of simple Plaster of Paris. I have about 20 moulds that I have used. Some of the rock moulds are Woodland scenics, some hand made from actual rocks from Ross who has helped out with the layout in Brisbane. For soem large buildings I have made moulds from plasticard stone and brick work. There are at least 7-8 stone surfaces I have moulded. These moulds are filled with resin. The first resin dries flat and is not bendable. The second resin can be taken out of the mould after about 10 minutes and remains pliable enough to bend around a 12 ml diameter 1/2 circle. I have made the front of one of the rail viaduct piers using the 12 i/2 round resin technique. Photos to follow. The smaller building will be mass produced by 3D printing and then covered in Scale Scenes paper stone and brick paper. I have tested how I am going to model the rail viaduct practising with a few off cuts, including the front of the stone piers. The rough stone piers, the stretched brick viaduct surface, the upper viaduct brick surface and the underneath of the arch, again made of brick. The 12 ml i/2 round pier fronts are the most difficult. Unfortunately every arch needs 1 resin cast. As there are 26 front and back that means 26 moulds to be cast. I tried to do some outside at night but was voraciously attacked by mosquitoes. I am licking my wounds (ie mosquito bites) and taking 2 nights off to recover. This post and the next will include photos of my experimentation to date on the rail viaduct. Attaching the cast resin to the pier front (12 ml 1/2 round timber) Ply base for the viaduct . Stone work added to lower pier section, before I realised the front was rounded (only saw pictures from the back initially). Part of the viaduct arches covered in resin. More photos below. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Jamie, I have not seen any really detailed photos of that end of the goods yard so the ones you have provided are very useful. If you look at my track plan of the relevant Penmaenmawr section below I have added a third storage line page (the thin blue lines are wiring guides). Given the layout is set in 1960 the short piece of track in the top photo above has obviously been shortened in the intervening years!! The extra storage area may be useful. Below are the photos of the gully with black wash having been applied. I am happy with the outcome. The white rocks above in the photo is another area of rock still be be applied using no more gaps, and then painted as the others have been. Please note the rubble still on the road will be cleared prior to road traffic being allowed through!! After that I need to pour some B Queen resin into rock moulds. This is a special resin which you can take out of your rock mould after about 10 minutes and wrap it around a circular pipe or tube. After about 40 minutes it will harden and retain its shape. I used this technique for the castle turrets and towers. The weather is too hot during the day at the moment to pour the moulds so I shall have to wait for evening. I have started 2 more tenement buildings and have about 13 ready for construction. I have drawn plans for 3D printing of a new version of tenement buildings incorporating Bay windows and another for a row of shops in Bangor (5 along the street). While progress appears slow it is continuing at a steady pace. Jamie thanks again for the photos. Do you have any of the rail underpass in the area of the Penmaenmawr station? I have some very distant shots but nothing showing the detail. Any shots of the mining buildings and equipment around the track/storage yard area would also be really useful if you can access this area and have time. Regards. Anthony Ashley

Jamie, Thanks for the excellent photos of the Penmaenmawr Signal Box. They are very detailed and will assist in modelling the structure later down the track. Putting together a large layout is like constucting a very large jigsaw puzzle with small steps required before you can finish the whole.Thank you again for your contribution and interest in the layout. If you are able to get photos of the viaduct it would be amazing. Good luck with the weather. I have photos below of the stages of development of the gully on the Penmaenmawr mountain. I painted a brown colour over the plaster areas, but found some uncovered no more gaps, which does not take the water based paint. Hence the need to reapply plaster in some areas as shown in the first 2 photos below. Having let the plaster dry I reapplied more brown paint as shown in the 2 photos below. I have also applied a black wash to the whole area, which is now drying. More photos tomorrow for the final effect in the gully area. Jamie thank you again for your contribution. Rgards, Anthony Ashley

Dear All, I think the bottom line is that the use of Drones for photographic purposes to enhance a hobby and gather intelligence for modelling purposes is a fantastic vehicle. I agree entirely with Simon that those responsible member of our modelling fraternity would no doubt do the right thing, and it is a minority for whom most laws need to be made to enforce a penalty on persons who would take advantage and cause mischief. Unfortunately in the current environment those laws may impact on the majority to impose restrictions and limitations, but that is generally for a common good in terms of safety and/or security. Times have unfortunately become more dangerous!! The bottom line is that if Jamie is able to gather some shots lawfully I am very happy to incorporate them into my modelling. As he said he is aware of the current restrictions and I am sure will comply with them. Simon, Thanks for the offer. I shall contact you closer to the time and see if we can make a time. My wife and I would love to see you, given your very valuable contribution to the blog you have made over many years Regards, Anthony Ashley

Jamie, I am very excited about your proposed viaduct "recon". It sounds as though it should produce some amazing photos. I look forward to seeing the results if you are able to conduct the activity. I would be very happy to see any photos of the signal boxes at any of the stations I am modelling. Bernard sounds that you are offering very sage advice, but Jamie seems to be all over the issue. It always pays to double check these issues and your assistance is appreciated. We certainly want no-one to get into trouble. Jamie you sound very experienced in this area. Telling the staff what you are doing in advance is a very sensible precaution. I imagine that taking photos in Britain of rail infrastructure is construed dimly given the current risk of terrorism and associated attacks. It is an unfortunate outcome of our society that personal liberties need to be legitimately restricted for safety and the common good. Really very understandable but quite frustrating for persons who are trying to conduct a harmless hobby. I guess creating a balance here is the important issue. On a slightly different topic I am due to come to North Wales on holiday in Sep of this year and am really looking forward to the trip. Sarah organised the holiday last year and it is up to me this year. Some planning will be required. I am looking at Conwy, Penmaenmdimly and Bangor as a must with perhaps a heritage rail trip thrown in. I shall be continuing the gully area with some washes and also the rail viaduct with heavy stone on the piers. There are 13 to do!!! 3 completed so far and another 5 cut. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Jamie and all, Any additional photos you can provide of the viaduct would be appreciated. I shall have a think about the book. It looks to be good value and certainly your description lends me towards getting it. I shall repost a reply over the next day or so. Your interest and asssitance is appreciated I worked on the layout with Ross last night and we completed the plaster work in the gully on hte mountain. A few pictures are below. I need to add an additional rock section where there is a single rock outcrop on the last photo above. Once this is done I shall paint the plaster and see what it looks like. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Jamie, I have found the book Chester to Holyhead Vol 1 as shown above in your post. I can buy it electronically. Does it have any good photos of the 3 stations I am modelling. If so I shall buy it on your advice. Regards, Anthony Ashley