Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON RAIL - LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS I have modified the hidden part of the layout as shown below. The red and green track is a large hidden oval around the layout. On the both sides of the layout is a large helix with 3 levels. On the lowest level a train heading to the fiddle yard can cross tracks and return back to the scenic table if required. At the end of each fiddle yard is a single traverser track allowing a loco and tender to enter from any fiddle yard track and run around the fiddle yard, entering the fiddle yard entry track and to rejoin its original rake of vehicles facing the correct way to leave the yard. On the first and second level of the helix on each side of the layout are a single 16 foot goods storage siding (in orange track as is the fiddle yards and loco run around track). I do have a query re TC gold. is it possible to draw the different levels of the helix in TC Gold as there are 3 of them. If you have any further queries on the plan please ask. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Dear PGH, Your photos are great and will be of immense assistance in constructing some of the more difficult aspects of the layout. It is amazing how many photos you need when you start to model an area. I realise the creek line is not right and too deep in my layout. I will have to see how I can fix it. I have put in part of the ditch road in Conwy and have been focussing on the hidden track area. I have modified the hidden track layout, deleting the giant road turntable but creating a permanent fiddle yard with two single track traversers to run the loco and tender around the rake for the return journey on each fiddle yard. This will mean I don't have to operate the turntable for every departing train or handle the loco. There are also two 3 level giant helixes almost running the length of the sides of the layout. I have moved all of these tracks to the outside of the layout to give better access to the fiddle yards. I may post my hidden track plan again as it has changed considerably. My mother in law has been painting again and added detail to the houses on the far bank of the Conwy river. Photos to follow later. She has done a great job. All comments are welcome. Regards, Anthony

Dear Stu, I agree the castle has not been permanently positioned and as I get closer to finishing it I shall ensure correct placement. I have a one and a half metre by one metre satellite photo of the bridge castle and surrounds and shall use this to good effect. From the satellite photo there appears to be a fairly large area between the castle wall and the foot bridge. The supporting cables are anchored on the castle wall. How far do you think this distance is? I was thinking of adding a slight extension to give more room in this area. Interested in your comments. Regards, Anthony

WELSH DRAGON RAIL LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS I have been focussing on some scenery development. The portcullis at the Conwy end of the tubular bridge has progressed. The aluminium L girders supporting the bridge have been cut to fit the cladding and between the portcullis tower. I have rebated them into the base boards on the ends for greater stability. The first part of the castle walls has been constructed out of 2 pieces of 9 ml and a 8 ml and 4 ml ply sandwiched together. I have cut groves on the corner tower to redate the wall. I need to add plasticard to the wall. More photos below. All comments are welcome. Regards, Anthony Ashley .

WELSH DRAGON RAIL LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS Having spent the last two months sorting out the electronic components for the layout, I think I have now sorted my plan. Here is a list of the manufacturers and components I believe I require to make the layout work as proposed. I am thinking of converting the hidden turntables into permanent fiddle yards. If I use turntables I shall be forever moving them consistent with the time table, unless I motorise and computerise them. As they are 8 feet by 4 feet I think this would be difficult. Any comment son this subject are welcome. Components include: ECoS II Train controller ECoS 4 amp boosters Computer system TC Gold (RR Co) LDT Detectors (RM-GB-8-N-F) ESU Switch Pilot Servos ESU Servos or perhaps a cheaper brand PSX Circuit Breakers or perhaps MERG Signalling - yet to be decided I don't think there is anything else at the moment Any comments are appreciated in terms of compatibility of these components. Regards, Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGION RAIL LAYOUT DEVELOPMENT I have sorted all of the electronic components I think I need for the layout after focussing on this aspect for 2 months. Have done a little scenic and track work. Cork has been primed. Only the enamel top coats to go. The creek line has had poly filler added to create a bank for the edge of the creek. I have created the base for the portcullis on the Conwy end of the tubular bridge and the portcullis itself. Still need to put plasticard on the portcullis, but I have created the surface to cover it. Photos are below. Britainnia going through the Conwy Portcullis View from the other bank. The foundations are completed Aerial shot from the castle walls if they were there! Creek line Regards, Anthony Ashley

Stu, Thanks for the feed back. I shall be happy with my current dimensions, which were a matter of guess work from dodgey photos. Amazing how use of a single person to determine heights can be fairly accurate. Regards, Anthony

Dear Stu, Any photos of the Tubular bridge castles would be excellent. Thank you very much. My tower battlements are slightly simplified, but I may do more detail on the next. The one I have done most on to scale is 3 and a half feet between the battlement s where you have 3 feet (Close). I did not know about the 18 inch step so the lower wall running around the tower is the same width as the tall battlements. I have made the top of that wall 4 feet. From your diagram this should be 4 and a half feet ( in N gauge a difference of 1 ml). The highest part of the battlement in my model in scale is 14 feet from the floor of the tower (ie top of the triangular section of the battlement). Your diagram would indicate the top of the battlement is about ten and 2/3 feet from the floor level (I am 7 mls too high if my calculations are correct. What do you think in terms of these calculations. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Stu and Ian, Thanks for the comments. Stu the photos are fantastic and will assist greatly in scaling some of the tops of the walls. I have many , many photos of the walls but very few with people on the battlements to give an indication of scale. For instance the ramparts on the main towers I had guessed as follows. Height to top of the gap 4 feet between the battlements, height of the top of the battlements an additional 10 feet. From your photos this looks about right. As you can see I have started the castle with 4 of the 8 towers. Much more work to go with applying the same pattern of stone work as the section of town wall already completed. Your photos give excellent detail on some areas of battlements I have little knowledge. Regards, Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON RAIL - LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS Dear All, A busy month with work and trying to tie down the electronic aspects of the layout. I have probably decided on the following: ECoS Train Controller 50200 ECoS Boosters TC Gold Computer system Mixture of LTD and ECoS Track detection systems ECoS Switch Pilot servo for point operation on main lines ECoS Servos for point motors on main lines Uncoupling using D & G unclouplers with home made solenoids. Modratec system for point operation in goods areas I am unsure what circuit breakers to use. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Photos showing the cork underlay are below. Looking over Conwy toward Chester. Cork has been secured. I have started weathering some of the track. Conwy goods yard in the foreground Part of the town wall and Castle towers in the background Castle towers appear to loom over the layout. I still have to apply plasticard to give a stone finish to the towers. 4 more to cut. Any comments re recommended circuit breakers manufacturers would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON RAIL LATOUT DEVELOPMENTS Dear All, I have completed 300 ml of the medieval town wall at Conwy. Only another 5 metres to go. Photos are below. 3MT with front of wall in the background 3MT with front of wall in the background 3MT with front of wall in the background 3MT with front of wall in the background Britainnia, 3 MT rear of wall and walkway Wall walk way in detail. Next job is to determine the uncoupling locations on the plan. All comments are most welcome. I look forward to reading any reply as it helps in inspiring further development. Regards, Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON RAILWAY LAYOUT DEVELOPMENT Dear Stu, Thanks fir the comments. I plan to sand back the 3 ml cork to level it off with the 1 ml. Hopefully no derailments. Photos of my grand oak tree in summer foliage. Usual bus underneath to provide scale. I shall not be making too many trees this size. Next is to glue down the cork underlay. Any comments provided are appreciated. The reference to a plan for Conwy station is for the actual station building. I have the track plan and general building layout. Regards, Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON RAILWAY LAYOUT 3RD stage of my oak tree production with brown no more gaps having been applied to the tree. Next is painting and then foliage. I need to give a grey aspect to the bark. Pictures below. For those of you who have not seen the back scenes I recommend going to the first page of the blog to see and overview of the walls and a plan of the layout. I appreciate any comments and criticisms. I am still trying to get a plan of the old Conwy station. I have tried most avenues but failed to date. Does any one have a plan of this station. Regards, Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON RAILWAY LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS 2ND stage of the large oak tree is completed. Only two more stages to go with brown no more gaps and foliage. Photos below. Please provide any comment you wish on developments to date. Any questions are welcome. Regards, Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON RAIL LAYOUT DEVELOP0MENT Dear All, Further work on the cork track base has seen the near completion of this task. Photos are enclosed. Over view of the layout. Progress has been made! A Britainnia and a 3MT tank in the picture. Same as above I hand cut the cork from sheets using the track bent into the right shape a as template. I then cut the base 23 ml wide using sissors and then cut a 45 degree shoulder along the edge of the base using a scapel. I attempted to cut the base using the scapel first off but it was not accurate enough. main line is 3 ml cork and goods is 1 ml. Regards, Anthony

WELSH DRAGON LAYOUT DEVELOPMENT At last some progress on the layout. I have commenced another tree. I am trying to create a significant tree for the layout. It is an English oak. Is stage complete with wire armature. Next no more gaps, painting and foliage. I have also finally tackled the cork base. It took about 3 hours of experimentation but have finally worked out the best means on ensuring an accurate shape, including a 45 degree edge. I am using the track laid in the exact position as a guide. Marking the width of the track, adding 3 ml for the shoulder. Cutting that oversize shape out and the cutting the cork at 45 degrees with a scapel. This provides and accurate side and good angle but is time consuming. I tried tr5acing paper and cutting the shape with a scapel but it was not accurate enough. Photos are below. Now I have the technique right progress should be mush quicker. Completed tree with a very large 1st stage oak Completed tree with a very large 1st stage oak A large section of cork has been cut but yet to be secured. Bus in foreground to give idea of scale A large section of cork has been cut but yet to be secured. Bus in foreground to give idea of scale All comments are welcome. Regards, Anthony Ashley

WELSH DRAGON RAIL DEVELOPMENT I have been considering the power and computer system I wish to use for the layout. Progress has therefore been slow. I have MADE A TREE and only 999 or so to go. Pictures of the tree are enclosed. I have also cut some cork underlay for the goods area. Regards, Anthony Ashley

DEVELOPMENTS At the moment I am working about 110 hours per week for 2 weeks. Train development has slowed during this period. Further threads in a week or so . Regards, Anthony Ashley

LAYOUT DEVLOPMENTS Progress in actual physical development has been slow while I focus on power and automatic computer control. Part of that process has been creating the actual time table for the 3 stations to determine traffic density and therefore power requirements. I have completed this task and have shown the up line for Bangor below. I have completed the down line for Bangor and both for Penmaenmawr. It is based on a Sunday in the summer of 1960. Arr Dep UP LINE 0:10 0:20 2300 Holy - Euston 0:25 0:35 2315 Holy - Manchest 0:40 0:50 2330 Holy - Birm 2:04 2:10 0055 Holy - Euston 2:30 2:40 0120 Holy - Birming 2:45 2:55 0135 Holy - Euston 3:00 3:10 0150 Holy - Manchest 2:10 2:20 1:00 Holy - Conwy DMU (1) 8:20 8:30 0710 Holy - Manchest 8:40 8:50 0730 Holy - Euston 8:40 0840 Bangor - Chester DMU (1) 11:00 1100 Bangor - Llandud Sub (1) 11:40 11:50 1030 Holy - Llandud 13:50 13:50 1350 Bangor- Llandud ( Sub1) 14:30 1430 Bangor - Llandud DMU (2) 15:30 15:40 1440 Holy - Crewe 17:30 1730 Bangor - Llandud (Sub2) 16:40 16:50 1530 Holy - Euston 17:10 17:20 1600 Holy - Euston 17:20 17:30 1610 Holy - Birming 17:30 1730 Bangor - Llandud (Sub 2) 17:30 17:40 1620 Holy - Manchest 19:10 19:10 1910 Bangor - Liverpool DMU (1) 20:30 2030 Bangor - Pen DMU (2) 20:45 20:55 1935 Holy - Birming 21:20 21:30 2010 Holy - Liverpool 22:00 22:10 2158 Menai - Llandud DMU(1) The original copy has most of the lines colour coded with 1 colour for the up and the same for the down line. I have the exact rakes for each train. The DMUs and Suburbands are largely local trains as indicated by the time table. I am still looking for the freight working time table. The gaps are very good which is not surprising given it is base don a real timetable. All comments are welcome. Please have a say. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Peter, Thanks for the reply. I have already bought a quantity of cork and want to keep the price down as far as possible. With the computer systems I have been looking at I am not sure how this will go. I will start with cork and see how it goes, but thanks for th einfo. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Peter, Thankyou for your comment in regard to trackrite. I think I prefer cork in terms of irts durability. I have heard reports that foam can deteriorate. I am hgappy to listen to further dbate on the subject. Regards, Anthony Ashley

Southern Boy, Thanks for your popsitive comments. My aim is to construct a layout which will operate in a strategic sense bwteen 3 stations using computer automation while allowing operators to move particular locos in a tactical sense either with passenger movement or freight shunting and transport. I expect to be able to have up to 15 operators at one time. Thank you for your interest.

LAYOUT DEVELOPMENTS Have spent most of the weekend marking up the town of Conwy, settling and marking the exact location of the track and trying to sort out the power requirements for the layout. A friend and I am going to wire up some LEDs and test a set of 3 in series with power consumption of .01 amp. I need to see if this will be adequate to light one N gauge coach in a realistic manner for the 60s. I hope so. I also need to redraw the power districts and sub districts. I have determined that if I can power up to 14 passenger rakes, all with lights for a power district, I believe I can make the up and down main lines 1 power district each. Again it all depends on the light power consumption given the length of the rakes. The track has been blue tacked down onto the board. I have marked the track edges and will now trace the plan onto tracing paper. This will then be marked onto the cork. I shall be using 3 ml cork for the main line and 1 ml cork for the goods areas. All comments are welcome. Regards, Anthony Ashley

POWER CONSUMPTION The above calculations are based on a power usage of .010 amp per LED but 3 in series is still .010amp. All comments are welcome. Regards, Anthony Ashley

POWER ISSUES AND CALCULATIONS At one stage I thought I was going to have a power usage of 2.25 amps for a 16 coach N gauge rake. This would clearly severely limit the number of rakes on the layout at any one time. If I am able to power the LEDs in series as suggested my power bill for a 16 rake train drops to .25 (loco with sound)+.016 (3 LEDs per coach with 16 coaches) Total for the rake=.41 I have determined that on average the rake length is 10 coaches. Power consumption is therefore .25+.01 =.35 For the 5 amp booster I can therefore run approx 14 locos per power district. This is probably sufficient power to run one power district on the up an done on the down line. However given the size of the layout and therefore the distance of the wire run, 1 power district per main line would require a length of wire 96 feet. I an using 2.5m2 cross section or 13 gauge wire. I understand the maximum advisable run for 13 gauge wire is about 50 feet, hence the need to divide the main up line into 2 power districts and similarly with the down line. Can anyone confirm if these calculations are accurate. Regards, Anthony Ashley Reply quoting this post MultiQuote Delete Edit