mallaig1983

At long last I have finally finished the platform faces. This is the first one glued in place. I really needed some 45° section but nothing suitable in plastic so after a couple of unsucessfull efforts to replicate it via other means I decided to use different thicknesses of sections from plastruct and evergreen as a compromise. I'm happy enough with it after weeks of frustration. I'll get on and glue the other face into position now. Andy

Very impressive modelling. Settings the bar very high.

Looking really good David. That's some serious trackwork. Andy

Grab the bull by the horns time. I really enjoyed the track laying but saw the wiring as a necessity. Track laying is the exciting part. I've enjoyed the ballasting too. Scenery will I hope be a pleasant experience. At least once I get the platform solved. Keep up the good work yourself. . Andy

Hello David, Nice to hear from you. Thanks for the kind comment. Onto the scenery next with nervous excitement. Andy

I can't seem to upload more than one photo at a time. This is perhaps due to the fact I'm using my phone. If I try and send a second I'm told I can only upload 100mg. Not to worry. The photos are taken on my phone too and the lighting is just a lead lamp with 40watt bulb. I guess I should start thinking about some proper lighting for the layout now. Andy

Gosh, is it really that long since I posted last? Progress has been slow over the last month but there has been some. Work and the easing of lockdown restrictions (finally I've been back to the beach) are mainly to blame. That and endless platform head scratching, test samples, prototypes and bin filling. I'm currently working on a test piece for what I think is the MK4 version. If this doesn't achieve the desired effect then a simpler version of this effort will suffice but more on that as and when. I've finally got all the ballast down, well there's bound to be a little bit of snagging once dry. I've done the primary weathering as I've gone as in I've applied paint to the glue mix. This required two different glue mixes, one with grey paint and the other with black. It's pretty obvious which road is the oil dock. Taking baby steps as this is my first proper layout and so much to learn. Anyway an update photo for those who are interested. Andy

It looks nothing like a CalMac for sure but as this is a fairly new route they may of acquired one second hand or possibly the service was run by the council. Not all ferry services on the west coast are operated by CalMac and there were certainly a few different operators back in the day. I think it could look the part.

Haha good point. It certainly is a bit of. Tongue twister. I always have fun with Trawsfynydd lol

Small world. I considered buying the station building at Penrhydeudraerh too. 20 years ago. I was told that the foundations weren't deep enough. Apparently it still needs a lot of work. I think it's rented out.

JE?

Back to the topic tho Polmadie. I'm glad this has been confirmed as it's where the coaches on my layout are based. The fiddle yard really does encompass quite as lot doesn't it. As a youngster I always Pronounced it Pol maydie, more recently Pol mad ie so it's nice to have that confirmed. Also Mallaig would be pronounced Mall AIG, later MALL aig. Having been a regular visitor over the last decade I know pronounce it Mallig but I've heard Mallick too.

Only Bill Nighy could get away with that. Yes you would of thought someone would of been on hand to explain it to him. Also that the nearest Snowdon Mountain Rly station to Rhyd Ddu was a 300 ft climb away. Was a lovely episode tho. Slay Twaite is funny too.

Just popped back after checking something out and apologies as I don't want to sound like the pub bore but a quick watch of Video 125s 'Ffestiniog & Conwy' dvd narrated by Arfon Haines Davies, a Welsh speaker from Caernarfon and he's just pronounced it Pont A Pant which I'll put my neck on the line and say is the correct pronunciation. Sorry if I've gone on about it. Andy

Sorry, I got side tracked a bit there and forgot to respond to your other point about Freman Sam. I'm sorry but although aware of the chap I don't know where he lives lol. I imagine somewhere pronounced as E though. I believe the series is based in South Wales where they pronounce things differently. The place names there are much more anglised so that I imagine is the explanation. Also the Welsh language is quite different down south to that spoken in the north west. Sorry to bang on but an interesting topic.

In that case I stand corrected. Sounds like an anglised version and very unusual for the area. I too live in the area and was basing my explanation on local pronunciation that I've heard. My father is a Welsh speaker and a railway enthusiast and has always pronounced it Pont A Pant. I'd be curious to know how you've heard Betws Y Coed pronounced? That always as Betws A Coed (not Betsy Coed visitors all seem to pronounce it). A also for Tan y Bwlch on the Festiniog Railway and Plas y Nant on the Welsh Highland. Pen y mount on the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (although that name is a granding up of Penmount Farm next to the station. Pen mount being the place you would have remounted your horse having led it across the estuary before the cob was built.

Pont Y Pant (Pont meaning bridge, Y meaning In The, Of The and At The) is pronounced Pont A Pant. The A as in Apple

Thanks for the info Roja and thanks for your interest. I've decided not to use S&W couplings on Mallaig as my off scene curves are to tight and I would need to mount the loop on the locomotive bogies. They will however be used on a future project. I am now using Kadee couplings as they have ticked all the boxes. Perhaps not as pretty as the S&W but they go round the curves perfectly. I've fitted 4 Kadee magnets to the layout and tested them (perfect excuse to play trains) and I'm very happy with them. Platform building is next on the list and then I can start the ballasting. Getting there.....

It was only a matter of time before you were seduced David. Another interesting thread to follow. Welcome to the West Highlands.

You may of course by now have got plenty of information but here is Russell at Beddgelert last autumn. Good luck with the layout.

*Moel Tryfan

Hi Will. Russell would of been in its original livery of NWNGR maroon at this time and as now running. If you require any information on the carriages I'd be happy to lend advice as I restored them at Gelerts Farm between 2002 and 2009. Research became rather obsessive. Also the Baldwin would of been black and facing Portmadoc until 1934 when it was turned to face Dinas and painted maroon. Model tryfan was always maroon and faced Port. Hope this is useful. Andy Ps if you'd like more info DM me so I don't miss it.

And you Gary. It sounds like you've been busy. It's a shame that the circular boards didn't work out as you had put a lot of work in to them. I guess even the experienced can still learn. Good luck with BoG mk2 and I hope you'll be posting progress reports when you get started. In the meantime I hope to do justice to the Hinson Mallaig extension platform patent.

Hi Gary, thanks for popping by with advice. I think I will use your method to build the platform as I can't find the material to build it the way I hoped. I've been looking for 45° plastruct or similar section which has been a forlorn task. I was sure I'd seen it somewhere but I must be confused. Your system looks like it gives it the the correct shape and any ugly bits will be hidden behind the masking tape. Thanks for the drawing on your Glenuig thread. You probably won't remember me but we have chatted at length a couple of times. Once at Wigan and again at Warley. In fact Glenuig was the reason I went to Wigan. Slight detour on a journey from Coventry back home to North West Wales. Did you ever finish Bridge of Orchy? Andy

I should of kept reading before commenting. You have a very keen eye Sir as the later photos prove. Excellent modelling.