CazRail

Is there any truth in what's been reported by the north wales coast noticeboard site that GBRf have the slate waste contract from Llandudno Junction and the Pen stone?

Not a problem, Im glad to have been able to help. I can't seem to find much about the p-way hut at the Conwy end, the concrete base is there to this day.

Just edited my previous post as you replied. It would probably be an idea to shorten it, yes.

The wall runs paralel the down line(towards Bangor), about 5 metres away from it and runs for approximately 150 to 200 yards. It's a stone wall. At the viaduct end of it, there used to be a p-way hut. Here is the best photo(not mine, found on Flickr) of it I can find. The viaduct is visible on the curve. The height of the wall varies. Working from the viaduct end, it starts at about 3metres height for about 70 yards, then slopes up to approximately 5m high, then slopes down the ground level.

I enjoy seeing places where I've been/worked being modelled. The retaining wall Im taking about rund adjacent to the post and rail fence seen just to the right of the road bridge. The tree that can be seen to the right of the fence is on top of the wall. We cleared the wall of vegetation last year, including removing all the ivy that was on it. The vantage point from it to take photos of trains is great, though it's firmly within railway boundary, so inaccessible to do so.

Will be interesting to see if anything comes from this. Ive recently changed the motor on my pendolino (like for like) and with Hornby's own decoder they run poorly. I fitted LaisDCC decoder into it(had to hard wire) and it runs a hell of a lot smoother now. Just the squeeling pickups to sort.

I have to say, what a superb bit of modelling! Ive worked at this location irl, and you've captured it very well. There is a retaining wall at the Bangor end of the viaduct, will that be included?

Just a quick couple of photos of progress on @JackB95 67 and 153... A few touch-ups here and there, and re-do the 153's roof.

Are you thinking of the demo layouts built from the track mats at the concession outlets? I remember there being one at Pringles in Llanfair PG and one at Toys R Us(I think) in/near Cheshire Oaks. In like a red Hornby-branded cabinet with a perspex greenhouse on top. I believe the one in PG was sold off to a customer around the time Hornby stopped concessions(if not a little before as the shop suffered fire damage and I cant remember if the layout was there when it re-opened) . The models(mostly Railroad and a few train sets, quite a poor selection in all fairness) have re-appeared along with Oxford stuff, and no layout.

The 92 is looking superb! Getting more and more tempted!

Got a few things to do on the workbench over the next 2-3 weeks to keep me busy. Firstly, a commission job for Jack @JackB95 to re-spray a Hornby 67 and 153 into Transport for Wales livery. As can be seen on his workbench, he has already done work to update the 153 to current condition. The other project is on my Hornby Pendolino, for which I've bought a donor motor car. First job will be to get the unit back up and running, so I will swap out the motor bogie for the donor one. That will solve the running issues on my unit. Next on the agenda, is to make the donor into a dummy,and remove all electronics from within. The plan is to cut out the nose to install a Kadee coupler to enable it to be dragged by my 57. I'm toying with the idea of re-fitting the red tail lights using fibre obtic, but we shall see.

Hi.. I Hornby Pendolino with a duff motor, and have searched high and low for a replacement. Unfortunately, they're not in stock anywhere. This raises the question, will a motor from another model fit and work as it should. As an example would the motor from a Javelin fit the same? If not, would it be possible to find an appropriate motor elsewhere? Thanks in advance

The actual repair work is now completed, there have been ballast drops this last week(14 in total). The line's closure has been extended to last the summer now, as NR have identified work that can be done to further protect the line from future high tide events. Im not sure how NR have prioritised the line, but this time the work was done in-house rather than use a contractor.

An 18.16 update... Both jobs finished, managed to drill out the seized screws on the 150... ...and got 37429 finished aswell. Couple of hours work, but all sorted now. Workbench now empty for a while.

On the workbench today... The 150 is suffering from stiff screws with stripped heads, so will need drilling out. It'll then be fitted with a 21-pin laisdcc decoder. The 37 is back to complete it's transformation into 37429. As you can see, the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol plates are fitted.

I always say the best thing about Holyhead is the ferry out of there!

Did a test weather on a Heljan cargowaggon van tonight. Started with a base of frame dirt, then used weathering powders on top. Here's the rests... I think I need to apply some more earthy coloured powder to lighten it a tad, but for a first attempt at these vans, quite happy.

Quite surprised to see the Amlwch branch also in the longer term category. NR are in the process of leasing it out to Anglesey Central Railway Ltd, who are doing some excellent work clearing vegetation etc on the line. A service to Amlwch would be great for the island, especially there being the poor bus service north of Llangefni. Whichever way the line is opened, a new bridge 16 is needed! Bangor-Caernarfon would definitely be good, and seeing how busy the buses are between the two places would definitely be a hit. But this also has its challenges, with Parc Menai businesses park, houses, a bypass and associated roundabout built on the old line's foundations, as well as the need for atleast 3 bridges to be put back! We shall see what comes of it, if any.

Done a bit on the 37 tonight, just removing the majority of the weathering on the bodysides. I used IPA and cotton buds working in a downward motion as to achieve a streaking effect. Before... After... I think its definitely an improvement from the standard Bachmann 'dust the whole thing with brown' approach, as some amount of effort was made to keep these locos presentable. Next for this loco is a renumber and etched plates. Im also planning 37408 Loch Rannoch fairly soon.

So I decided yesterday to buy a Bachmann class 37 to run with my Regional Railways coaches, so I ordered 37422 in RR colours. The model is factory weathered which isnt great, so I intend to clean the body sides up, and re-weather. At the same time, Ill renumber it to 37429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, as it's the one I remember from most when I was a kid. Also Im im the middle of weathering my old Heljan cargowaggon vans, mostly as practice for when my Revolution Holdall vans arrive later in the year. The method Im using is to use a base of Railmatch frame dirt, then detailing using washes, then tie it all together using weathering powders. Ill seal it all in using Halfords matt lacquer. Hopefully, some photos tomorrow.

The train I intend to model with the vans! The Holyhead RTZ workings. Often ran with 6 vans so my 3 packs will be ideal, though i may buy more The weathering looks a challenge! (not my photo)

70812 at Llanfairpwll waiting for the off... To note, 70802 was also down today sporting new Colas logos. Last weekend it was down and had the original logos (as can be seen in my previous post). 812 was missing cabside branding today.

Cheers mate!

Really looking forward to these, ordered my TPE set today. Great to add a new modern loco-hauled set to my fleet.

Signals looking great, and the 222 is coming on very well! Impressed!