TomJ

Thanks - that’s exactly the info I needed. I wonder why there weren’t hydraulics in the Valleys? Were the lines still Western Region? I was expecting a situation like the West Country - where steam was replaced by hydraulics and the diesel-electrics only arrived to replace the hydraulics?

More questions from me - I really hope there isn’t a question quota on here! Maybe one day someone will post a question which I know the answer to and I can repay the help.... Anyway I am idily pondering a layout set in the south welsh valleys in the early 1960s, an ex GWR branch with connection to the N.C.B. system. My question is when did regular BR steam end in the valleys and what replaced it? I know the 37s were famous for their work in the valleys but did they come straight after steam or was it hydraulics first? From another project I’ve a 22 and a hymek in green - would they have been seen in South Wales on coal? And finally was there much overlap between steam and diesel, could I get away with a bit of run down BR steam and some new diesels together? It seems such simple questions but google has let me down. I’m not averse at all to a large serving of ‘Rule 1’ as long as it’s vaguely plausible.

Thanks for all the advice. And thanks for the warning - it is very seductive. I have spent a happy evening googling images of South Wales steam, and the N.C.B./industrial side is fascinat8ng. I can see me getting quite a fleet for this side, even though i only need one! The information about the panniers is really useful, thanks. I didn’t realise they arrived on the N.C.B. as early as 1959 - so I can definitely get away with one on my early 1960s era layout. Even better I found N image of one still with its BR crests on the side, so I can use my existing one with no repainting! In the long run I will wait for a DJM austerity, but for now at least there’s someth8ng I can run

They did a while ago. I think it was Poole era and so not up to modern standards or available anymore. But thanks for reminding me. I will keep an eye on eBay etc to see if one comes up

I’ve been vaguely pondering a small N gauge layout based around ex GWR South Welsh valleys and probably featuring an exchange sidings with the NCB. Probably set in the late 50s, early 60s, the end of steam on the BR side. The only thing I’m lacking stockwise is a loco for the NCB branch. Anyone know of anything suitable in N? The promised DJM austerity would be ideal but no idea when it’s released. I know at least one pannier made it into NCB ownership - any idea when this might have been? Alternatively when might diesels have started to appear? Thinking of the Farish 03, 04. Were any of these used by the coal board, and when did they start to be sold from BR? Kit or rtr is fine. Thanks for the help (X-posted to modelling hints and tips)

I’ve been vaguely pondering a small N gauge layout based around ex GWR South Welsh valleys and probably featuring an exchange sidings with the NCB. Probably set in the late 50s, early 60s, the end of steam on the BR side. The only thing I’m lacking stockwise is a loco for the NCB branch. Anyone know of anything suitable in N? The promised DJM austerity would be ideal but no idea when it’s released. I know at least one pannier made it into NCB ownership - any idea when this might have been? Alternatively when might diesels have started to appear? Thinking of the Farish 03, 04. Were any of these used by the coal board, and when did they start to be sold from BR? Kit or rtr is fine. Thanks for the help (X-posted to standard gauge industrial modelling) forum)

Not NEM fitted but very, very easy to convert. Took me about five minutes! The crimson ones look great I think (behind my 45xx which I also took the plunge and converted to easi-shunt NEM couplings!)

I expect the local wider economy would benefit if my town had a bypass, but I’d still rather it didn’t go past my house. It’s very easy to knock NIMBYs until it’s s development near you, that isn’t your interest.

Getting back to the K&ESR I think ought to remember that of course we all love trains on here and would love a train near us. But for many people they are at best an irrelevance and all they see is noise, dirt and disruption. Any extension plan needs to bear these views in mind and respect them and work with them if possible. They are entitled to their (crazy) views on trains!

I’m going to speak up in favour of brand experts and rebranding etc. I have donned my tin hat! At university I was involved in a society (of a religious nature but I hope this won’t upset the mods). We invited a brand consultant in to help us come up with a vision statement - a short sentence summing us up. What was really useful wasn’t just the finished statement but the difficult and challenging conversations that lead a slightly flat and drifting society to focus on who we were and what we wanted to say and do. I was as sceptical as anyone before we started but afterwards realised it had been a very useful exercise. It did help us reboot our society.

I wonder if it’s something to do with charitable status or to make it clear it’s not a government body? Perhaps the world ‘National’ makes people think it’s wholly government funded? I wonder this because I work in maternity services and there is a similar confusion at the name of the group the ‘National Childbirth Trust’ who run a lot of antenatal classes. Because of the name people think it’s an official government body or part of the NHS, not an independent organisation with its own views

I think the example is referring to an incident in Cornwall when a train derailed on the Newquay branch. The front power car derailed in a rather inaccessible location. So rather than get the passengers off the train they were walked through to the rear power car which then set off back to the next station. So surely the shortest HST in passenger use - a single power car carrying passengers!

Thanks everyone for the comments and advice. Sorry about the delay replying and thanking you all - I’ve been on holiday. I rather like the idea of the dual eras. The beauty of minories is that a lot of the infrastructure like engine servicing facilities/turntables/carriage sidings are off stage so the basic layout fits both eras. There are many examples of existing station buildings surviving (and it will be mostly low relief anyway) and the signal box and semaphores are straightforward. The bit that I can’t work out how to make work for both eras are the platforms themselves, specifically the fittings and platform furniture. Things like running in boards and lamps. Could some 1950s totems conceivable have survived to the 70s? Or does anyone have some nifty tricks of how to swap round the fittings? Perhaps even make two seperate platforms that ‘drop in’?

There’s a little bit of information in the Middleton Press Branchline to Looe book. Apparently it was announced in 1935 and work starting in 1937. It would have had two viaducts and a tunnel, and two intermediate stops. Also planned was a hotel and golf course, this was the only bit completed. Had it been completed I wonder what would have happened to the Coombe Junction to Looe line? There can’t be much (any) intermediate traffic and the only significant freight was clay from Moorswater

What do the esteemed RMWeb panel think? I’ve got space to make a N gauge minories and always fancied such a classic plan. It makes a change from my usual rural backwaters I’ve got stock for two distinct eras - BR (WR) in the early 60s, a mix of green diesels and ex GWR and SR steamies. Or 1980s blue diesel - again with a south western flavour - 31, 33, 37, 47 sand DMUs. Do people think minories works best in the steam/early diesel era or the blue diesel with mostly DMUs and some loco hauled trains and parcels. Both appeal to me but can’t decide which fits the plan best. Any suggestions?

Thanks everyone for the advice and photos. All very useful and very interesting. I have a rake of blue/grey mk1 which could well see action behind the steam loco on a quiet Sunday. And from another project I have a rake of chocolate/cream mk1 so I may just use them as a specially painted WR set - because they look nice!

Fairly self explanatory question from the title! As a bit of rule 1 modelling I’m going to add the occasional steam special to my 1980s Cornish clay layout. I’ve decided that the local St Blazey managers have been impressed by the West Highland efforts and decided to try something similar on Sunday’s on the Newquay branch! What coaches would be likely behind such strain? This is before the days of private operators like West Coast Trains so I presume they’ll be BR operated. I know Fort William had a rake of green/cream coaches - where these specific to that location? Can I get away with my standard blue/grey mk1 coaches? Thanks

As well as the Ffestiniog walk the classic walk in the area is the fisherman’s path through the Aberglaslyn Pass. If only walking one way you can get the train between Nantmoor and Beddgelert. Some superb scenery only enhanced by the trains running just above you Also along the Welsh Highland there is now a signposted walk between Rhyd Ddu and Beddgelert. It doesn’t follow the line exactly but great views of the trains and scenery. Last time I rode the WHR a lot of walkers were using the train to walk this one way

Going off topic for a moment I’ve heard it said that JK Rowling got it all wrong with platform 9 3/4. That she was actually thinking of Euston, which is where she regularly got the train to from Scotland. But she got confused when writing the first draft with Kings Cross, where 9 or 10 are not Mainline platforms!!!

Button batteries are very very dangerous to small children. They are just the right (wrong?) size to lodge in the oesophagus. There the current causes ph change and local burns to the surrounding tissues. Modern 3v are worse than the older 1.5v. This cause ulceration and perforation (holes) in the oesophagus which causes very very serious injury and even death. Also as they corrode they leak, causing further tissue damage. So public health message of the day - keep them well out the way of children. If you have ANY suspicion they have swallowed one take them to A&E immediately. it's too late to wait till they complain of symptoms.

That's great everyone - thanks for the responses Certainly more than enough to justify rule 1!!