North Welsh Coast Railway - Welsh Dragon Rail

[Simond]

I see you're still using imperial measurements, I though Aus was metric, but you have a foot for scale...

[Anthony Ashley]

Simon you are very observant. My wife's only comment was what a horrible foot. I think it looks OK but I guess it is my foot .

 

I have finished all of the walkways and the vertial stone work around them. I have experimented with the rough plaster strips in the last page. I broke then up into pices no more than  ml to 2 Mls and the stuck these fragments onto 2 of the battlement sections. I have posted photos for comments and ideas if you are able to contribute to the discussion. Not sure that I can improve on the effect but am asking for feed back for any other ideas. At this stage it takes about 1/2 an hour to do both sides of a  rise.

 

 

 

 

Any comments would be appreciated before I continue on with the process.

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

 

 

[Simond]

Anthony, two thoughts.  
 

firstly you have infinitely more patience than I have

 

secondly (and possibly more helpfully), the extra bits look “glossy”.  Not sure if that’s glue that hasn’t dried or what, but it doesn’t look right IMO.  Possibly (hopefully) it’ll sort itself, if not, a blat of matt varnish, perhaps?

 

atb

Simon

[Anthony Ashley]

Simon,

 

Thanks for the critical comment. I have had a close look at the model and think the paint may have been damp at the time of the photo, or the angle of the light on the model at the time. I used the same paint to paint the broken area as the original walls so it should be the same sheen. Perhaps the angle of the light being directly above onto the broken surface has caused more sheen. Clearly the normal wall surface which I have painted in many places is at a totally different angle.  I will try some mat spay on the area and take another photo to check the effect.

 

I normally ask for advice when I want critical comment and you are a valuable regular. Good advice from you is always welcome. Thanks again. 

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

[Anthony Ashley]

Dear All,

 

Capping to the vertical main walls has been my focus. Photo below. Happy with the effect, either single or double stonework. Left side is pre glue added over the top. The glue is wiped off to create a mortar effect in the gaps. 

 

 

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

 

 

[Anthony Ashley]

Dear All,

 

Worked on the wall capping for all walls except the battlements which will take forever!!! Although I did paint the wood section of the battlements grey to blend in. Photos are below.

 

The main castle area with all walls capped apart from the battlements.

 

 

 

Worked on the platform supports at the castle entrance,  and cut the arch way through the castle walls to the platform.

 

 

Next is to complete the 3 stairs beyond the platform and a second platform. Then will finally grass the next section.

 

Regards,

Anthony Ashley 

 

 

Edited March 12, 2023 by Anthony Ashley

[Grafarman]

Looks really good, the finished castle will be a real masterpiece; with this level of detail I can't wait to see what you're going to do with the adjacent suspension bridge...!

 

David

[Revolution Ben]

 

Hi Anthony,

 

Thanks for taking the time to document your work and post it here.  I have just spent a very enjoyable 20 minutes (with the obvous caveat that I am sorry about your bereavement) marvelling at your work to recreate Conwy Castle.  The attention to detail is lovely and your resourcefulness in finding ways of modelling, for example, uneven medieval stone capping is remarkable.  Bravo!

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

[Anthony Ashley]

David and Ben,

 

Thanks for the really encouraging comments. I decided to do a comparison of the time taken to build the actual castle versus my modelling of it. If you look at the start of the posts I first placed 2 90ml pieces of plumbing tubing to represent 2 of the towers in Sep 2013. Nearly 10 years ago. I built a substantial portion of the castle over the next 2 years or so but then left it in place for a number of years.  Kicked off again with the castle maybe about 6 months ago. So I am coming up to a 10 year construction period. Patience is clearly a virtue. Edward I started building Conwy castle in during his conquest of Wales in 1283. The castle was finished in 1287. That was a total of 4 years construction to build the real thing!!!!! I should have the model finished within 3 times that time period.

 time by the 12 year mark if not 10 to 11 years!!!

 

Anyway the process continues with focus on the entrance area stairs and platforms. I have completed these, added the rocks along the ascending path and glued the foam entrance area and painted the floor of the entrance area. The remnants of the platform rising to the castle have been cut and stone added to 2 faces. The other faces will be rough stone work which I shall need to stack similar to the battlements.  Photos are below.

 

 

The section in front of the platform is the old path leading up to the castle. I shall add vegetation and rubble under the stairs and platforms. You can see the red rocks on the left

 

 

 

 

 

I shall probably add static grass this afternoon. The right side of the earth area is much rougher with wilder bushes and longer grass.

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

 

 

[CameronL]

15 hours ago, Anthony Ashley said:

. Edward I started building Conwy castle in during his conquest of Wales in 1283. The castle was finished in 1287

Yes, but he had 15,000 men to do the job. You've just got you. Fabulous build.

[Anthony Ashley]

Cameron,

 

I think Edward I must have had very good planning and organisation to build such a large structure using only manual labour in 4 years, given the pace of modern construction. Your comments are very much appreciated. 

 

I have gone back to the past by starting the process to finish the towers. I last did this about 9 years ago but only finished 1 tower out of 8. Need to add about a 1/3 of a circle of inner carboard filler around the inside of the top of the towers. Photo is below.

 

 

 

I have had some ideas about the Conwy suspension bridge. Photos of elements of the bridge are below.

 

 

 

 

 

I think the most distinctive element of the bridge are the straps providing the support to the bridge and the connectors, through which the wire cabling passes through. I have thought about options in terms of material to make the bridge.

 

I have 460ml lengths of brass comprising 2 1 ml circular edges joined by a flat piece about .5 ml in height by about .5ml wide. There are 5 layers of strapping and the scale length of my span is about 700ml. I can join 2 lengths of my 460 ml by soldering a joining plate on the top and bottom of the flat section. Although the span length is only about 700 ml with the curve I shall need the two 460ml lengths. I think the connectors can be 3D printed with a hole running through the middle of each connector to thread through the brass strapping. I shall need to stack the strapping 5 high as in the bridge. I think I could drill through the connectors and brass strapping to insert 26 gauge jewellers wire to create the cable supports. The hand rail and bottom rail on the bridge will also be lengths of the brass strapping.

The sides of the bridge could be made of small rectangles made of individually soldered thin gauge wire. The panels are separated to allow the supporting cabling to run down to the floor of the bridge. I shall use tule glued to the wire rectangles to create the diamond shape. 

The towers will be similar to the castle construction methods. I think this should work well. I am getting advice on the 3D printing, as the connectors will only be maybe 4ml long by 4mls deep by 3 mls high (not very big to fit a hole to accommodate the brass strapping.

 

I have finished the grass mounts on the road side of the castle. Just waiting for the white glue to dry. More photos tomorrow.

Next will be finishing the entrance area walls and then the cliff face on the east end of the castle. 

 

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

 

.    

Edited March 18, 2023 by Anthony Ashley

[Anthony Ashley]

Dear All,

 

Photos of the gassed and bushed mounds on the road side of Conwy castle.

 

Wide shot from the west side of the castle. In real life this would be taken form the far bank of Conwy river.

 

View from the south.

 

Closer view.

 

Focus on the new grassed and bushed section.

 

 

 

I need to cut the tower platform supports and paint them, both for 7 large and 4 small towers.

 

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

 

 

Edited March 19, 2023 by Anthony Ashley

[lezz01]

Now that looks fabulous Anthony.

Regards Lez.

[Anthony Ashley]

Lez ,

Thanks for the comment. I am very happy with the castle so far. Have been working on the Bangor goods area and laid out nearly all of the track over the last two days. Next is to cut cork for the bed, glue it and paint.  There are a few areas of flex track that need extensions but most of it is showing in the photos below. I can also lay down the 6 inspection pits in the engine shed.

 

Track plan and wiring of the Bangor goods yard.

 

The left side of the good yard is the engine shed. The first 6 lines of the left side of the yard in blue terminate in the inspection pits inside the engine shed (about 450 ml long).  The 10th line (green) from the left terminates in the turntable. Then there is the goods shed (red lines)(about 700 mls long) and on the right side of the yard the engineering shed (Blue lines)(about 560 mls long). 

 

 

 

 

Next job is to cut the cork to match the track profile, glue and paint the cork. Then wiring of the track.

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

[Howard O]

Love the castle - you’ve captured it perfectly. 
The track work at Bangor looks so daunting.

Do you ever sleep ?!

Kind Regards

Howard

 

[ed1234]

On 05/03/2023 at 12:54, Simond said:

secondly (and possibly more helpfully), the extra bits look “glossy”.  Not sure if that’s glue that hasn’t dried or what, but it doesn’t look right IMO.  Possibly (hopefully) it’ll sort itself, if not, a blat of matt varnish, perhaps?

 

Everything's glossy in Wales - it never stops raining 😀

[Anthony Ashley]

Howard,

 

Sleep is grabbed in odd periods every now and then. Ed the layout includes wall paintings including a rainbow and fierce storm. The rainbow is behind Conwy and the storm behind Penmaenmawr.  Have finished the cork underlay and cut the connecting flex track. Photos are below.

 

 

 

I need to paint some of the rail sections, glue the cork, paint it and wire the track. 

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

 

 

 

 

[Grafarman]

6 hours ago, Anthony Ashley said:

Howard,

 

Sleep is grabbed in odd periods every now and then. Ed the layout includes wall paintings including a rainbow and fierce storm. The rainbow is behind Conwy and the storm behind Penmaenmawr.  Have finished the cork underlay and cut the connecting flex track. Photos are below.

 

 

 

I need to paint some of the rail sections, glue the cork, paint it and wire the track. 

 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

 

 

 

 

 

Even the thought of wiring that lot makes me want to go and lie down...😅

Looks amazing...do you ever get daunted by the volume of tasks ahead Anthony?

 

David

[Anthony Ashley]

David,

 

In answer to your question I focus on one task at a time and am content in finishing that task, as I move slowly through the process. Ross came over today and we worked on some tricky sections together. Photos and discussions below.

 

I have started gluing the cork for the track bed. This line being glued is the outside yellow line next to one of the platforms.

 

I decided to get Ross to help fix the end of the Penmaenmawr viaduct road. It was easier with 2 persons, one below and one above the layout. The road is now fixed. Next is to add foam board shoulders to the road  and the add the road base plaster. I was going to add the derelict  building  in this area, which Jamie posted a picture of in 2020, but unfortunately these photos are no longer showing on the site. 

 

Ross and I decided that I need to incorporate a pop up area for the Bangor goods yard. The picture below was the best spot. Unfortunately I had added a support for the underneath track which cut this area into 2, and was not big enough for me to fit through. By removing the timber support which was joined by the ply block in the foreground above  I have enough room for a small pop up area, surrounded by the hidden track under the layout. I readjusted the  rod to go through the timber at the back of the photo. It is not straight but is still supported adequately.

 

 

This photo shows the outline of the goods shed at Bangor, bounded by the inspection pit above, foam board strip on the left, track section on the right and the pen at the bottom. I have built  much of it using card and brick paper. It is a relatively simple construction so might finish it soon.

 

 

Ross and I fitted the end of the road to the other road section. We added another block under the layout to provide support and a block on the viaduct wall face, visible in the foreground of the photo. 

Regards,

 

Anthony Ashley

  

 

 

 

Edited April 28, 2023 by Anthony Ashley

[Anthony Ashley]

Dear All,

 

First question to all. I have noticed some of the photos from May 2020 to some time in 2021 are missing from the site.(pages 36 to 42) Jamie was prolific during this period with some great photos which I want to use for modelling but they are no longer showing. Does anyone know how to retrieve them. I messaged Andy Y but no response as yet.

 

I was looking closely at the track plan of Bangor goods yard given I have started laying the cork and noticed some odd issues in the plan. The coal shed and turntable seemed far removes in terms of track travel from the engine shed, which seemed to make no sense. I revisited the map I was using which was that in the book No 14 Railways of North Wales Bangor. The plan goes over 2 pages and the middle of the book does not quite align with the track sections. Accordingly I think I put the connection to the coal shed and turntable on the wrong line. Given the complexity of the yard this is not surprising and I am glad I caught the error prior to track laying. 

 

Will just have to rip up some 1 ml cork. The down side of this process was that I need 3 extra left hand points, either small (123 ml or medium 136 ml). If I slightly alter the design I can use 3 medium points. The plan looks much better with distinct areas bounded more by function.

 

The advantage of replanning this is I can use the new code 55 unifrog points. Has anyone any experience with these points. They look much easier to install then the electrofrog given I am using DCC. Advantages include no need to cut both sides of the rails with a jewellers blade to isolate the frog area. The stock rail electrofies the frog rails minus the frog point at all times, meaning the track joiners no longer need to be isolating. This should create much better joins with use of purely metal joiners. With the electrofrog I have soldered a wire to both frog blades just above the last sleeper. With the unifrog there is a preattached wire to power the frog poit off a switch. Much less work in preparing the pints as they are ready to install for DCC. If anyone has any comments on these points I am interested in hearing from you.

 

Given my focus on the Bangor goods yard I thought I should look at the storage yards and how many lines I actually need. The design of the  yard allows me to have some up to 14 feet. Potentially I could have 34 tracks obviously some much smaller. I originally used 3 way points but my experience with them has not been great and two 2 ways are cheaper then a 3 way.  To minimis the number of lines required and hems save on points I need to work out the occupancy of the two storage yards, called Hoyhead and Chester. I might be able to double up on track usage by using a line for maybe 4 rakes, depending on the occupancy of the each rake at a particular storage yards at anyone time. The proposed first part of the time table of train movements from 0001 to 1030 is below.

 

I shall have to do an occupancy chart for each yard to see how many locos are in it at any particular time in order to minimise point usage. For instance the Fairburn leaves Rhyl at 0830 to arrive at Bangor at 0938. It leaves Bangor at 1000 and departs Conwy at 1222. Meaning it leaves the layout at about 1230 ie gets to Chester yard at about 1240. It therefore occupies Chester yard  from about 1240 to 0830, but does not enter Hoyhead yard at all. If I have another rake that is in Chester yard between 0830 to 1240 it could use the same yard  line as the Fairburn rake. I shall need to examine each rake and plot timings in a similar fashion, before I work out the size of the yards.

 

Below is my current rework of the yards, being in the process of removing 3 way points. I need to do the analysis to decide on how many tracks I really need.  

 

Chester yard in process of variation.

 

Holyhead prior to amnedment.

 

I have the following points left : 35 curved rights, 8 curved left, 15 right large, 7 Ys, 4 right small, and 1 left small.

 

I need to wait for delivery of my 3 missing left points to complete the scenic track. 

 

REgards,

 

Anthony Ashley

[Grafarman]

Hi Anthony

A lot of the photos on the site from previous years are missing after a problem with the server; I know Andy has been trying to restore them but it must be a huge task.  Maybe message Jamie and ask to resend?

Unifrog points are fine; I've used them in O gauge and they do save a lot of wiring!

Looking again at your trackplans reminds me of the size and complexity of this project; would think when it's finished it'll be worth the cost of a return ticket to come and see it...!

 

David

[Anthony Ashley]

David,

 

Thanks for responding to my unifrog query. I shall be using medium points in hte yards as much as possible given they are the only code 55 converted to unifrog, although I have the others as well. As discussed above I still have 70 elecropoints still in stock so will use those for sure. I shall try to contact Jamie. I am particularly keen to get a copy of the photo of the ruined building near the Penmaenmar viaduct.

 

I feel I need to consolidate the track layout, finalise exactly how many points I still need and order them. Accordingly I spent all of yesterday plotting the arrival times of the rakes into the two yards and how long they occupied that yard. It was laborious and time consuming, but by the end I had a timetable for Chester. Yet to do Holyhead. Below is the timetable for Chester. Conducting this process has shown me I need a minimum of 24 tracks in Chester, and perhaps with more rial sharing I could reduce the number further. I am not sure if with track detection I can double occupy a line of the yard. The issue is then timings for departures, ensuring that the train next to leave is at the front of the que. More analysis may create greater efficiencies and more dense track occupancy. I think if one track of a yard was isolated in the middle it would create two sections for track occupancy. As long as both trains fitted onto both sections and had access to leave I think this would work.

 

The picture below is the Chester yard timetable, the fruit of yesterdays planning. Tracks in the yard are listed on hte side and a 24 clock across the top.

 

d

 

Obviously the times in the yard are not indicative of the time a rake is actually in a station. The Chester yard is occupied from the tiem the rake reaches it from Conwy, but in real life the rake would still be travelling to Euston, Manchester, Liverpool etc.

 

I need to complete the time table for Holyhead in a similar fashion. It will be much smaller as many more rakes came through Chester than terminated at Holyhead. If anyone has any other experience with unifrogs I would appreciate any comments. 

 

Regards,

Anthony Ashley 

 

 

 

 

[Anthony Ashley]

Dear All,

 

Have revamped the Chester yard timetable and constructed one for Holyhead. Found a double up on the Chester timetable so was able to reduce it by one track. Have also reconfigured the yards to required lines only rather than 34 but added some redundancy. Photos are below. Not sure how much interest there is in this material but will post anyway.

 

Chester yard

 

Holyhead yard

 

Chester timetable until 1100.

 

Holyhead timetable until 1000 Red indicates two rakes on same track but two different detection zones on the line, both rakes can fit in the limited space and leave and arrive at appropriate time to ensure movement.

 

I need to rework some point to use all of my existing point. Minor changes required though.

 

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

 

 

 

Edited May 6, 2023 by Anthony Ashley

[St Enodoc]

2 hours ago, Anthony Ashley said:

Dear All,

 

Have revamped the Chester yard timetable and constructed one for Holyhead. Found a double up on the Chester timetable so was able to reduce it by one track. Have also reconfigured the yards to required lines only rather than 34 but added some redundancy. Photos are below. Not sure how much interest there is in this material but will post anyway.

 

Chester yard

 

Holyhead yard

 

Chester timetable until 1100.

 

Holyhead timetable until 1000 Red indicates two rakes on same track but two different detection zones on the line, both rakes can fit in the limited space and leave and arrive at appropriate time to ensure movement.

 

I need to rework some point to use all of my existing point. Minor changes required though.

 

Regards,

Anthony Ashley

 

 

 

Well, I for one find it very interesting!

[5BarVT]

I have a spreadsheet somewhat similar to that. A necessary tool in timetable planning.

Paul.