This will be disappointing for those who are fans of the final GWR pannier tanks.
The connection is mathematical as on Monday there were two 42xx tanks in 7mm scale being worked on at the same time. Mr C was giving a much needed clean to the wheels of 4248 which runs on Pavilion End.
Alongside The Welsh Wizard was sorting out the running on a 42 belonging to Don. It was stripped right down to the frames for attention to the bearings.
Mike E is a bit of a fan of wiggly tin (corrugated iron if you have to ask) and has been using it extensively on his own 7mm scale Hogwash and Baloney short line.
Here he is in 4mm working on the screens for Cwmcarno. This lot of tin is for the screens’ roof. For information on the corrugated form tool see the 31 Aug 25 post (or click Wiggly Tin above).
Then on Friday the electrical connection to the exchange sidings was made allowing test running and a check on the sector plate operation. Some stock was tested too along with the colliery trackwork. Some track needed reglueing which is under the weight in the second picture. Also Wagonman gave his Cl 25 an outing.
With the electricals on Cwmcarno progressing well its time to test more running on the layout. Here we manage to get two trains running at the same time.
The workman’s train seen above needs some passengers. From the internet we have this bargain collection of vivid figures – how many Michael Portillos can you count?
After a bit of attention from Luke they now are more subdued.
The train itself is a nice model from Dapol of Mainline and City stock. It really should be closer coupled. The magnetic couplers purchased to help were nice but really intended for coaches with corridor connections. So using the same idea some mini-magnets were put into the Dapol-supplied couplings to do the job.
A lot of shifting of baseboards took place to get Pavilion End erected in the layout room. The layout itself worked well after its storage with all tracks working plus success with turnouts, uncouplers and signal. However, there has been some damage to fences, deterioration in buildings and velcro on the fascia supports come loose.
For Queens Wharf Luke is building a quarry locomotive and started assembling a High Level gearbox. By the end of the evening the chassis was running well.
Meanwhile, also in the layout room, electrical connections to the track work meant we were able to see the very first movement on Cwmcarno. It was not without its problems.
Thanks to sterling work by Paul 🏅🏅we have all fiddle yard boards and legs for Cwm Carno. So in the space created last session we are able to fully erect it for the first time. First the north fiddle yard, then all four. The max length was just less then 5 metres.
From the expansive to the compact, Luke has brought along Queen’s Wharf for a little attention.
By the end of Tuesday the fiddle yard boards had been painted to match.
Having prepared the Dingham couplings its time to apply them to some stock. The workman’s train is made up of some Dapol Mainline and City coaches. They are well made and the ‘footplate’ is cast in some sort of Mazak metal. It took Dremel and a burr to gouge out space for the coupling shank, which was then araldited in place. It now needs blackening.
A quiet Monday so just another picture to start the year. The stock intended for Cwmcarno will need autocouplers and we have decided to keep with our standard of 4mm scale Dinghams. As existing supplies are low Mr C has started to make up another batch from an etch kindly donated by club friend Phil Harries.
The Christmas/New Year quiz featured in Tuesday’s Zoom session. The questions were set by Luke and ranged over a varied selection of train related topics, but I never expected the ability to read sheet music to be an advantage in a railway quiz. For next month SteveB has an alternative quiz in preparation – he has no music skills.
Also during the evening we had a selection of pictures. One weird photo posed the question AI or not? Then there were early shots of Festiniog and Talyllyn, Barry with a long train of unidentifiable coaches around WW1 and a selection of Wrexham tanks from a CD SteveB unearthed when tidying his workroom.
Monday
Our Welsh Wizard brought along this Lionheart 82xxx, a recent purchase – not a Christmas present. It looks the part and was very smooth and quiet on its first run out of the box. A bit of research is now required to find a suitable local number for it. And of course some expert weathering.
On Cwm Carno further work has been done with the colliery fiddle yard. The curved fascia has been cut away for clearance around the board.
At the other end of the colliery there has been similar work with the exchange sidings. The next stage here will be some form of bridge to disguise the exit – there is a road that runs over this section.
Alongside the exchange sidings the main line disappears off-scene. The fiddle yard is not yet ready but a clearance hole has been created and a first try of a bridge over the track and the river put in place.
It was a less productive session on Tuesday with some general fiddling about. Wagonman continued with his MOK 76xxx by fettling some of the loco castings. Another MOK kit appeared, a 9F from the Welsh Wizard’s stash destined for his own collection. He has another two to work on at the same time. Some more of the excellent mince pies from Wren’s Bakery also appeared.
Congratulations to all those who decided to stay at home this Friday – you made the right decision. Wagonman and MrC stuck it out until about 9.15 but even with the heater on you could feel the cold creeping into the building …
May you enjoy all the usual Celebrations. (other chocolates are available)
Just a couple of updates as progress has been leisurely.
The workshop area on ABB has some detail added though not yet fixed in place and the tree needs to be planted in the corner.
The colliery fiddle yard for Cwncarno has been completed, sealed with varnish and a support leg created.
Happy Christmas to all our readers! Read More »