by Rod Hall
Crynodeb
Mae’r model yn cynrychioli rhan o orsaf ar gangen i reilffordd y Brecon and Merthyr a redai o Gasnewydd i Aberhonddu gyda changhenni i Rymni, Dowlais a Merthyr Tudful. Daeth y B&M yn rhan o grŵp y Great Western ym 1922 pan gasglwyd y rhan fwyaf o’r hen gwmnïoedd rheilffordd annibynnol i mewn i bedwar cwmni mawr.
Afraid dweud bod Llanastr yn llecyn dychmygol ond tybiaf fod y dref yn ardal y min gogleddol y maes glo’r de yng ngogledd-orllewin yr hen Sir Fynwy. Mae’r cyfnod yn aeaf yn y blynyddoedd cyn y rhyfel byd cyntaf pan oedd y diwydiant glo ar ei anterth ac mae trenau cyson o lo ar y lein yn ogystal â threnau i deithwyr i Bengam a Chasnewydd a nwyddau cyffredinol.
Mae’r modelau ar raddfa o 4mm i bob troedfedd ac mae’r pellter rhwng y cledrau yn 18.83 mm. Mae adeiladu’r cledrau yn waith law ac mae dros 90 o gydrannau ym mhob pedair modfedd o gledrau.
Seiliwyd yr adeiladau i gyd ar enghreifftiau gwreiddion a safai ym Machen, Rhymni a Rhiwderyn.
One of the prime objects throughout the planning of the layout so far has to avoid the cramped look that can sometimes occur with small layouts (and many larger ones).
In designing the track plan it became apparent to me that much of the length of the typical terminus station is taken up in the run-round loop, so in order to reduce the layout length I decided to place the scenic break in the middle of the station and use the fiddle yard sector plate to complete the run-around and facilitate shunting.
The resultant design includes platform and runround capable of handling passenger trails comprising three six-wheel coaches and a four-wheel PBV and an 0-6-0 or 2-4-0 tender engine (though the B & M was a tank-engine-only line after the 1880s) and two sidings; one with access to a bay platform and the other to the goods shed. Both turnouts are B6 and the minimum radius is 4 feet.
The overall dimensions including fiddle yard are six feet long by fifteen inches wide. The main baseboard itself (excluding support frame, lighting, etc.) is split in the middle and hinged to form a unit which measures 3’ x 2’6” which is easily carried in one hand and was designed to fit into the boot of the Vauxhall Chevette saloon I had at the time. Information for exhibition managers may be found here.
For more information see Rod’s developing web site.