Cwm Carno

Turn of the Year

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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 …

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Monday 15th December

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On Monday LBH arrived with the laser cut pieces for the colliery sidings fiddle yard. The parts fitted together with some small adjustments, although the interface to the main layout needs a re-cut as the levels are not correct. The extra area to the side is for storing an additional cassette.

Tuesday Luke brought along a project he’s been working on – a whitemetal kit for a WW1 trenches locomotive. It is now nearly complete, micro-chipped and programmed.

Friday was a wash-out with only two present, but not at the same time! Its a busy time of year.

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The last of November

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Monday and Tuesday sessions following the Thornbury Show were filled with tidying up after the event and also sorting out in the clubrooms. A search for a battery charger led to the ‘electrical’ cupboard being turned out. Who knew we had at least 15 extension leads and 3 extension reels in there?

Luke has re-wheeled this BR shunter with drop-in P4 Ultrascale wheelsets. It runs very well following the pick-ups being adjusted to the new width.

And on Cwm Carno Paul 🏅🏅is fitting the the flexibile plywood surround

Following the Open Day and moving layouts arrange for exhibitions etc., there has been a worrying spate of tidying up in the clubrooms, an example being seen here on TAFKATYS’ bench.

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Open Day coming up

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With the Open Day coming up next Sunday we continue with preparations. The exchange sidings sector plate has had a sealing coat of varnish and emery paper and graphite used to get a smooth movement through its arc. The track is stuck to the plate and the diverging sidings have their sleepers interlaced.

And on Friday Mr C continued the good work, laying the sector plate track work, so hopefully we’ll see some movement here at the Open Day

Preparations for the Open Day continue.

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Week ending 09 Nov

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This Monday preparation started for the platform on Cwm Carno. The support blocks for the platform face have been stuck in place carefully positioned using the modified track gauge. (Its been readjusted after use) The platform facing itself is ready along with the station building off-scene, and a test coach is waiting.

Tuesday evening was a zoom session. We had a little more on the Clee Hill, even more on the Cambrian from Steve B, 4-4-0s and 0-4-4s from Mr. C, and varied scenes from LBH including Lydney Harbour, some Col Stephens and lesser-known country lines.

On Friday someone sensible decided to check the platform clearances for an outside cylinder loco. The clearance is 1mm, which could be close. We don’t intend to run a 28xx normally but its a good test engine. Also the workman’s train was posed in the station to check its appearance.

At the Missenden Modellers’ weekend Mr C tackled the chassis for his S7 Taff Vale V class. Progress was made though crank pins didn’t get fitted to test the coupling rods.

Week ending 09 Nov Read More »

Sectorisation comes to Cwmcarno

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The Cwmcarno exchange sidings fiddle yard board, with its sector plate, has been assembled and put in place, albeit with a temporary leg.

On Tuesday it was erected again with a different leg and temporary track tried in place to get the full effect.

Further into the layout the final piece of track has been laid, making the connection into the colliery. The sharp-eyed might spot a slight misalignment. Plastic sleepered flexitrack is not perfect and some extra support will have to be fitted.

The rise into the colliery is visible in the last shot along with the change from bullhead to flat bottom track at the company boundary.

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On the move

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TAFKATYS’s hard work with the electrics and servos has borne fruit and on 21th October the first loco movement took place on Cwmcarno with a 94xx pannier tank successfully traversing all the trackwork so far laid.

Such an event naturally prompted the club’s usual response and we broke out the cold tea. With variable reactions from the members.

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Competition Time!

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Steady progress on Cwncarno and Tŷ’n-y-Coedcae but not so much in front of the camera.

Spot the difference! Wagonman has built two brake vans that are similar, but not identical. How many differences can you spot? The prize for the best entry will be Free Admission to our up-coming open day.

And TAFKATYS has been working on the servos and control system for the turnouts on Cwmcarno.

The servos and control gear are mounted on the tops of the baseboard and will be accessible via a removable side panel.

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Cwm Carno Progress

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Monday’s meeting was well attended, with work going on on Cwm Carno and Tŷ’n-y-Coedcae but the only photo we have is this of the Cwm Carno station building, which is yet to bedded-in, that Andrew N has just finished.

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