Monday was a quiet day, Andrew ballasting on Lyne Road, Fred taming a troublesome 42xx chassis and LBH tidying the electrics on Ty’n-y-Coedcae. No pics sorry.
On Friday Paul trimmed the plywood surround Cwm Carno to its rough profile. It’s starting to look more like a layout now.
And Mr Chairman furnished ABB with a makeshift store and some traffic for the Goods Shed to handle.
Monday 8th December Read More »
Wagonman kicks off this month with the tender for a BR 76xxx mogul from a MOK kit.
Being the first one in the month Tuesday was an on-line session. We re- re- re- visited the Clee Hill for further history and pictures of both the standard and narrow gauge inclines plus the aerial ropeway on the eastern side. Steve B dipped into the NRM archive for photos ranging through Doncaster, Darlington, quaysides and Horwich. LBH followed with details on Talybont following the field trip there last week and Mr C linked in with gleaned pictures of Brecon and Hereford.
The ever productive Wagonman has completed the etched brass GW open C, and moved on to the front pony truck for the 76xxx
On the last Saturday of the month TAFKATYS arranged a club walk from Talybont to Llangynidr Locks on the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal.
Rob F took this image closely replicating Ben Ashworth’s famous view, unfortunately there is no pannier tank to be reflected in the canal now.
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.
The last of November Read More »
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November we took Tŷ’n-y-Coedcae to the Thornbury & SG Model Railway Club exhibition. Here are some scenes from the day.
Tŷ’n-y-Coedcae on the road Read More »
In between the open day and the Tŷ’n-y-Coedcae’s trip to Thornbury there was a bit of a lull at the club,
but nevertheless Wagonman brought his Open C close to completion
and the Wizard is making good progress with Usk (despite being dripped with components by LBH).
The quiet after the storm Read More »
16th November was the day chosen for, what now appears to be, our annual Open Day.
We had eight layouts on show, in various states of progress and covering a wide range of prototypes, produced both in-house and by guests.
Abergavenny Blackbrook – our P4 club layout portraying a WR branchline terminus in the early 1950s.
Morgan and Ed looking after ABB
Hogwash & Baloney – Mike Edmunds’ 0 scale work-in-progress based on American short line practice.
Ripple Road – a 00 light railway terminus brought along by our friends at the Cardiff club.
Albyn operating Ripple Road and discussing it with Wizard-in-Waiting, Cory
Project Kevin – a work-in-progress shunting layout in16mm narrow gauge.
Kevin’s creator, Stephen and below in discussion with Morgan.
Melinau’r Abaty – Chris Featherstone’s 7mm narrow gauge layout based on slate workings in North Wales such as the Corris/Talyllyn.
Cwm Carno – our submission for the Scalefour Society’s Jubilee Layout Challenge, also a work-in-progress, got attention from the visiting S4 cognoscenti.
And unexpectedly available was Queen’s Wharf, Luke’s excellent entry for the Peco Rail200 completion, based on the well-known Talyllyn terminus at Tywyn.
The local trade was well represented by Taff Vale Models, Modelau Bryngaer Models, Connoisseur Models and PHF Models.
And we all had a chance for a good natter
And the opportunity to sample some fine home-made food.
Let’s do it all again next year!
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.
Open Day coming up Read More »
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 »
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.
Sectorisation comes to Cwmcarno Read More »