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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Monday 8th December

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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.

Meanwhile TAFKATYS upgraded our test-track. As well as a new position and clearly labelled controls, current limiting has been added to prevent the controller being damaged by short circuits.

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Into December

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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

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November sunshine

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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.

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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.

The last of November Read More »

Open Day 2025

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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.

Abergavenny Blackbrook as shown in the March 2023 BRM photo by Phil Parker

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.

Melinau’r Abaty, with it’s creator Chris, blue shirt, with Luke and Cory

Cwm Carno – our submission for the Scalefour Society’s Jubilee Layout Challenge, also a work-in-progress, got attention from the visiting S4 cognoscenti.

An unexpected layout, but so welcome was another work-in-progess, Neath, Vale of Neath station (later to be known as Neath Riverside) in 2mm finescale mixed gauge from Andrew Smith of PHF Models.

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!

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