Irishrailwayman

Note that my Cynwyd layout of the same dimensions, incorporates a bridge/tunnel over and a river bridge under the single rail line. As with my Cynwyd layout, I am planning to electronically automate the shuttle/passing of trains from linear fiddle-yards at each end. The Heathcote Electronics unit I have sourced for the Llanuwchllyn layout changes the points allowing trains to cross each other without manual intervention. It alternates the power between each fiddle-yard end in turn automatically. This allows the operator to watch the trains go by and, at exhibitions, engage with the punters. The option of manual operation will be possible at the flick of a switch while the goods yard will be manual operation only. Overall, the idea is that the 4.5 foot scenic section can be stored in full view on a shelf without the fiddle-yards. These can be fitted quickly for home use or at an exhibition. The layout is light in weight and can be carried in most cars to exhibitions etc

Thanks Noel! By the by, for Irish outline modellers in N, this track-plan (or a close variant) would suit to model e.g. Enniscorthy

The baseboard has been assembled and painted with a photographic backscene fitted (from Gaugemaster) which approximates the scenery around Llanuwchllyn (I may add cut-outs of photos of significant local buildings in time as I did for my Llangollen model). Reproducing the 1960's track layout at this station will involve 7 trackwork elements: 3 right-hand points, 3 left-hand points and a long cross-over. I have selected the appropriate Peco Code 55 Finescale sections and have laid them out roughly to show the general look of the layout with the two platform tops. Llanuwchllyn was a passing station for this single line with a passing loop through the station and goods yard area.

I don't seem to have that on my Excel version?

As a matter of interest, where did you source the old Gaelic script?

Getting cracking on the baseboards with component wood frame formed from usual 2X1 planed wood and plyboard cut to size by local wood merchant. The plan is to utilise the same end fiddle yards as Cynwyd if that can be done. Llanuwchllyn layout totem signs were commissioned from Tracksidesigns.co.uk with similar in 2 mm for the layout from Sankey Scenics.

The Ruabon to Barmouth line in North Wales is becoming well covered by model railways based on the many stations on this route. I have completed models of Llangollen (http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/3054-Llangollen-in-N/page3) and Cynwyd (http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/5580-Cynwyd-in-N-based-on-closed-station-goods-yard-on-the-Llangollen-line-BR-GWR-etc/page5) stations both in N-gauge. Other modellers have covered Carrog (N and OO gauge), Berwyn, Bala Junction and many other locations. Having visited Llanuwchllyn station a number of times (most recently during the Bala Model Railway Exhibition in May 2017) and admired the photographs in Martin William's fine book on this railway line, I am minded to have a go at modelling the station/goods yards in N-gauge. I propose to do this as another end-to-end layout 4.5 feet by 1 foot similar to Cynwyd. In British Railway days Llanuwchllyn was a passing station with two platforms and an interesting diamond crossing leading to a small goods yard. An electronic shuttle control unit with train crossing function is planned to automate the layout for exhibition purposes. While the station has now been restored with a narrow gauge line running beside the lake towards Bala town, I propose to model the prototype as it was in BR days before closure. Thanks to Martin Williams and Peter Fisher have kindly made these historic photographs available to me which I attach below to illustrate the prototype: A BR Standard Class 4MT 4-6-0 arrives at Llanuwchllyn station in the early 1960s: Lydham Manor and Hinton Manor bring a Ffestiniog Railway Special past the diamond crossing/goods yard in 1963: A sadly overgrown station in August 1966 some years after closure: Llanuwchllyn station in fine shape in 1963 prior to closure: A postcard view of the station c 1920: Station staff and families proudly pose for the camera c 1895. Note the wooden toy locomotive at the boy's feet right of centre:

Nostalgia is not what it used to be...

Had a great time at the Bala Exhibition in North Wales 27/28th May. Photo shows L-R my wife, myself and John Roberts (a local man who worked on the Llangollen line extensively before its closure in 1963) with the Llangollen in N-gauge model. I don't think the F sign indicates the grade achieved by the display! Some other great layouts there including a GWR OO in P4, HO/N French/German layout and a OO UK outline layout extensively computerised. Regards, Gerry

Great video and love the B121!

I have received the following information from David Jones who is organising the 2017 Bala Exhibition in North-east Wales: Rail Gala & Model Railway Exhibition Sat 27th May (10:30 to 17:00) & Sun 28th May (10:30 to 16:00) 2017; Admission Adults £4, Concessions £3 Venue: Ysgol Y Berwyn Secondary School, on the A4212, Bala, Gwynedd LL23 7RU A free vintage shuttle bus will be available to/from Bala to the 9 mile narrow gauge steam railway to Llanuwchllyn. Under separate organisers there is a Festival of Transport there also (vintage vehicles etc separate entrance fee applies). So park either end of the railway, ride the steam train by the lake between each venue for a great family/enthusiasts' day out! Layouts Attending: Llangollen in N gauge (yours truly travelling from Ireland) Two Bridges "OO" Plas Edwards Shed compact "O" gauge Cwmbach "P4" Haland "OO" Trix Twin Mk4 "hO" Cobra Canyon "N" Krimhorn "OO9" Triang Big Big Train Walt's Playmobile Underhill Town "OO9" Altbahn "HO" Traders etc Abc Models John Sutton Books & Narrow gauge models Ffestiniog Railway Models/DVDs/Promotion Corris Railway Society 2nd hand models/items Maid Marian Fundraising Blackham Transfers

Perfect base for a Model Railway Club. The Donegal railway is highly modellable with 4mm and 7mm buildings available from Alphagraphix. Loads of publications with color photos of the railway also.

I believe compact/minimum-space layouts can now be referred to a "Shelfies"!

Cynwyd is now displayed on some rather fine bespoke "Inglenook" shelving from Komandor in Wexford. It also garnered the Best N Gauge (Stephen McNally Memorial) Award at the Wexford Easter Show.

Thanks everyone for the positive comments and a special thanks to all who helped manage the show, the traders, exhibitors and the many, many visitors. Next year will be bigger and better as it will be the 10th Easter Show at St Joseph's and we will be celebrating Wexford Model Railway Clubs 40th Birthday in 2018! So come join us to celebrate.

A few shots from around the show:

Looking good Robbie. Sneak preview of another diorama (not quite finished yet):

The exhibition will run from 12 noon Easter Sunday to 6 pm and Bank Holiday Monday from 11 am to 5 pm. Preparations are well underway and a great show is anticipated.

Hornby released these vans as part of an "Irish Freight" train set in the early 2000's. It came with a 0-4-0 loco with Flying Snail. a yellow coal wagon and a Burmah oil wagon along with a controller/set of tracks. I have a couple running around Ballybeg for variety even though not prototypical... Better models are available now.

Thanks Guys. Eamonn visited and took some lovely photos/videos for Facebook. A couple more:

Another view of Cynwyd.

All set for the Exhibition. Here are a few shots of Cynwyd with rolling stock. The setting is early British Rail but the odd GWR item may appear as if the station had be preserved! Note that the scenic section is only 9 inches deep in old money.

I stayed there in 1976 when the station was an An óige Youth Hostel. As schoolboys we cycled from Dublin to Kerry and back over two weeks using hostels each night. Many of the hostels have long been closed including Loo Bridge.

A serious case of size matters and modelling at 12 inches to the foot!