Llangollen in N

[Irishrailwayman]

I am working on an N Gauge model based on a reopened section of the former Ruabon to Barmouth line at Llangollen in NE Wales. I have based the track plan on the BR pre-closure layout and as if the section east of the bridge had been refurbished. I am using modified Metcalfe card kits as well as some Kestral plastic kits. The track is Peco finescale and power is straightforward DC (Morley Vesta Zero2N). I will use a rtr stock in GWR/early BR with steam/DMU/early diesel outline as in "preserved stock" or heritage line. I have a model of Foxcote Manor which is actually preserved at Llangollen. The pictures below show the early/intermediate stages of construction and I will post updates from time to time. I hope to show the model at exhibitions in time. (Note: Edited to reload photos lost to Photobucket/may differ to original posting).

Edited November 14, 2017 by Irishrailwayman
Additional information/pictures

[Dunluce Castle]

Beautiful, great job, I love the curved platform, very nice indeed.

[enniscorthyman]

Very nice and cant wait to see it finished.

[Robert Davies]

Gerry!

 

So far, so very good indeed! I had to keep reminding myself that this was N gauge! The platforms at LLan are very long indeed, with that sweeping curve to take them away from the river. For those that don't know, the footbridge on the down side is very disconcerting for travellers that use it in that is cantilevered out over the river - fine in Summer, but after the recent Winter, if you look down through the gaps in the footboards all you can see is a boiling seething torrent!

You've very much captured the feel of the place - being on a shelf between the river and the hill…

 

I could go on and on, but Gerry, you are very much on the right tracks (sorry!) I was concerned when you said that Llangollen was your next project, being as it is near and dear to me in 1:1 scale - I worried needlessly, even at this early stage, 'I could be there'.

 

I am very much looking forward to progress updates!

 

-Rob

[Broithe]

Marvellous!

 

 

I was concerned when you said that Llangollen was your next project, being as it is near and dear to me in 1:1 scale - I worried needlessly, even at this early stage, 'I could be there'.

Indeed, one can almost feel the rain.

[heirflick]

i am surprised at the level of detail on here Gerry! as Robert said - i have to remind myself that it is indeed N gauge. the metcalf structures are superb (and i was never a fan of it...until now!) best of luck with it and keep the progress reports comming! bty , what power pack will you use and have you any stock yet?

[Irishrailwayman]

Thanks for the positive comments guys. I plan to keep the controls simple i.e. DC using a Morley N gauge twin controller and push rods for the turnouts. I have collected some rolling stock mainly new Graham Farish or Dapol which are of very high quality including Foxcote manor steam outline locomotive, Class 20 BR, Class 108 DMUs in green and blue liveries, goods wagons, and rakes of BR MK 1 coaches in choclate/cream, maroon, carmine/cream and BR blue/grey liveries. I plan to get a few 0-6-0 tank engines for the autocoachs in various liveries also.

 

Early days yet, I looking forward to seeing how the layout shapes up as I add additional layers of detail including modelling a fast running river, trees etc. I have mirrors for each end to develop the illusion that the river/trees extend into the distance...

Edited March 21, 2014 by Irishrailwayman
typo

[wexfordloco10]

Hi Gerry

Well done looking forward to an invite only joking you certainly have captured the station and

buildings as I remember them

David Heath

[Georgeconna]

Lovely Reverse Curve there, Can wait to see the finished Article, Went past this location and you have captured the feel of the Railway brilliantly..

[Irishrailwayman]

A few photos to update you on progress with "Llangollen in N". Next tasks include completing hard scenic base and adding cloudy sky... (Note: new photos uploaded by edit due to loss on Photobucket/may differ from original posting).

Edited November 14, 2017 by Irishrailwayman
Add images lost to Photobucket

[Dunluce Castle]

Nice Job, interesting footbridge.

[Broithe]

Marvellous rendition of the weird footbridge.

 

The Tourist Board might prefer it if the sky wasn't totally cloudy.......

[Georgeconna]

Have you got some trains running around yet. Stunning work. should be great when the Greenery goes on!!

[Robert Davies]

Remarkable job you've done there Gerry - it looks and 'feels' like the place.

 

Grey skies are about right too!

 

What you've done with the continuation under the bridge is very reminiscent of what used to be at Dolgellau, about forty miles further up the line towards the coast.

 

I don't think I've ever seen Metcalfe kits used to represent an actual prototype so well.

 

I showed the the former CME of the Llangollen Railway the first pics on the thread, without telling him what scale it was, or even where it was supposed to be a model of - He said 'He's got Llan just right' - then I told him it was 'N'…. His face was a picture!

 

-Rob

Edited May 20, 2014 by Robert Davies

[Mayner]

You have really captured the atmosphere of the place, with the railway and town hemmed into a narrow river valley. I was always fascinated by the railways and canals in Mid Wales and the Welsh border country. Modelling the fast flowing waters of the Dee will be an interesting challenge

[Irishrailwayman]

Remarkable job you've done there Gerry - it looks and 'feels' like the place.

 

Grey skies are about right too!

 

What you've done with the continuation under the bridge is very reminiscent of what used to be at Dolgellau, about forty miles further up the line towards the coast.

 

I don't think I've ever seen Metcalfe kits used to represent an actual prototype so well.

 

I showed the the former CME of the Llangollen Railway the first pics on the thread, without telling him what scale it was, or even where it was supposed to be a model of - He said 'He's got Llan just right' - then I told him it was 'N'…. His face was a picture!

 

-Rob

 

I'm delighted that you like my work as you know the locality so well. In addition referencing my own photographs, I have a very good illustrated book on the Railways of North Wales: The Llangollen Line: Ruabon-Barmouth by WG Rear and N Jones (2012 edition). The cover colour photograph shows a quintessential view of the station from the bridge.

 

I used the book to design the section "east" of the bridge as if this had been preserved. I have used modeller's licence to add a curved cross-over at the west side also and rearranged the waiting room (in "stone"rather than brick as on the prototype as is the secondary road bridge) locations to suit the layout. I selected the Metcalfe card kits and plastic Kestral kits which most closely resembled the prototypes and kit-bashed these to resemble the prototypes.

 

I have now added Peco clouded skies paper to the backscene and will consider using a generic woodland overlay perhaps with a few cut-out photos of actual buildings in the background (including perhaps Dinas Bran).

 

Gerry

[Irishrailwayman]

A couple of updated photos to show progress (Note: new photos uploaded via edit as originals lost to Photobucket/may differ from those originally posted).

 

Edited November 14, 2017 by Irishrailwayman
Replace images lost to Photobucket.

[Irishrailwayman]

Some additional shots - the Wales Tourist Board may be happier with those blue skies albeit with a few clouds!

Edited November 14, 2017 by Irishrailwayman

[Irishrailwayman]

A couple of updated photos showing Llangollen before trees added... (Note: images lost to Photobucket have been replaced...)

Edited November 14, 2017 by Irishrailwayman
Images lost to Photobucket have been replaced

[Irishrailwayman]

Llangollen in N with trees and river in full flow... (Note:images lost to Photobucket)

And a short video as a preview of the Exhibition debut of Llangollen in N at the Wexford MRC show at CBS Wexford on October 26 and 27, 2014 (thanks to Enniscorthyman for his excellent photography):

 

 

Edited November 14, 2017 by Irishrailwayman

[enniscorthyman]

Lovely job Gerry.I look forward to the Wexford show to see it in action again.

[scahalane]

Great shots and a lovely looking layout.

[heirflick]

great work on that layout Gerry - well done sir!....suppose we should thank Eamo for the pics!

[wexfordloco10]

First Class Gerry well done I am sorry I will not see this excellent layout at the Wexford Show

as I will be away Having also been to Llangollen it is spot on

David

[wexfordloco10]

Thank you Gerry for invite enjoyed the visit This Layout must be seen

Anyone in the Wexford area 26 /27 Oct please visit the Wexford Model Railway Club

Exhibition to see this layout David

[Lewey13]

Great work Gerry, look forward to seeing it at the Wexford Show. duncan

[Irishrailwayman]

Irishrailwayman said:

A few photos to update you on progress with "Llangollen in N". Next tasks include completing hard scenic base and adding cloudy sky.

 

Guys, I had been posting pictures from Photobucket but this seems to be by way of weblink that can get disrupted. Any thoughts on how pictures can be attached to postings as copies of photos on a laptop. Non-techie :-(

Edited November 14, 2017 by Irishrailwayman

[Irishrailwayman]

I have (hopefully) managed to attach below some photos of the model and the prototype which got lost for technical reasons:

 

[Irishrailwayman]

I have set up Llangollen in N over the Christmas holidays and have taken a few photies of upgrades and rolling stock...

 

A general view of Llangollen's (mediaeval) bridge with modern traffic, the River Dee, heritage railway (note Castel Dinas Bran in backdrop overlooking the town...

 

 

A BR Class 20 diesel has charge of some cattle wagons on a mixed goods train. Note the unusual footbridge cantilevered out over the River Dee...

 

 

Garth Hall No 5955 4-6-0 rests in the bay platform while GWR chocolate and cream MK1 coaches form the back of an excursion set.

 

 

General view of Llangollen with River Dee, bridge and railway.

 

 

An engineer's train provides the needs of the PW gang at the facing siding.

 

 

Note the use of a mirror to get four kayakers for the price of two (and make the River Dee flow towards the sea)!

 

 

Other kayakers have a hard time dealing with a rapidly flowing River Dee.

 

 

Three storey redbrick victorian villas were modelled by modifying Metcalfe card kits.

 

 

A BR green Class 25 has charge of an excursion train at the Church Road bridge end of the station. Note again the use of a mirror to provide interesting depth of field at this end of the layout.

 

 

View from Church Road bridge over Llangollen station.

 

 

Workshop sidings above the restored line at the Church Road bridge.

 

 

Modern traffic on Llangollen bridge contrasts with the heritage rolling stock on the restored railway.

[Irishrailwayman]

A few shots of rolling stock (and kayakers)...

 

[Irishrailwayman]

Enniscorthyman has posted a nice video of Llangollen in N here:

[enniscorthyman]

Very enjoyable watching the N

Gauge stock.Great detail for the size

of them.

[Irishrailwayman]

Just completed adding new DC chassis - GreenMax 18M (from http://www.wellingtonmodels.com/index.php/6/) to two GWR Railcar bodies kindly given to me as gifts by David Heath and Sean Ryan. I converted one into an "Express Parcels" railcar with GWR crest logo No 34 by attaching vinyl overlays from Electra Railway Graphics (see http://www.electrarailwaygraphics.co.uk/ under Heritage Range). The other I retained as railcar No 19 with GWR round "art deco" logos. Models shown here posing on Ballybeg with their bigger "OO" DCC cousin from Shunters Yard!

 

Edited October 14, 2016 by Irishrailwayman

[Irishrailwayman]

Llangollen in N is scheduled to appear at the Bala Model Railway Exhibition on May 27th/28th 2017. I am delighted to have the opportunity to show the layout at the site of the original Ruabon to Barmouth line and not many miles from the restored sections from Llangollen/Corwen and Llanuwchllyn/Bala Lake.

[enniscorthyman]

Best of luck at the show.