Well, this will be my last post for 2015 and the beginning of the end for Llangunllo as you know it. For once the layout has appeared in MRJ it will be dismantled, and work will commence on its replacement. Between now, and then, I plan on posting a selection of photos of the layout and continuing with a some of the bridges, trackwork and other features needed for the new project.
November and December have been frustrating months on the modelling front, as I've had no end of problems sourcing components and materials for a variety of projects on my workbench. One of the models affected by all this is 7416, and I've now given up hope of completing her for Christmas. I would, like to name and shame a few people, like the Yorkshire based company, who charges you for sending solvents and paints via courier only to send them illegally by Royal Mail 2nd Class post! I'm also in dispute with another supplier who has taken my money yet failed to deliver, hopefully 'Paypal' will sort things out in my favour.
Anyway I must stop grumbling because its supposed to be the season of goodwill, so here are a few photos of 7416 as she is today, on a variety of duties, and not far from being completed..
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Here she is running into Llangunllo with a mixed train, the following sequence shows the train as it travels along the branch for Llanbister Road.
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By this time in her life 7416 was looking rather sorry for herself and I hope to capture her run down and uncared for appearance. Together with 1455 she will provide the only, and true to life motive power that I need for the branch. Of course other old favourites will be run from time to time but won't see as much use.
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The 'Bobby' has been rather quick in returning the signal to danger ! Following a period of running in and slight adjustments I'm very happy with the running qualities of 7416. She starts first time and can be brought down to a crawl, which is a huge improvement on the original model.
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Its Christmas and not a sprout in sight on the allotment, and a good job too as the wind is pretty strong as it is in these parts!
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This scene will be the first to disappear as the boards are reworked to feature the Talybont on Usk bridges. The River Lugg will be diverted in the process, an embankment will spring up and a new bridge will be crossing over a country lane just to the left of the one you see here.
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Another day dawns and 7416 gets to grips with a rake of loaded milk tanks, which are destined for the Cadbury chocolate factory at Ford Bridge on the outskirts of Leominster. The the factory still stands today, though it produces other confectionery rather than chocolate, and ingredients arrive by road.
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The 20 mph restriction is for the bridge.......
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7416 was regularly used on goods trains around Kington until she was withdrawn on the 31/01/1959. With the benefit of hindsight it might have been a better idea to have selected sister engine 7414 which was still earning her keep in the area until the 30/11/1964.
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Anyway way here she is heading home for Kington with a short goods train, this particular shot was inspired by one of G.F Bannister's photos taken at Kingsland between Titley Junction and Leominster. There are a few photos of the real branch line here if you are interested in learning more.
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Should my detailing brushes arrive in the post tomorrow then I'll paint the Modelu crew that I purchased for the loco, and add the few remaining details such as fire irons and a spare shovel over the Christmas break.
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Well that's it for this year, thank you all for following my exploits with Llangunllo, here's wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
All the best,
Geoff
November and December have been frustrating months on the modelling front, as I've had no end of problems sourcing components and materials for a variety of projects on my workbench. One of the models affected by all this is 7416, and I've now given up hope of completing her for Christmas. I would, like to name and shame a few people, like the Yorkshire based company, who charges you for sending solvents and paints via courier only to send them illegally by Royal Mail 2nd Class post! I'm also in dispute with another supplier who has taken my money yet failed to deliver, hopefully 'Paypal' will sort things out in my favour.
Anyway I must stop grumbling because its supposed to be the season of goodwill, so here are a few photos of 7416 as she is today, on a variety of duties, and not far from being completed..
Here she is running into Llangunllo with a mixed train, the following sequence shows the train as it travels along the branch for Llanbister Road.
By this time in her life 7416 was looking rather sorry for herself and I hope to capture her run down and uncared for appearance. Together with 1455 she will provide the only, and true to life motive power that I need for the branch. Of course other old favourites will be run from time to time but won't see as much use.
The 'Bobby' has been rather quick in returning the signal to danger ! Following a period of running in and slight adjustments I'm very happy with the running qualities of 7416. She starts first time and can be brought down to a crawl, which is a huge improvement on the original model.
Its Christmas and not a sprout in sight on the allotment, and a good job too as the wind is pretty strong as it is in these parts!
This scene will be the first to disappear as the boards are reworked to feature the Talybont on Usk bridges. The River Lugg will be diverted in the process, an embankment will spring up and a new bridge will be crossing over a country lane just to the left of the one you see here.
Another day dawns and 7416 gets to grips with a rake of loaded milk tanks, which are destined for the Cadbury chocolate factory at Ford Bridge on the outskirts of Leominster. The the factory still stands today, though it produces other confectionery rather than chocolate, and ingredients arrive by road.
The 20 mph restriction is for the bridge.......
7416 was regularly used on goods trains around Kington until she was withdrawn on the 31/01/1959. With the benefit of hindsight it might have been a better idea to have selected sister engine 7414 which was still earning her keep in the area until the 30/11/1964.
Anyway way here she is heading home for Kington with a short goods train, this particular shot was inspired by one of G.F Bannister's photos taken at Kingsland between Titley Junction and Leominster. There are a few photos of the real branch line here if you are interested in learning more.
Should my detailing brushes arrive in the post tomorrow then I'll paint the Modelu crew that I purchased for the loco, and add the few remaining details such as fire irons and a spare shovel over the Christmas break.
Well that's it for this year, thank you all for following my exploits with Llangunllo, here's wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
All the best,
Geoff