For the last few weeks I've been wandering around the layout, recording the scene for the final time, before it was swept away in the name of progress. Luckily everything in the photo below, with the exception of the backscene has survived, and will live for another day on the new layout.
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This is possibly my favourite photo, because for me, it captures those carefree summer days and evenings, when we, as a family would go for a walk. I can just imagine myself, running towards the crossing gates in hope of seeing a train pass by. Whilst my father, who was a keen gardener, would no doubt have wandered down to the allotments to see what was growing, and to have a chat with anyone who might have been around. In the meantime my mother and sisters would have been busy picking berries from the hedgerows, which would later, end up in a fruit pie.
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Such simple pleasures, and happy memories.
I must admit that I found it much harder to dismantle Llangunllo than Penhydd, but the deed has now been done. The salvaging operation went well, all the buildings, lineside furniture, and a lot of the scenic materials are now safely stored out of harms way. Even some of the track survived the wrecking crew, and I'm now left with just the baseboard frames and a half empty room. If the weather is kind, and allows me to set the workmate up on the patio, then it shouldn't take long to prepare the new track bed surfaces. Once they are cut to shape, and temporarily screwed in place the cassette decks and backscene can be sorted out, then I will be able to make a start on the trackwork and point rodding. I like to get the latter laid in early if possible, because its easier to work on, this time I'm using 3D printed GWR / Blackall's anti-friction rollers from Modelu.
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Naturally I couldn't resist setting a small portion of rodding up to get a feel for the product. Despite their small size the 4mm scale rollers are extremely neat, well detailed and are designed to accept 0.4 mm square or round wire, which is available from MSE . The wire slides between the rollers with ease, making assembly of a section of rodding both quick and simple. In fact, its far easier than the other methods, and products that I've used to create this essential feature.
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I thought I had cut and trimmed the rollers pretty neatly until I saw these close ups, damn camera doesn't miss a trick :-)
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The Modelu rollers compared with the Wills version, the latter is really designed for RTR track systems such as Peco Streamline with its moulded foam underlay. The Modelu rollers come in strip form, and are easily to cut, I needed a quantity of triple, double and single rollers for new layout. The cranks, compensator's, bases and whatnot being from Brassmasters. Yes, they can be fiddly to solder up, and no doubt my digits will get burnt, but I'll survive.
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On a different note, when I came to detail the platform on Llangunllo I couldn't find a suitable platform lamp. I didn't want any of those fancy working jobs, and the Dart Castings versions were far too fancy and ornate for my liking, a difficult customer aren't I :-) Anyway, I happened to ask Alan if it might be possible for him to scan, and print a standard GWR platform / yard lamp, like these at Llangollen.
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It seems that I am not the only modeller to be interested, and Alan is working on them along with other versions, so watch this space, and his website, if you are in the market for some platform lamps.
Another interesting development from the same stable are some loco lamps, I'll refer you to Tom Fosters excellent Cym Prysor blog for a full review. I've also purchased another two drivers, I'm rubbish when it comes to painting faces on model figures, and after trying every technique known to mankind I still can't crack it, but I'm determined to get there one day and do these superb models justice.
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I best point out that I have no connection with any of the manufacturers mentioned, I'm just a happy, satisfied customer. :-)
You haven't seen the the last of Llangunllo yet, as I have a huge collection of photos to share, you have been warned ! In the meantime I'll leave you with these............
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Happy Easter,
Geoff
This is possibly my favourite photo, because for me, it captures those carefree summer days and evenings, when we, as a family would go for a walk. I can just imagine myself, running towards the crossing gates in hope of seeing a train pass by. Whilst my father, who was a keen gardener, would no doubt have wandered down to the allotments to see what was growing, and to have a chat with anyone who might have been around. In the meantime my mother and sisters would have been busy picking berries from the hedgerows, which would later, end up in a fruit pie.
Such simple pleasures, and happy memories.
I must admit that I found it much harder to dismantle Llangunllo than Penhydd, but the deed has now been done. The salvaging operation went well, all the buildings, lineside furniture, and a lot of the scenic materials are now safely stored out of harms way. Even some of the track survived the wrecking crew, and I'm now left with just the baseboard frames and a half empty room. If the weather is kind, and allows me to set the workmate up on the patio, then it shouldn't take long to prepare the new track bed surfaces. Once they are cut to shape, and temporarily screwed in place the cassette decks and backscene can be sorted out, then I will be able to make a start on the trackwork and point rodding. I like to get the latter laid in early if possible, because its easier to work on, this time I'm using 3D printed GWR / Blackall's anti-friction rollers from Modelu.
Naturally I couldn't resist setting a small portion of rodding up to get a feel for the product. Despite their small size the 4mm scale rollers are extremely neat, well detailed and are designed to accept 0.4 mm square or round wire, which is available from MSE . The wire slides between the rollers with ease, making assembly of a section of rodding both quick and simple. In fact, its far easier than the other methods, and products that I've used to create this essential feature.
I thought I had cut and trimmed the rollers pretty neatly until I saw these close ups, damn camera doesn't miss a trick :-)
The Modelu rollers compared with the Wills version, the latter is really designed for RTR track systems such as Peco Streamline with its moulded foam underlay. The Modelu rollers come in strip form, and are easily to cut, I needed a quantity of triple, double and single rollers for new layout. The cranks, compensator's, bases and whatnot being from Brassmasters. Yes, they can be fiddly to solder up, and no doubt my digits will get burnt, but I'll survive.
On a different note, when I came to detail the platform on Llangunllo I couldn't find a suitable platform lamp. I didn't want any of those fancy working jobs, and the Dart Castings versions were far too fancy and ornate for my liking, a difficult customer aren't I :-) Anyway, I happened to ask Alan if it might be possible for him to scan, and print a standard GWR platform / yard lamp, like these at Llangollen.
It seems that I am not the only modeller to be interested, and Alan is working on them along with other versions, so watch this space, and his website, if you are in the market for some platform lamps.
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| Photo courtesy of Alan Butler (Modelu) |
I best point out that I have no connection with any of the manufacturers mentioned, I'm just a happy, satisfied customer. :-)
You haven't seen the the last of Llangunllo yet, as I have a huge collection of photos to share, you have been warned ! In the meantime I'll leave you with these............
Happy Easter,
Geoff