Minffordd Update: The Handmade Point Tale

 As much as we can we're trying to do the Minffordd project the easy way, with ready-to-run stock in both OO and OO9, DCC sound and all the rest.

That's why we've mixed 'n' matched on the standard gauge Cambrian loop using Peco code 75 Bullhead track on the scenic section, code 100 'streamline' in the fiddle yard and even a few 'settrack' curved points to help us cram it all in.

On the FR narrow gauge we're using both the 'mainline' track and points with the neat, straight sleepers and the larger radius turnouts, but also the original 'crazy track' product for the rougher trackwork in the yard.

However, Himself has come to the realisation that there really is not an alternative to constructing some handmade points for where sidings peel off from the tightly curving descent into the yard.

We've needed to use handmade points in places on all three of our layouts.

On Ddaullt they were the only option for the curved points into the passing loop and bay platform at the Blaenau end.

And on Bron Hebog he felt we could only do justice to the large radius points in the station by making them from scratch.

This was the first point he's made for at least 15 years, if not longer, and he's not completely happy with it.

The frog is slightly out of position and the tiny OO9 waggon wheels drop into the gap a little more than he would like, so he'll probably have another go.

Apparently it's only a full afternoon's work....

Minffordd Update: Full Circle

The arrival of a couple of missing curved points - and an extra length of the new Peco Bullhead track - has allowed Himself to complete the standard gauge track laying on the Minffordd project.

The whole thing is little bigger than a standard 'train set' and so the storage loops at the back won't allow for very long train formations.

We can just about squeeze in a class 24 and three mark one carriages in the longest road (nearest the camera) but - and only by a whisker - it will preclude through-running on the centre road.

When I first dreamed this up, though, I was only envisaging running 2-car DMUs, small pick-up freights and the odd day out for the district engineer in the inspection saloon, so it will be perfectly adequate for that.

But isn't it always the case with layouts that you fall to the temptation to stretch he era, or expand the selection of trains you run.....

Minffordd Update: Mineral Line

The focus of tracklaying on the Minffordd project has moved 'upstairs' to the narrow gauge line.

If you've been following our updates you'll remember the crossing points at the Porthmadog end of the section were one of the early things Himself tackled, with an inventive mechanical solution to motorising the points on top of an overbridge when you can't place a motor directly beneath it.

While waiting for the points to arrive to complete the standard gauge fiddle yard he got on with extending the FR main line and the parallel mineral line which form a very pleasing arc along the back of the scene.

I've always liked this section of the FR - and in its heyday the section from Glan y Pwll into Blaenau Ffestiniog - because double track formation is such a rare thing to see on British narrow gauge lines.

 

Minffordd Update: Tracklaying

It's very tempting when building a model railway to get as much of the track laid as soon as you can.

Not only is it a comforting illusion of progress, you can also begin to imagine properly what it's going to be like to run the layout.

This was a something Himself has had to resist as much as possible on the Minffordd project because the levels, gradients a curve - and the interplay between them - are so complex.

Now, though, he's judged this is the time to fix the position of the points for the standard gauge sidings in the exchange yard.

He's also laid bullhead track on the Cambrian line west of the station as it curls around the front of the layout and disappears beneath our cunningly relocated road bridge.

From this higher angle you're starting to get a good impression of how the whole scheme fits together, and how much of a run a standard Cambrian 2-car DMU gets within the scene.

Minfford Update: The Coal Hole And Other Apertures

 The process of forming the complex, and compact, trackbed and levels on the Minffordd project is continuing.

The shape of the former goods exchange yard with the Cambrian is becoming clearer, with the sunken 'coal hole' roads now bordered by the wooden formers for the walls.

This narrow gauge lines here will be straddled by standard gauge sidings on either side.

Swinging the camera to face in the opposite direction we can see Himself has formed the bridge where the Cambrian line exits again.

We've played with the geography of the area here to move the lane which crosses the line near the quarry a little nearer the station (with a very sharp bend in the road!)

Here the standard gauge goes into an effective tunnel along the right hand edge of the layout until it emerges into the fiddle yard.

In this covered section the storage lines of the fiddle yard begin to fan out, so to guard against catastrophic derailments on points Himself has created an emergency access flap.

At the other side, just beyond bridge where the FR passes over the Cambrian platform, we already have the start of the fiddle yard roads in place.

This view also shows the transition from the code 75 Bullhead track into the standard code 100 product for the hidden section - the difference in the sleeper size and spacings is very obvious!

Minffordd Update - Carriages In Context

A weekly inspection visit to view progress on the Minffordd project gave me an opportunity to pass over the newly-completed body shells of the Barn carriages to Himself to keep safe until he has the time - and the courage - to attempt the 'teak' paint job.

It also allowed us to pose what is going to be one of our standard carriage rakes in position along the embankment where the FR trains run, which gives a little more visual context to the scene.

With just the bare plywood track beds in place it's hard to get a proper impression of how big - or small - the layout will look.

We have the advantage with the way Minffordd is laid out, with the smaller, narrow gauge trains at the back of the scene, that it creates a natural optical illusion, in the same way that some modellers put reduced-scale buildings towards the rear of their layouts to give a perception of greater depth.

It's also pleasing that there will be almost no straight track anywhere on the layout, with the FR line forming a subtle crescent shape.

Most of what Himself has been doing for the past week is finalising the FR branch down into the exchange yard with the Cambrian, which he's worked out is a precipitous 1:19 gradient into the 'coal hole'.

What I think is quite impressive - and explains why it took most of the week - is that most of it was cut from a single sheet of plywood resting on a network of risers.

Down In The Yard

You reach a moment with every layout build where you start to get a glimpse (with a bit of help from your imagination) of what it is going to look like when it is complete.

The Minffordd project seems to have taken a bit step forward in the last week or so.

The FR overbridge has been given a coat of primer which I think demonstrates that it's definitely going to look the part, and the standard gauge track has begun to be fixed down.

The photo of a 24 nosing its way into the exchange yard gives a hint of what's to come, I hope.

Now Himself has turned his attention to forming the trackbed on the other side of the layout which involves some very complex changes of level and gradient as the FR track spirals down to meet the Cambrian.

Even at this stage you can step back and get a sense of how the whole scene is going to work.

I hope those who know the location will be able to squint a little and recognise this as the view from the window of an FR train crossing the bridge.