Talyllyn Railway

For nearly 150 years steam trains have run along the Talyllyn Railway, but 60 years ago it became the world's first preserved railway. Originally built to serve the Bryn Eglwys quarry and local farmers along the route between Tywyn Wharf and the quarry.

Late summer and all's quiet at Dolgoch Station prior to an afternoon arrival. 

Sir Haydn slowly pulls into Dolgoch Station.

Edward Thomas approaching Dolgoch Viaduct en-route to Tywyn Wharf.

Edward Thomas pulls into Abergynolwyn Station.

Tywyn Wharf Station with Edward Thomas patiently waiting for departure.

All aboard - but who's that on Sir Haydn's footplate?

Billy Body - Stage 1

With the chassis and boiler put to one side, I made a start on the body using the Roundhouse Body Kit (HBK5).

I started with the cab floor, folding the brass into shape according to the instructions. As eventually I intend to fit radio control to this model, a bracket was bent and fitted to the cab floor via two tags, slotted through the floor and then soft soldered.

The brass cab floor was then rubbed down and cleaned with Isopropanol before being primed with etch primer, grey primer and then four coats of Halfords black gloss enamel paint.

Next stage, the fitting of additional boiler bands and the cab floor.

Shifting sand

Nearly there now.

Just after leaving Homestyal Halt, a lonely Kof passes through the undergrowth.

Long and winding journey.

Kof leaving Homestyal Halt before the last passenger train of the day arrives.

Shifting sand to Buddleia Pond whilst the sun shines.

Billy goes for a run

 

After several hours on the test bed, it was time to let her go!

Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway

This has to be perhaps one of my favourite weekends of the year with both the WLLR Gala and the Llanfair Garden Railway Show taking place over the two days. The star of the show this year was the recently restored 'Joan' after an absence of almost twenty years.

Joan pulling out of Cyfronydd on her way to Llanfair Caereinion

Countess arriving at Castle Caereinion

Earl slowly arriving at Sylfaen

A short blast of her whistle and Countess departs for Welshpool