Talyllyn Junction

Discussion in 'Members Personal Layouts' started by David, Feb 20, 2018.

  1. David

    David Full Member

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    This is my home layout that is currently undergoing building.
    It is based on Talyllyn Junction West Station on the old Brecon and Merthyr line and was the point of divergence for the line to Three Cocks Junction.
    The tunnel at Talyllyn Junction is the oldest railway tunnel in the world, and it is still in existence today albeit, closed off from the public. The tunnel was built in 1816 and opened for the Hay tramway on the 7th May 1816. It was enlarged for standard gauge trains in 1863 and ultimately closed in 1963 with rather a lot of the Mid Wales infrastructure.

    I had the pleasure of visiting the site and walking the tunnel on the 7th May 2016 on the occasion of its 200th Anniversary. The visit was an excellent opportunity for gaining information from the local history group and also some photographic material. The station building/refreshment room was still standing, but as a private residence. The platform edging flags were still in situ but filled in between and lawned, and obviously the tunnel portal was there as well.

    I am building this layout in my garage and the line to Brecon disappears through the garage wall and will travel about 45 feet to a shed at the bottom of my garden where it will terminate. The other two diverging routes at the other end (Merthyr and Three Cocks) will terminate in the car port in front of the garage as two lots of hidden sidings.

    The B&M line was lightly loaded as there were some fierce gradients, so the order of the day are Panniers, Ivatt 2MT & Tender, 4F, 3F, 2251, 45xx with theo odd 14xx but not on Autoworking. The trains were no bigger than 4 coaches due to the grades, and the coaching stock was more secondary types such as relegated Hawksworths/Colletts/Stanier, etc. A single siding was adjacent to the station with a cattle dock and coal staithes. The double track on the Merthyr route was actually only single in operation as the inside line was classed as a long siding.

    The main feature of Talyllyn Junction is the double junction at the end of the main platforms, which included a single slip and in my case, through compression, a threeway. This made for some interesting track building after the design was printed from Templot. This was my first proper foray into track building and I found it quite straight forward to do. I'm working to O-MF (31.5mm gauge) with narrower 1.5mm check rail gaps. This gives a smoother running across the trackwork and no wheel drop.

    Anyway here are a couple of pictures of the main double junction at Talyllyn.

    Tally 257.jpg Tally 258.jpg

    I did build the platform sub structures but found that through a miss calculation I had built them about 3mm to tall, so I've recently ripped them all up ready to relay at a correct height. I have also decided to fit the point rodding before the platform is built and glad I did so as I couldn't see how I'd of been able to get all the detail such as compensators in whilst the platforms were in place.

    I have a website for my layout here: https://talyllyn-junction.weebly.com/

    And I have a good few YouTube videos here on my channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ5CvxDtBrAQ-zfKnh_eSBQ?view_as=subscriber

    Here you will see some of the DCC sound projects I've done for other people and for myself.

    That's all for now, I will bring some more pictures and descriptions along soon to bring it up to date.

    David ;)
     
  2. David

    David Full Member

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    I have been undertaking the construction of Talyllyn Junction for a little over two years now, and it has been an enjoyable time.
    Early 2016 I was quite ill for a while so it sort of ground to a halt for a while. I am now trying to get stuck in properly with construction of the station area itself.

    Here is a picture of 9648 sitting in Platform 2 (Prior to the platform structures being lifted) with the tunnel mouth in the background.

    Tally 265.jpg

    My Achilles heel is that I can't undertake building structures such as buildings, etc.
    A good friend of mine, Brian has constructed the station building and the tunnel mouth, and is currently building the two waiting room structures for me.

    I have used the excellent Minerva 8750 Pannier tank locos and currently have a few of these to call to roster.
    9648 was a regular at Talyllyn and all I've done to the Minerva model is add the relevant detailing parts and supplemented the vacuum and steam pipes for ones from Laurie Griffin.
    She is weathered as a heavily worked example coming towards the end of her days on stop - start passenger duties.


    Tally 240.jpg


    David ;)
     
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  3. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Great track work David. I do admire those who hand lay their track, to me it looks like an art ! Nice pics of the Pannier. Looking forward to more updates.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  4. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    What a stunning layout David... yes I can see these pictures:avatar:... That junction crossover arrangement with inside single slip and the tandem is just amazing, are these hand built items? Also the detail and weathering on the pannier tank is impressive. What I enjoy about your approach is the desire to represent actual locos that worked the location originally, this is something I decided to do also but with Stoke and Alsager engines... however I cannot claim to be able to run anywhere near 45 feet between buildings.
    cheers York Paul
     
  5. David

    David Full Member

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    Thank you Gary.



    Yes Paul the track work is all hand built.
    I used a plan off Templot and then used laser cut ply sleepers from Intentio, the rail is nickel silver bullhead from C&L and the chairs are also from C&L, the correct 2-bolt variety.
    Building trackwork isn't as hard as it may seem. Prior to this junction, all I had built was a copperclad point in OO and one point in 7mm, then got stuck into the junction which I built in situ.

    I'm hoping to get my new 12' x 6' shed built at the bottom of the garden this year, once that is built, I can then build the infrastructure for the line down to the bottom of the garden.
    One thing I'm thinking of doing is creating a sort of representation of Brecon Free Street station, at least the end of it with the bay that served Merthyr and Mid Wales via Talyllyn. That in itself could make things more interesting as it will require hands free controllers or two operators. Just a thought at the moment, but it would increase the operating potential no end.

    David ;)
     
  6. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Hi David, Wow that is really interesting. I agree scratch building pointwork isn't that hard and with care and consideration good results happen because the geometry can be built to suit. On my Elton Crossing (small) layout I built a B9 and a B8 - B8 crossover with parallel wing rails using a combination of C&L kits / components and rail. As mine is a representation of North Stafford Wheelock branch (Salt Line) at Elton Crossing Sandbach the chairs are three bolt types, I used some Midland 4 bolt chairs from Slater's in the siding but what a challenge fixing in the wooden chair keys. The Midland 85lbs chairs are very similar in design to NSR ones so they fit quite well. Hopefully I'll bump into C&L at the York Show this Easter as I want to make up another B8 + B8 crossover and I'm guarded not to send him an internet order at this time. Anyway I look forward to following your work and seeing how the layout develops. It all comes together over time as they say.:thumbs:

    cheers for now York Paul
     
  7. David

    David Full Member

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    Paul,

    C&L are now taking Credit/Debit card orders over the phone from what I've read elsewhere, which is the quickest way to get your requirements.

    David ;)
     
  8. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Ah thanks David that's good to know, when the previous owner Peter ran the business I used to order over the phone, glad to hear the new owner has done this. I knew he said he was going to restart card payments at some point. I like the C&L kits they are the best IMHO, just realised I need a run of point roller stools and signal wire stakes too.
    Cheers for now Paul
     
  9. David

    David Full Member

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    The double junction is approximately 5' in length and the curved facing crossover is 4'9" in length. All turnouts, except the tight side of the threeway are B10's. I've gone for gentler curvature so that the coaching stock doesn't look like train set angles whilst on the curves.

    I've got some infrastructure to be getting on with before I can start building and laying the Three Cocks side of the junction, it looks a bit daft at the moment with it being truncated so.

    I had Intentio design draw up and laser cut the signal box for Talyllyn for me, which I've been building, off and on now for about a year. I need really to get on with it and get it finished properly and painted.

    Here is a picture of Talyllyn West Junction's box for real:


    Tal 03.jpg

    The line has been closed to passenger traffic at this point, and the unique double bracket signal with lower fixed distants has been taken to bits, with only the main structure left.

    Here is a couple of pictures of my box under construction:

    Tally 209.jpg


    And a picture of the levers in place. All in the correct order and colour for the box in 1960.

    Tally 226.jpg

    More again soon

    David ;)
     
  10. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    David Great to see your layout Build
    Very neat track work and that lever frame really looks the business :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
     
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  11. David

    David Full Member

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    Thank you for the kind comment, I like building track, locomotives and stock, but when it comes to buildings, I'm a dummy!
    I have most of my buildings either built for me or a kit designed and made up for me, such as the signal box.

    I have also got a YouTube channel called Jinty's Videos, this channel shows lots of different locomotives and stock working around the station.
    One such video can be found here:



    I hope the link works ok
    There are some more recent videos with somewhat better editing.

    David ;)
     
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  12. David

    David Full Member

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    I have a Dapol Jinty which I've purchased for Talyllyn.
    I've numbered it up as a Swansea loco 47479, which was sheded at Swansea until 1963. It then moved up to Crewe prior to withdrawal.
    I've used smokebox number plates, shed plates, water capacity plates and works plates from Narrow Planet. I find their custom service excellent, maybe 4 - 6 weeks for custom orders, but excellent value for money.
    I've also added Laurie Griffin steam and vacuum pipes to it and painted them in.
    Now the one thing that irked me was the ridge around the chimney about a third up. Jinties had no ridge, so I tried to fill mine in with filler. It took a few coats but still didn't look right.
    So I purchased a cast brass chimney from Laurie Griffin and armed with razor saw, files and wet & dry paper, I hacked off the plastic chimney.
    I then glued the brass replacement in place after cleaning up the casting lines and removing the lip at the front of the opening.



    Once the glue was dry, I primered with an etch primer and finished with some matt black through the airbrush.
    She's now pretty much ready for the weathering bench now



    David ;)
     
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  13. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    I like the Jinty and the signal box.is the signal box a L Cut Creative version. It looks familiar.

    Cheers

    Toto
     
  14. David

    David Full Member

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    Hi Toto,

    No the signal box is a kit commission I've had done by Intentio Laser Design.

    Here is Phil's website: http://intentio.co.uk/

    It is a replica of Talyllyn West Junction signal box and has lots of intricate pieces to it.
    Here is a picture of Phil's test build of the test sample:

    Tally 193.jpg


    I will have to get cracking on with it now.

    David ;)
     
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  15. David

    David Full Member

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    I've had a bit of a 'three steps forward and two back' moment and realised that my calculations for the platform height was incorrect. It was a good 3mm too high.
    I ripped all the platform supporting gubbins out and started afresh.
    I also realised that the point rodding and associated gubbins would of been a nightmare to do with the platform in place, so I got stuck into the point rodding first alongside platform 2.
    I've used the excellent Modelu rodding stools sat on cork and a small piece of sleeper to bring it to height, then also used the MSE square rodding and their cranks etch for the compensators.
    Once the rodding was in place on the one side, I started fitting the platform face. I had Phil at Intentio laser cut me some 2' strips of 3mm ply into 30mm high pieces. I then stuck Slaters Random Stone to the upright and then once marked out the inside of the platform face, some 27mm high blocks were added so as to be able to pin the platform face to them. These blocks were then fitted with some of the 3mm ply strips to bring them up to 30mm high.
    The platform face sections were also painted grey with Halfords Grey Primer and recesses and cut outs for infrastructure were made.
    Once the platform sub-structure was put in place for platform 2 I decided to make a card template for the platform top and transfer it to a piece of 3mm ply. The ply was then duly cut out with my small modellers jigsaw (Lidl special) and thyen fitted to the framework at the junction end to start with.
    The hole for the double bracket signal was cut out and also one in the baseboard as well. for clearance.
    The stunning bracket signal is quite unique to Talyllyn Junction in having two fixed distant below a pair of home arms controlling the junction. This signal was built by Jon Fitness and is fully lit and working. He has done a magnificent job as usual.

    Once the platform was in place, I decided to position the signal and the signal box to see how they sat in relation to one another and thought that it made a good excuse for a couple of pictures.

    Here is a picture I have in my collection of the prototype which I've tried to replicate with my model. The angle is a bit wrong, but you get the idea and the signal and signal box look ok in relation of their position to one another I think. I've held the photograph in place whilst taking the main picture to give some idea.



    And some more views:









    More very soon as this has given me a bit of a boost!!!

    David ;)
     
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  16. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Superb work there David, I have a particular liking for layouts accurately modeled on a real location.:tophat: Looking forward to the other pictures as they come.:thumbs:
     
  17. David

    David Full Member

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    Not much been happening due to domestic duties and a forced bathroom refurbishment.

    After taking a few pictures of a Heljan 25/1 I've just finished for a customer, the sun started dropping down, showing the photo plank in shadow and the foliage behind it in sunlight. So out came the camera again, and a couiple of more 'moody, shots were had of 9648 and a couple of tanks on the hitch!!!









    Must get cracking on with Talyllyn, this is the only pannier of the six I've got to have been finished.
    I still have 7724, 9638, 9651, 4679 and 8791 to both detail and weather, the list is going to get bigger as I have a Dapol 14xx on order as well as one of their 45xx, and the Heljan Prairie and Mogul, which should nearly see Talyllyn's roster for GWR locos complete, well apart from a 2251!

    David ;)
     
  18. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Congratulations on POTW. Terrific images. :thumbs:

    Cheers

    Toto
     
  19. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Congrats on Pick of the week, lovely models and photo's.

    Paul
     
  20. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Well deserved PotW David. Congratulations. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    Cheers, Gary.
     

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