The Railway in the Valley of the Mill

[Trevor Thompson]

Thanks for all of the positive comments!

I can get quite excited about how it is progressing as well Simon!
Now I have trains passing over that double slip I can see that I hadn't understood it at all - it is weird just as Phil suggested. The point levers do indicate where the train is going UNLESS it is set as a crossing. So if the train is to cross from the furthest L H track to the nearest R H track it is the opposite of what I had thought. I will stop there because I will only confuse you as well!

So I am currently modifying the point levers to get them to sit more upright - and not hit trains, and I am making more track to finish the sidings off. I have run trains on it and so far the track is fine - but my bogie coaches wont be able to use the sidings (which were intended as the slate quarry). I expected that. More photos when there is something to show.

Aaron, the workshop is brilliant in the winter - toasty warm with the woodburner ticking over!

Trevor

[gilfachphil]

Trevor,

whenever I have set up point switching for a double slip the buttons on the right hand routes control the point motor on the left hand moving blades and vice versa. Whether there is a way to control your double slip mechanically using the point levers placed as you have them is a more complex matter.

I am looking forward to trying out the new station,

Phil

[Trevor Thompson]

Dinas station building is largely complete, apart from windows doors and guttering, which I will add after it has been painted. So I have begun painting:

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The track where it fits is also complete - but more of that another time.

I have also finished painting the castle, well at least it will do for now. I think I have over done it - but perhaps it will fade in the sun!
The location for it in the centre go the viaduct has been cleared of rocks to level it. It was a pile of building rock salvaged from digging out the foundations of a building. The location isn't finished yet, it needs more compost, a weed suppressing membrane and then the building can be "planted" in place and the plants set around it - but that is for tomorrow:

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Since taking the photo this morning I have removed all the roots and loose stones, and added fresh soil to build the level up (compensating for removing all the rock).

Trevor

[ge_rik]

That building is really impressive, Trevor. I can't recall seeing such a large structure on any other garden railway.
I'm sure the castle will weather in nicely.

Rik

[philipy]

Very nice Trevor. As Rik says the colour will soon tone down. The station building is fabulous too. How long is it O/A?

[Peter Butler]

That building is really impressive, Trevor. I can't recall seeing such a large structure on any other garden railway.


Rik

I have never seen a railway to compare with Trevor's. End to end with long stretches of open space between features, this building will not look so massive when on-site. We will be running there next Saturday, so expect some impressive photos.

[ge_rik]

I have never seen a railway to compare with Trevor's. End to end with long stretches of open space between features, this building will not look so massive when on-site. We will be running there next Saturday, so expect some impressive photos.

Looking forward to it.

Rik

[Old Man Aaron]

Got me wishing I'd picked up those free sawhorses I passed up on Wednesday..

Really puts into perspective what a monster of a building it is.

I'll second that, Rik.

[Lonsdaler]

Both the station and the castle are most impressive, as of course is the entire line. Citadel (Peter Butler's choice of paint) do a dry brush on paint called 'Terminatus Stone'. Lightly brushed onto your castle walls it will help to highlight the stonework.

[Trevor Thompson]

Very nice Trevor. As Rik says the colour will soon tone down. The station building is fabulous too. How long is it O/A?

It's 1.5 metres long!

Trevor

[Trevor Thompson]

That building is really impressive, Trevor. I can't recall seeing such a large structure on any other garden railway.


Rik

I have never seen a railway to compare with Trevor's. End to end with long stretches of open space between features, this building will not look so massive when on-site. We will be running there next Saturday, so expect some impressive photos.

Wow! That is praise indeed coming when it comes from Peter!

Trevor

[Trevor Thompson]

Well the SWW group meeting went well, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the weather was perfect (if a bit on the hot side!).

So I will now show you the photos I was holding back until after the meeting:

Firstly the castle planted in to its final resting place:

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And Dinah's guide to the castle:

"History
Following the annexation of extensive areas of M***** Estate for the construction of a railway the Chief Engineer decided that a suitable compensation package should include the construction of a castle, this as a gift for his Lady Wife.

After much research a castle was designed, loosely based on Skenfrith Castle in Monmouthshire. A suitable site was chosen. It was in a good defensive position, on a high bluff, controlling access from all directions, with building materials close to hand, rich farmland and a vineyard nearby to cater for the necessities of life, and designed to promote the power and prestige of the Lady Wife.

Construction commenced during the reign of Good Queen Elizabeth, and was only completed after many years of labouring during the reign of her son, King Charles. The Chief Engineer also served as the Master Mason, Master Carpenter, Architect, Project Manager and labourer. Accountancy and catering services were supplied by the Lady Wife.

Guided tour
The castle entrance is approached from south, with the gateway flanked by two strong towers. The Inner Bailey is surrounded by defensive walls linking a further four towers. The towers have arrow loops. Within the Bailey is a massive keep, which is where the lord and lady have their private accommodation and which can provide protection for the whole household should the outer defences be breached. As with all serious castles the entrance is at first floor level, as it is more difficult to force entry with a battering ram when you have to mount a ladder or steep flight of steps. The castle has never been successfully attacked and captured, a testament to skill of the Master Mason and the Lady Wife. The inner Bailey is set out today as a pleasure garden.

The castle can be visited by appointment only. The nearest station is Dduallt. People wishing to visit the castle should inform the guard when joining the train, and check on the return times."

And the new station building in place:

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Trevor

[philipy]

Can't think of a superlative that i haven't already used, but well done it all looks fab ...As does the Lady Wife's input!

[StuartJ]

Dinas looks great painted and in position! Looking forward to seeing the scene develop around it.

[Phil.P]

Is there a tea room, and when are the gardens open for visits?



Phil.P

[Peter Butler]

The eagerly anticipated visit by our Local Area Group was a great event in our calendar. The weather couldn't have been better, the catering excellent, the garden immaculately presented and the railway superb.
The effort, which Trevor and his Lady Wife go to, to ensure we all well looked after was superb. Many thanks to them both from me.
Here are a couple of pictures just to give an idea of how the railway is sited in the landscape. I can't think of another like it as it climbs and winds its way up a gentle incline to the upper terminus...

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The structures, although large, settle naturally into the landscape.

[ge_rik]

Stunning!! Everything just fits together so well!

Rik

[Peter Butler]

To put it into perspective, this shows a position, possibly less than halfway along the upper section of the incline. In the distance the line curves to the left and enters the spiral trestle bridge around the castle. It then returns parallel with this line but several feet lower and continues for equal distance again beyond this point to the lower terminus.
Impossible to show in a single photograph, except by drone?

[Trevor Thompson]

I have not forgotten about the signals - it it just that so much has been happening that they have got to the back of the list!

In some places it has been easy to install them. Where I can I have dug a hole at the side of the track and concreted in a printed housing, such as here at Dduallt:

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In other places I have partly buried the housing:

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In some places (where I have yet to actually fit them) I will have to grind away rocks and concrete to make a place where I can fit a housing. However the stationary "whistle" signals have been fitted either side of the steps which cross the railway:

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Of course these are not prototypical, but a flight of my imagination. But then the prototype didn't have 200 ft wide paths crossing it, so perhaps we can ignore the lack of realism in this instance. The yellow signal was a much later development, and I have coupled it with the period green light to indicate "caution". Still it looks the part.

I still have the large 2 arm, three position signals in the workshop, yet to be assembled. Also 4 of the point indicators sitting there.

Trevor

[Phil.P]

For a moment, I thought I was looking at the Ashover railways last fling..

Phil Partridge.