Model Railways Modelling in Miniature

  Manyof those who visited the Pill heritage Centre will remember the model railway. At over 60ft in length it represented a cross section of the Welsh Valleys and inluded workers cottages and a scaled down version of Big Pit.

Since its closure I have been asked many times of its whereabouts, Unfortunately thre main structure was scrapped, however the buildings including the model Pit, is currently with the Transport Enthusiasts Club and is part of the huge model display in Bob's Bus, a vintage coach which represents the club at rallies. The bus is at all parts of the country throughout the summer, and there is a link to the organisation on our links page.

For the benefit of those who have shown an interest I have published some pictures of the Old layout and also of my new layout which is under construction.

The Old Layout above was based on the South Wales Valleys, the new layout which is far removed from its predecessor is based a Cornish Branch line. And includes a harbour, inner harbour one terminal station and a one coach halt in front of the entrance to the fiddle yards.

If anyone has pictures of their own layout, they would like to share please contact me through the links page. I shall be happy to look at them.

Managed to get quite a bit done over the last fortnight. I actually attacked that evil corner which has been in the shadows waiting to be finished. The one which is furthest away from the base board edge. I built the ramp from the station and the raised area from a grey board found at Hobbycraft. It is quite thick, very tough and half the price of the best white I use for my buildings. In addition, with just a smell of Bostik it is solid! I have allways worried about painting my own backscenes, but I have built up a number of layers of Acrylics directly on to 1/8th ply to create a very reasonably sea scape with cliffs. I was very much inspired by my screen saver which is a shot of Praa Sands in Cornwall with loads of white spray softening the cliffs and the beach. I emulated this effect by dry brushing white acrylic over the colour, with a very old cheap brush. I just had enough room for three buildings on the high level, I would have liked more but that is the order of the day with model raiways. We never have enough room! So the back and the dodgy leg is wrecked now, so until next time, thanks for looking at the site.

jan