Background
The introduction by Stephen Poole of the 7mm scale Glyn Valley Tramway locomotive and rolling stock kits, coinciding with the life expiry of an 009 exhibition layout and a desire to obtain better running and greater detail, all cumulated in the building of ‘Dyffryn Station’.
As the name implies, the chosen geographical location for the model was Wales. However, due to space constraints and personal preference, no particular prototype location was followed. The time period selected was the early to mid-1930s.
Photo by Len Weal courtesy of Railway Modeller: An overall view from the station towards the coal yard and Chapel. A Roy Link Bagnall brings in mixed passenger train.
This was to be a ‘maximum effort’ project and the desire to achieve a simple and uncluttered scene resulted in the adoption of a simple passing loop, based on Pontfadog on the GVT. From the outset scale couplings were envisaged and since these would make shunting very difficult, the lack of sidings would not affect the overall operation. The available space, at the time construction was commenced, restricted overall size to 13′ by 6′. A passing loop could easily be fitted along the front but, to allow adequate operator access, the rear storage area was restricted to three tracks. This if anything, has proved to be the most limiting operational feature.
Dyffryn Station Plan courtesy of Roy Link / Narrow Gauge and Industrial Railway Modelling Review
Construction
Details of construction are on the Construction page.
Rebuilding
Details of the rebuilding are on the Rebuilding page.
Buildings
Details of the buildings are on the Buildings page.
Interiors
Details of the interiors are on the Interiors page.
Rolling stock
Unfortunately, when I commissioned Terry Onslow to take some photos I only had two items of motive power available. The less said about the DJH 0-4-0T the better but the ‘Talyllyn’ look-a-like was built from an original Stephen Poole kit mounted on a much modified Fleishman chassis. Now, other motive power consists of a variety of the kits that became available during the life of Dyffryn. The only scratch-built item was a model built by my brother the 0-4-0 Vertical Boilered ‘Victoria’ from the Plynlimon & Hafan Railway.
Photo by Terry Onslow: I commissioned a set of photos by Terry just after the first exhibition at Gloucester while the layout was still in the club room. the lighting wasn’t fantasitic and they all turned out a bit dark. they were all I had and were used in the article in Narrow Gauge and Industrial Railway Modelling Review. Unfortunately most of the locos had been despatched with my brother straight after the show so the photos only featured a Stephen Poole ‘Tal-y-llyn’ and a freelance DJH 0-4-0T.
Passenger and goods rolling stock was largely kit built. This was dictated by the time constraint associated with the construction the layout.
In general rolling stock was restricted to 2′ 3″ to 2′ 6″ gauge, prototypes, although the odd smaller gauge item was seen from time to time. To be honest, differences gauge don’t worry me so long as there is enough margin within the overall width to accommodate 16.5mm gauge.
And finally
In conclusion I must mention and thank some of the people who have be involved with the construction and exhibiting of ‘Dyffryn Station’. In the early days of rebuilding, I was aided and abetted by Andy McDougall (whose excellent field work knowledge of the Dinorwic Quarry system is quite phenomenal) and my brother Dave, who wired it all up and built some of the rolling stock.
Marriage and a move of house to different part of the country delayed rebuilding and it would never have been completed were it not for the continual encouragement of my wife who subsequently has had to put with my various exhibition exploits.
The local model club was very helpful, particularly Roger Brown and his son Matthew, who regularly helped to transport, set up and operate the layout at exhibitions.
More photos are on the Gallery page.