More Design Flavour for the MQR

The other Welsh railway that I am basing the MQR on is the Talyllyn Railway. Unlike the Penrhyn Quarry Railway, the Talyllyn continues to run today as a tourist railway; it was sold to a group of enthusiasts in 1951. Robin and I rode it in 2014 and the photo above came from that trip.

I purchased a copy of James I. C. Boyd’s book, “The Tal-y-llyn Railway“, later on during that 2014 trip and have found it to be a great resource. Of course, the Internet also has plenty of information.

Wharf Station

This is the west end of the Talyllyn Railway. While today’s operations is heavily documented, photographs from the 1940’s and early 1950’s are relatively difficult to find. Here are two of Wharf Station in the early 1950’s. The size and scale of operations make a good fit for the MQR.

Towyn Wharf station, Talyllyn Railway with train,1953
Talyllyn Railway train at Towyn Wharf station, 1951

Stations Along the Line

While the Penrhyn Quarry Railway was primarily focused on moving slate, the Talyllyn had much more passenger service and some attractive small stations along the line. Brynglas is located about half way between the ends of the line and features the sole passing loop on the line.

Brynglas station, Talyllyn Railway, 1951

Dolgoch is another stop along the line. It features a water tank for upbound trains as well as a very photogenic viaduct over a stream.

Dolgoch station with train, Talyllyn Railway, 1951

Inspirational 7/8″ Scale Railways

My previous garden railway provided me a lot of enjoyment over its four-year life. It was simple in design, quick to construct, easy to maintain and quick to dismantle when we finally moved. It was a great first outdoor layout for me but as I look to design and build the MQR, I am planning on setting my sights higher.

I’ve been a member of the 7/8″ scale forum, The SE Lounge, since 2007. Over the years, members have documented the creation and development of their layouts.  Here are three that have captured my imagination and will provide inspiration for the MQR design.

Rich Chiodo’s Isle of Shoals Tramway

If you are not familiar with Rich’s layout, I strongly encourage to go through all 23 pages of the post linked above. The IST is a wonderfully executed garden railway that fully captures British narrow gauge.

Things I like about the IST:

  1. The brick tub supporting and surrounding the IST is just gorgeous; it creates a nice edge which photographs well. However, Rich mentioned that it took a long time to construct. 30″ feels about the right amount of elevation to design for.
  2. Rich’s design allows access to all parts of the layout.
  3. Low track-to-scenery ratio.
  4. Very simple track work: wide curves, little straight track, 5 switches in total.

Things I’d do differently:

  1. I would like to have the option to run both point-to-point and continuously.
  2. I am on the fence when it comes to the “pit”. It is a sunken area in the middle of the layout where people can sit and enjoy the layout from a different angle.

Chris Bird’s Summerlands Light Railway

Chris has documented his layout extensively on YouTube.

Things I like about the SLR:

  1. Once again, a very simple track work: wide curves, little straight track, 6 switches in total.
  2. Many small scenes that photograph or video well and make the layout seem much bigger than it is.
  3. Because Chris has included a reserve loop, he can run the SLR in an out-and-back configuration.
  4. The layout is elevated along the main operating side; looking at photographs, I would estimate the elevation difference to be about 15-18″.

Things I’d do differently:

  1. I’m unlikely to have tunnels on the MQR.
  2. No passing loop on the mainline.

Rob Bennett’s Weston Railway

Rob Bennett is another well-known 7/8″ scale modeler from the UK. As I understand it, his Weston Railway was originally at ground level but was elevated in the late 2000’s. I mostly seen Rob’s layout through the various YouTube videos he has made.

Things I like about the Weston:

  1. The two sets of spurs running off to the lower right give Rob the option of running point-to-point. They also serve as steam-up bays.

Things I’d do differently:

  1. The Weston is quite a bit more complicated in track design compared to the IST and SLR: I count 16 switches in Rob’s diagram. I expect the MQR design to come in around 10 switches maximum.

Design Flavour for the MQR

Now that we are back in Canada full-time and know where we will be living long-term, I’ve initiated the planning process for the 7/8″ scale Marchlyn Quarry Railway. To start, I’ve pulled together a number of photos of the prototype Penrhyn Quarry Railway for reference and flavour.

Coed-y-Parc

This was the south end of the Penrhyn Quarry Railway. Here the PQR connected with the slate quarry.  Coed-y-Parc was also the location of the main slate dressing mills, the sheds for the steam engines as well as a small yard for marshalling the trains to Port Penrhyn. Coed-y-Parc featured a beautiful road bridge splitting the Coed-y-Parc yards in two. It also featured an impressive slate wall on the south side of its property that ran the length of the yard.

Coed-y-Parc Bridge and Wall, unknown date
Felin Fawr 1962
Felin Fawr 1962

Hendurnpike Crossing

Hendurnpike featured a picturesque road crossing. The original crossing guard’s shed was still standing in 2013!

Hendurnpike Crossing 1962
Hendurnpike Crossing 1962
Hendurnpike Crossing, 23rd February 2013

Tregarth

Tregrath was the location of the main passing loop about halfway between Coed-y-Parc and Port Penrhyn.

Tregarth Passing Loop, 1963

Port Penrhyn

Port Penrhyn was the north end of the PQR and where the finished slate was transferred to boats and ships for export. Port Penrhyn was also served by the standard gauge British Railway, making for some interesting trackwork.

Port Penrhyn 1961
Port Penrhyn 1961
Port Penrhyn 1963
Port Penrhyn 1963

Photo Set: On TraXS 2017

The Exhibition Layout "'t was in Amsterdam" at OnTraXS 2017
The Exhibition Layout “‘t was in Amsterdam” at OnTraXS 2017

I returned once again to the Dutch Railway Museum for the 2017 edition of On TraXS. This year 28 exhibition style layouts were set up throughout the museum.

Once again, there were some very well-done layouts on display. I especially liked:

  • ‘t was in Amsterdam (recreation of 1950’s trams)
  • S&G Vancouver Island, HOn3
  • Vivat Viaduct, Spoor 0

As always, I’ve made a photo set available on Flickr.

Photo Set: On TraXS 2016

Stirmouth and Southern Railroad at On TraXS 2016

I returned once again to the Dutch Railway Museum for the 2016 edition of On TraXS. This year 28 exhibition style layouts were set up throughout the museum.

Once again, there were some very well-done layouts on display. I especially liked:

  • Stirmouth and Southern, On30
  • The Fridge, HO
  • Red Hook Bay, HO
  • Trinca-Vecnou, HO
  • Tripton by the Sea, 1:43

As always, I’ve made a photo set available on Flickr.