From 1867 the Ffestiniog Railway used dedicated carriages to carry workmen to and from the slate quarries around Blaenau Ffestiniog. From 1885 to 1887, eighteen of what are now referred to as the ‘Type 3’ Quarrymen’s carriage were built featuring sprung axle boxes, one central door on each side and droplight windows. More of the same design were made to replace the older carriages and there were a total of thirty-six in the 1900s. Archive images show a significant number of these coaches being used to transport workers to the quarry site.

 

From 1867 the Ffestiniog Railway used dedicated carriages to carry workmen to and from the slate quarries around Blaenau Ffestiniog. From 1885 to 1887, eighteen of what are now referred to as the ‘Type 3’ Quarrymen’s carriage were built featuring sprung axle boxes, one central door on each side and droplight windows. More of the same design were made to replace the older carriages and there were a total of thirty-six in the 1900s. Archive images show a significant number of these coaches being used to transport workers to the quarry site.

 

ISSUE DATE - 20th October 2022

D?âP?ìT NORD

Designed for display yet suitable for operation – John Davis created a compact dépôt layout to house his collection of French HO locomotives.

PLAN OF THE MONTH

HOW SMALL CAN IT BE?

An approach to the cameo concept – Stein Pünther describes his compact Norwegian branch terminus in HO.

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RAILWAY OF THE MONTH

TURTLE BAY

Rob Rossington describes his imaginative island layout, a fictional colonial railway modelled in OO9. 

PLAN OF THE MONTH

MUKILTEO

Passenger and freight on Puget Sound - Scott Fitzgerald suggests a location worth modelling in Washington State. 

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RAILWAY OF THE MONTH
Barton Road
Memories of Journeys to the West Country provided the inspiration for Benn Pollard to create this pre-TOPSera urban scene in an unorthodox T-shape footprint. 

PLAN OF THE MONTH
21st Century Penrith
Steve Flint considers this West Coast Main Line station in Cumbria as the setting for an N gauge layout project depicting the post-Privatisation era.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scale Drawings
LMS Class 2P 4-4-0
Toby Jennings describes these characterful Midland Railway-derived four-coupled tender locomotives, with accompanying 4mm drawings by the late Ian Beattie. 

RAILWAY OF THE MONTH

BREGENBACH

A hilltop station on the Bregtalbahn: Les Richardson Presents his new German N exhibition layout, set on an imaginary but plausible line through the Black Forest.

PLAN OF THE MONTH

UNDERPASS

An unusual restricted setting: Rob Strachan introduces his new compact American HO switching layout. 

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RAILWAY OF THE MONTH
Monksbury
Tony Conlay describes this magnificent London & South Western Railway terminus, which has been constructed in 7mm scale by the Cornwall O Gauge Group as an extension to an existing layout. 

PLAN OF THE MONTH
Constructing a cathedral in 7mm scale
Robert Kosmider was first inspired to build a model of Chichester Cathedral in early 1990s, but nearly 30 years elapsed until he finally made a start. 

 

 

 

 

Scale Drawings
Modelling LMS 42' parcels vans in 4mm
Ian Nuttal couldn't resist the challenge of upgrading a Lima OO gauge ready-to-run model. This constructional account is accompanied by scale drawings prepared by Steve Croucher from originals by Arthur Whitehead. 

Peco Setrack Bullhead 0 Gauge track makes it possible have somewhere to run trains without having to build or find room for a fixed layout. With Setrack you can lay out your trackwork indoors on the floor or out on the patio in any configuration you choose and pack it away again afterwards. Compatible with and made to the same high standard of detail and realism as the Bullhead Streamline range, it can also be incorporated into a Streamline layout without problems. Made with solid nickel silver rail to the classic bullhead section and check rail are also machined from solid rail. The SL-713 0 Gauge Bullhead to Flat Bottom Transition Track makes it easy to also incorporate the Setrack range into a layout using Flat Bottom track.

PECO Setrack Bullhead O Gauge track makes it possible have somewhere to run trains without having to build or find room for a fixed layout. With Setrack you can lay out your trackwork indoors on the floor or out on the patio in any configuration you choose and pack it away again afterwards. Compatible with and made to the same high standard of detail and realism as the Bullhead Streamline range, it can also be incorporated into a Streamline layout without problems. Made with solid nickel silver rail to the classic bullhead section and check rail are also machined from solid rail. The SL-713 O Gauge Bullhead to Flat Bottom Transition Track makes it easy to also incorporate the Setrack range into a layout using Flat Bottom track.

The Snailbeach District Railways system was located in Shropshire and was built to carry lead ore over a narrow gauge route with a gauge of 2ft 4 inches. The mines were located at Stiperstones and they transferred their ore to a connection with the Great Western Railway at Pontesbury.  A fleet of various hopper wagons was used to transport the ore and it is one of those wagons that is the subject of our new model. Opened in 1877 the railway was finally closed in 1959, latterly using tractors to move the hoppers after the end of steam.

The Snailbeach District Railways system was located in Shropshire and was built to carry lead ore over a narrow gauge route with a gauge of 2ft 4 inches. The mines were located at Stiperstones and they transferred their ore to a connection with the Great Western Railway at Pontesbury.  A fleet of various hopper wagons was used to transport the ore and it is one of those wagons that is the subject of our new model. Opened in 1877 the railway was finally closed in 1959, latterly using tractors to move the hoppers after the end of steam.

The Snailbeach District Railways system was located in Shropshire and was built to carry lead ore over a narrow gauge route with a gauge of 2ft 4 inches. The mines were located at Stiperstones and they transferred their ore to a connection with the Great Western Railway at Pontesbury.  A fleet of various hopper wagons was used to transport the ore and it is one of those wagons that is the subject of our new model. Opened in 1877 the railway was finally closed in 1959, latterly using tractors to move the hoppers after the end of steam.

Bullhead track has been in use on the railways since the earliest times, and is still very much in evidence today. These superb turnouts give an authentic 00 scale look to your layout, and feature metal check rails and prototypical machined turnout blades.

Another feature of these turnouts is that both routes remain electrically live, making them ideal for DCC operation. They are constructed to our new versatile Unifrog design which can be operated, powered and switched like an Electrofrog or left unpowered if preferred.

Peco Streamline Code 75 track meets the standards of enthusiasts who prefer to run trains on scale height rail. Today most manufacturers' wheels are suitable for use on Code 75 track but some vintage models may have flanges which are too deep to clear the rail fixings. Code 75 can be easily combined with code 100 track by using the SL-113 Transition Track.

Bullhead track has been in use on the railways since the earliest times, and is still very much in evidence today. These superb turnouts give an authentic 00 scale look to your layout, and feature metal check rails and prototypical machined turnout blades.

Another feature of these turnouts is that both routes remain electrically live, making them ideal for DCC operation. They are constructed to our new versatile Unifrog design which can be operated, powered and switched like an Electrofrog or left unpowered if preferred.

Peco Streamline Code 75 track meets the standards of enthusiasts who prefer to run trains on scale height rail. Today most manufacturers' wheels are suitable for use on Code 75 track but some vintage models may have flanges which are too deep to clear the rail fixings. Code 75 can be easily combined with code 100 track by using the SL-113 Transition Track.

Bullhead track has been in use on the railways since the earliest times, and is still very much in evidence today. These superb turnouts give an authentic 00 scale look to your layout, and feature metal check rails and prototypical machined turnout blades.

Another feature of these turnouts is that both routes remain electrically live, making them ideal for DCC operation. They are constructed to our new versatile Unifrog design which can be operated, powered and switched like an Electrofrog or left unpowered if preferred.

Peco Streamline Code 75 track meets the standards of enthusiasts who prefer to run trains on scale height rail. Today most manufacturers' wheels are suitable for use on Code 75 track but some vintage models may have flanges which are too deep to clear the rail fixings. Code 75 can be easily combined with code 100 track by using the SL-113 Transition Track.

These sheets are invaluable for scratchbuilding, saving many hours of repetitive work creating the various surface patterns and textures. They are the same as those used in the Craftsman kits to make extension work easier. Each pack contains 4 sheets 130mm x 75mm of injection moulded styrene approximately 2mm thick, making them rigid enough to be self supporting.

RAILWAY OF THE MONTH

FRANKLIN

A small branch terminua in On2: Bob Harper explains how he came to model a Maine two-footer location 

PLAN OF THE MONTH

7th STREET YARD

Nick Dibben describes his compact American N layout with plenty of operational interest, representing an interurban station some time in the 1950s. 

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RAILWAY OF THE MONTH
North West steam in the garden
Having dreamt for many years of one day recreating his childhood memories in O gauge. Peter Holland built this large twin-level system with outdoor running. 

PLAN OF THE MONTH
Summerseat
Chris Ford outlines the history of this passing station on the former East Lancashire Railway route north of Manchester.

 

 

 

 

Scale Drawings
The Lancashire & Yorkshire 'Dreadnought' 4-6-0s
This month we present one of the company's most imposing locomotive designs, drawn and described by the late Ian Beattie. 

RAILWAY OF THE MONTH

ISHINAKA

Norman Raven reveals the latest exhibition layout by Raven Miniatures - another foray into Japanese N, depicting the branch terminus at rural spa town. 

PLAN OF THE MONTH

SIMPLE BUT SATISFYING

Paul de Groot shows how he was inspired by an article to construct a Dutch HO layout to a budget (almost!) to encourage starters - and re-starters.

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RAILWAY OF THE MONTH
Lisworth Bay
Seasoned N gauge modeller John Spence describes his latest layout, a modular Southern Region branch terminus for exhibition and home use.

PLAN OF THE MONTH
Making a start in 1:120
Two layout plans utilising Peco's new range of TT:120 items - including a new take on the classic GWR branch line terminus of Ashburton.   

 

 

 

 

Scale Drawings
GWR 2251 class 0-6-0
C B Collett's versatile replacement for the 'Dean Goods' is drawn in 1:120 scale, while Toby Jennings researches the history of the class. 

A craft knife, files and liquid poly cement are required to for assembly

Use with LK-12103 and LK-12104 platform edging and LK-12105 and LK-12106 platform ramp edges.

The TT:120 platform system comprises a variety of styles of platform edging, ramp edges and surfaces that can be used to create platforms of any size and shape. Platform edging designed for use alongside PECO TT:120 track and considers the height of the sleepers, resulting in an accurate platform 3 scale feet from the railhead. The platform surface sheets can also be used for scratch building structures and buildings.

Technical Specifications

5 sheets 133m x 76mm, nominally 1mm thick.

A craft knife, files and liquid poly cement are required to for assembly

Use with LK-12103 and LK-12104 platform edging and LK-12105 and LK-12106 platform ramp edges.

The TT:120 platform system comprises a variety of styles of platform edging, ramp edges and surfaces that can be used to create platforms of any size and shape. Platform edging designed for use alongside PECO TT:120 track and considers the height of the sleepers, resulting in an accurate platform 3 scale feet from the railhead. The platform surface sheets can also be used for scratch building structures and buildings.

Technical Specifications

5 sheets 133m x 76mm, nominally 1mm thick.

A craft knife, files and liquid poly cement are required to for assembly

Use with LK-12104 Stone platform edges and LK-12107 Brick paviours or LK-12108 concrete surface.

The TT:120 platform system comprises a variety of styles of platform edging, ramp edges and surfaces that can be used to create platforms of any size and shape. Platform edging designed for use alongside PECO TT:120 track and considers the height of the sleepers, resulting in an accurate platform 3 scale feet from the railhead.

Technical Specifications

2 handed pairs, each ramp 75mm long

A craft knife, files and liquid poly cement are required to for assembly

Use with LK-12103 Brick platform edges and LK-12107 Brick paviours or LK-12108 concrete surface.

The TT:120 platform system comprises a variety of styles of platform edging, ramp edges and surfaces that can be used to create platforms of any size and shape. Platform edging designed for use alongside PECO TT:120 track and considers the height of the sleepers, resulting in an accurate platform 3 scale feet from the railhead.

Technical Specifications

2 handed pairs, each ramp 75mm long

A craft knife, files and liquid poly cement are required to for assembly

Use with LK-12106 Stone ramps and LK-12107 Brick paviours or LK-12108 concrete surface.

The TT:120 platform system comprises a variety of styles of platform edging, ramp edges and surfaces that can be used to create platforms of any size and shape. Platform edging designed for use alongside PECO TT:120 track and considers the height of the sleepers, resulting in an accurate platform 3 scale feet from the railhead.

Technical Specifications

6 pieces, each 133mm long

A craft knife, files and liquid poly cement are required to for assembly

Use with LK-12103 Brick platform edges and LK-12107 Brick paviours or LK-12108 concrete surface.

The TT:120 platform system comprises a variety of styles of platform edging, ramp edges and surfaces that can be used to create platforms of any size and shape. Platform edging designed for use alongside PECO TT:120 track and considers the height of the sleepers, resulting in an accurate platform 3 scale feet from the railhead.

Technical Specifications

2 handed pairs, each ramp 75mm long

Laser cut wooden kit with plastic chimney pot detail and glazing sheet.

A craft knife, needle files, glue (impact adhesive or PVA work well. Superglue can also be used apart from the glazing) and paints are required.

Designed to fit over PECO TT:120 track (not included).

Small goods shed with siding running through it, based on Bovey in South Devon. The doors can be fixed in either open or closed position and the interior features detailed stonework, roof rafters, loading platform and goods office.

Technical Specifications

Length 100mm

Width 110mm

Laser cut wooden kit with plastic chimney pot detail and glazing sheet.

A craft knife, needle files, glue (impact adhesive or PVA work well. Superglue can also be used apart from the glazing) and paints are required.

Stone-built country station building with canopy on the platform side. Based on West Bay in Dorset, originally built by the Bridport Railway and later absorbed by the Great Western Railway.

Technical Specifications

Length 115mm

Width 47mm Canopy projects 17mm

Laser cut wooden kit with plastic chimney pot detail and glazing sheet.

A craft knife, needle files, glue (impact adhesive or PVA work well. Superglue can also be used apart from the glazing) and paints are required.

A signalbox suitable for a small country station, based on Highley on the Severn Valley Railway (with thanks to the SVR for allowing access to measure it).

Technical Specifications

Length 65mm (including steps)

Width 32mm

Use SL-310 metal joiners and SL-1208 joining sleepers. Use SL-311 insulating joiners to create isolated track sections (if using DCC control these are not required).

One of the great advantages of TT:120 is that the 12mm gauge track correctly scales out as standard (4' 8.5") gauge, as used all over Britain's railway network. The ingenious rail section of PECO code 55 combines strength and durability with a highly realistic appearance – In TT:120 the visible height of the rail correctly represents 113lb flat bottom rail. The flexible sleeper base is detailed with fine wood grain and spikes through British Railways’ BR1 baseplates under the rails, a combination that continues to be widely used on Britain’s railways.

Code 55

Plastic kit, 4 buffer stops per pack.

A craft knife, needle files and liquid poly cement are required for construction.

For use with PECO TT:120 code 55 flexible track and turnouts.

The ends of sidings and bay platforms are usually terminated with a buffer stop to prevent rolling stock leaving the end of the track. When sidings are re-laid with flat-bottom rails, as represented by the PECO TT:120 range of code 55 flexible track and turnouts, often the original buffer stops made of bullhead rail would be re-used, along with the short length of track to which they are attached. examples of this can still be seen in various locations on Britain’s railway network.

Each kit includes 4 buffer stops, including 30mm lengths of dummy Bullhead track they are attached to. Each unit locates on the end of the track and needs to be glued to the baseboard.

Code 55

Unifrog

Use SL-310 metal rail joiners and SL-1208 joining sleepers.

One of the great advantages of TT:120 is that the 12mm gauge track correctly scales out as standard (4' 8.5") gauge, as used all over Britain's railway network. The ingenious rail section of PECO code 55 combines strength and durability with a highly realistic appearance – In TT:120 the visible height of the rail correctly represents 113lb rail, which continues to be widely used on Britain’s railways. The turnouts conform to NEM standards and the medium radius geometry is a close match to British Railways’ B6 standard.

Technical Specifications

Length - 180mm

Exit angle - 11.25¬?

Radius - Nominal 922.6mm/36.3"

Code 55

Unifrog

Use SL-310 metal rail joiners and SL-1208 joining sleepers.

One of the great advantages of TT:120 is that the 12mm gauge track correctly scales out as standard (4' 8.5") gauge, as used all over Britain's railway network. The ingenious rail section of PECO code 55 combines strength and durability with a highly realistic appearance – In TT:120 the visible height of the rail correctly represents 113lb rail, which continues to be widely used on Britain’s railways. The turnouts conform to NEM standards and the medium radius geometry is a close match to British Railways’ B6 standard.

Technical Specifications

Length - 180mm

Exit angle - 11.25¬?

Radius - Nominal 922.6mm/36.3"

Code 55

Use SL-310 metal joiners and SL-1208 joining sleepers. Use SL-311 insulating joiners to create isolated track sections (if using DCC control these are not required).

One of the great advantages of TT:120 is that the 12mm gauge track correctly scales out as standard (4' 8.5") gauge, as used all over Britain's railway network. The ingenious rail section of PECO code 55 combines strength and durability with a highly realistic appearance – In TT:120 the visible height of the rail correctly represents 113lb flat bottom rail. The flexible sleeper base is detailed with fine wood grain and spikes through British Railways’ BR1 baseplates under the rails, a combination that continues to be widely used on Britain’s railways.

Concrete sleeper track has been in use on the railways of Britain since around 1940, usually combined with wooden sleeper turnouts and crossings, and this track is a faithful representation of this design.

If you wish to mix wheel standards on your 00/H0 layout, this is the trackage to choose. Code 100 rail allows flange depths up to 1.6mm which means that both vintage and current stock will run happily together. The wide range of turnouts and crossings in this series includes every type, and the geometry of this range has been cleverly designed to make it easy to build convenient, complex and aesthetically pleasing formations.

RAILWAY OF THE MONTH

WALDHEIM

Saxon narrow gauge in garden - Jim Trotman reveals how he took his modelling to a larger scale and out into the garden on 45mm gauge. 

PLAN OF THE MONTH

LEWIS LAKE

An American On30 exhibition layout with character - Alan Aitken introduces his new compact portable layout.Ԫø

PLUS

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RAILWAY OF THE MONTH
Princetown and Yelverton
Gordon Vickers began modelling the famous Dartmoor terminus of Princetown in OO gauge, but it grew into a representation of the whole branch line from Yelverton that filled his garage!

PLAN OF THE MONTH & SCALE DRAWINGS
Holyhead Breakwater railway
Ben Bucki suggests a compact preserved railway layout, imagining that one of BR's most obscure lines had survived to the present day.

 

 

 

 

PROJECT OF THE MONTH
On Her Majesty's service
Callum Willcox adapts a Hornby OO gauge model to represent LMS 4-6-2 No.6201¬†ԪøPrincess Elizabeth¬†Ԫøwhen it hauled the Royal Train in 2012, as part of HM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee tour.¬†

RAILWAY OF THE MONTH

GRAUB?úNDEN

A small part of Switzerland recreated in Austria - Diet Haimer explains how he came to model sections of the Rh?§tische Bahn metre gauge.

PLAN OF THE MONTH

BAVARIA 1910

Fifteen years of enjoyment and pleasant memories - Jim Trotman describes the period German HO layout which he helped Peter Baker to build.

PLUS

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RAILWAY OF THE MONTH
Porthdinllaen
3mm scale layouts are often modest in thier size and scope. Not so in the case of this extensive jpint GWR and LMS system in North Wales created by Mike Corp, which has a scenic section that is almost a scale half-mile in length! 

PLAN OF THE MONTH & SCALE DRAWINGS
Bovey
Toby Jennings suggests a track plan for this quintessential Great Western branchline station, with scale drawings of its surviving goods shed prepared by Steve Croucher and David Malton. 

 

 

 

 

PROJECT OF THE MONTH
Constructing a GWR footbridge in 7mm
Nigel Brown decides to construct a GWR footbridge from scratch using brass and nickel silver, together with a few bespoke additions sourced from outside suppliers.  

RAILWAY OF THE MONTH

SEEBRUCK AND ZINDELSTEIN

Nostalgia in model form: John Hills replays fifty years of railway memories gathered in Germany by building an HO/HOe layout in his spare room during lockdown. 

PLAN OF THE MONTH

LIMOUX 

Bill Johnston explores a secondary line in the Aude region in southern France and finds a station worth modelling. 

PLUS

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RAILWAY OF THE MONTH
Copper, Wort & Co Ltd
Peter Goss has downsized slightly for his latest OO gauge project, which depicts the brewing industry of Burton-on-Trent set in the Edwardian era. 

PLAN OF THE MONTH
Bristol Bath Road
Alistair Bolt rekindled memories of Bristol Temple Meads station with this OO scheme, which demonstrates how an expansive prototype can be recreated in a modest space.

 

 

 

 

SCALE DRAWINGS
Duns engine shed
Jim Hay presents drawings for this two-road steam locomotive shed situated on a former through station on the Berwickshire branch.

RAILWAY OF THE MONTH

WIEK HARBOUR

Helge Scholz describes his new German Oe layout project, representing a small part of the narrow gauge system which formerly served much of the Baltic island of R?ºgen.

PLAN OF THE MONTH

A REALISTIC FANTASY

Peter Cousins explains how he came to create a large Z gauge layout which is now on display at Walpole Water Gardens near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. 

PLUS

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RAILWAY OF THE MONTH
St Andrews and Guard Bridge
Duncan Stewart describes the East Neuk Model Railway Club's latest project to recreate part of the signal-track line that once led to the Fife town of St Andrews - the world famous 'home of golf'.

PLAN OF THE MONTH
The Queensbury triangle
Dave Deakin presents this dramatic portrait of a forlorn mid-1950s industrial railway setting on the north east coast between the Tyne and Wear rivers. 

 

 

 

 

SCALE DRAWINGS
Ormiston station
Jim Hay examines the brief history of this small Scottish station, complete with accompanying 3mm scale drawings of the North British station structure. 

SPECIAL NOTICE
Railway Modeller availability
For full details of the availability of Railway Modeller and subscription choices please see our special announcement at – https://peco-uk.com/blogs/industry-news/railway-modeller-availability

Double unit loco lift. Designed as a replacement for the old SL-43 Loco Lift, this new versatile system still has the features that made the SL-43 so popular, such as the ability to directly drive the locomotive on and off the track. But that was limited to OO/HO scale and this new system has been developed to adapt to all scales from N through to EM, including OO-9 (HOe), HOn3, TT, HOm and OO/HO. 

Single unit loco lift. Designed as a replacement for the old SL-43 Loco Lift, this new versatile system still has the features that made the SL-43 so popular, such as the ability to directly drive the locomotive on and off the track. But that was limited to OO/HO scale and this new system has been developed to adapt to all scales from N through to EM, including OO-9 (HOe), HOn3, TT, HOm and OO/HO. 

These sheets are invaluable for scratchbuilding, saving many hours of repetitive work creating the various surface patterns and textures. They are the same as those used in the Craftsman kits to make extension work easier. Each pack contains 4 sheets 130mm x 75mm of injection moulded styrene approximately 2mm thick, making them rigid enough to be self supporting.

These sheets are invaluable for scratchbuilding, saving many hours of repetitive work creating the various surface patterns and textures. They are the same as those used in the Craftsman kits to make extension work easier. Each pack contains 4 sheets 130mm x 75mm of injection moulded styrene approximately 2mm thick, making them rigid enough to be self supporting.

These kits have been transferred over to Parkside from the PECO "Wonderful Wagons" range, a long-standing favourite kit of modellers for many years. Back then these kits were pre-coloured and decorated, but we have overhauled the kits, added an NEM pocket (so modellers can easily fit a coupler of their choice - although the kit is supplied with a set of tension-lock couplers) and now supply the kits with either a set of milk company decals (PC91) or oil company decals (PC92). The decals provide a whole lot more detail than previously applied to the original pre-decorated kits.