Author: Simon Wood

Lecturer in medical education, lapsed mathematician, Doctor Who fan and garden railway builder. See simonwood.info for more...

A heavy goods train going up the valley.

Another windy day, and so it was decided that Sir Christopher Wren would be required to take a heavy goods train up the valley to the freshly ballasted goods yard at the top station. The train is just about as long as can be accommodated in the Sling Uchaf run round loop. Apologies for the camera angle in the middle, which slightly exaggerates the gradient of Stoat’s Bank!

Shunting at the Yard – part 2

Working in the lovely evening sunshine, the rolling stock from the sidings was collected together ready for the return train.

And then moved onto the main line while the shunting took place – just as well it’s a Tramway!!

The newly arrived rolling was moved into the required locations. It takes a bit of imagination, but, the van is where the goods shed will be one day and the opens are where a covered platform will be built. The coal wagons are where coal staithes and a loco servicing area will be. The quarry access to the through the tunnel seems to be where both slate and granite is being quarried.

Then the goods stock for the return journey was collected together.

And then the passenger coaches were moved to complete the train, ready for the trip back down the valley.

There may be other ways of moving stock around at the new station yard, and if so we’ll discover those in due course. At least we know the new track arrangement can be worked by a large engine when necessary, and so the track ballasting work can now be progressed to complete this part of the project.

Shunting at the Yard – part 1

After all the wind, and after a period with only limited running, the track and line-side needed a lot of clearance work.
Once done it was time to try out the new track arrangement at the top station. With the wind still rather gusty and blown leaves still falling onto the track, it was decided that a heavy train and a radio controlled battery engine would be needed for the trial. “Sir Christopher Wren” was re-gauged for the job and, to enable a good test, a long mixed train was assembled to leave Lavan Road Station and head up the valley.

Arriving safely at the top station, the train only just fitted into the run round loop!

The sidings at Sling Uchaf already had rolling stock in them – empties awaiting return back down the valley and fresh granite destined for far away places.

First job was to clear the loop of rolling stock, and so while the passengers alighted, the goods traffic was moved to the loop.

Then the coaches and Guard’s Van were moved to the bay siding. Now the goods wagons could be attended to …