Aberystwyth (Vale of Rheidol)

[cloggydog]

Taking quick advantage of the dining table being briefly clear post-Xmas dinner, I took the chance to get started on Aberystwyth (Vale of Rheidol), my next micro layout project. 009/EM gauges. Ikea Lack shelf, 110cm x 26cm.

Based on the former Carmarthen bay platforms at Aber after the VoR terminus was moved there in 1968. The platform face nearest the viewer will be standard gauge for DMUs and the odd loco-hauled passenger or parcels train. A signal box at the end of the platform will form a scenic break. The platform canopies are modified and extended Airfix kits of some vintage.


As the layout will use the same stock as Mynydd y Ddraig (based on Devils Bridge terminus ar the other end of the line), it's set firmly in the early-1970s BR blue era. The same 4-coach train length will apply, so in theory Aber could be connected with Mynydd via a double-ended fiddlestick and through trains run.

Yesterday's tasks were to finalise track positioning, platform widths and get the 2mm eva foam sheet trackbase down across the whole board, ready to get the track laid and wired up.

I also cut the ply display box parts out (apart from the entry/exit holes which will be done once the track is fixed down.

 

[cloggydog]

The track is now all fixed down including the wire-in-tube point operation. The eagle-eyed will spot a minor revision to the trackplan from yesterday, done to make operation more interesting.

Temp wiring attached to test it all (all good). The permanent wiring is just awaiting the battery of my portable soldering iron to recharge (nice and simple, just 2 wires to the mainline, 2 wires to the narrow-gauge), fed to a DPDT centre-off switch and SPST switches for the 2 isolating section (1 mainline, 1 NG). All fed back to a 5.5mm socket which is standard on all my micros for the power feed. Switches and feed will be built into the end plate between mainline and NG.


Platforms next, 2mm grayboard cores with either plasticard or Scalescenes home-printed brick faces and thin card tops.

The canopies have been joined into their final configuration and will be located onto the platforms once those are done (but after ballasting).


The backboard, end plates and fascia need priming & painting, then they can be attached around the Lack and the LED strip lighting fitted.

I will need to get the 3rd rake of stock built (a pair each of the Thirds and Opens) along with finishing the 3rd loco No. 9 Prince of Wales.

Back to work tomorrow though, so progress will be slower.

 

[cloggydog]

A bit of progress with my latest EM/009 micro layout Aberystwyth VoR this weekend.

Endplates and backboard on with switches and power feed wired up, fitted and tested. Foreground track is EM gauge, Peco 009 in the rear bay.

Platform sides from balsa, faced with brick-embossed plasticard, retaining wall behind the canopy more embossed sheet. These will be all painted up and weathered before fitting in place, then the platform surfaces, ballasting and ground cover can commence. Canopies are modded vintage Airfix.

Fascia just propped into position in the last 2 pics to assess the view.

Need to source a GWR signal box to hide the switches and act as a view block for the narrow gauge exit.

 

[cloggydog]

Platform surface base layers are now fixed in place and I've taken a rubbing of the VoR-side track to accurately cut out infil pieces to make their 'platform' surface between the lines.






Once those are done, I can ballast both the main and narrow-gauge lines, then finish the platform surfaces.