It has been a while

 It has indeed been some time since my last update on Bron Effans. I have simply not had any time free to do any work on the layout, which has not been fun. There are various aspects of the layout that have required my attention and I have addressed them over the last few days in my Christmas holiday time. I am limited in what I can do by the current Covid-based issues. I can't get to my local model shop as it is in a different tier to where I live. I am not prepared to break the rules for my hobby. I do not see the point. 

I have acquired some new locomotive projects for me to be working on along with several new pieces of rolling stock to use on the line. I have taken delivery of two custom pieces of stock, built by my good friend Leigh Hullatt. They are decorated with the initials of the line BER for Bron Effans Railway.

Rolling Stock

I have obtained a Bachmann Narrow gauge coach to compliment my burgeoning Talyllyn rake. This coach is exceptionally well made. I am probably going to purchase another at some stage but for now I think that the rake is enough as it is. I previously bought a kitbuilt example of the Lancaster coach and didn't see the need to spend more on another. 

I have also bought another pre-made Vale of Rheidol coach in GWR colours to pair with my reliveried Peco coach. 

There is also the observation coach that deserves a special mention. Coach Number 11 or Van 4 is one of my favourite coaches on the Ffestiniog railway. I can't run it with much at the moment as it has chopper couplings that will need to be replaced with the Greenwich ones in the future. It just looks amazing and will become a mainstay of the fleet, once it is altered. 





Locomotives


I have also acquired two new locomotives for the layout. I am now the proud owner of a second Funkey made by Leigh Hullatt. Gladiator is resplendant in BR Black and is a very reliable runner. It is a very imposing locomotive. It is so much larger than the Vale of Elan, the rebuilt version of this locomotive. I have only needed to touch up some paintwork on this behemoth for it to be ready for service. It has been one of the main locomotives that I have run of late. 


The second is a part built 3D print of Tom Rolt, which takes my tally of Talyllyn based rolling stock to 5 different examples (I have two versions of Talyllyn so it doesn't count as extra). This kit has quite a lot of work that needs doing to it. I need to construct a pony truck and add couplers to complete the exterior. I need to add quite a lot of weight to the inside of the bodyshell for it to be able to handle larger trains. Tom Rolt is said to be the most powerful locomotive in the Talyllyn fleet so my example needs to at least emulate this. So far, I have painted it in green and will try and work on it more in the new year.



Plans for the future

2020 has taken a great toll on me personally. It has meant that I have fallen behind in my plans for the layout. I have decided that it is perhaps time to begin planning for the building of Bron Effans Mk2. I am planning on building one of the intermediate stations on the line that of Aber Effans. The new layout will be built on a circuit to make life easier when I am operating the layout. This is all very embryonic at the minute, but I have bought wood for a baseboard. Watch this space. May I wish you a happy and safe Christmas and a hopefully more positive new year in 2021.

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