Bron Effans

I have finally sourced my replacement for Dolgoch and it arrived the other day. I had decided to replace my version of Dolgoch as I didn't really want a version of it with a green livery, I have designs on another locomotive in green. To this end I have obtained a Bachmann Rheanas which I am going to convert into a Fletcher Jennings using the Narrow planet conversion kit.  I am planning to use the new funnel and smokebox on the boiler and add the additional details from the box. I don't plan on utilising the cab as I feel that the current cab exhibits sufficient detail for my needs. The replacement cab will be retained for a future project... watch this space.  Anyway here are a couple of quick photos of Rheanas, before he goes under the knife, please excuse the blurriness of the pictures. 

I watched the latest episode of moving pictures today. https://youtu.be/zS2YtEPVZwk  I was inspired by the site of the newly restored Baldwin 608 and it’s run from Porthmadog to Beddgelert. I have always been an admirer of the Baldwin’s and made it a priority to get one for myself on Bron Effans. I chose a rendition of 590 just because I loved how it looked in its livery and it’s connection to one of my favourite narrow gauge railways.  I decided it would be a bit of fun to try and recreate some of the sites seen in the video with my own carriage rake and Prince locomotive. Here are some photos of me trying to capture some of the magic I saw in the clip. 

The other day I mentioned that I had ordered myself a Bachmann Baldwin "590" for my railway. I have always had a fascination with these wonderful looking locomotives and bit the bullet and ordered one for the layout. It arrived the other day and looks completely magnificent. I cannot fault this model in any way shape or form. It has a superb amount of  and the way that it runs is simply fantastic. It is also quite a bit bigger than any of the other motive power so it will have no issues in hauling a full set from the fiddle yard to the station.  Pulling the full rake of carriages Double heading with No. 1 As it turns out my second purchase of the A1 boxcab diesel was not as large as I had thought. It is a lovely model and I am not in anyway complaining about it. It is just is not as bulky, compared to the other two diesels. I am going to put this on hold for a while and convert it into a permanent way inspection vehicle, much like the Permaquip on the Vale of Rhei...

After successfully selling off the three Langley Lynton and Barnstaple carriages and the Lilliput locomotive, I decided that it might be wise to buy something newer so that I could ensure a reliable service on the line. I’ve always had a soft spot for the original Welsh Highland locomotives so I decided that I would invest in a copy of the Baldwin 590. I must confess I am not struck with the Welsh Highland red edition coming out this year. So I’ve ordered what must be one of the few remaining black editions. I’ve heard nothing but good things about these models and I can’t wait to get my hands on my own. It has broken the bank a little this month so no kits. But the focus of my time off in July is to sort out the track situation. All I need to complete Effans Uchaf’s trackwork is two more sets of points. So it’s looking like that will be the last big spend for a while. Just look at it though.... Image courtesy of Rails of Sheffield webstore.