009 Society Members Forum

Modelling => Layouts => Topic started by: A Monk on July 01, 2025, 07:02

Title: Mynydd y Ddraig, a 1970s Vale of Rheidol micro layout.
Post by: A Monk on July 01, 2025, 07:02
Having avoided Welsh narrow-gauge for 45 years of my modelling 'life' I've finally succumbed, lured in by a postcard of Devil's Bridge in the 1970s. Showing 3 trains, each with a steam loco on a rake of coaches, all in BR blue.

And so Mynydd y Ddraig (Dragon Mountain) was born. Set on an Ikea Lack 110cm shelf, the layout was built in late-2023/early 2024 and debuted at a local show in Reading in Feb 2024.

Peco Track and other bits were delivered by Santa a couple of years ago. It was mocked-up a few times to test and refine the plan.

It's essentially Devil's Bridge, compressed to take 4 coaches in the 2 platform roads, with sidings off either end of the loop to add a bit of p-way variety.

Structures are modified Wills, scratchbuilt and 3D-printed items, plus a number of Woodlands Scenic trees.

2 locos completed, a Chivers whitemetal kit and  3D printed shell, both running on on a Minitrix Ivatt 2MT chassis. A third is under build, another (older) Chivers kit with a Farish 08 chassis and RT Model frames and valve gear.

The coaching stock is all scratchbuilt bodies, with sides drawn up and cut in plasticard on the Silhouette cutter, riding on Dundas bogies. Assorted P-way wagonry from various sources rounds out the fleet.

Modified DG couplers.

Locos and coaches will be finished in the early, unlined rail blue, of course.

Mynydd has done about half-a-dozen shows to date, with more coming up in 2025 and through to 2026.

It's been quite well received, with many commenting how their first trips on the VoR were in blue days.

https://flic.kr/p/2rcTbrg

https://flic.kr/p/2rcYHAc

https://flic.kr/p/2rcTboq

https://flic.kr/p/2rcYGMJ

https://flic.kr/p/2pxW3Xh

https://flic.kr/p/2rcTaGf
Title: Re: Mynydd y Ddraig, a 1970s Vale of Rheidol micro layout.
Post by: B.Meldon on July 01, 2025, 09:35
Nice work!! This layout looks good.

FYI. You can post direct links to photos on Flickr so they can be seen is your posts on this forum.
Here is an example:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53767588867_4153c07469_4k.jpg)

(Originating web page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanmonk/53767588867 )
Title: Re: Mynydd y Ddraig, a 1970s Vale of Rheidol micro layout.
Post by: A Monk on July 01, 2025, 13:42
Quote from: B.Meldon on July 01, 2025, 09:35Nice work!! This layout looks good.

FYI. You can post direct links to photos on Flickr so they can be seen is your posts on this forum.

Alas, bbcode links aren't copyable using the mobile Flickr app, hence the simple links as I posted from my phone - I kept getting a 'Forbidden' error when posting from my laptop last evening.

I'll update the post when I get in from work later to drop the bbcode links in.
Title: Re: Mynydd y Ddraig, a 1970s Vale of Rheidol micro layout.
Post by: B.Meldon on July 02, 2025, 09:20
Quote from: A Monk on July 01, 2025, 13:42
Quote from: B.Meldon on July 01, 2025, 09:35Nice work!! This layout looks good.

FYI. You can post direct links to photos on Flickr so they can be seen is your posts on this forum.

Alas, bbcode links aren't copyable using the mobile Flickr app, hence the simple links as I posted from my phone - I kept getting a 'Forbidden' error when posting from my laptop last evening.

I'll update the post when I get in from work later to drop the bbcode links in.

Sorry for others as this is a bit off topic....

It is a bit long winded, but once you have done this a few times it is a quick process.

On a PC using firefox:
Navigate to the photo on Flickr.
Click the download arrow on the lower right and select 'view all sizes'
Click in the size you want to post on the forum.
Right click in the photo and select 'open image in new tab'
Copy the live.staticflicker address that ends in '.jpg' from the address bar in the new tab and paste that address into your post on this forum.
(If I do this from someone elses photo I always add the originating web site address under the photo I am posting, but obvioulsy if it is your own photo you do not need to do this.)
Title: Re: Mynydd y Ddraig, a 1970s Vale of Rheidol micro layout.
Post by: A Monk on July 02, 2025, 17:03
Quote from: B.Meldon on July 02, 2025, 09:20
Quote from: A Monk on July 01, 2025, 13:42
Quote from: B.Meldon on July 01, 2025, 09:35Nice work!! This layout looks good.

FYI. You can post direct links to photos on Flickr so they can be seen is your posts on this forum.

Alas, bbcode links aren't copyable using the mobile Flickr app, hence the simple links as I posted from my phone - I kept getting a 'Forbidden' error when posting from my laptop last evening.

I'll update the post when I get in from work later to drop the bbcode links in.

Sorry for others as this is a bit off topic....

It is a bit long winded, but once you have done this a few times it is a quick process.

On a PC using firefox:
Navigate to the photo on Flickr.
Click the download arrow on the lower right and select 'view all sizes'
Click in the size you want to post on the forum.
Right click in the photo and select 'open image in new tab'
Copy the live.staticflicker address that ends in '.jpg' from the address bar in the new tab and paste that address into your post on this forum.
(If I do this from someone elses photo I always add the originating web site address under the photo I am posting, but obvioulsy if it is your own photo you do not need to do this.)

And I know all that, but it is NOT possible to do via the Flickr app on a phone...
Title: Re: Mynydd y Ddraig, a 1970s Vale of Rheidol micro layout.
Post by: B.Meldon on July 02, 2025, 17:58
Quote from: A Monk on July 02, 2025, 17:03And I know all that, but it is NOT possible to do via the Flickr app on a phone...

That is unfortunate! I guess it is just one of the disadvantages of using a phone to access the internet.
Title: Re: Mynydd y Ddraig, a 1970s Vale of Rheidol micro layout.
Post by: A Monk on July 03, 2025, 16:58
alas, when trying to edit my original post on the pc (using Chrome browser) to embed the images via bbcode, I get an error saying

"Forbidden
You don't have permission to access this resource.",

*shrugs*

Title: Re: Mynydd y Ddraig, a 1970s Vale of Rheidol micro layout.
Post by: Hugh Norwood on July 05, 2025, 13:43
Do you use the "Quick edit" button, or go through the "More" button and select "Modify"
the latter method gives you much more control over what you want to do.
Title: Re: Mynydd y Ddraig, a 1970s Vale of Rheidol micro layout.
Post by: Tom Haythornthwaite on July 09, 2025, 19:19
Getting back to the layout - very nice work!