Hello from the Valleys

[Postybrian]

Hi all, I happened upon this page whilst researching wagons and it looks great. Thought I’d share my efforts. After some 25 years away from the hobby I was tempted back after sacking off the corporate world and starting up a summertime business putting up bell tents for weddings and events. With several months at my disposal every year and a garage with space I decided to get back into the hobby. I am working on a representation of Cymmer, deep in the western valleys of South Wales. I’d love to have recreated it as was but sadly lacked the 40 odd feet of space required. Having lived in a house overlooking the former station as a teenager including the famous ‘Refresh’ pub I set about recreating some of the structures and integrating them into a layout representative of the area. I’ve a lot to learn, mainly to plan then do rather than do and then panic!! On the whole though I’m pleased with it thus far and have learnt a lot ready for the next layout whatever that may be!! The layout is DCC, ( something else that happened during my hobby break!), track work is Peco bullhead and all buildings/structures are scratch built. I’ve popped on some photos so far. Obviously it’ll never be finished!!

 

[40057]

Impressive!

Looks great.

 

[Osgood]

Lovely representation of Cymmer Viaduct

 

[NHY 581]

Tidy.

Rob

 

[timbowales]

Drool, envious of your space

 

[James Spooner]

Looking very good and welcome to WT!

Nigel

 

[Joe's Garage]

Lovely, welcome to WT.
Cheers Julian

 

[Jordan]

Now this photo really does pop!!


Meanwhile welcome to the madhouse....

 

[Osgood]

Now this photo really does pop!!

Doesn't it just!
Some brief words on its construction it would be appreciated - materials, processes for the various components?

 

[paratom]

Nice job. Out of interest what size is your layout room?

 

[Captain Kernow]

What a fantastic layout. The reproduction of the structures is spot on and instantly recognisable as Cymmer. Looking forward to seeing more!
(you're not going to model the tunnel as well are you - that would also be fab!).

 

[Postybrian]

Hi and thanks for the interest. This viaduct is one of those projects that you undertake and then later wonder why you even started! I’m pleased that I persevered though but at several points I did consider scrapping it. It’s a retro fit to the layout which doesn’t help and a big lesson learned in terms of layout prep and building. Starting with the abutments, these are different at each end whereas in reality they are pretty much identical which was forced by the retro fit. At the northern end I had to use the arch to cross a line underneath following the river bank. This was built from plasticard and clad with Wills 2mm Coarse stone. This was particularly tricky when doing the curved section running top to bottom. With the Wills sheets being so thick I had to sand it thin enough to flex and even then had to use heat to help shape into semicircle profile. The southern end abutment was somewhat easier and was created in a box shape from 3mm foam board and then covered in DAS modelling clay to form the brick work. The semicircle profile was achieved by producing long rectangles with stonework effect and then fitting them inside a cardboard tube opened up slightly lengthways. Once set I simply removed it and glued it to the main structure.
Northern end



Southern end

Viaduct
The actual viaduct is curved and in 4 sections with 3 piers. My representation is in 3 sections with 2 piers and whilst on a curve, it’s not as pronounced as I’d have liked. Again, retro fitting forced this. The trusses were each constructed using styrene. 4 lengths of T-beam were used with thin strips used for the lattice work and if I recall correctly 86 individual components for each truss!! All finished in a mix of Railmatch weathered and Matt blacks.



Trackbed
This was formed using an offcut from some large commercially sourced plastic sheet from a recent bathroom refit! It’s 3mm thick and was the only way I could have one long piece. I used several Scale Model Scenery products for the top. Their laser engraved planking was used as the trackbed, painted in several washes of wood colours. This was fitted to the underneath too ( overkill in the end as you can’t really see it). I used their 200mm girder sections for the sides along with 32mm fence posts which were angled at the top.
I’ve probably got some more images somewhere if you need any other info.

I’m really pleased with the overall look but wish I’d had the space to create this in full size.

 

[Postybrian]

What a fantastic layout. The reproduction of the structures is spot on and instantly recognisable as Cymmer. Looking forward to seeing more!
(you're not going to model the tunnel as well are you - that would also be fab!).

Thanks so much for your comments and it’s so pleasing to know that whilst it’s very different from the actual location and a lot of artistic licence has been used, it is still recognisable. Whilst I think it is, hearing that gives me a great sense of achievement. If only I’d had the space to create Cymmer Afan as it was. Did I hear you ask about a tunnel?? I may have done!! Not 100% but hopefully a decent representation of the northern portal

 

[Postybrian]

Nice job. Out of interest what size is your layout room?

Hi there, it’s a standard 50’s single garage and is 18’x9’. As I’ve already learnt on this journey, you can never have enough space!!

 

[Osgood]

That's great thanks for taking the time to explain.
I was struggling to work out what you'd used for the side rails above deck height - looked almost 3-D print style.

 

[Dog Star]

Where is the "slip in a real photo to enhance the model" forum bobby? No doubt Jordan (@Jordan) shall be along soon..

The prototype photo looks rather tasty - tandem to the fore, a long sweeping check rail to the left hand side, a single blade trap in the simple turnout beyond the tandem... what not to like.

Rgds, Graham

 

[Postybrian]

That's great thanks for taking the time to explain.
I was struggling to work out what you'd used for the side rails above deck height - looked almost 3-D print style.

These were the Scale Model Scenery girder sections. Whilst these are pretty good, at 16mm, I wish I’d been able to create something a little thinner and more in keeping with the main structure.

 

[Postybrian]

Where is the "slip in a real photo to enhance the model" forum bobby? No doubt Jordan (@Jordan) shall be along soon..

The prototype photo looks rather tasty - tandem to the fore, a long sweeping check rail to the left hand side, a single blade trap in the simple turnout beyond the tandem... what not to like.

Rgds, Graham

Hiya, unfortunately I haven’t incorporated any of the actual track plan into my layout. Simply didn’t have the space. It’s a very much simplified version with the highlights being the buildings and structures rather than totally prototypical.
Cheers

 

[Osgood]

These were the Scale Model Scenery girder sections. Whilst these are pretty good, at 16mm, I wish I’d been able to create something a little thinner and more in keeping with the main structure.

Maybe, but it all works well because what you see immediately is Cymmer Viaduct - the reduced length works too.
I've been collecting images of the viaduct for a while now (the remaining derelict structure is a sight I have not yet seen for myself), but detail views of the original deck and construction above are few and far between.
Neither have I yet found any drawings.

 

[Chris Veitch]

It’s not a prototype I’m familiar with but I just have to say how much I like this and what a consistent and satisfying layout it looks to be. There’s great use of today’s excellent RTR together with a proper “goes from here to there” layout, and the scenery and structures are subtle and well observed. How long has it taken you to get this far?