Here are a mixture of pictures from Terry Onslow, Len Weal (Railway Modeller Magazine photographer) and myself.
I commissioned Terry to take some photos just after Dyffryn’s first show at Gloucester, while the layout was still set up in the club room. Unfortunately the lighting wasn’t brilliant and I had unwittingly sent most of the motive power away with my brother for a bit of maintenance!
I had more luck when Len Weal came for a photo shoot for the Railway Modeller as not only did I have all the motive power but he brought some superb lighting and a fantastic camera. The railway Modeller very kindly provided me with a set of photos for my own non-commercial use and they have been used in an article in Narrow Lines (the magazine of the 7mm Narrow gauge Association).
Photo by Len Weal courtesy of Railway Modeller: The prototype Kerr Stuart Diesel hauls a train of slate wagons from the quarries. There is an enthusiast with a camera waiting for the right shot to present itself. When I pointed out this character to James Boyd he said it looked like Howard Bowtell!
Photo by Len Weal courtesy of Railway Modeller: The Baldwin hauls a mixed train out of the station passing a petrol tanker which is due to make a delivery to the garage.
Photo by Len Weal courtesy of Railway Modeller: An overall view from the station towards the coal yard and Chapel. A Roy Link Bagnall brings in mixed passenger train.
Photo by Len Weal courtesy of Railway Modeller: A Wrightlines de Winton hauls empty slate wagons past the Chapel up to the quarries.
Photo by Len Weal courtesy of Railway Modeller: A Stephen Poole ‘Tal-y-llyn’ pauses in the station with a mixed train going up the line. While the petrol tanker is completing a delivery to the garage.
Photo by Len Weal courtesy of Railway Modeller: Roger Brown’s scratch-built Kerr Stuart diesel hauls a slate train past the old branch and slate-tips.
Photo by Len Weal courtesy of Railway Modeller: The de Winton hauls a train of empty slate wagons past the Chapel.
Photo by Len Weal courtesy of Railway Modeller: A view across the coal yard loking towards the Post Office and waiting room. The water tank was based on the one in the coal yard at Glyn Ceriog.
Photo by Len Weal courtesy of Railway Modeller: A Roger Chivers Baldwin hauls a mixed train down the line past the Chapel.
Photo by Terry Onslow: I commissioned a set of photos by Terry just after the first exhibition at Gloucester while the layout was still in the club room. the lighting wasn’t fantasitic and they all turned out a bit dark. they were all I had and were used in the article in Narrow Gauge and Industrial Railway Modelling Review. Unfortunately most of the locos had been despatched with my brother straight after the show so the photos only featured a Stephen Poole ‘Tal-y-llyn’ and a freelance DJH 0-4-0T.
Photo by Terry Onslow: The garage workshop is fully fitted with workbench and tools. The mechanics are from the ABS range. One is lying under the local doctor’s car, while the doctor (ABS) is kneeling beside him. He (the doctor) is not very impressed since the necessary spanner to fix his car cannot be found, despite the frantic efforts of the two searching in the workshop. In an attempt to pacify the doctor (a valued customer) the garage owner is making a fresh pot of tea in the office. The petrol pumps, junk and bits of vehicle lying around are from the Ascott range.
Photo by Terry Onslow: I don’t have many pictures of the old slate quarry incline and waste tips ehich is a shame as I thought it was one of the best bits!
Photo by Terry Onslow: The station forms the main feature and where possible additional detail has been added. Seats (Scalelink) are provided for passenger comfort, two Mike’s Models gas lamps provide illumination in the winter evenings and porters handle luggage on barrows (Scalelink and Mike’s Models).
Photo by Terry Onslow: Outside the Post Office there is a hive of activity as the days business gets underway. Note the careful grouping of figures by ASS, branchline and Omen. Beyond the Telephone kiosk can be seen the railway waiting room based on the one at Pontfadog on the GVT. This is prototypically positioned across the road away from the station itself. The spear fencing and gates are Scalelink etchings.
Photo by Terry Onslow: A train of slate wagons is rumbling past the Chapel and into the station. The hand carved and textured stonework is seen to good effect on the road bridge over the river.
Photo by Terry Onslow: A train of slate wagons is rumbling into the station. The hand carved and textured stonework is seen to good effect on the road bridge over the river. The cattle grids at the level crossing are a detail often missed. Road vehicles are a mixture of Finecast, Corgi and ERTL.
A bit of a dark image as the sun goes down over the coal yard.
The waiting room is based on that at Pontfadog on the Glyn Valley Tramway and is prototypically across the road from the station loop. The Post Office/shop is also based on an early photo at Pontfadog before the shop was enlarged. However I departed from GVT practice as I wanted a ‘proper station’, separated from the road with GWR style fencing from Scalelink. The phone box is anearly style one from Langley, complete with caller searching for change in his pocket, while his children look a bit worried at having to talk to the local policeman!
A view of the garage with both roofs removed to show a bit of the interior detail. The local doctor’s car is not right and he kneels down next to the mechanic as he is worried over how much it might cost to fix. The mechanic needs a certain spanned and two of his employees (his sons) are searching in the workshop. His third son has been sent to make tea in the office and hasn’t noticed that the spanner is next to him.
Fresh produce is being delivered to the shop and the delivery man pauses for a quick word with the owner who is digging over his vegetable patch.