The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

A place for the discussion of garden railways and any garden style/scale portable and/or indoor layouts
User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by ge_rik » Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:00 pm

Ok - Clutching at straws, but I am assured that the second wagon in this train is a FR coal wagon
165021874_2877832765868007_3542404444512248953_n.jpg
165021874_2877832765868007_3542404444512248953_n.jpg (1.12 MiB) Viewed 4260 times

.... and this FR van is at Beddgelert
138213620_2823391104645507_8690170184483080254_n.jpg
138213620_2823391104645507_8690170184483080254_n.jpg (195 KiB) Viewed 4260 times

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
Andrew
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3247
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:33 pm
Location: Bristol, UK
Contact:

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by Andrew » Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:58 pm

ge_rik wrote: Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:00 pm Ok - Clutching at straws, but I am assured that the second wagon in this train is a FR coal wagon
Dunno about the second one (could be the non door side of a WHR coal wagon, like the first one?), but the fifth one is, and I think ownership of at least some of the WD opens remained with the FR...
ge_rik wrote: Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:00 pm .... and this FR van is at Beddgelert
Yep, definitely - the wagon next to it is a FR one too.

That's the intention behind my FR wagons, to ring the changes in otherwise WHR rakes - representing either "through" loads, or wagons that have been borrowed/pinched by the Welsh Highland. I don't think it likely that many full rakes of FR wagons would have travelled along the WHR beyond the flour mill in Porthmadog, or Croesor Junction for slate trains, but I could be wrong - photographs of goods trains on the Welsh Highland are very few and far between!

Passenger trains seem to have been pretty varied - lots with just WHR carriages, some with a borrowed FR brake, some a greater mixture, and some composed entirely of FR stock. I get the impression there was more variety before the crossing of the Cambrian Coast line became problematic (mid 20s as I recall) and then again after the FR took on the lease in 1934.

Once I've finished a few more carriages, I've got a plan for a manual "random passenger train generator" based on rolling a dice/die (whatever the singular for the little cubes with numbers on is). The idea is that probability will dictate it most likely I'll end up with a WHR rake typical of the majority of photos, with less common but still realistic formations coming up a little less frequently, moving on to the theoretically possibly but unlikely, and finally, every now and then, completely impossible trains, eg those featuring my NWNGR 4 wheelers that were scrapped long before the WHR opened.

For goods trains, I'm developing a card-based version of your system Rik, with randomly drawn cards determining the loads to be carried (and so which wagons could be used), and "rules" dictating that FR wagons will only be used when no WHR alternative is available. If I can "load the deck" correctly, again I should end up with broadly prototypical trains most of the time, with less likely formations shaking things up every now and then...

Neither of those cunning plans stop me from running whatever I want whenever I want, of course, but - believe it or not - they are intended to be fun! The goods train version (or rather the wagons for it...) should be ready this year, so we'll see...

Cheers,

Andrew.

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by ge_rik » Tue Jan 04, 2022 6:13 pm

Sounds like a plan to me.... The random element sometimes throws up some interesting combinations.

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
Old Man Aaron
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 795
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 11:08 am
Location: Sunshine Coast QLD, Australia

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by Old Man Aaron » Wed Jan 05, 2022 11:48 am

"Palmerston" looks right at home on your line. :salute:
Singular for "dice" is "die". Looking forward to hearing how you get on with the traffic generators. A tricky thing to work out, those.. :scratch:
Regards,
Aaron - Scum Class Works

User avatar
Soar Valley Light
Driver
Driver
Posts: 1451
Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2013 5:18 pm
Location: North West Leicestershire

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by Soar Valley Light » Sat Jan 08, 2022 12:18 pm

Hi Andrew and Rik,

I'm just catching up here.

That photo of Russel at the head of a rake of wagons is a real beauty. I've no doubt it was just the WHR version of a 'mega-shunt' but the thought of it with a brake at the rear, setting off along the line is really enticing!

It was carrying freight that led to the invention of railways and has almost always been the prime earner. It's also the most fascinating aspect of railway operation for me. That is why Andrew's idea of randomly generated loads, rather than randomly generated train formations, appeals to me so much. This reminds me of the opening sequence of the BTF film Train Time, where the commentator points out that it is the wants and needs of people that move traffic - not locomotives! (I think I got that right - time I watched it again!). I love the Andrew's idea, the thought choosing the wagon to suit the load adds another level of enjoyment to an already diverse hobby!

SVLR Andrew
"Smith! Why do you only come to work four days a week?
"'cause I can't manage on three gaffer!"

User avatar
Andrew
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3247
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:33 pm
Location: Bristol, UK
Contact:

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by Andrew » Sat Jan 08, 2022 1:54 pm

Glad you like the idea Andrew!

I've started work on it by drawing up a list of wagons, and another of potential loads, to work out how many cards I'll need. I plan to test run the system on paper until I've got something that seems to work ( or I give up on the idea!), I'll start a separate thread when my progress is a little more concrete...

In the meantime, I'll have to look out that BTF film...

Cheers,

Andrew.

User avatar
Andrew
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3247
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:33 pm
Location: Bristol, UK
Contact:

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by Andrew » Mon Apr 18, 2022 6:01 pm

Hello all!

Yesterday, I spent much of Easter Sunday sorting out the garden - cutting up apple tree branches pruned months ago, mowing the lawn, and tidying the borders through which the railway runs. A trip to the garden centre is in order to replace some plants which haven't made it through the winter, plus the moth-ravaged box bushes, but it's looking OK.

Today, I found myself with a tidy-ish garden, a few hours of spare time, a Roundhouse Small England and a dozen slate wagons. There was only going to be one outcome:

Slate train 1.jpg
Slate train 1.jpg (251.1 KiB) Viewed 3729 times
Slate train 2.jpg
Slate train 2.jpg (230.32 KiB) Viewed 3729 times
Slate train 3.jpg
Slate train 3.jpg (214.44 KiB) Viewed 3729 times
Slate train 4.jpg
Slate train 4.jpg (123.39 KiB) Viewed 3729 times

Cheers all,

Andrew.

User avatar
philipy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5033
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:00 pm
Location: South Northants

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by philipy » Mon Apr 18, 2022 9:07 pm

Veeerry nice, Andrew.
Philip

User avatar
FWLR
Driver
Driver
Posts: 4262
Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2017 9:45 am
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by FWLR » Tue Apr 19, 2022 5:13 am

Lost for words to say Andrew only one thing to say really.
......................BRILLIANT

User avatar
BWLR
Cleaner
Cleaner
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:09 am
Location: North Yorkshire, UK

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by BWLR » Tue Apr 19, 2022 8:12 am

Looking amazing Andrew! What a very atmospheric Railway you have, I like it!
Bishops Woodland Light Railway - Youtube

User avatar
Lonsdaler
Driver
Driver
Posts: 1226
Joined: Tue May 20, 2014 9:50 am
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by Lonsdaler » Tue Apr 19, 2022 12:21 pm

Delightful pictures Andrew. The mix of different types and condition of the slate waggons looks very natural.
Phil

Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds

My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by ge_rik » Tue Apr 19, 2022 12:27 pm

Excellent!! Those England locos are so photogenic!

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
Soar Valley Light
Driver
Driver
Posts: 1451
Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2013 5:18 pm
Location: North West Leicestershire

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by Soar Valley Light » Tue Apr 19, 2022 7:49 pm

Hi Andrew,

A very suitable way to spend the time, if I may say so. That's a very nice looking train in a very nice setting. I managed to clear some vegetation from my own line this weekend but it only revealed how disappointing my track is! Yours on the other hand looks very nice, well established but keeping nature reasonably at bay. The run round picture is particularly nice (IMHO). The MYOB looks good and you seem to have it in check. I'm not sure what the shrub behind the station building is but it looks very much in scale. Thanks for another potent dose of encouragement!

SVLR Andrew
"Smith! Why do you only come to work four days a week?
"'cause I can't manage on three gaffer!"

User avatar
Andrew
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3247
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:33 pm
Location: Bristol, UK
Contact:

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by Andrew » Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:55 am

Thank you for the kind words folks, they're much appreciated.

I feel I cheated a bit with this one, using some VERY selective camera angles! My favourite spot to photograph/watch the trains is usually Penlan Bank, where the Mind Your Own Business had grown up against the low wall that supports the railway in such a way as to create a fairly convincing (and rather attractive) embankment. Alas, our new-ish cat has discovered that the springy MYOB is the perfect location to carry out Her Own Business, with disastrous results. I need to find a way to discourage that! As I mentioned, some other plants in key locations have also died back, leaving barren areas where things used to look relatively lush.

On the plus side, that's encouraged some more creative photography, aided (as Rik notes) by the England's good looks - with that lovely little tender it looks good running backwards too. At some point I'll try to line it, but in the meantime that lovely maroon's so intoxicating that it doesn't feel like it's essential...

Next up, in the coming weeks, will be the first passenger train of the year - probably with Palmerston (again!) and the Ffestiniog rake of carriages...

Cheers all,

Andrew.

User avatar
Andrew
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3247
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:33 pm
Location: Bristol, UK
Contact:

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by Andrew » Tue May 03, 2022 10:14 am

Morning all,

I was away this weekend (rode a Blackpool tram in Heaton Park, Machester, very nice), but trundled a little train around the the lower half of the line yesterday pm, largely because i thought it would look nice steaming under the cherry blossom, which is just beginning to fade.

So here's the (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland, doing an impression of an industrial tramway. It's quite convincing - maybe I should flog all my Welsh highland and Ffestiniog stuff and buy some little saddle tanks. That Cranmore Peckett is particulartly lovely...

Cheers,

Andrew.

2 May 2022 A.jpg
2 May 2022 A.jpg (187.67 KiB) Viewed 3866 times
2 May 2022 C.jpg
2 May 2022 C.jpg (236.59 KiB) Viewed 3866 times
2 May 2022 D.jpg
2 May 2022 D.jpg (181.68 KiB) Viewed 3866 times
2 May 2022 E.jpg
2 May 2022 E.jpg (262.47 KiB) Viewed 3866 times
2 May 2022 F.jpg
2 May 2022 F.jpg (184.96 KiB) Viewed 3866 times
2 May 2022 G.jpg
2 May 2022 G.jpg (245.22 KiB) Viewed 3866 times

User avatar
Peter Butler
Driver
Driver
Posts: 5219
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
Location: West Wales

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by Peter Butler » Tue May 03, 2022 10:45 am

Lovely pictures Andrew, a real pleasure to see.
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by ge_rik » Tue May 03, 2022 1:57 pm

Great photos - please don't sell up - I really enjoy seeing your updates ......

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
Andrew
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3247
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:33 pm
Location: Bristol, UK
Contact:

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by Andrew » Tue May 03, 2022 2:09 pm

ge_rik wrote: Tue May 03, 2022 1:57 pm please don't sell up
Mere idle musings on a possible change of direction, I do it all the time. After my ride around Heaton Park, I did spend some time yestreday looking at Playmobil RC motorblocks and wondering if I could use one to power a 45mm tram. Now that really would be a change of direction - Penlan bank would look rather nice with ornate Victorian overhead power masts dotted along the track, don't you think???

User avatar
LNR
Driver
Driver
Posts: 1533
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2016 5:26 am
Location: Australia

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by LNR » Wed May 04, 2022 1:45 am

Really like that first shot. The weathering on that loco looks so typical.
Grant.

User avatar
FWLR
Driver
Driver
Posts: 4262
Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2017 9:45 am
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK

Re: The (Windmill Hill) Welsh Highland Railway

Post by FWLR » Wed May 04, 2022 8:04 am

They are just brilliant Andrew. I love the tippers, they are just so brilliantly weathered, you sure are a master at weathering them and the rest of your stock. :notworthy: :salute:

I just wish I was half has good at weathering as you are..... :| :cry:

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests