Quarry & Industrial Locomotives - when the quarry tramway only ran to a miniature cassette system, only the 'Baby Hunslet' and gravity train were run. However, with Rhyd as a continuous run more quarry locos were needed ...
King of the Scarlets - Hunslet 0-4-0ST Hunslet (492 of 1889) built for the Dinorwic Quarry. It went into service with the name Alice until at least 1908, when it was renamed. It worked until 1962 and 1965 was sold and exported to Canada in 1965. It was returned in 2012 and was displayed in Spooner’s Bar for while. She is now on display, but not restored, at Staffold Barn.
This is the Agenoria Kit built for me by Jonathan Mathews. At the time the model was built the prototype was languishing as a rusting hulk on the other-side of the pond long before her return to the UK. She is a free running and delightful little loco.
This is the Agenoria Kit built for me by Jonathan Mathews. At the time the model was built the prototype was languishing as a rusting hulk on the other-side of the pond long before her return to the UK. She is a free running and delightful little loco.
Britomart – Hunslet 0-4-0ST 1899/707, built for Pen-yr-Orsedd Quarry, in the Nantlle Valley. Bought in 1965 for preservation by a private consortium of FR workers and volunteers. She was first steamed on the July 1966. She is a popular engine and remarkably well travelled, making guest appearances at many 2ft gauge preserved lines.She is the Wrightlines kit, built and painted by Paul Holmes and is fitted with a High Level motor and drive, making her an exquisite runner.
Sybil - is the Wrightlines kit and expertly built (as usual) by Brian Love. The prototype was built in 1906 and worked at Dinorwic; she survives and is being restored to run on the West Lancs. Railway.
Lady Emma - the “backstory” is that when the Bwlch-y-Swllt Slate Company was looking to expand it’s locomotive fleet, the Hunslet Engine Company’s order books were full, so they had to look to other manufacturers. AcrLady Emmaoss the road in fact, was Manning Wardle and they had a small 0-4-0ST, a 2 foot gauge version of their 18” gauge LORD RAGLAN class built for the Royal Arsenal Railway. So she was brought to the Trafalgar Level, leading an uneventful life (unlike her namesake). She was lighter than the Hunslets but not as durable – not an overwhelming success and, as far as is known, no other small Manning Wardles were used in the high slate quarry levels
In reality, of course, she is a Henrik Laurel 3D print from Shapeways, on a Mark Clark chassis (Mark also provided additional detail parts), name and works plates from Narrow Planet, driver from Modelu, with fettling by me before she went off to Chris Clark for painting and finishing.
In reality, of course, she is a Henrik Laurel 3D print from Shapeways, on a Mark Clark chassis (Mark also provided additional detail parts), name and works plates from Narrow Planet, driver from Modelu, with fettling by me before she went off to Chris Clark for painting and finishing.
NELSON – a model of the iconic north Wales quarry locomotive, the vertical boilered De Wintons were built in Caernarvon. This is a Wrightlines kit on a scratch-built chassis - of my design but built and made to work by Brian Love. Basically the motor is vertical in the boiler, driving a lay shaft through bevel gears to a final worm drive Nelsonon each axle; the water-tank end of the layshaft is fitted with a flywheel. It is so much easier thinking of these things than it is to bulld them! Thank you Brian.
Merlin - was inspired by a new(ish) vertical boiler locomotive I saw at the FR’s Quirks and Curiosities weekend, It is one of the few freelance locomotives running on Rhyd. It is a modified Smallbrook body on a scratch-built chassis (of the same design as NELSON) and finished in an appropriate ‘over-the-top’ livery.
GamecockGamecock- Peckett ‘Cranmore’ Class saddle-tank of 1904. Works number 1030. It was delivered new to the Mendip Granite & Asphalte Co Ltd and their line ran from Moons Hill Quarry down to sidings alongside the GWR station at Cranmore. The model was built by Giles Favell from a Wrightlines kit on a scratch built chassis. Being Giles it is radio controlled, runs superbly and exudes both charm and magic!
Jung - an e-bay impulse buy. I think it is a HAPO made body (for those not familiar; HAPO is a German low volume producer of exquisite, but eye-wateringly expensive, narrow gauge models in both 0 16.5 and Of (12mm) and perhaps anything in-between.) This model is a “Jung mit Dach blau” and was offered on e-bay on a Wrightlines 0 16.5 bogie. We pressed the wheels in to 14mm gauge, added cab glazing (and, as an aside, she has the best running Wrightlines motor bogie I have ever come across.)
Deutz OMZ 0-4-0DM ' EVA' - This is the SRB kit of the well known German workhorse built between the wars. It had been so long since I actually built a loco I decided to have a go at this one, finished in the state I remember seeing one while on holiday in France. It is a credit to Stuart Brewer, the kit designer, that it has turned out so well.
Chrysophylax -a larger Ruston - known from the popular series “Brookford Tales” (similar to ‘the Archers’ but with trains and real people). There are no plans to repaint her at the moment. It is envisaged she will be very popular with children, particularly around the Santa Specials. There may even be another series of “Brookford” and her hire charge/appearance fee will be most welcome! Again, the Wrightlines kit, built and modified by Paul Lindsay-Scott.
Fowler Marshall 4w petrol. This is the Wrightlines kit. It was acquired second-hand but was an indifferent runner. Investigation showed only one axle was being driven. A little filing and a couple of thrust washers solved the problem and she is now often used as the yard shunter at Rhyd
40hp Open Simplex - The 20 H.P. loco was Motor Rail’s first loco type and is commonly known as “Bow” framed, and was the first mass produced internal combustion loco. It was introduced during the First World War, when hundreds were built.
Motor Rail continued to produce petrol locos of different designs, weights and power ratings, In 1929, a new plate frame type was introduced and included diesel variants. Manufacring ceased in 1987 and the business was sold to Alan Keef Ltd.
There were at least 19 recognised variants, plus “clones” from other manufactures, plus thise produced by Alan Keef. I am neither knowledgable or observant enough to identify the different variants.
Motor Rail continued to produce petrol locos of different designs, weights and power ratings, In 1929, a new plate frame type was introduced and included diesel variants. Manufacring ceased in 1987 and the business was sold to Alan Keef Ltd.
There were at least 19 recognised variants, plus “clones” from other manufactures, plus thise produced by Alan Keef. I am neither knowledgable or observant enough to identify the different variants.
Although not a typical slate railway locomotive they were widespread across UK industrial railways and I had to have one, or two, or …
As far as I know Rhyd has two 20h.p. petrol locos, one a Nigel Lawton kits built for me by Paul Lindsay-Scott and a 3d print. There are two Wrightlines kit built locos, one acquired from Charles Benedetto of Lewes, who used to trade as Scalecraft and, I think, three 3d printed variants. Sometimes I think I still need a cabbed version too! (Mary Ann is also a Simplex loco but is rightly listed among the Ffestiniog locos!)
As far as I know Rhyd has two 20h.p. petrol locos, one a Nigel Lawton kits built for me by Paul Lindsay-Scott and a 3d print. There are two Wrightlines kit built locos, one acquired from Charles Benedetto of Lewes, who used to trade as Scalecraft and, I think, three 3d printed variants. Sometimes I think I still need a cabbed version too! (Mary Ann is also a Simplex loco but is rightly listed among the Ffestiniog locos!)
Ruston LAT - The 'pioneer' 014 kit from Roy Link., Another loco acquired from Charles Benedetto.
Struver Schienenkuli. Couldn't resist this. I found it 'Engineer's' pages on Shapeways. Brian and I pondered how we could motorise it but discretion being the better part and all that we decided not to. The loco now runs with a Beer Wagon made from an ex-WW1 A class 4w wagon (another 3D print) hiding a small BullAnt chassis. Cheating but fun!
Clayton Battery Electric - built by Mark Greenwood , following a beery discussion on ExpoNG from one of his 3D print based kits finished and painted by Chris Clark
The Gravity Train - here because there was nowhere else to put it. 7mm NGA etched brass kits, with the smallest BullAnt chassis is one of them. Always runs doFR Gravity trainwnhill (otherwise, it would be an anti-gravity train!). Must build some empties for the return working.