Phase 2

I’d already a plan in my head for ‘Phase 2’ of the Moel Rhos Railway – to reach the shed. So that’s the goal for this summer. This involves coming off the existing line (using the points I sneaked in last year) and crossing two thoroughfares above ground level – so two bridges will be required.

These photos show the course of the proposed line, taken when work had only just started digging holes for the support for the first bridge.

[pe2-image src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qel5TAVd8XI/V124Oiywc2I/AAAAAAAEj54/_CaAKwhl7mgC1A_bubSStPJ2Yr2bptR3wCHM/s144-c-o/P1190209.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/105041492449804846682/MoelRhosBlogPhotos#6295390414131196770″ caption=”1. The site of the first bridge, with holes for the posts” type=”image” alt=”P1190209.jpg” pe2_caption=”1″  pe2_img_align=”none”]

At this point I don’t possess the patience to build ‘model’ bridges, so I’m simply going to construct a functional means to allow both rail and foot traffic to pass (once trains are running, I may have a bash at doing something more elegant). At the first bridge the track will be only about 9″ off the ground.

[pe2-image src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2mzv2rNdiVY/V124OjXrOuI/AAAAAAAEj54/kVthpNrZ7M47k4ummv3tuJ6aN21ITbNgACHM/s144-c-o/P1190210.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/105041492449804846682/MoelRhosBlogPhotos#6295390414286043874″ caption=”2. The line will run along the wall” type=”image” alt=”P1190210.jpg” pe2_caption=”1″  pe2_img_align=”none”] [pe2-image src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VvdGUYeH5C8/V124OgR2a6I/AAAAAAAEj54/D_IMGmixiPAHiCu7sDfZtFl4aXAMMv_uQCHM/s144-c-o/P1190211.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/105041492449804846682/MoelRhosBlogPhotos#6295390413456305058″ caption=”3. The site of the second bridge – seen from the south” type=”image” alt=”P1190211.jpg” pe2_caption=”1″ pe2_img_align=”none”]By the second bridge, the track will be around 18″ above ground. (Excuse the mess in the background…)

[pe2-image src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5K-dUBSP910/V124OmQnqEI/AAAAAAAEj54/sJ2iU-289sY4h9UtuxoiG2sBSbMTHbwCQCHM/s144-c-o/P1190212.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/105041492449804846682/MoelRhosBlogPhotos#6295390415061755970″ caption=”4. The site of the second bridge – seen from the north” type=”image” alt=”P1190212.jpg” pe2_caption=”1″ pe2_img_align=”none”]

I’ve switched perspective since once the line enters the shed, I can only photograph it from this side.

[pe2-image src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4xK9cAdUdjU/V124OjufKQI/AAAAAAAEj54/Slx57RsMZOcwOvUC0DJPGjr4UD1bFrAFgCHM/s144-c-o/P1190213.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/105041492449804846682/MoelRhosBlogPhotos#6295390414381721858″ caption=”5. The line will enter the shed to the right of the window” type=”image” alt=”P1190213.jpg” pe2_caption=”1″  pe2_img_align=”none”] By the time the line reaches the shed, it should be around 4′ above ground level. It will enter the shed to the right of the window (giving the window some much needed TLC has taken second place to railway work…)

[pe2-image src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oenU_723WGI/V124OjdpL6I/AAAAAAAEj54/xZHX3uKL4WACDAlD6I1_Fh2BJG-90F4GgCHM/s144-c-o/P1190214.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/105041492449804846682/MoelRhosBlogPhotos#6295390414311075746″ caption=”6. Inside the shed: the track will curve round the far corner” type=”image” alt=”P1190214.jpg”  pe2_caption=”1″  pe2_img_align=”none”] [pe2-image src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qzgliXnAAZ4/V124Otdyw_I/AAAAAAAEj54/SahO54yMLP4IzJTGeC70JPOd5pDnAfQtwCHM/s144-c-o/P1190215.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/105041492449804846682/MoelRhosBlogPhotos#6295390416996058098″ caption=”7. Inside the shed: I hope to have room for two sidings ” type=”image” alt=”P1190215.jpg” pe2_caption=”1″  pe2_img_align=”none”]

Running the line into the shed will provide a high level area to steam up and store stock during rain showers.

[pe2-image src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bl7eXGdIKTA/V16SPRzWswI/AAAAAAAEkCg/-hzEYhTzl8UEyM_aUqGPWwPszmh6Nk1dgCHM/s144-c-o/Moel_Rhos_Phase_2.png” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/105041492449804846682/MoelRhosBlogPhotos#6295630120285025026″caption=”Where the photos were taken from” type=”image” alt=”Moel_Rhos_Phase_2.png” pe2_caption=”1″ pe2_img_align=”none”]

Photos taken 16 April

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Simon Wood

Lecturer in medical education, lapsed mathematician, Doctor Who fan and garden railway builder. See simonwood.info for more...

5 thoughts on “Phase 2”

  1. I think there’s more to this than meets the eye. You’re not really thinking about Millie, it’s your back and knees that will be the main beneficiary of a high-level loco-shed. Would I be surprised if I read soon that a new heating and lighting system had been installed in said she’d. No, I wouldn’t ☺️

  2. Many thanks for such a great blog, Simon. I’m still a few steps behind in my narrow gauge light railway aspirations and your shared experience has been most enlightening and will prove invaluable. (I too live in South West Wales, and coincidentally used to work closely with David, whom I last saw on a train!)

    1. It’s a small world, though it can never have enough small trains in it!

      Thank you for your kind words, I’m delighted to hear my blog has been some small help, and I look forward to seeing what your aspirations will lead to…

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