The windows are made from three layers of thin card. This creates the depth of the sash. These windows are unusual as they also have a plastered surround that is painted in the same colour as the window. This can be seen painted brown.

 The two layers are painted cream and fitted behind the outer window frame. The thin glazing bars are created by cutting very thin strips of art paper and painting with acrylic prior to fitting. The paint strengthens these bars and if glued in place whilst they are still tacky pull taught as they dry. Making glazing bars like this allows for any type of bespoke window. On close examination they are slightly wavy where they cross each other, something noted in the Pendon book, but from a distance look pretty effective.

The glazing is added in two layers which further enhances the effect of the sash construction.

The roof presented a real challenge. This is the first time I have got as far as modelling a roof in 5.5mm scale. The slates were made with water colour paper strips. The slates on this building are far from a uniform colour and were built up with dozens of layers of individual colours. There is a lot of purple and blue in the colour and the roof contrasts sharply with the ochre and umber colours of the walls.

Most the techniques used come from my trusty copy of Cottage Modelling for Pendon. The main difference is that I prefer to use artists acrylics rather than water colours.

 So this summer I have managed to build the cottage which is the focal point of the model. I thought it would be an easy little house to model but it quickly became apparent how complex it is. Without trespassing I could only photograph it from the front, but fortunately since its fantastic restoration by the Landmark Trust a lot more pictures have appeared online of different views. These combined with the pictures from the Ffestiniog archive have given me a lot more information. The Landmark Trust website even includes a floor plan. The surprising thing that I had never appreciated is that the rear of the cottage is two storeys with the back door being stepped down below the front ground level. The model has been built using card covered in scribed Das. The little rendered panel above the back door is clearly visible in several archive photos and is represented using pepper.

 The porch is a distinctive feature of the cottage and was built using plasticard.

The lattice walls were made from Evergreen plasticard strips.

The front elevation of Coed y bleiddiau. The stones have been copied from the prototype where possible. So the quirky lintel above the window is correct! The walls are a warm colour, there is a lot of iron in the slates stones. The walls have wide mortar courses and this makes representing the stones tricky.

There are lots of little things that you spot when you really study a prototype, in the case of this cottage the porch is off centre and the windows are different sizes.

To the east of the cottage the line runs on a wider ledge. The path to Dduallt Manor can be seen to the right of the line. Here I am imagining a simple passing loop with Ffestiniog style shelter building.

 You can see the two heights of bridge arch in this photograph. I think the wall was built out at the front to reduce the radius of the curve and carry the heavier locos.

This is an overall view of the line being modelled.

 As some of you will already know the Railstoblackrocks project has taken a bit of left turn.
Due to a reorganisation of teenage sons rooms the Borth y gest boards have been mothballed. It has become obvious that at the current build rate it will be many years before it will be exhibitable. I've decided I want to have something to take to shows much sooner. So rather as Camberwick Green is  to Trumpton, Rails to blackrocks now has a little brother- Coed y bleiddiau!

After a morning spent at the location in May I decided this lovely little corner of the Ffestiniog offered an ideal location for a small vignette. Two small boards allow for the corner to be modelled prototypically but with a twist. To the right of the cottage the line continues on a rock cut ledge and here I have imagined that a passing loop existed. Boyd refers to a siding and coal drops (presumably for the cottage) somewhere to the east of the cottage so. There will only be two structures on the model, the cottage and a small station building based on the original one at Dduallt.

The main feature of this part of the line is the huge drystone walls the line runs along. The formation at Coed y bleiddiau was widened when the line was converted for locomotive haulage from a tramway. You can clearly see this today when you look at the bridge. The front is much more substantial than the rear. The bridge arch has two heights with the newer front portion being lower.

 My first bug box has come together nicely. The ends were easy to curve using a rolling pin. Hinges were aded using sections of wire. The MSM door handles caused the most problems as they are so delicate you can't file them without destroying them.

 A true Ffestiniog train rake is now starting to emerge, brake van 12 will be next.

 Having referred back to source material the prototype couplings were wagon style rather than chopper, and fixed. So the model isn't accurate in this respect. I have opened up a small square hole in the end which allows about 1mm swing either way. It also allows the height to be adjusted accurately at a later date.

 The chassis is very free running. The floor has to sit slightly higher up than prototypical within the body however. I think the axle boxes should be within the box section. This is not practical if using pinpoint bearings but I don't think it will be apparent when the model is finished.

I have designed the model to have a removable chassis as well as roof. I thought the top edge of the etch would be rather flimsy, but with the second lamination in place it is really strong.