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.

Just blue tacked together at this point. I think the ride height is too high still, I will need to refer to some photos. Its going to look really effective paired with carriage 16.

Having decided that I will paint the new rake in one go, I have started to build my first Worsley Works etch. I have decided to build the match board bug box as this is the simplest of the seven variations I have. The only complication is how to mount the couplings. I could have them in a fixed position or if I cut a hole the carriage end I could mount it more prototypically with a small amount of swing. I have 7mm wheels and these seem to give the right ride height but these will need mocking up before I commit to fixing them in place. Like carriage 16 the axle boxes use shouldered pinpoint bearings. The seat forms the chassis like the real thing and this part of the kit folds up from a single etch which is very pleasing!

The end has been detailed with the addition of vacuum pipes. I was all set to paint it green but the Games Workshop paint will not spray without the dreaded orange peel effect. This is a shame as the colour looks really good. I've decided to leave it in primer until I have built more carriages and then can spray them with my own mix of Tamiya paint in one go.

 Here 16 is sitting outside the Pilot Cottages and looking very pristine. I think I will tackle the port hole bug box next. This should be relatively easy as there is nothing to modify.