by replacing the timber elements of the viaduct and associated track, which will take us the first two years. Our principal contractor for this phase of work is Alun Griffiths Ltd. During 2022, we’ll replace the metallic spans of the viaduct and the associated track. We’ll also be upgrading the track at the north and south end of the viaduct in 2022.” “For operational and safety reasons, the bridge will not swing after the work but all key mechanisms associated with the swing bridge will be retained in situ in accordance with the Grade II* listing of the structure. This approach has been agreed with Cadw and Gwynedd Council.” “ To access the viaduct easily throughout our work, we set up our site compounds over the summer months. There are two site
compounds relatively close to the viaduct: one on the northern side and one on the southern side. Another will be OFFICIAL situated in the town of Barmouth, near Marine Parade, with additional parking for our contractors in Barmouth town centre. We will do our best to keep any disruption to a minimum. At times, the machinery we’re using and the activities we’re delivering will inevitably generate some noise – and we’re sorry for any disturbance.” “Working closely with Transport for Wales, we will provide a bus replacement service between Pwllheli and Machynlleth stations, and all stations in between. There will also be an additional bus service for local school pupils to take them to and from school. Our advice for passengers is to plan ahead and allow additional time for travelling.”
The Barmouth Bridge - a scale model in O Gauge
Barmouth Bridge is the last of three large exhibition layouts that I have built and exhibited over the last 33 years, the first two being 3.5mm scale Swiss metre-gauge protypes. I have always loved the Barmouth area and when deciding on a new exhibition layout, I chose the bridge as “something different” from the usual, small station prototypes. It was also something of a challenge in 7mm scale with a large amount of soldering brass required. A start was made in 2005 and the end result was exhibited for the first time at the Peterborough show in October 2009, although without the superb back-drop which was added the following year: the work of Graham Bradbury MSc., an art teacher in Shrewsbury. After a few years of exhibitions it was retired to a purpose-built shed at my home, where a continuous track was laid with the bridge down one side and a truncated version of Barmouth Station down the other. A start was made on the scenery, but old age and decrepitude meant that this work was ceased by about 2014. In 2007 I was asked by Barmouth Council if they could borrow the model as a centrepiece for their exhibition celebrating 150 years of Barmouth Bridge. Happily it was possible to extract the bridge portion without too much damage and I spent a happy weekend at the celebrations. On return home, the layout was stored on shelves until I thought it would be nice for it to be exhibited in the Barmouth area on a permanent basis. My first call was to the Fairbourne Railway – the rest is history! The centre section swings thanks to a heavy-duty bearing housed inside the centre cassion. The rail and chairs are a C&L product laid on longitudinal timbers like the real thing. The chairs for the guard-rails had been specially cast from my own patterns; nothing else looked right. The cassions are made from the K.S. brass sheet rolled length-wise, the width of the sheet dictated the height at which the bridge is carried and the state of the tide modelled! The layout is not specifically dated. For example, the south end timbers are modelled as they were pre-1985 but the Toll House is as it was in about 2005. Many of the things modelled have now gone from the real thing: the wooden bridge by the tunnel, the Life-Boat Station and the G.W.R. spear fencing to name but three. How quickly things become history!! I hope the layout is a successful attraction in the Museum for many years to come. Barrie Kelsall This layout is now on permanent display at the Fairbourn Railway and for the insertion of a 20p piece the train a GWR 14XX tank engine and autocoach - will run across the viaduct and back, raising funds for the Fairbourn Railway - Ed 26
GREAT WESTERN STAR MAGAZINE
January/February 2021 26
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