Cambrian Coast Express at Dovey Junction

splargg · Post by **splargg** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 10:52 am

I wonder whether, as a newbie activity writer, I can consult the brains trust?

I am trying to put together a simple activity using the excellent SVR stock on one of my other favourite routes, the Cambrian Coast. This involves taking the Aberystwyth portion of the Cambrian Coast Express from Aber to Dovey Junction, picking up the coaches of the Pwllheli portion, and running on to Machynlleth. Great fun, by the way, being able to open up Bradley Manor beyond the 25 mph that prevails on the SVR. The sound as the loco picks up speed is particularly impressive.

I have been fiddling around with the best way of putting the two halves of the train together at Dovey Junction. Two questions:

1. Did it actially operate like that, or did the train engine come from Pwllheli?

2. If it did come from Aber, what would be the prototypical pattern of coupling the two sections? Should I be (a) uncoupling the Aber coaches in the Aber platform, picking up the other portion from the Pwllheli platform and setting back into the Aber platform to recouple (fiddly as it involves four reversing points) or (b) running through the Aber platform with the coaches still coupled and backing the whole lot down into the Pwllheil platform or (c) something completely different?

All thoughts gratefully received!

matthews · Post by **matthews** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 3:49 pm

I believe the portions joined together at Machynthleth not Dovey, not sure how though.

davidaward · Post by **davidaward** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 9:44 pm

Good idea to use the SVR stock on the Cambrian, I may do the same once I get the Cambrian. It would be great to see some Manor, prarie, pannier, Ivatt and 4MT repaints for activities on the route. I reckon Macynthlleth was where the CCE split.

choccy · Post by **choccy** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 11:21 pm

Yes, the Cambrian Coast Express split at Machynlleth. Take a look at the following URL, especially the last picture and caption.

http://www.2d53.co.uk/CambrianML/general.htm

The whole site is good with lots of useful information.

Mark

davidaward · Post by **davidaward** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:28 am

Just a thought on Cambrian activities. On the SVR Pack we have Hinton Manor and 46443 and Brown and Cream MK1s, why not recreate the Cambrian Coast Excursions from Machynlleth to Barmouth in the 1980s, we have the locos and The DMUs as AI traffic.

splargg · Post by **splargg** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 10:44 am

Thanks for all the feedback and the info about the train joining at Machynlleth. Shoots the activity down in flames though!

The reason I came up with this is I remember seeing a picture a long time ago (I'm talking something like 25 years ago), probably in an old "Locospotters Annual" or something like that, of a Manor and a 45xx at Dovey Junction, both with "Cambrian Coast Express" headboards. It could be that the photographer just got lucky in that both sections of the train were at Dovey at the same time but I had thought that the train was either joining or being divided there (I thought that the 45xx did not have any coaches coupled to it at the time). I suppose it's possible that the practice varied over time or that the photo was of a day when the line controller did something out of the ordinary.

Anyway, is there any interest in me finishing this off and posting the activity even if it is non-prototypical?

Fodda · Post by **Fodda** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 4:41 pm

Yes indeed. Post the activity up... I love Cambrian Coast for the scenery and something new would be great. Especially using the SVR stock as well.