Llanmynach & Tawel-llety Railway

Hidden Sidings
This is where the business is done. Three sidings continue from Mynydd-yn-Bwlch to represent the line past Moel Ffynnon to Tawel-llety. There is ample space to store a works or goods train and also to 'cross' passenger trains at Tawel-llety. Five loops provide for the four slate trains, two empty running clockwise and two full running widdershins, plus a works train which can run in either direction. The sixth loop originally performed the same function but with the increasing number of operational locomotives was sectioned to provide accommodation for three. Perhaps you'd like to take a look at the slate trains which normally inhabit these sidings or at the various works trains which the Railway has. Return down the line or return to the map
© DRB/Buccabury
© DRB/Buccabury	'Sir Theodore' reaches the end of another circumnavigation of the Railway with a loaded slate train, runs through the wing of the workshops, through the backscene and negotiates the pointwork to return to Storage Loop 3. No. 7 looks on whilst waiting for her turn on the works train and 'Argyll' waits patiently for the chance to leave the locomotive loop. The spare wagon loads are stored here in front of the loops and just visible, if you know where to look are some white-topped sleepers on either side of the rail gaps which indicate the limits of electrical sections - essential when the Railway is being run under night conditions. The photographic blower brush is part of the maintenance equipment and is used to remove minute particles from between point blades and check rails. It is sitting on top of the failures book and work log.
© DRB/Buccabury	The rebuilt 'Russell' picks his way carefully along the hidden track behind the rock face of Mynydd-yn-Bwlch with a train for Tawel-Llety. Fall protection is provided by a hinged Perspex panel (lowered in this view). This part of the Railway is not visible from the normal operating position in front of Mynydd-yn-Bwlch so a mirror is provided in a suitable position on the wall of the room, enabling the operator to see over the top of the hillside and follow the progress of the train; this mirror can be seen in the general view of the storage area. The rear face of the hillside is painted white for adequate visibility. As this piece of track is next to the modelling table it tends to get used for checking locomotive chasses.
© DRB/Buccabury	Having two controllers available for use at both ends of the line makes for good operational flexibility and it is quite possible to have two simultaneous train movements at the top end. Here 'Lew' arrives at Tawel-Llety sidings with a goods train from Llanmynach at the same time as 'Cackler' runs through the loop at Mynydd-yn-Bwlch, into the tunnel, through the backscene and into Storage Loop 3 with a train of slate empties, also from Llanmynach. The storage loops are protected by a Perspex cover and their proximity to the modelling table means they tend to be used as a repository for unfinished projects such as the 'Joe Works' rotary snowplough on the left. Also visible are the point control cranks which transmit movement from rodding under the baseboard; they are colour-coded for ease of identification.