Penmaenpool

The Toll Bridge at Penmaenpool

Beams and bolts criss-cross the tide
Spans athwart the waterside
Tempered Iron, Ancient Oak
Groan and moan, creak and croak

Eddies swirl ‘gainst spar and pile
Swallows glide, geese rest awhile
Mallard, Egret, Shelduck, Crow
Watch the Mawddach ebb and flow

Paddlers ply their craft downstream
While down below trout flash and gleam
Rod and line with try and fail
As bikes make tracks along the Trail

Welsh Black beasts explore the shore
The calves cavort and joust galore
The Heron waits, still as a tree
A scene sublime as fine could be

A Bridge stands proud through sun and rain
Steadfast and strong, moons wax and wane
A work of Art to feed the soul
Small price to pay, a token Toll.

DAB
May 2023

Penmaenpool was a modest passing place on the former Ruabon to Barmouth line, situated beside the Afon Mawddach in North Wales. Though small, it was operationally interesting, featuring offset platforms, a cramped locomotive shed, and a toll bridge owned by the railway.

This 2mm Finescale layout depicts the station after its 1927 remodelling, during the British Railways era. It includes the down platform and loop, timber buildings, and the scenic water-side location nestled between estuary and wooded hillside. Originally part of the Cambrian Railways, the line was later operated by the Great Western Railway.

From a modeller’s perspective, Penmaenpool is full of potential. Its layout was shaped by geography and operating needs, and is compact enough to model in full at this scale with little compression. It supports a believable mix of short branch trains and varied locomotive types, offering both scenic and operational interest.

I chose Penmaenpool as a subject because it brings together character and operational realism, representing a vanished corner of the Cambrian system that can be convincingly recreated in miniature.

Background & Planning

  • Why Penmaenpool?
    An introduction to the location and its appeal as a modelling subject.
  • Prototype History
    Historical background of the real Penmaenpool comunity and railway facilites.
  • Research and Resources
    Books, maps, photographs, site visits, and online materials that informed the project.
  • Layout Design
    How the layout was planned, including selective compression and key features.
  • Fiddle Yard Staging
    Design and function of off-scene storage, including methods used for train preparation and movement.
  • Signalling
    The signalling arrangements, block system, signal types, and operational procedures.

Construction

  • Baseboards
    Construction methods, dimensions, and considerations for portability and rigidity.
  • Trackwork
    Construction techniques, materials used, and prototypical or functional considerations.
  • Signals
  • Buildings and Structures
    Modelling of the station, goods facilities, and surrounding architecture.
  • Scenery
    Modelling the landscape and visual character of the Mawddach estuary and local setting.
  • Lighting and Presentation
    Pelmet, lighting rig, fascia, and overall visual framing for exhibition and home display.
  • Control and Electronics
    CBUS, point control, DCC setup, and automation.

Lomomotives & Rolling Stock

  • Trains
    Description of the trains used, the era represented, modifications, and weathering techniques.
  • Locomotives
    Types used, detailing, liveries, and performance.
  • Carriages
    Coaching stock, interior and exterior treatment.
  • Wagons
    Goods traffic representation and operational role.

Documentation & Display

  • Operation
    How the layout runs, traffic flow, shunting, timetabling, and exhibition uses
  • Gallery
    Images of the layout at various stages and in operation.
  • Exhibition History and Availability
    Past appearances and information for prospective exhibition managers.
  • Progress Log
    A build diary documenting progress over time.

Timetable

September 26th, 1949 – until further notice.

  1. 0634 > 3.25 a.m. Chester – Barmouth Class D Mails & Freight (Load restricted to 15 wagons and 2 mail vans from Ruabon, The engine off the 3.25 a.m. Chester to run from Barmouth to Barmouth Junction, to turn in readiness to work the 10.10 a.m. passenger to Birkenhead.
  2. 0739 < 7.18 a.m. Barmouth – Ruabon Class B Passenger
  3. 0808 > 4.45 a.m. Ruabon – Barmouth Junction Class J Freight
  4. 0835 > 8. 6 a.m. Drws-y-Nant – Barmouth Class B Auto (8.30 am. Dolgelley on Saturdays and school holidays)
  5. 09X47 < 9.25 a.m. Barmouth – Dolgelley Class B Auto
  6. 09X46 > 7.03 a.m. Birkenhead – Barmouth Class B Passenger
  7. 1032 < 10.10 a.m. Barmouth – Ruabon Class B Passenger
  8. 1120 < 11.6 a.m. Barmouth Junction Class K Freight
  9. 1144 > 7.50 a.m. Birkenhead – Barmouth Class B Passenger
  10. 1314 < 12.50 p.m. Barmouth – Dolgelley Class B Passenger
  11. 1331 < 1.12 p.m. Barmouth – Wrexham Class A Passenger (Calls only if required to pick up passengers for beyond Ruabon)
  12. 1350 > 1.45 p.m. Dolgelley – Barmouth Class B Auto (plus Brake Compo)
  13. 1458 < 2.36 p.m. Barmouth – Birkenhead Class B Passenger
  14. 1525 < 3.0 p.m. Barmouth – Dolgelley Class D Empty Auto (Saturdays and school holidays excepted)
  15. 1551-1601 > 7.50 a.m. Ruabon – Barmouth Junction Class K Freight
  16. 1622 > 2.7 p.m. Ruabon – Pwllheli Class B Passenger
  17. 1625 > 4.20 p.m. Dolgelley – Barmouth Class B Auto (Saturdays and school holidays excepted. Runs with 2.7 p.m. Ruabon is more than 25 minutes late. Dolgelley Station Master to arrange.)
  18. 1726 > 3.45 p.m. Ruabon – Pwllheli Class A Express Passenger (Calls if required to set down)
  19. 1808 < 5.46 p.m. Barmouth – Dolgelley Class B Auto(?)
  20. 1823 > 6.18 p.m. Dolgelley – Barmouth Class B Auto
  21. 1942 < 7.20 p.m. Barmouth – Ruabon Class B Passenger & Mail
  22. 21X13 < 8.51 p.m. Barmouth – Dolgelley Class B Auto
  23. 21X13 > 5.7 p.m. Birkenhead – Barmouth Class B Passenger
  24. 2220 < 10.0 p.m. Barmouth – Penmaenpool Class G Light Engine

Penmaenpool SX Summer Schedule (1959)

  1. 0615 > 0615 Penmaenpool – Barmouth (0630) Class G Light Engine – to work 0720 Barmouth – Wrexham
  2. 0627 > 0315 Chester – Bartmouth (0704) via Bala Town Class C Freight (Load restricted to 15 wagons and 2 mail vans)
  3. 0705 < 0705 Penmaenpool – Dolgelly (0710) Class G Light Engine – to work 0725 Dolgelley – Drws-y-Nant
  4. 0741 < 0720 Barmouth -Wrexham Class B Local Passenger
  5. 0808 > 0450 Croes Newydd – Barmouth Junction (0826) Class H Freight
  6. 0835 > 0830 Dolgelley – Barmouth (0847) Class B Local Passenger
  7. 09X43 > 0655 Wrexham – Barmouth (1005) Class B Local Passenger
  8. 1042 < 1020 Barmouth – Birkenhead Class A Express Passenger
  9. 1112 < 1045 Barmouth Junction – Croes Newydd via Bala Town Class K Freight
  10. 1144 > 0750 Birkenhead – Pwllheli Class B Local Passenger
  11. 11X45 < 1010 Pwllheli – Rhyl via Barmouth and Corwen – Cambrian Land Cruise Class A Express Passenger
  12. 1303 > 0948 Llandudno – Aberdovey via Corwen – Cambrian Land Cruise – Class A Express Passenger
  13. 1346 > 1341 Dolgelley – Barmouth (1410) Class B Local Passenger
  14. 1418 < 0925 Rhyl – Criccieth via Afonwen, Barmouth and Corwen – Cambrian Land Cruise – Class A Express Passenger
  15. 1448-1458 > 0850 Croes Newydd – Barmouth Junction (1521) Class H Freight
  16. 1458 < 1245 Pwllheli – Birkenhead Class B Local Passenger
  17. 1707 > 1450 Wrexham – Pwllheli Class A Express Passenger
  18. 1803 < 1741 Barmouth – Dolgelly (1803)
  19. 1825 > 1820 Dolgelley – Barmouth (1848) Class B Local Passenger
    18X25 < 1803 Barmouth Junction – Croes Newydd Class H Freight
  20. 1831 > 1826 Dolgelly – Penmaenpool (1831) Class G Light Engine – off 1745 Barmouth
  21. 1934 < 2110 Barmouth – Chester Class B Local Passenger & Mails
  22. 2101 > 1707 Birkinhead – Barmouth (2123) Class B Local Passenger
  23. 2134 < 2110 Barmouth – Dolgelley (2138) Class B Local Passenger
  24. 2150 > 2145 Dolgelly – Penmaenpool (2150) Light Engine – off 2110 Barmouth
  25. 2220 < Light Engine – Barmouth (ex 1845 Ruabon–Barmouth passenger)

Details

  • Cambrian Railways ‘knotted wood’ Platform Seat Ends