Bron Hebog
@bronhebog.bsky.social
Railway modeller based in Scotland. Best known for 009 layouts of Dduallt and Bron Hebog (Beddgelert) and our latest project Minffordd
Coals to Falkirk! We’re making final preparations to continue our evangelical mission to educate Central Scotland in the charms of Welsh narrow gauge, and @festrail.bsky.social in particular, at Forth Valley College this weekend.
November 11, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Coals to Falkirk! We’re making final preparations to continue our evangelical mission to educate Central Scotland in the charms of Welsh narrow gauge, and @festrail.bsky.social in particular, at Forth Valley College this weekend.
First time with its tender. Bogies knocked up with bits lying around or borrowed, and lashed up to the locomotive with a styrene coupling bar. But it goes round the tightest bends and through all the points. What a brute!
November 8, 2025 at 9:15 PM
First time with its tender. Bogies knocked up with bits lying around or borrowed, and lashed up to the locomotive with a styrene coupling bar. But it goes round the tightest bends and through all the points. What a brute!
More chassis mileage for the NG15 tonight, attracting a lot of interest on the Greenock & District Model Railway Club test track and admiring comments about the Bowaters Models body even though it’s just a rough test print.
November 7, 2025 at 10:27 PM
More chassis mileage for the NG15 tonight, attracting a lot of interest on the Greenock & District Model Railway Club test track and admiring comments about the Bowaters Models body even though it’s just a rough test print.
With a new keeper plate and pick ups fitted the NG15 chassis can get some running-in laps of the test track.
November 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
With a new keeper plate and pick ups fitted the NG15 chassis can get some running-in laps of the test track.
Now Minffordd is up & running it’s about adding the little details, like having the correct destination blinds on the DMUs.
These from Railtec have just been fitted onto the Met-Cam set.
Station Master Mr Parry’s giving it his seal of approval.
These from Railtec have just been fitted onto the Met-Cam set.
Station Master Mr Parry’s giving it his seal of approval.
November 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Now Minffordd is up & running it’s about adding the little details, like having the correct destination blinds on the DMUs.
These from Railtec have just been fitted onto the Met-Cam set.
Station Master Mr Parry’s giving it his seal of approval.
These from Railtec have just been fitted onto the Met-Cam set.
Station Master Mr Parry’s giving it his seal of approval.
First update on the NG15 chassis in a while.
I’ve replaced some of the Farish 08 crank ‘pins’ with the screws from the 8F which meant very carefully opening out the plastic cranks with a 0.6mm drill.
Running much smoother with less ‘play’ now.
I’ve replaced some of the Farish 08 crank ‘pins’ with the screws from the 8F which meant very carefully opening out the plastic cranks with a 0.6mm drill.
Running much smoother with less ‘play’ now.
November 2, 2025 at 9:05 AM
First update on the NG15 chassis in a while.
I’ve replaced some of the Farish 08 crank ‘pins’ with the screws from the 8F which meant very carefully opening out the plastic cranks with a 0.6mm drill.
Running much smoother with less ‘play’ now.
I’ve replaced some of the Farish 08 crank ‘pins’ with the screws from the 8F which meant very carefully opening out the plastic cranks with a 0.6mm drill.
Running much smoother with less ‘play’ now.
Two weeks from today we’ll have Minffordd out on show again. Hope to see some of you in Falkirk.
November 1, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Two weeks from today we’ll have Minffordd out on show again. Hope to see some of you in Falkirk.
Another post-exhibition investigation was why our Dundas bogie wagons objected to running through the scratch built curved points in the yard - all the 4-wheel stock was quite happy.
Some tweaks to the point blades seems to have fixed it.
We’ll know for sure in a fortnight….
Some tweaks to the point blades seems to have fixed it.
We’ll know for sure in a fortnight….
October 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Another post-exhibition investigation was why our Dundas bogie wagons objected to running through the scratch built curved points in the yard - all the 4-wheel stock was quite happy.
Some tweaks to the point blades seems to have fixed it.
We’ll know for sure in a fortnight….
Some tweaks to the point blades seems to have fixed it.
We’ll know for sure in a fortnight….
Fault-finding at exhibitions can be stressful, especially first time out.
We had an issue with ‘Barn’ carriage 104 derailing at the exit of the traverser/ fiddle yard.
Back at base the cause was traced to a small section of track slightly wide to gauge at the board joint.
We had an issue with ‘Barn’ carriage 104 derailing at the exit of the traverser/ fiddle yard.
Back at base the cause was traced to a small section of track slightly wide to gauge at the board joint.
October 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Fault-finding at exhibitions can be stressful, especially first time out.
We had an issue with ‘Barn’ carriage 104 derailing at the exit of the traverser/ fiddle yard.
Back at base the cause was traced to a small section of track slightly wide to gauge at the board joint.
We had an issue with ‘Barn’ carriage 104 derailing at the exit of the traverser/ fiddle yard.
Back at base the cause was traced to a small section of track slightly wide to gauge at the board joint.
Himself has been powering through the snagging list after the first exhibition for Minffordd.
One of the issues identified was to replace the original Bachmann plastic couplings on Britomart with Greenwich brass ones to match all the freight stock for dependable uncoupling with the buried magnets.
One of the issues identified was to replace the original Bachmann plastic couplings on Britomart with Greenwich brass ones to match all the freight stock for dependable uncoupling with the buried magnets.
October 28, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Himself has been powering through the snagging list after the first exhibition for Minffordd.
One of the issues identified was to replace the original Bachmann plastic couplings on Britomart with Greenwich brass ones to match all the freight stock for dependable uncoupling with the buried magnets.
One of the issues identified was to replace the original Bachmann plastic couplings on Britomart with Greenwich brass ones to match all the freight stock for dependable uncoupling with the buried magnets.
A new arrival in the Minffordd stock box.
I’m going to go out on limb and suggest Mr Churchward’s mogul is a more handsome and better proportioned machine than Mr Collett’s ‘Manor’, helped by its stockier boiler and the purposeful stays in front of the smokebox.
Who’s with me on that?
I’m going to go out on limb and suggest Mr Churchward’s mogul is a more handsome and better proportioned machine than Mr Collett’s ‘Manor’, helped by its stockier boiler and the purposeful stays in front of the smokebox.
Who’s with me on that?
October 27, 2025 at 4:34 PM
A new arrival in the Minffordd stock box.
I’m going to go out on limb and suggest Mr Churchward’s mogul is a more handsome and better proportioned machine than Mr Collett’s ‘Manor’, helped by its stockier boiler and the purposeful stays in front of the smokebox.
Who’s with me on that?
I’m going to go out on limb and suggest Mr Churchward’s mogul is a more handsome and better proportioned machine than Mr Collett’s ‘Manor’, helped by its stockier boiler and the purposeful stays in front of the smokebox.
Who’s with me on that?
How do you guard against operator error at exhibitions - those ‘things you must remember not to forget’?
In this photo the operator has forgotten to throw the crossover before starting off, sending Linda off down the Mineral Line.
What are your top tips?
In this photo the operator has forgotten to throw the crossover before starting off, sending Linda off down the Mineral Line.
What are your top tips?
October 26, 2025 at 11:08 AM
How do you guard against operator error at exhibitions - those ‘things you must remember not to forget’?
In this photo the operator has forgotten to throw the crossover before starting off, sending Linda off down the Mineral Line.
What are your top tips?
In this photo the operator has forgotten to throw the crossover before starting off, sending Linda off down the Mineral Line.
What are your top tips?
My, that was a quick week! And this is a very slow goods train 😆
Just 3 weeks until we get to take Minffordd out again to Falkirk and I’m excited already!
Just 3 weeks until we get to take Minffordd out again to Falkirk and I’m excited already!
October 25, 2025 at 8:28 AM
My, that was a quick week! And this is a very slow goods train 😆
Just 3 weeks until we get to take Minffordd out again to Falkirk and I’m excited already!
Just 3 weeks until we get to take Minffordd out again to Falkirk and I’m excited already!
2/2. But there was a machine there to surrender the token to lock a train into the yard and allow others to use the main line.
This is great for our operators who have to contend with a cramped fiddle yard which is like one of those tile-sliding games where there is one free space.
This is great for our operators who have to contend with a cramped fiddle yard which is like one of those tile-sliding games where there is one free space.
October 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
2/2. But there was a machine there to surrender the token to lock a train into the yard and allow others to use the main line.
This is great for our operators who have to contend with a cramped fiddle yard which is like one of those tile-sliding games where there is one free space.
This is great for our operators who have to contend with a cramped fiddle yard which is like one of those tile-sliding games where there is one free space.
🧵 Why doesn’t our layout have any signals? A question I was asked this week.
Minffordd is in the middle of the token section between Porthmadog and Penrhyndeudraeth. The ‘signal box’ on the platform is really just a posh ground frame for shunting the yard. 1/2
Minffordd is in the middle of the token section between Porthmadog and Penrhyndeudraeth. The ‘signal box’ on the platform is really just a posh ground frame for shunting the yard. 1/2
October 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
🧵 Why doesn’t our layout have any signals? A question I was asked this week.
Minffordd is in the middle of the token section between Porthmadog and Penrhyndeudraeth. The ‘signal box’ on the platform is really just a posh ground frame for shunting the yard. 1/2
Minffordd is in the middle of the token section between Porthmadog and Penrhyndeudraeth. The ‘signal box’ on the platform is really just a posh ground frame for shunting the yard. 1/2
Mr Parry was the last station master at Minffordd (BR) station - in fact he was all there was at the end before it was reduced to an unstaffed halt.
He keeps a careful watch on proceedings also conveniently marking where the uncoupling magnet is buried beneath the main line.
He keeps a careful watch on proceedings also conveniently marking where the uncoupling magnet is buried beneath the main line.
October 22, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Mr Parry was the last station master at Minffordd (BR) station - in fact he was all there was at the end before it was reduced to an unstaffed halt.
He keeps a careful watch on proceedings also conveniently marking where the uncoupling magnet is buried beneath the main line.
He keeps a careful watch on proceedings also conveniently marking where the uncoupling magnet is buried beneath the main line.
If there was an unsung hero of the weekend on Minffordd it was this wee beastie.
‘Mary Ann’ was constantly phut-phut-phutting around the yard, smoothly and reliably.
It meant there was almost always something to see (and hear) moving on the layout, vital to ‘the show’.
‘Mary Ann’ was constantly phut-phut-phutting around the yard, smoothly and reliably.
It meant there was almost always something to see (and hear) moving on the layout, vital to ‘the show’.
October 20, 2025 at 8:27 PM
If there was an unsung hero of the weekend on Minffordd it was this wee beastie.
‘Mary Ann’ was constantly phut-phut-phutting around the yard, smoothly and reliably.
It meant there was almost always something to see (and hear) moving on the layout, vital to ‘the show’.
‘Mary Ann’ was constantly phut-phut-phutting around the yard, smoothly and reliably.
It meant there was almost always something to see (and hear) moving on the layout, vital to ‘the show’.
A prize winner first time out!
We’re honoured to have received the votes fellow exhibitions at the Greenock 40th anniversary show this weekend and be presented with the Keith Taylor Shield, awarded in memory of one of our former club members and a very accomplished modeller.
We’re honoured to have received the votes fellow exhibitions at the Greenock 40th anniversary show this weekend and be presented with the Keith Taylor Shield, awarded in memory of one of our former club members and a very accomplished modeller.
October 19, 2025 at 7:08 PM
A prize winner first time out!
We’re honoured to have received the votes fellow exhibitions at the Greenock 40th anniversary show this weekend and be presented with the Keith Taylor Shield, awarded in memory of one of our former club members and a very accomplished modeller.
We’re honoured to have received the votes fellow exhibitions at the Greenock 40th anniversary show this weekend and be presented with the Keith Taylor Shield, awarded in memory of one of our former club members and a very accomplished modeller.
These were the only snaps I was able to take when the crowds thinned out. Back at Lyle Kirk in Greenock tomorrow from midday.
October 18, 2025 at 6:09 PM
These were the only snaps I was able to take when the crowds thinned out. Back at Lyle Kirk in Greenock tomorrow from midday.
A very intense first exhibition day for ‘Minffordd’ - I’ve never before run a layout for 7 hours without a break!
October 18, 2025 at 6:09 PM
A very intense first exhibition day for ‘Minffordd’ - I’ve never before run a layout for 7 hours without a break!
After nearly three years in the planning & construction the time has come to put Minffordd on show in Greenock this weekend.
It’s been tremendous fun and a great challenge creating this together.
We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we’ve enjoyed building it.
It’s been tremendous fun and a great challenge creating this together.
We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we’ve enjoyed building it.
October 17, 2025 at 5:06 PM
After nearly three years in the planning & construction the time has come to put Minffordd on show in Greenock this weekend.
It’s been tremendous fun and a great challenge creating this together.
We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we’ve enjoyed building it.
It’s been tremendous fun and a great challenge creating this together.
We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we’ve enjoyed building it.
This weekend at Greenock with Minffordd will be the first time I’ve been able to attend a debut for one of our FR layouts.
With Dduallt I was over 400 miles away at university.
Two decades on with Bron Hebog I was still 400 miles away busy with work and a young family.
With Dduallt I was over 400 miles away at university.
Two decades on with Bron Hebog I was still 400 miles away busy with work and a young family.
October 16, 2025 at 5:29 PM
This weekend at Greenock with Minffordd will be the first time I’ve been able to attend a debut for one of our FR layouts.
With Dduallt I was over 400 miles away at university.
Two decades on with Bron Hebog I was still 400 miles away busy with work and a young family.
With Dduallt I was over 400 miles away at university.
Two decades on with Bron Hebog I was still 400 miles away busy with work and a young family.
A lot has been achieved in a little over two and a half years. Feb 2023 vs Sept 2025.
October 15, 2025 at 7:12 PM
A lot has been achieved in a little over two and a half years. Feb 2023 vs Sept 2025.
It’s 2 years since w filled the gap in Bachmann’s FR ‘Penrhyn Ladies’ range with a 1960s era ‘Blanche’.
To do this we had to buy 2 models to make 1, taking the bottom half of a ‘Linda’ in 0-4-0 condition with original shape cylinders and fixing that to the body of a ‘Blanche’.
To do this we had to buy 2 models to make 1, taking the bottom half of a ‘Linda’ in 0-4-0 condition with original shape cylinders and fixing that to the body of a ‘Blanche’.
October 14, 2025 at 4:28 PM
It’s 2 years since w filled the gap in Bachmann’s FR ‘Penrhyn Ladies’ range with a 1960s era ‘Blanche’.
To do this we had to buy 2 models to make 1, taking the bottom half of a ‘Linda’ in 0-4-0 condition with original shape cylinders and fixing that to the body of a ‘Blanche’.
To do this we had to buy 2 models to make 1, taking the bottom half of a ‘Linda’ in 0-4-0 condition with original shape cylinders and fixing that to the body of a ‘Blanche’.
A final afternoon of yard shunting rehearsals ahead of the big debut for Minffordd next weekend.
Anyone who tells you practice makes perfect with Kadee couplings is lying!
They are wee bastards and will do as they damn well please, every single time!
Anyone who tells you practice makes perfect with Kadee couplings is lying!
They are wee bastards and will do as they damn well please, every single time!
October 12, 2025 at 7:19 PM
A final afternoon of yard shunting rehearsals ahead of the big debut for Minffordd next weekend.
Anyone who tells you practice makes perfect with Kadee couplings is lying!
They are wee bastards and will do as they damn well please, every single time!
Anyone who tells you practice makes perfect with Kadee couplings is lying!
They are wee bastards and will do as they damn well please, every single time!