Ian Stock

 Rounding the curve onto phase 3 of the line, Linda catches the sun on an up service in July 2008. In a few minutes' time, the train will  arrive at Minffordd (LBR) station, just visible in the distance.

The Lower Bryandale Railway exists somewhere in 'those parts of the U.K. that were never Roman' - which supposedly gave me the scope to incorporate a blend of features from the smaller countries of the the British Isles. However, since its inception in 2005, it has become more and more Welsh, and I have increasingly felt that such a loose definition is no longer acceptable.

The LBR is my first attempt at a garden railway, and was built on a site about 50 feet long by 6 feet wide. This was extended in 2008 to form a L, the new leg being about 30 feet by 8. This site is too narrow to allow for continuous running, though I don't think I would want it now, anyway. The site also slopes from back to front by about 18 inches, which has meant some pretty ferocious gradients, but the loco's mostly seem to cope well. Trains are, however, usually restricted to about three bogie coaches or equivalent.

The railway was also built in full public gaze, as we don't have a back garden, and the response of the locals has been amazingly positive and we have had only the most minor of trouble with damage.

I am now concentrating on developing my skills in track, stock and scenery building, so that 'one day', when we have a proper garden, something more ambitious can be built.

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/sandistock/index.html

Taliesin climbing through the woods towards Queen's Forest Road near the top of the line. (photo: GavinRobertshaw)

Waiting time at the railway's main terminus at Castell Bryan (photo: Gavin Robertshaw)