Introduction to Llandublo and other things railway

Llandublo is a semi-fictitious location on the North Wales Coast.The time setting is from the late 1970's to the mid '80's which is ample testimony to the ability of the modeller to time travel !!

Why this era and why diesel power ? I've had an interest in railways which stretches back to the late 1950's and includes standing on Warrington Bank Quay station with my pals in the early 60's boo-ing class 40's because they were displacing the Coronation & Royal Scot steam locos ! - It's amazing the emotions trains can generate !

My son was born in 1974 and developed a very keen interest in trains in 1982 (how & why , I don't know ???!!!) This allowed me to do many thousands of miles chasing diesel classes around the UK. Having seen the last 8F's trundling along the Ditton Junction line through Arpley in 1968 , I was amazed to find that in 1982 ,many of the 'hated' diesels were now dissappearing in large numbers and indeed whole classes had already gone. I better get collecting numbers before they too vanished without trace.

Model railways were never a main hobby . My past excursions were: (1962 ish) a sma1l Hornby Dublo set up with 2-6-4T 80033 and a great eastern tank + a platform with a choice of names (Lichfield etc.) ; (1984 ish) an N guage layout which was a 6’ x 3’ display model in Beatties window in Manchester – a real bargain at £60 !! and a magnificent Christmas present for my son. To this were added several Farish Locos and a good quantity of rolling stock. This was sold in the 1990’s .

My current layout has come about because I now have time & space since I moved to France in 2002. It started as French HO in 2003 and changed to Llandublo in April 2006 so it’s very much in its early stages at the moment.

The main thrust of the site is the model railway . You will also find my (limited) photo collection .I've very recently taken to roaming the French railway countryside with a camera in order 1) to enjoy myself and 2) to replenish my photo stocks !! .

 I hope you enjoy browsing the site as much as I’m enjoying making the model and touring the French railway scene .

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