Merthyr Riverside

Branch lines based on Welsh locations have never been that popular with modellers, which is a shame, as at their best they can combine stunning geography, a rich variety of traffic and an excuse to run trains from a variety of companies. Merthyr Riverside is built to EM standards and based on a fictional location, its buildings and operation are inspired by the Brecon and Merthyr and London & North Western Railways. It is set in the early Post-Grouping period, hence the mix of LMS and GWR stock. The layout was featured in the October 2004 Trains Online magazine.

Natural light streams down on this yard shunting scene giving the image a realistic appearance as it highlights the upper parts of the elderly pannier tank, the roof of the goods shed and wagon load of timber.

The open backed cab on the tank engine gave the crew a great view when shunting, though they would have been less than happy with the poor protection it offered during the occasional Welsh downpour!

Handsome is as handsome does ... ex-LNWR Super D, now bearing its new owners name on its tender, brings its goods train into the yard at Merthyr Riverside. The fiddle yard is accessed via the narrow bridge.