Inlaid track at Pembrey Country Park.

I've visited Pembrey, in South Wales, a few times now as its the venue for a couple of mountain bike races that I've competed in (Battle on the Beach and Tide to Tide). Apart form being a great location  for racing its also a lovely place to visit, with a long beach and plenty of other activities to enjoy. The site however also has a rather strange past, once being an important ordnance factory. The site was rail served with both standard and 2' narrow gauge lines, much of which was set in concrete. When the site closed most of the buildings were demolished or buried, but some have survived, along with a fair amount if track where it was inlaid into the concrete roads. During my last visit a few weeks ago I managed to photograph some of that track, in between showers. I've concentrated on the track adjacent to the miniature railway's site, mainly because that's where the most interesting and extensive format lies (as far as I'm aware anyway).

The path on the right leads to the beach.

Miniature/standard gauge crossing on the level (the miniature also crossed the narrow), pretty unique I'd say.

And another view.

The track looks to have been altered several times during the life of the factory. 

Miniature gauge rail leading into a building, which I think is one of the original structures. It looks like there was once a narrow goauge line leading into it.

An isolated section of standard gauge rail, found behind our tent.

These are inside the military complex next to the beach, target practice?

This can be found just outside the military fence, next to our race route.

Hopefully these will be of some interest to somebody, if only those looking to model inlaid track.

Links

Pembrey Country Park

Site map pdf

Miniature railway

I must take a closer look and a ride on the miniature railway when I visit again.

Paul.

Grounded van bodies 15

I've been out exploring parts of White Peak on my fatbike recently, riding in an area that I've somehow neglected in the years that I've lived here. Whilst out and about I came across this van body;

It looks like its been recently placed in this spot, in the corner of a field.

Note the clean, level stone base.

Also note that both end vents have been damaged. possibly when it was being moved?

The other side of the van has had a coat of paint, and the woodwork looks to be in better condition generally;

So here we have a van, plonked on the ground, resting on what look like sleepers, not even bedded in properly. Model that and it would look completely unrealistic!

This one can be found at Wheston in Derbyshire. SK133764. White Peak is the name given to the limestone areas of the Peak District, the more northern gritstone area being known as Dark Peak.

Paul.

An odd skip body.

I noticed this a few weeks ago whilst out on the fat bike, but only today was I passing with a camera.

Its a narrow gauge skip wagon body, make unknown, found in the corner of a sheep field just outside Buxton in Derbyshire, just a few fields away from Tunstead limestone quarry (SK088748).

The cross bar is unusual, and note the crane loops and eyelet.

Note also the locking(?)catch above the trunnion, and the build up of lime dust on the ends.

I wonder if it was placed there as an animal feeder?

Paul.