I was initially drawn to modelling the quarries of North Wales and, during my research, I discovered a photograph of Port Dinorwic with both standard and narrow gauge track. Port Dinorwic is the slate dock for the main Dinorwic quarry, and was a bustling location served by both boat and train for most of its life. The slate wagons come from the quarry on the Padarn railway and are run down a chain incline through a tunnel into the port. Further research revealed a British Film Institute (BFI) video from the last day of main line steam running into the port. I knew this was the story I wanted my model railway to tell.
This is the second layout to bear the name ‘Port Dinorwic’, with the first ending up in the skip.
