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Leeds Sovereign Street & Clarence Dock - a UK based layout

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Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, October 25, 2021 8:21 AM

Lastspikemike

We called those red cast iron post boxes pillar boxes when I was a kid. All post boxes were referred to as pillar boxes even if built into a building or wall. 

 

The joys of the English language.  Post box.  Pillar box.   Why have one word when more will do.  Laugh

 

David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Thursday, November 11, 2021 11:42 AM

Some new carriages arrived.  My daughter quickly took them as they were a preaent for me for Christmas.    She allowed me one to run on the layout now. Big Smile

A four wheeled carriage in Leeds, Scarcroft & Wetherby livery.  Here on her first run on the layout.

 

 

The backscene at the entrance to Clarence Dock is mad up of three pictures.

On the left - A typical Leeds style warehouse.  The middle picture is of a building to be seen North Leeds.   The picture on the right is Hyde Park Picture House (Cinema).    Plans are hopefully to restore it to its former glory.

 

 

Thanks for looking.

 

David

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Posted by wickman on Thursday, November 11, 2021 6:51 PM

David you are doing some incredible work.

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Posted by NorthBrit on Friday, November 12, 2021 11:35 AM

wickman

David you are doing some incredible work.

 

 
 
Thank you, Lynn.
 
It's a layout that brings us great joy.   The  grandchildren seem to enjoy it as much as I.
 


The family know that 'any railway related present'  is always welcome.  Big Smile
 
 
David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, November 15, 2021 10:43 AM

In the 1920s/30s some members of Dawn's family were in the Management Team at Consett Iron Company.    a little while back I purchased some Consett Iron Company models.    Although far from the area modelled  they get a journey round the layout  occasionally.

 

Class 47  47404 'Hadrian'   in charge  as it goes onto the lift out bridge.   Clarence Dock Goods Yard to the rear.

 

 

 

Passing Roseville School.  Hornby made mainly green wagons.  The red ones were a short supply run.   When British Steel took control  another short run of their wagons was produced in brown.

 

 

Thanks for looking

 

David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Sunday, November 21, 2021 12:04 PM

Sometimes you see a picture differently in black and white.

Just a picture of a 45t crane  perhaps?

Looking inside Taylors & Sons Transport..  The building is low relief,  the inside is on the backscene.  The old, small single deck buses.   Any large, modern ones would overpower the scene.  A double deck bus would not be able to fit in.

J.H. Thompson Timber Merchants.   Although it is nearly in the corner, workmen are busy.  Are the getting some planks of wood down, or putting them up?

Beyond the timber merchants are some sheep and cattle.   They are difficult to see, but they are there.

Yes a picture of a 45t crane  in a little scene.

 

 

A scene where Nature is fighting back.  Overgrown grass, weeds and flowers.  Trees and bushes.  Are they birds in the sky? 

A locomotive scrap yard.

 Are they birds in the sky?  A sky a mix of blues and white. 

Oh!  There is a train of containers on their way north.

 

 

Thanks for looking

 

David

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Posted by hon30critter on Monday, November 22, 2021 3:22 AM

Hi David,

You are amazing! You pack so much detail into such small spaces!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, November 22, 2021 4:24 AM

Thank you, Dave for your kind comments.

It was only when I made  a list of what I actually wanted on the layout scenery wise that it has 'come together'.

An unkept look as Nature 'fights back'.   I dislike the 'everything is perfect' look.  Life is not like that (imo).

I wanted a scrap yard that was different to others I had seen.  Hence a locomotive graveyard.

An Industrial Estate for my road haulage vehicles.

A canal scene.  Here in the U.K. modelers like building locks.  I just want a nice quiet scene  like many I have seen on my travels.

There are other things on the layout,  small and incidental in their own way.  Yet are scenes I see in real life.

For the purist there are many things wrong, but I don't care.   I (and my grandchildren) are having fun.  Yeah

 

A scene after the rainfall at Clarence Dock.

The debris of coal fallen after being unloaded.  Someone will 'help themselves' to a few pieces and take them home  for their coal fire. Smile

 

 

David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, November 22, 2021 11:30 AM

Thanks Lsm.

 

Lastspikemike

 Creating a sensation of reality that appeals to our memories or experiences is what modelling is all about.

 

That is what we hope to achieve.  There are memories of Yorkshire, Cumbria, Nothumberland and Scotland both for my grandchildren and I.  All in a space of 11ft by 8ft (or thereabouts).

 

David

 

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Monday, November 22, 2021 2:42 PM

Lastspikemike
Creating a sensation of reality that appeals to our memories or experiences is what modelling is all about.

It is for me.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, November 22, 2021 3:05 PM

SpaceMouse

Lastspikemike

Creating a sensation of reality that appeals to our memories or experiences is what modelling is all about.
 

 
 
And keep it fun.
 
 
David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 1:52 PM

Trains in the scenery.

There are many times in real life I know there is a train,  but can hardly see it?

Translate that to a model railway.

I know the Leeds Central to Dewsbury Market place DMU  is there.

 

Passing Crown Point Yard  looking from Roseville School.

 

 

Passing Ash Farm Lake  (behind the houses.)

 

 

At the signals behind Charlie Marston's Yard

 

 

Keep it fun.   Thanks for looking.

 

David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Thursday, November 25, 2021 6:19 AM

A cold Winter's morning.   Class 25   25237   with a train of empty cattle trucks  passing Leeds Sovereign Street Station.

 

 

The same train on its way north to Wetherby.  Charlie Marston's Yard on the right.

 

 

The trucks have all been 'weathered'  using Dawn's old make-up powders she didn't use. I have nearly used them up.  I hope she has some more. Whistling

 

Thanks for looking.

 

David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Saturday, December 11, 2021 3:20 PM

At Clarence Dock I put old railway sleepers forming the dock wall.  This was in case any grandchildren broke them the sleepers were easy to replace.  As I am the only one to break them  it is time to replace them.

New dock wall at Clarence Dock in keeping with the real Clarence Dock.

 

Victorian stone paving was the only thing I found that looked right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking.

 

David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 7:11 AM

In the 1920s you could put your car  in a boxvan  and it would travel with you to your destination.

Here is a London & North Western Railway Motor Car Van (original)  built late 1919,  model 1920 vintage  on a modern wheelbase.

 

 

 

David

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 8:48 AM

As always, great layout scenes David.  Those buildings you do look just as old as the freight carsYes

I would have to say I think most of those UK freight cars had more character than many of the older ones we had over here.  I had mentioned that to Ulrich a time or two as well Back-in-the Day.

 

 

TF

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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 12:29 PM

Track fiddler

As always, great layout scenes David.  Those buildings you do look just as old as the freight carsYes

I would have to say I think most of those UK freight cars had more character than many of the older ones we had over here.  I had mentioned that to Ulrich a time or two as well Back-in-the Day.

 TF  

 

Thank you for the kind comments, TF.  They are much appreciated.

The buildings at the real Leeds Sovereign Street in the 1950s/early 60s  were old and dark forboding ones; not helped by the dismal  street lighting.  Smoke from the chimneys added to the gloominess.

Being a lad of seven years of age making my way to Sovereign Street to go to Dewsbury (every weekend almost) I was captivated by the overall 'darkness' that enveloped me.  It frightens me now thinking about it;  the fact I wasn't frightened at all, then.

Now Sovereign Street is a  up and coming place  to live.  Bright lights, apartments,  cafe's  and restaurants.  Not for me.  No room to run trains.  Sad

 

As for freight cars;   the variety before The Great War was huge.  Many, many  Private Owner Companies had their own  and the Companies on my layout are no exception.   

Private Owner cars (not owned by a Railroad Company)  were very common up to around 1948.   This gives variety to model layouts in a timescale before that.  

Here am I saying this and am envious of the variety of boxcars, hoppers etc.  your side of the pond.  Big Smile

 

David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Saturday, December 18, 2021 4:34 AM

Our five year old granddaughter is staying here for the weekend.

She played around with the lighting at  Leeds Sovereign Street Station.

"You have to use your imagination,"  she said.

 

 

 

Thanks for looking.

 

David

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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, December 18, 2021 10:58 PM

NorthBrit
Our five year old granddaughter is staying here for the weekend. She played around with the lighting at  Leeds Sovereign Street Station. "You have to use your imagination,"  she said.

Hi David,

I think your granddaughter is very creative!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by NorthBrit on Sunday, December 19, 2021 6:45 AM

Thanks Dave.    All we did was put some Christmas  multi-colored lights up and she played around with the control buttons until she had the color she liked.

Then asked to switch off the room lights.  "It's nighttime,"  she said.

Simple really.

 

David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Sunday, December 26, 2021 10:54 AM

Merry Christmas everyone.

 

In years past a number of Railway  Companies had carriages made specially for the Directors' of the Company. 

A Director's Saloon  seen at 'Locomotion',  Shildon,  County Durham.

 

 

I have always wanted one,  but none are commecially available.   Therefore I have had to make one.  A simple way is to alter a commercially available  carriage.

 

A four wheeled carriage  from a Christmas present.

 

 

Director's Saloons come in various guises.   With my donor carriage I dismantled the body from the chassis.  Removed the seating  and plastic windows.  I then cut away the supports for three windows  and filed them level with the body.

Some decals were removed.  New plastic windows inserted.

The seating was altered to open plan.  The parts reassembled,  New footboards added.   One Director's Saloon.   Total time to do conversion.   Less than one hour.

 

 

Thanks for looking.

 

David

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Posted by hon30critter on Monday, December 27, 2021 12:15 AM

Hi David,

Thanks for explaining what you did to convert the carriage to a Director's Saloon. I had looked at your before and after pictures on the other thread but with my limited observation skills the only difference that I noticed were the running boards. Obviously there was much more to it.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, December 27, 2021 5:32 AM

hon30critter

Hi David,

Thanks for explaining what you did to convert the carriage to a Director's Saloon. I had looked at your before and after pictures on the other thread but with my limited observation skills the only difference that I noticed were the running boards. Obviously there was much more to it.

Cheers!!

Dave  

 

Dave.   There are many variations of Director's Saloons.  Nearly every Railway Company had one.   Depending on how wealthy a Company was depended on how 'grand' it was.   

Everyone I have seen  has been a brown color.  Finding a suitable 'donor' carriage  was not easy.  The one I was after  was a popular model and quickly sold out.  Eventually I found one in a store and purchased it.

My daughter saw it and took it away.  "It's your Christmas present,"  she said.

 

The conversion was easy to do.  Nothing complicated.   Definitely something different on the layout.  Forum colleagues on a U.K. site I am on are 'pinching the idea'.   Big Smile

 

David

 

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Posted by NorthBrit on Friday, December 31, 2021 6:15 AM

Not much going on  at Leeds Sovereign Street.   I did manage to clear out old items of scenery I thought I would use in the future.  They were beginning to clutter the place.

Some of the scenery on the layout is rather old and beginning to look tired and jaded.   A  pleasant job to do in the New Year.

 

Leeds Sovereign Street Station

 IMG_5865 by David Harrison, on Flickr

 

and near the Junction.   Tired and jaded.

 

 IMG_5866 by David Harrison, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking.

 

David

 

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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, January 1, 2022 9:16 PM

NorthBrit
Some of the scenery on the layout is rather old and beginning to look tired and jaded. 

Hi David,

I don't think that there is anything that turns me off more than faded, dusty scenery (that and dusty rolling stock!). One thing I will have to do is change the lighting in my garage where the layout is. It is currently all florescent lighting and I know that it will fade the scenery if I don't change it. LEDs it will be!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by NorthBrit on Sunday, January 2, 2022 5:26 AM

hon30critter

Hi David,

I don't think that there is anything that turns me off more than faded, dusty scenery 

Dave   

 

Thank you Dave for your comments.  They are much appreciated.

I do like to 'sruce up' the layout every so often.   'New trees and plants  growing'  just like real life.   I then have the same scene  looking different.

 

As for lighting?  It is generally poor.  I am too old to start renewing the electrics.   Having said that;  many a time the light coming in through the window plays many a trick.  Tricks I like.  Big Smile

 

Now I am off to sort out the scenery.  Will post pictures later.

 

David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Sunday, January 2, 2022 8:49 AM

In my last post I mentioned the light coming in the window plays tricks.

Photographs taken about 1215pm  U.K.  time today.  No  altering of pictures whatsoever.

 

 

 

 

Good fun though!

 

Thanks for looking

 

David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 5:32 AM

A slightly new look to the backscene and scenery at the Junction.

 

A Leeds Central to Dewsbury Market Place DMU waits at the signal

 

 IMG_5873 by David Harrison, on Flickr

 

and passing the Junction.

 

 IMG_5871 by David Harrison, on Flickr

 

Overall view from the control area looking towards Charlie Marston's Yard and beyond.

 

 IMG_5875 by David Harrison, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking.

 

David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Thursday, January 13, 2022 2:19 PM

What is nicer when the scenery is done, than running trains.

First train of the day.  A Wakefield Kirkgate to Leeds Central DMU

At the Junction.

 

 IMG_5893 by David Harrison, on Flickr

 

It is only a glimpse as it passes Charlie Marston's Yard. 

 

  IMG_5894 by David Harrison, on Flickr

 

A little snow is lingering at Leeds Sovereign Street Station.  Is there more to come?

 

 IMG_5895 by David Harrison, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking.

 

David

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Posted by NorthBrit on Saturday, January 15, 2022 12:16 PM

The signal box controlling  Clarence Dock Goods Yard.

 IMG_5911 by David Harrison, on Flickr

 

The fog is sweeping in.

 

 IMG_5920 by David Harrison, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking.

 

David

 

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