hon30critterI've said this before but it deserves repeating. Each of your buildings and your scenes is enthralling! I could spend hours studying your work even without trains running. There is so much character.
David's layout pictures are the proof-positive for me of my belief that only the layout builder should photograph their own layout.
It looks like he is able to bring out the love of modeling in his pictures in a way I never could if I took the photographs of his work.
Every picture is wonderful.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Hi David,
I've said this before but it deserves repeating. Each of your buildings and your scenes is enthralling! I could spend hours studying your work even without trains running. There is so much character.
I look forward to every one of your layout posts.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
The journey has arrived at Leeds Sovereign Street. There is no train yet, so let's take a look around.
There is a light snowfall. Something I am trying out, just to be different.
Fairburn Lawson's. In both wars they switched production to arms manufacturing, so have place on the layout.
Hey & Humphreys bottling plant. As a young lad of 9 to 11 years of age, to earn some money, I used to put empty H & H bottles in crates to return to them.
Some barrels of ale have arrived to be bottled.
Smith & Butler's printer. It was here I started my first (official) job. They taught me so much.
Town Tailors. My dear Grandmother was a (very good) tailoress. Working from home, every week suit material would arrive at her house and by the end of the week a number of suits would be made. Family members gave her little business the nickname of Town Tailors.
That was on top of running a house and feeding the family. She also made clothes for the family. We always wore good clothes. Grandmother is no longer with us, but at family get togethers we youngsters' still mention Town Tailors.
Cases of uniforms ready for despatch on the dock.
T&J Harrison. Small Arms & Ammunition. Still going and trading well.
The loading dock is full waiting despatch to the south.
Hudson Ward Flour Millers. Like Archbolds & Glendinning's another Haulage Company dear to my heart. What I learnt stood me great stead thruout my life.
More to follow.
Thanks for following.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
SeeYou190 The weathering on the scrap locomotives is remarkable. Great scene. Iave collected a lot of models of WW2 German equipment to populate my eventual scrap yard. -Kevin
The weathering on the scrap locomotives is remarkable.
Great scene.
Iave collected a lot of models of WW2 German equipment to populate my eventual scrap yard.
NorthBritI wanted a 'scrap yard'. I saw part of this at a train show. I parted with the equivalent of $25.00. I added other scrap locomotives. A scrap yard with a difference. At the time I had never seen any other locomotive scrap yard, but I know some modelers are now building one.
I have collected a lot of models of WW2 German equipment to populate my eventual scrap yard.
The journey onwards.
56036 is at Crown Point Junction. Behind is Ash Farm Fields and 'the lake'.
New track is required here and ballasting down.
J H Thompson Timber Merchants. When I saw models of timber merchants they were all the same. I wanted mine to be different and with little people working there.
56036 at the locomotive fuelling yard. To the left is John King. He has a Yard Pass giving him permission to take photographs. Michael Caine in 'The Ipcress File' is being shown at the Forum Cinema.
A scene on Crown Point Road. The blue buses are in Samuel (Sammy) Ledgard colors. I was a regular passenger on the real ones to Otley or Castleford. The cream colored one at the rear is a Wallace Arnold touring bus. Another Company bus we traveled on.
More to Follow.
Thanks for reading.
Kevin. Thank you for your comment. It is much appreciated.
The journey continues.
Road haulage has always been huge in my life; from being taken to Liverpool or Hull, to spending 31 years in the business, then afterwards. Two Companies that became part of my life were Archbolds Storage & Distribution of Gildersome (near Leeds), and W.A. Glendinning of Shotley Bridge, County Durham. Both Companies are no longer there now; although Archbolds have premisis in the Birmingham area.
I have combined both Companies into one - Archbold's and Glendinning's.
Here is D.K. (Archbold) having a word before leaving.
Scenes around the small Industrial Park. My eldest grandson likes this area and often gets his vehicles out and plays here. 'Life goes on' with the little people oblivious to any trains.
The Class 56 locomotive is now at the junction. A picture of my son on the quad bike is seen 'rounding up the sheep'. On his days off work he is often seen on a family farm at 'Longstruther' Northumberland. His picture is on the backscene. The sheep are not. A bird is on the fence.
Looking at the scene from the control area. The roof of the locomotive can just be seen. I dislike the 'prim and proper' look.
I wanted a 'scrap yard'. I saw part of this at a train show. I parted with the equivalent of $25.00. I added other scrap locomotives. A scrap yard with a difference. At the time I had never seen any other locomotive scrap yard, but I know some modelers are now building one.
Still at the back of Marston's Scrap Yard. Trees hug the backscene.
Thanks for looking.
NorthBrit In the box from a family member was a beat-up crane.
In the box from a family member was a beat-up crane.
That is a great model. I love all the character it has.
Nice find.
NorthBritA journey around the layout.
Thanks for the great tour David.
I will be back for more.
A journey around the layout.
Class 56 56035 has arrived on the scene from Balm Road Quarry Sidings on its way to Crown Point Yard to refuel.
It is behind the Coach & Horses Inn a 18th Century coaching inn. In days gone teams of horses would be changed here. A meal would be provided for stagecoach passengers.
Being interested in the Postal Service of days gone, when I saw the model (ready built) it was a must have. I gave the model a distressed look reminding me of the one I saw in Yorkshire.
The small Hunt scene of huntsmen and dogs once again a scene seen every New Years Day in our village.
The other side of the Coach and Horses Inn. A regular scene before the technology of Sat-Navs. A man is giving directions to the lorry driver. Mildred Murray is on a visit to someone.
Across the road from the Coach and Horses is Albert Vinnerd's Garage. An old plastic kit that has been altered slightly. It is in need of a new nameboard. To the right is Anne's Cafe. Must be good food there as a queue is forming. The obligatory red post box and telephone box.
Not seen from viewing areas. The rear of Anne's cafe. The building is made up of 'odds and ends' from the plastics box. Things are not perfect in life. The broken guttering was not deliberate, but it has been like that for over four years.
Another view not seen from the viewing areas. Wyndham Farm and 'Clarice' the canal boat. Dawn saw the building of Wyndham Farm in our local Model Store. It reminded her so much of the real Wyndham Farm in Cumbria, her family owned. I wanted a canal boat. Seeing 'Clarice' was a must buy.
In the picture is horses, hares, badger, and 'Suki' the cat. Suki is on the fence. Her black and white kitten is near the railway line. He is difficult to see. I shall have to move him.
The running of steam trains (when the grandchildren are not here. I have five now all wanting to run trains. Three boys and two girls.) set in the timeframe is more relaxed. I run what I like when I like.
Freight to Barnbow and Blackburn's.
Companies at Sovereign Street to supply --
T&J Harrison, Small Arms & Ammunition
Fairbairn Lawson, Ammunition
Town Tailors, Military Uniforms
Smith & Butler's, Printing Literature
Hudson Ward, Flour Millers
Hey & Humphreys, Bottlers of Ale
The coal trains
Troop Trains
Other Freight Trains
Then we have the local passenger trains.
Getting staff (mainly women) to work on time. Getting the return journey home.
When I have the 'crew' here and they want to 'get serious', then we also run trains to Clarence Dock.
So there it is. Two Railroads in the same place on one layout set some 55 years apart. Both are great fun to operate. It has taken just over five years to build. Family (mainly the womenfolk) buy me things that have to be added. So i guess the layout will not be finished.
The grandchildren and I shall continue to have fun. At least Dawn knows where we are.
A freight train passing Leeds Sovereign Street Station. It originally started its journey in the land of the North British Railway and is going to Leeds LNWR Goods Yard. It wil be remarshalled and sent South.
The above post explains (hopefully) how the operation of diesel trains and locomotives are run.
How did the running of little steam locomotives come about? My grandsons' (then 4&5 year old) wanted to run trains. I had a small number of little 0.4.0 locomotives collected in a job lot purchase. A few small four-wheeled wagons and all was well. The rolling stock was easy to handle and the granchildren could 'join in'.
I also enjoyed the sessions with anything goes. So much so I began planning how to run the steam locomotives when the grandchildren were not here.
When I lived in Leeds was told by my teachers about how the City was a 'large war manufacturing machine' during the Second World War. I began to wonder what did Leeds do during the Great War.
The building of The National Filling Number 1 Factory at Barnbow.
Blackburn' Aircraft Factory near Oakwood.
Kirkstall Forge & Leeds Forge Factories.
Fairbairn Lawson's and many other Companies switched to making Arms and Ammunition.
A timetable of 1914 to 1919 was settled on.
When running diesel locomotives in 1970 the lines have become secondary and the trains seen are mainly 'local ones'. Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) run from Leeds Central north to Wetherby four times a day (and return), and south to Dewsbury Market Place and Wakefield Kirkgate (both three times daily (and return)). A Class 121 (Single Diesel Unit.) runs from Leeds Central to Seacroft and return every two hours
A diesel locomotive and two carriages travels from Leeds Central to ROF Barnbow and return to connect with starting/finishing times at the factory. (Three journies.)
A locomotive with two carriages travel from York to Leeds and return twice a day.
A similar service is operated from Castleford (South of Leeds) to Leeds Central twice a day.
The main operation on the layout is locomotives arriving on the Main Lines from all regions, Refueling at Crown Point Yard. Locomotives required (details taken from 1967 timetable)
The following ---- thruout the day.
Six to London Kings Cross - Six return
Nine from Liverpool or Manchester -- Nine return
Nine to Newcastle - Nine return
One Thames/Clyde London St Pancras to Leeds - One return
One Thames/Clyde Leeds to Glasgow - One return
One Thames/Forth London St Pancras to Leeds - One return
One Thames/Forth Leeds to Edinburgh - One return
One Leeds to Plymouth - One return (Devonian)
One Leeds to Cardiff - One return
One Leeds to Edinburgh - One return (North Briton)
Plus Six locomotives from Stourton Freightliner Yard and six locomotives from Balm Road Quarry Sidings to refuel
Then there are Steam Specials and diverted traffic when I feel like it.
A small layout with a lot going on.
A view from the control area.
A Castleford to Leeds Central two carriage train, Class 47 47487 in charge passing Marston's Yard.
Thanks for following
Now I had the plan of the layout and had included all I wanted in it, how it all comes together in operation?
Here in the UK we have what is called fiddle yards. Basically they mean the rest of the rail network not modeled. Here rolling stock can be lifted off the track and other stock put in its place.
Looking at the plan the bridge is the fiddleyard.
Trains leaving Sovereign Street on to the bridge are going to either Leeds New/Central Station for passengers or LNWR Goods Yard for goods traffic.
At the other end of Sovereign Street Station, trains taking the right turnout and passing Crown Point Yard are going to Dewsbury or south towards London. Mention of locomotives to Stourton Freightliner Depot or Balm Road Quarry Sidings; both places although not far away in reality are found in the fiddle yard.
Taking the left turnout past Roseville Station those trains are going to Wetherby or Seacroft/Barnbow northbound to Newcastle or Edinburgh.
It can be seen that both north and south lines join just after Marston's Scrap Yard then go to the bridge. That section brings a little variety as trains may have to wait for clearance whilst another train is in the section.
More to follow. Thanks for reading.
For some reason I was unable to post anything until now.
Thank you LSM for your comments. Not so long ago I looked to see if I could improve the track plan in any way on a paper exercise. Whatever I did I came up with the same one; no matter where I put Sovereign Street etc.
Mark. Thank you also for your comments. Having the backstory and staying true to it, gives the lines credibility etc. and can stand the test of time (imo).
Next I shall explain how the working of trains are done.
Thank you for reading.
Nice explanation of the layout's backstory, David. Thanks!
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
The Building of Leeds Sovereign Street & Clarence Dock
List of what had to be on the layout before a piece of track was to be layed
A) Able to be operated by one person. I would be the sole operator when others are not there
B) Fun to operate when the grandchildren visit. They would be able to run what they like (within reason. I have special items that I run.)
C) If they break anything do not get upset. 'Do not get upset over small stuff'. A funny rule that, as it is only me that has broken things.
What must be included on the layout.
I have many interests other than railroads and they have to be included.
1) A Dock. I love ships and shipping and really is my main interest. The City of Leeds is a long way from the coast, so Clarence Dock is the next best thing.
2) A Canal. A quiet canal scene for 'Clarice' the canal boat. (I am a member of Boat & Canals in the UK.)
3) An Industrial Park. I have a small number of industrial Units for my road transport vehicles. I have been heavily involved and been around road transport for over 65 years.
4) Farms. Dawn's family are farmers in Cumbria and Northumberland.
5) A Scrap Yard. Pictures of scrap yards fascinate me. Unkempt, filthy and messy. Yet everything has a place.
6) A Street Scene. Little cameos of street life that have nothing to do with railroads.
The Railroad Scenes
a) Steam & Diesel. Able to run Steam and Diesel locomotives in different timeframes
b) A Locomotive Depot/Shed. I have a large number of locomotives (I like) mostly from an old layout.
c) Scenes Typical of Leeds. I wanted to have the feel of 'being in Leeds'.
d) Buildings & Rolling Stock the Grandchildren Could Identify With. As it says. The grandchildren like to see their trucks going round the layout and arriving/departing their buildings.
e) A Realistic Timetable. Locomotives and trains all having a reason to be where they are on the layout when I am the operator.
There we are. A simple set of rules that are adhered to.
To put that together in a room 11ft by 8ft a lot of compression was required.
Looking back through the original building of the lines by the Calder Railway, Leeds Scarcroft & Wetherby Railway and Kirkstall & East Seacroft Railway Leeds Sovereign Street Station is a must.
Crown Point Locomotive Yard has to be included. As must Clarence Dock.
Plan of the layout.
A - Timber Yard
B, C & D Farms
E - Signal Box to Clarence Dock
F,G,H,J,K - Industrial Units
1,2,3,4,5 & 6 - Business buildings at Sovereign Street.
More to follow
The line from Leeds Sovereign Street Station to Wetherby.
I did try to find a map of the route of the line, but not successful.
Therefore the route in words.
As mentioned previously the aim of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway (L&Y) and Great Northern Railway (GNR) was to have a route to York. With the advent of The Light Railways Act 1896 the two Companies financed the building of the line - first to Wetherby with plans to build to York.
A new Company , The Leeds, Scarcroft & Wetherby Railway was formed.
The line would leave Leeds Sovereign Street Station and head north. Stations were to be built at the (then) little villages of Oakwood, Shadwell, Scarcroft, Bardsey West, East Keswick, Linton arriving at Wetherby. A distance of 13.8 miles.
A boost to the line was the opening of Blackburn's Aircraft Factory. Blackburn Aircraft was founded by Robert Blackburn and Jessy Blackburn, who built his first aircraft in Leeds in 1908 with the company's Olympia Works at Roundhay opening in 1914. Olympia Works was just before arriving at Oakwood.
On building of the line it was felt neccessary to open another station at Roseville Road.
The plans to extend to York was put on hold as it was feared war was imminent and as it turned out the extension was not built.
Kirkstall & East Seacroft Railway (K&ESR)
The L&Y became aware of the building of a new factory near Seacroft (6.1 miles from Sovereign Street.)
A rail line was built from the LS&WR line just before the Aircraft Factory site, at (what became) Harehills Junction and headed towards Seacroft & Barnbow. (The site of the new factory.) The L&Y already had a line running past Leeds Foundry and Kirkstall Foundry. The K&ESR was born.
Although the lines were built via the Light Railways Act, they were built to main line standards; yet run with 'little locomotives'.
That is the history of the line. Next will be about the section of model layout actually built.
Hi LSM.
Thank you for your kind comments. They are much appreciated.
The Light Railways Act.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Railways_Act_1896
The line to Leeds Sovereign Street was built to main line standards, but ran with the use of 0.4.0 and 0.6.0 like a light railway. The same with the Leeds, Scarcroft & Wetherby Railway (LS&WR) (which I will deal with later.).
In 1922 the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway amalgamated with the London & North Western Railway (LNWR).
They in turn became part of the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMSR) in 1923
The line to Leeds Sovereign Street became a secondary route remaining open as already mentioned. Staying open well into the diesel era.
Thereby depending how I feel, I can run 'old' little steam engines 1914/1919 style.
Run diesels 1970s time.
When the grandchildren are here, they run whatever.
Sovereign Street can be operated on its own.
Clarence Dock likewise.
Crown Point Yard as a separate identity.
All with a time and reason and still correct (to a point).
I have in essence five individual layouts in one. All run properly and to a timetable. No chance of being bored of the same old thing.
Although the line built from Dewsbury was mainly single track with passing places, the main things that helped towards keeping the line opened was the following. ---
Access to collieries near the line.
A secondary route south to London; joining the main line at Lofthouse & Outwood Station. Trains could be diverted if any engineering work took place on the Main Line between Leeds Central and Lofthouse.
Later in the diesel era Stourton became a large container dispatch center.
Also Balm Road Quarry Sidings (near Stourton) was built.
Locomotives at both sites would refuel at Crown Point Yard.
Crown Point Yard was also the refueling point for locomotves arriving at Leeds Central. There was a steady stream of locomotives to and from the Yard thruout the day. (Great variety on the layout.)
Clarence Dock, Leeds. The Calder Railway built a short line to the dock, thereby giving access to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, warehouses and businesses in the area. A small goods yard was also built.
When i first started posting pictures of Leeds Sovereign Street & Clarence Dock it was just going to be a few pictures that I thought might give ideas for any readers.
Now to my surprise I find the layout has had neary 18,000 views and I thank you.
Perhaps I should now give the reasons on how the rail lines evolved.
The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway (L&Y) and Great Northern Railway (GNR) wanted their own line to York so they did not have to pay the MR & NER to run trains on their metals. The Midland Railway (MR) and North Eastern Railway (NER) blocked any proposals (in Parliament) for any lines the L&Y & GNR put forward.
The Light Railways Act of 1896 - The 1896 Act defined a class of railways which did not require specific legislation to construct – companies could simply plan a line under the auspices of the new Act, and, having obtained a light railway order, build and operate it. By reducing the legal costs and allowing new railways to be built quickly the government hoped to encourage companies to build the new 'light railways' in areas of low population and industry that were previously of little interest to them.
The L&Y took advantage of this Act by setting up The Calder Railway Company (CR) and with the help of the Great Northern Railway (GNR) a line was built.
First two curves were introduced on the Headfield Branch allowing CR trains to travel from Dewsbury Market Place to the Dewsbury Loop Line.
The CR purchased the small railways East & West Yorkshire Joint Railway (E&WYJR) and South Leeds Junction Railway (SLJR)
A light Railway was built from Earlsheaton (23 on map) to Lofthouse & Outwood Station, giving access to collieries in the area.
Under the banner of the Calder Railway the L&Y and GNR had a line to Stourton. A line was then built from Stourton to Leeds Sovereign Street with a small goods yard at Crown Point. The local Politicians were becoming aware of 'too many' stations in Leeds so 'ordered' the CR to extend their line to Leeds New (later Leeds Central).
A further instalment later on how the L& Y arrived at Wetherby on their way to York.
I did a locomotive exchange with a colleague on a UK Forum. He sent me some clockwork locomotives. My intention is to have a small garden layout.
It is raining, so I have had a daft half hour of nonsense in the train room running the clockwork locomotives. Just having fun.
Lastspikemike Those coaches take me back. For some reason the colours always made me think of Cadbury's white chocolate bars. Grandchildren remind us of such important things in life.
Those coaches take me back. For some reason the colours always made me think of Cadbury's white chocolate bars.
Grandchildren remind us of such important things in life.
The oldest grandson is here. 'Things take a turn to another planet'.
Turn away from any timetable or whatever. Let the Superheroes rule!!!
With some repairs and alterations I made it into a representation of a steam crane of 1896. Just what I wanted for Clarence Dock part of the layout.
Lastspikemike Serendipity. Lovely discovery. Old stuff can be very appealing.
Serendipity. Lovely discovery.
Old stuff can be very appealing.
A family member is having a 'clear out' and came across his old model railway packed in a large box. He is no longer interested in MR so asked me if I wanted the items.
The box duly arrived and I have been looking thru what there is. A lot is not wrth saving - old rusty track and the like. In fact most of the carriages and trucks were pretty 'beat up'; candidates for the scrap yard.
A small number of incidental items I know I can 'do up' and put on the layout.
Then at the bottom, like finding needles in a haystack, wrapped in paper, three beautiful carriages in 'blood and custard' color. They were not in boxes, but they look brand new. A picture will follow later.
Yes, most of the items went in the trash, but well worth the search thru.
Lastspikemike Or, you could just buy just one more modern locomotive to match the era of the Challenger tanks.....
Or, you could just buy just one more modern locomotive to match the era of the Challenger tanks.....
Lastspikemike And modellers license to move 1980's tanks out of Barnbow? The Chieftain goes back to the mid '60's and looks fairly similar to a Challenger, to your average 1/87 back garden observer.
And modellers license to move 1980's tanks out of Barnbow?
The Chieftain goes back to the mid '60's and looks fairly similar to a Challenger, to your average 1/87 back garden observer.
That's what I get for liking the Challenger tank. 15 years too late.
Therefore they will have to be Chieftain Tanks. No harm done. At least it is the right era.
The rail track has had a good clean.
The Kirkstall & East Seacroft Railway Company has spent a few pounds on buying a second hand coach. A five compartment All 3rd. (They do not buy new.) Here it is at Roseville Station. The coach is from the European company Piko and has been Anglicised.
A train of the four new six-wheeled carriages on their way to Leeds Central.
Some scenery to 'spring clean' and redo to brighten things up again.