Tim V's Workbench Blog

Run a 'King' with 14 behind, set the points, put the controller on max then walk away & have an extended lunch...  As you say most punters would never notice.  HOWEVER 'Clutton' has also been seen & appreciated by many - trouble is they're rarely as vocal as the great unwashed...

 

Regs

 

Ian

I hope not Tim, Clutton has always provided inspiration when my spirits have sagged. The fact that I now have over a hundred photos of Clutton in various stages of its life span says it all really. 

Things of beauty will always have their distractors. Clutton certainly does not look tired or worn, so the hell with 'them' and carry on regardless!

 

Is it really 23 years old? Where the heck did that go?

 

Mike

Tim, if you don't want to or can't keep it, someone is bound to give you good money for it, in my estimation, which might help fund the next project? It's a lovely, wonderful creation and a source of great inspiration to many.

 

Was that first show in Wells the one where I turned up and had a play with the lever frame and bell signals?

 

You've never brought it to a Members Day at Taunton.... now there's a thought?!

So far, I've only seen Clutton once, but it certainly commanded much more than 20 seconds of my time.  I thought it was one of those layouts that didn't need trains running all the time, apart from appreciating the quality, there is much to see off the track.

 

 

Adrian

Not wasted on me................

 

If ultimately you do decide to retire it, I am sure the replacement will be equally good and all layouts do have their time.

I'll be sorry to see it go Tim, as you know I've always seen it as a 2mm layout done in 4mm.

 

That said, roll on Pensford!

 

Jerry

Thanks for the support Chappses, and possibly it was a very early outing when the Captain was pushed (willingly I thought) onto the lever frame. I tried to catch him out by sending through two codes at once on the different bells, but being the pro he is, wasn't caught out.

 

It is when you meet professional railwaymen you realise that the layout just might be clicking the buttons.  I've met quite a few over the years. At York, the chap in the audience by the box said "you don't precede train on line/line clear with call attention. Ah I said it wasn't done like that on the Western - passing a copy of the 1936 signalling appendix to him. Ah he said - satisfied!

It certainly should never go in the skip, someone would probably love to own and operate it, looks very good to me.

Though I've never seen it in the flesh, Clutton has long been an inspiration for me and I'd count myself amongst those who could watch it for hours whether or not anything was running.

That said, roll on Pensford!

I'll second that, after all, it's just filling in the gap between Whitchurch and Clutton ;-)

 

Nick

I'll second that, after all, it's just filling in the gap between Whitchurch and Clutton ;-)

 

Nick

 

Tim might struggle to use the stock from Clutton on Pensford - I'll let him fill in the details!

 

Jerry

I'll put the date in the diary Tim!! I wasn't there at the start but it'll be an honor to be there at the end! Think I'll have to look away if the threat of the skip materializes! Got a few more years to enjoy it first though! :-)

 

Ah York! Not sure if it was the same chap but there was someone quietly watching me operate the leverframe for at least 20 minutes, it then transpired that he was the chap who gave the signalling demonstrations at the NRM! Almost expected a score sheet at the end of the session with a bit of constructive criticism and feedback. :-)

 

I dunno Jerry, I've heard that there's these trains in Spain (or was it Portugal) that slow down and change gauge whilst moving. Could be an interesting challenge for Tim!! ......Gauging over the viaduct could be interesting! :-D

Speaking of the NRM: If only they would buy it off you Tim. It would be such an excellent way to demonstrate prototype operation in model form, and those who are not interested could just marvel at the layout in general.

It's a nice thought Mikkel, but the NRM's record with layouts isn't good. Take Heckmondwyke for example.

I for one would miss seeing it! Clutton is one of the very few layouts that if I see it is going to be at a show, I make a special effort to attend. Whether you are interested in correct operation or not, It's such a visually attractive model, Its up there with the best layouts that I've had the pleasure of watching.

 

Dave

Something else hopefully, not the skip.

Clutton's always been an inspiration Tim and the photo above is just what I needed to see this morning having woken up with post-show 'do I stick with P4 or go EM for the next project?' questions.

It looks right and always has done.

I dunno about it being wasted on 90% of the public either, it's had too many 'best in show' accolades for that.

All layouts have their time and as has been said above I'm sure someone would happily buy it. If indeed you are going to change scale then you've always the option of selling it with some or all of the stock too (though I can think of a few who might be looking to borrow North Somerset/Bristol allocated stock!)

Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing it again at Scalefour North.