Hando

Why was Devon named so? Was she named after an investor or promoter of the line?

From a little browsing I've discovered the locos that were used on the Howden and Derwent Reservoir Contracts (1901-1914): Peckett 0-4-0ST Buller 901/1901 this later worked at Stockton-on-Tees Gasworks. Manning Wardle (?) 0-6-0ST Toco Peckett 0-6-0ST King Here are my queries: 1) Were there other locos on the Howden/Derwent Res. Contracts? (excluding the narrow gauge locos used to construct the Derwent aqueduct) 2) What were the locos used on the later Ladybower Res. Contract (1935-1946)? Any information would be happily received. Thanks, Alex

Wonderful loco, apparently it was bought second hand from somewhere in Great Britain. I reckon the rather Scandinavian-looking spark arrestor was probably made by the mill.

The Midland had a triangular junction at Ambergate, so MR trains were still able to run between Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester on their own metals; it was just the case that the route was not so direct.

Hi all; I am planning to build a small layout of a railway in the peak district, and I stumbled upon the proposed (albeit, never built) Hope, Bradwell and Castleton Light Railway. Does anyone have any exact details for the route of the line (i.e. maps etc.)? I already know the vague course of the line, but I do not know the specific route. Any information regarding this never constructed railway would be very helpful. Thanks, Alex

Have you set up the Five Inch Narrow Gauge Association? I remember reading the article on your railway in Miniature Railways Magazine a while ago...

It'll be a challenge for them especially since it's invisible!!

Revd. Awdry would have approved! Well done! Alex

It would make an interesting model wouldn't it? Oddly I can see the resemblance between the Catenary Pole photo you posted and the Pole in the background of the photo of the other loco. Maybe someone who wanted to model the Whittonstall line could simply adjust the Standard LGB Catenary Mast and scratchbuild a new finial to put on top. The stabilising arch could simply be replaced for another scratchbuilt one that connects lower on the pole.

Beautiful little railway, fits perfectly into the landscape, a wise man once said (I can't actually remember who) that 7/8th scale railways always suit the surrounding overgrowth well as the plant life is better in scale to 7/8ths rolling stock than those of smaller scales. Good job, keep up the good work! Alex

I've found some photos on AditNow of the locos that ran on the Whittonstall Electric Railway: They were built by Hanomag/Siemens. In the upper photo is Loco No.3, built in 1910. Note the unusual catenary system.

Very interesting! I hope to read more...

So, an Introduction..: Hello and welcome to my new blog: If you are a bit confused, let me get you up to speed: Basically, I read up on the pre-grouping side of the forum that not everyone is too keen on people posting their layout's fictional histories there, so I've decided to create this new blog to effectively put out the background story for a future saga of layouts, as unfortunately; me still being a teenager, living with his parents; means that I neither have the money nor the space to build what I am drawing up... When I have the time I might construct some layouts and they will be featured on the forum, expect links on this description when that happens... As far as I have known and from countless research, the Isles of Scilly never had any railways. However- I think that they deserve some (by some, I mean a lot), which may be overkill for an archipelago of which its inhabited islands have a combined area of only 9.15 square miles and have a tiny population of as little as 2247 (by the most recent estimate)! Of course, such small islands don't need big trains, that's why I've opted for a narrow gauge system, specifically of a gauge of 2ft 5 1/2 inches, as that happens to have been the old gauge of the St. Michael's Mount Tramway. I've chosen this gauge; Firstly- as a compromise so I can have a wider variety of rolling stock between 2ft 4 1/2 inches (Glyn Valley Tramway) and 2ft 6 1/2 inches (Jee's Hartshill Granite Quarry, Nuneaton) and Secondly because it makes for a good "standard gauge" for the Isles of Scilly and gives an explanation to why the gauge was originally used on the St. Michael's Mount Tramway (*even though it is not part of the actual archipelago*). Inspiration was taken from narrow gauge railways including (but not limited to); the Pentewan Railway, the Glyn Valley Tramway, the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, the Alford and Sutton Tramway and the (rather obscure) Woosung Railway. The time period for the railway is between 1846 and present day. This blog will look at why the supposed Isles of Scilly Light Railways were built, their history, their operation, their rolling stock and location, all in the name of a lot of layouts. Hope you enjoy, Alex Also, be sure to comment below if I get anything factual or interpretive (think Grouping & BR numbering logic or signalling placement) wrong...

Are you going for any specific build of loco? Peckett, Hunslet, Bagnall, Manning Wardle, Hudswell Clarke etc.?

I came up with these layout ideas a while ago, this might make for some good inspiration: They are ideal for small boxfile layouts.