Bob Hordern

The point that allows trains to access the route to Lofthouse can now be operated remotely from the main panel. Here a quarry train waits as the Harrogate auto train departs.

New siting for controls at Lofthouse.

Changes to this corner of the layout have involved the addition of more woodland to better connect scenery on the reservoir and viaduct boards.

Locking mechanism now added to traverser. Holes for bolt drilled out and ‘washer’ guides glued in place.

Here’s a passenger service running through Lofthouse and into Kirtley Bridge.

………..and back in its ‘home’ location with the alternative cabinet bolt and holes added.

Traverser upgrade is now complete.

Busy scene at Lofthouse.

Ramsgill viaduct - Leeds service arriving from Lofthouse and heading towards Kirtley Bridge.

Well done Warners and you Andy. Any chance of Kirtley Bridge getting an invite to NEC in November 2024? Would love to spread the O gauge gospel to yet more potential modellers 😉. Best wishes, Bob

Traverser fully operational including headshunt protection ‘flag’.

Hiding the entrance from the storage sidings - buildings, trees and a painted backscene.

Latest from Lofthouse The grass is greener now - a makeover that comes 30 years after the original ground work - next layer will be darker. Then getting on with tidying up the yard area. Lastly the traverser is fitted in its new home.

Maybe this was a rash purchase! I was beguiled by the Hatton’s price reduction. I’ll probably sell it on. It is a super loco - DCC with full sound but I should have spent the funds more wisely.🤨

Here’s the full context of the connecting up of the two layouts. The viaduct links the reservoir board (Lofthouse) on the left and the transfer board (Kirtley Bridge) on the right - now I have two ‘districts’, one layout!

Bit further…….

Mixed goods heads through the new section between Lofthouse and Kirtley Bridge

Thanks Dave. I have very few bookings this year and they are mostly 'up North'. I have more coming in 2025 but I do find driving long distances tiring these days. We'll have to see how we get on 😎

Work now taking place on the transfer board that connects Kirtley Bridge to Lofthouse. Just trying out basic scenery options so far.

New arrival at Lofthouse yard. The Sentinel shunter by Dapol in ex-works condition. A last minute transfer from Widnes shed (Hattons 😉).

Latest photo set to start 2024

Manchester MRS Christmas Show Dec 9th and 10th Kirtley Bridge went to this exhibition over the weekend where we braved the rain, traffic and bus lanes to get into Central Manchester. The Sugden Sports Centre off Oxford Street is the new venue and unloading/parking was shall we say interesting. On the Friday afternoon Jim and I set up Kirtley Bridge. Next we checked into our hotel and found a Weatherspoons. The food was good enough for two hungry operators. After breakfast on Saturday we returned to the venue to run the layout with Norman arriving by rail. Things went pretty well. Jim and I came home eastwards to avoid the Old Trafford traffic in pretty horrible weather. Sunday was a better day and Nick, Andy and I returned to fire up KB. A repair in the traverser board quickly improved operations there and we got underway again. It was just as busy as Saturday. Packing up was not as challenging as I expected and we got away after 6pm before the wet weather returned for the journey home via M602 this time. The Show was enjoyable and well organised and we got a bit of time to see some really good layouts, meet a few old colleagues and even buy the odd Christmas present. This was a good trip with lots of folk complimenting us on the layout, asking questions and even having a quick ‘drive’ of a train. The icing on the cake came at the end when operators were invited into Hall C for the prize giving. Kirtley Bridge actually won the best in show award – “The Visitors’ Cup” – voted for by MMRS members. My enormous thanks go to the team for enabling me to manage and operate KB. I know it a can be hard work but it also has its rewards.

If you’re going to Manchester Show next week I’ll see you there along with Kirtley Bridge. Do say hello 👍

As suggested I can’t seem to trigger a similar short deliberately. Let’s hope my visit to Manchester sorts things one way or another.

Thanks Robert, interesting thought. Can't actually be recall location now as I was a bit stressed at the time. I suppose the answer is to deliberately re-create an 'incident' here at home and see if it happens again. Will come back on this. Bob