clecklewyke

“Hi, Richard Thank you for looking into this for me. However the YouTube demo was about programming the Smart phone or tablet controllers,within “ settings “ a whereas I was having difficulty with the “ programming” section, using a programming track to check or edit vv settings on the loco chipThis is used to change or read the CV settings for each local. The programming track is set up and live but the first step then is to read the CV setting for a particular local. It simply does not respond to this, stating “Waiting for response” then after a few seconds reversing to the reminder that “The loco have to be on the program rail track” (sic). anyway, I’m clearly going to have to look elsewhere but I really do appreciate your assistance. Best wishes, ian

Although I try to get a couple of hours work done on the Bradford branch every day progress is abominably slow. Mostly I am improving the wiring and track – not very exciting for the reader! The only significant visual change has been the installation of a programming track, just a length of SMP track held down by double sided sticky tape connected to the programming output of my Z21. The only problem is that my eyesight is now so bad that I cannot read the instructions for programming locos. Does anybody out there have a Z 21 and could lead me by the nose through the programming procedure please? My telephone number is 01969 650180. I would be most grateful for your help. Ian PS this is dictated so I apologise for any errors in transmission!

Santa Special on the Wensleydale Railway 2025?

By Colin Gifford?

Thank you Jonathan. Since the 1990s all my layouts have been designed following Iain Rice’s s recommendations on presentation, at eye level, which aalows the use off stage design. features, such as scenic backgrounds, flighting, wings and proscenium arch. Enhanced depth can be suggested using perspective and low relief or flat buildings. Tracks can disappear off the edges of baseboards by using buildings or wings as view-blockers. No need for improbable bridges or tunnels. This means that only the interesting parts of stations et cetera need to be built, the rest being suggested by making them appear to be off stage. Iain calls these “bits a” stations. It’s interesting that Jack Nelson was using these techniques in the 1950s – and he only had one arm!

It doesn’t show but the BNW branch has. seen a lot of work on track, electrics and basic scenery but the most obvious change has been to the lighting valance for Clecklewyke. When this was extended above.the new station and MPD it was too heavy and long to be self-supporting, so I fitted a temporary strut tnus: This was obviously unsightly and could not remain so my friend Rob Selby has made a cantilevered bracket to support It from the back. In Sir Humphrey’s words this was a “brave “decision as it depended on the integrity of the 300 year old masonry and plaster wall to which it is screwecd. Being a keen fan of Bruno, Rob temporarily retained the strut but left it half an inch clear of the bracket, like the framework for Maidenhead Bridge. Like I KB he was confident that the bracket would hold and sure enough it did so we were able to remove the strut permanently. And it now looks like this, givingA nice clean framing for the extended scene: Rob has “volunteered” build the lighting valance for Bradford North Western, so watch this space… Ian

I’m very sorry that Tom has decided not to take on Humber dock. He already has a lot of projects in hand and I believe Humber dock would have been a bridge too far. I have stopped exhibiting Humber Dock mainly because I have become seriously sigh impaired and have moved from P4 to OO - see my thread on the Bradford North Western branch. Here is a tasterso, I am still wanting to dispose of Humber Dock to someone who will cherish it and exhibit it and maybe develop it. It’s a great little layout to exhibit, fulfilling most of the criteria for Iain Rice’s “Cameo” proposal. It was built as part of the Scalefour society’s 1883 challenge and has been exhibited three times at Scaleforum and Scalerour lNorth as well as many other exhibitions. It is very popular with crowds, especially those from Humberside.who take delight in recognising the buildings, all of which are based on wHull prototypes. So, if you are interested, please PM me at Clecklewyke. And if you are ever in the Wensleydale area do pop in Ian Everett (Clecklewyke)

I’m really glad to have passed the baton to Tom. She’s in the good hands. Ian Everett (builder of Humber Dock)

Well, well, well. I can report to success and Humber Dock will re-materialise in a few months as Arlesburgh. I’ll not say any more as I am sure the new owner will want to make an announcement when he’s ready. ian

Some more pictures of the new Clecklewyke.This of course is work in progress and buildings are not yet properly embedded. Here is an empty coaching stock train passing through Clecklewyke on the way to Scargill sidings I particularly like this view of a black five at the coaling stage and now a couple of shots to make P4 modelers weep. Employing the subterfuge of using 24 inch curves hidden behind buildings is really only possible with OO gauge. This, of course, is strictly off stage. Most of my trains happily go around these curves but some stock will need couplings eased out to prevent buffer lock. I found I was completely incapable of laying the nnew track through Clecklewyke so I was immensely grateful that my relatively near neighbour, Tom Foster, volunteered his services. I have also commissioned him to complete a train of cool wagons that I had started before glaucoma hit my eyesight. Ian

Hi Pete, thanks for the very kind words. You probably know that I’ve been inspired by your marvellous photography of Halifax Powell Street. I think our slightly different interpretations of a LNWR terminus in the West Riding are fascinating. I do hope you’ve built into your timetable a stopping train service between Halifax and Bradford Northwestern fire click awake (I E iPads spelling of Clecklewyke .) and maybe a through coach to be attached to a London express from Bradford. We could also arrange for the two coach Bradford Portion to be reversed at Bradford and go on to Halifx. That is the beautiful thing about railway modelling, it’s all in the imagination. Best wishes Ian

This newly found photo suggests thar Colin Gifford visited Clecklewyke in 1958.

Humber Dock is still ounold. Sales have fallen through, I’ve moved house and I’ve lost most of my site so it’s gone on the back burner until now. However I’d like to release the space it occupies, so Humber Dock is still available for someone who would like to exhibit it. It is an excellent exhibition layout, easily transported and full of interestt, especially I for people from the East riding of Yorkshire who often spend long times trying to identify all the buildings. It would be ideal for somebody who likes building North Eastern Railway engines and would like to exhibit them on a ready-made diorama. Here is another more recent image of it.

D sorry to have been the bearer of bad news. Let’s hope they can do 4mm as well. Best wishes Ian

These are really lovely but as far as I can see the back scenes are only made in 7mm scale. Note also that they seem to be based on photographs taken from street level and so the roofs will look wrong on a layout at table level. Did you find his Birmingham diorama – absolutely fabulous! I wonder what he would have charged to make your Derwent spa buildings? Ian

Slow progress but progress, nevertheless. I have been sitting up the lighting rig, or proscenium arch as Iain Rice would have it, above the new section of Clecklewyke, using a fluorescent tube bought years ago for this very purpose. It creates quite a I long scenic diorama but I have yet to resolve how to support the centre of the lighting rig. Maybe I could cantilever asupport from the wall behind the scene but this is 300-year-old stone and I’m not sure how secure the support would be. Here are some photos: The track is still to be laid and then it will be on to the enjoyable jobs - improving the back scene and adding som buildings. I fancy some more mills and gable ends of terrace houses. Whatever I do it will be broad brush, impressionistic stuff, aiming to catch the essential West Riding character rather lots of detail.

Just lovely, Jonathan. Do you mind me asking how you attachéd the signs (ladies, Gents etc) so neatly? Super glue, wire? Look after yourself. Maybe you should take a trip to take the waters at a convenient spa? Ian

Sorry for the delay but the turntable is only one of many developments on Clecklewyke. i finally decided on the Peco turntable and here it is: The Peco turntable is nearly complete. I am delighted by this kit: It was easy to put together, the only difficulty being the microscopic text of the instructions. To my eyes it looks like a real turntable, not some kit designer’s idea of of one. It is longer than I would have liked but is the best compromise available to me. I will be fitting an indexing motorising unit, o which there are number of options, the Locotech looking attractive, being simple to build - an important consideration with my limited sight.

This is a map of Macclesfield station area. Anybody interested? It has a cramped loco shed and goods depot and the station lies between a tunnel and a road bridge so would make a wonderful diorama.

A little more progress to report. The station roof is completed with Ratio valances and the buildings just await the entrance staircase (a filleted Metcalfe kit), some detailing and weathering. The Peco turntable is nearly complete. I am delighted by this kit: It was easy to put together, the only difficulty being the microscopic text of the instructions. To my eyes it looks like a real turntable, not some kit designer’s idea of of one. It is longer than I would have liked but is the best compromise available to me. I am still swithering over which of the two schemes outlined above to choose. It might require a toss of the coin but I confess I do like this view of a loco “squeezing” between the shed and the coaling stage.there are precedents for really cramped MPDs, especially Macclesfield, a wonderful prototype which I have.never seen.modelled.

I would suggest googling “clear plastic sheet”. From this you should find plenty of companies who will cut plastic sheet of a variety of thicknesses in any shape and size you want. Much better than scoring and snapping. Ian

(Pedant mode on) Isn’t this picture of the LNWR side of the station? But I guess the Midland side was almost identical (pedant mode off) quite a lot of ornamentation there, Jonathan. You’re a braver man than me. Good luck! Ian

I can report some more progress on Clecklewyke.The platform buildings and canopy are now just about complete, needing only some details of painting and the valances. .I’ve been musing over the layout of the MPD. The problem is one of space and the fact that the loco shed is so long.My original thought was to have only the interesting end of the local shed I interview with all the points work for the entrance entrances to the shared roads off limits. This would allow what will be a small fiddle yard, with shelves on which to store locos until needed. it would look something like this. That temporary lighting rig support must go! Advantages of this are that it is more spacious and requires fewer points. The alternative would be to have the whole engine shed on scene like this. I One disadvantage of this option is that I will have to relay all the tracks in the shed and coal stage as there are P4. It will be seen that the position of the turntable changes according to the scheme chosen.I will build it on a demountable subbase board so that it can be put whetevver I eventually choose and also be passed on to a friend who has offered to look into the motorising of it. I’ve chosen the Peco turntable as it seems to be the best compromise between ease of build and good looks. With either option the tracks through Clecklewyke will turn through a 2 foot radius corner, hidden by buildings, roads et cetera, which I hope will lead the uninitiated eye to believe that’ the main line goes straight on through the wall!) So I am now looking forward to the arrival of my birthday present to myself which will comprise the Peco turntable and Ratio valances, courtesy of Rails of Sheffield. Ian

A further question, plea. When deciding on the length of turntable required - the say 50, 60. 65 or 70ft, should you measure the largest loco’s wheel base or total length over buffers? I would guess the latter, in order to allow room for manoeuvring. TIA Ian

Sounds like hard, dirty and dangerous work. But then labour (and life) was cheap then... I have an LNWR stage at Gormley Junction whiich would have worked in a similar way. It’s no wonder that BR replaced a lot at larger sheds with electrically powered towers. ian