Popular Post davefrk Posted August 16, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) People have been asking me, 'why haven't you put your railway on Layout Topics'? Whilst I have posted the odd photo on other threads I didn't feel that people would be that interested or that I would have the time. I still don't have the time.... But what I could do is write up bits and pieces and post photos every now and again and see what the reaction is. I've posted elsewhere the story behind the layout so here is a quick resume`. Started off as a model of Armathaite on the S&C and first laid down more than thirty years ago. The EM gauge layout languished untouched for long periods over the years whilst I was involved in other peoples OO and P4 projects, sadly it never seemed to come round to my turn for a joint effort and after some hard thinking I decided to cut back on my involvement with other projects to concentrate on my own. I had continued to build EM stock for the layout and with the goods vehicles OO wheels were temporarily fitted to help stock the OO layouts. The locos of course were built and placed in the display case on the wall. A few years ago I decided to make a restart on the layout with C&L track components instead of the original copperclad and with the suggestion from a friend of moving the location of the layout to Wharfedale just northwest of Leeds many of the same locos and even trains could be used. The line saw diversions from the Midland mainline through Airedale when that was blocked, closed for maintenance or just plain busy. As well as the regular tanker trains from the NE there was also a good local service using a number of the locos I already had, Fairburn and Ivatt tanks, 2Ps and Compounds and the occasional express loco on the local train to Ilkley, e.g. a Scot with two non-corridors returning to Leeds tender first because the Ilkley turntable was too small! A change of personal circumstances and a move out of the family home lead my friend to lose interest and go in another direction so I was on my own. Fortunately I was a 'hired help' on the Alloa layout of the ScRSG and with their change of clubrooms there was room for Wharfeside so with their help the layout was transported, assembled and has been worked on for the past 3 years. Me finishing the C&L trackwork and wiring on the scenic section and some of the lads helping with the new fiddle yard boards. The fiddle yard trackwork was completed a few months ago and now the groundwork and structures are taking shape, a viaduct is slowly being 'stoned', platforms have had the tops cut out and placed ready for fitting when the station building appears. So here are a couple of photos to start off with. 2013 and before the fiddleyard was built but the front of the layout was wired and a panel built so trains could shunt back and forth. 2015 August and the platforms surfaces are cut, buildings started though the station building is a mockup. Fiddle yard complete but waiting a control panel. Trains can be run, sorry, trains can be tested for reliable running. More sometime. Dave Franks. Edited May 7, 2022 by davefrk 37 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jub45565 Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 People not being interested is definitely not true Dave! I've enjoyed the glimpse you've given us in other topics & look forward to more here :-) My future intentions seem to be making very similar thought processes moving from an S&C concept to a Wharfedale based layout. Ilkley shed will do as my 'tester' & I look forward to getting a lot of inspiration from here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post davefrk Posted August 16, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) Hi Pete, thanks for that. I've been interested in your project to built Ilkley shed too and I have a few books and also references from an old friend as to locos shedded at Ilkley so if you need to ask questions just ask. I've now found a pic of the completed fiddleyard to add to the thread but it seemed to be reluctant to be copied and pasted but here goes. Hooray, it worked. Dave Franks Edited May 7, 2022 by davefrk 20 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bri.s Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Looks a great looking layout Will look forward to your progress Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Jason T Posted August 18, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 18, 2015 Did you really think we wouldn't be interested in a quality Finescale layout Dave? Methinks you are being modest I expected more buffer stops....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeT Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Now thats what l call a fiddle yard, excellent Dave please keep the pictures coming, brilliant will watch with interest... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Worsdell forever Posted August 18, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 18, 2015 Did you really think we wouldn't be interested in a quality Finescale layout Dave? Methinks you are being modest I expected more buffer stops....... Yes, I was disappointed with the lack of suitable siding end retardation equipment. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefrk Posted August 18, 2015 Author Share Posted August 18, 2015 Did you really think we wouldn't be interested in a quality Finescale layout Dave? Methinks you are being modest I expected more buffer stops....... Well, I don't think people are that interested in half built layouts with no buildings, details, signals etc. So I've kept a bit of a low profile on RMweb, I had posted a bit on another modelling forum but people from this place had asked after the layout. Bufferstop wise, you've got me there, I've got one more Midland type to do for the ends of the lyes, there will be only seven stops of three types on the layout anyway. Anyway, me modest, never..... LOL. Just don't ask my friends. Dave Franks 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zomboid Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 I can only speak for myself, but I find the half finished, work in progress stuff more interesting. Once it's built and finished I'm not interested in "i parked this train here" stuff. But as I say, that's just me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 I think the thing is we can see finished layouts at shows and in mags, the great thing about this forum is following builds even if, like yours, they are of a standard to inspire me, rather than one I can aspire to. Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Lewis Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Well, this looks nice! Layouts under construction are always interesting. Not sure what's happened to that brake van in the first picture though! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jub45565 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Well, this looks nice! Layouts under construction are always interesting. Not sure what's happened to that brake van in the first picture though! Someone will have spilt his tea, that's for sure... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefrk Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 Well, this looks nice! Layouts under construction are always interesting. Not sure what's happened to that brake van in the first picture though! Hi Tim, The van was one of a number that were doing service on 'Alloa' at an exhibition, it was dusted down to use on Wharfeside unfortunately I had forgotten to change the wheels for EM hence at the least wee bump of the baseboard it fell into the four foot. Thanks to all you posters for the encouragement, some say - 'he doesn't need encouragement'.... Dave Franks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Jason T Posted August 19, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 19, 2015 Is it being built as a stay at home layout or an exhibition one Dave? I guess you are pretty busy at exhibitions anyway without playing trains though Being just over the hill from us, I am slowly learning about the railways over there. Whenever I drive up the Otley bypass, I always try to work out where the station was and the bridge abutments at the top of the hill had me confused for ages before I found out they were from a long-gone industrial tramway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefrk Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 Hi Jason, yes it will be an exhibition layout, eventually... It does have an open invite to Perth and Glasgow when ready and even Derek had asked for EXPO North but that would be a problem with the Lanarkshire Models stand. The Wharfedale line does have an interesting history with private sidings to quarries, hospitals, mills etc. and the fact it was in part jointly built by the Midland and the North Eastern and operated with ex LNE and LMS stock. Plus with diversions from the Midland mainline through Airedale we have the Thames/Clyde and the Waverley expresses making appearances as well as the S&C freights so it suits me down to a tee. The bridge abutments you mention, would that be the ones beside the old toll house near Poole in Wharfedale? We were confused by those at one time too. All the best, Dave Franks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Jason T Posted August 19, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 19, 2015 Top of Old Pool Bank, not sure if there is a toll house there. A bit about the line in the below links. I didn't realise the top section was worked by locomotives: http://secretleeds.com/viewtopic.php?t=3057 http://historyofpool.net63.net/quarries/transportationofstone.htm It's got my mind ticking over, could make an interesting layout Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrkirtley800 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 As one EM gauger to another, an interesting project and thank you for putting it on RMW. I knew the area quite well as a lad, living in west Leeds and biking around Otley and Ilkley. Yes, I did pedal up Otley Chevin and Norwood Edge (to the north of Otley) on my old bone shaker. So keep 'em coming Dave, will look out for your piccies. Derek Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted August 24, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 24, 2015 yes the supports are still there - confuses a lot of people including Leeds residents! The Toll House is used as a residence - and people still use "old" Pool Bank as a ratrun! I have looked ta doing a 0-16.5 model of part of the line .. but not just yet! Baz 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad McCann Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Ah, Very nice to see my test track up on here at last! ;-) Time I was booking another 'slot'! Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted August 25, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 25, 2015 that would be a problem with the Lanarkshire Models stand. Dave, you have staff, what else does Fiona do? Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefrk Posted August 25, 2015 Author Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) Dave, you have staff, what else does Fiona do? Mike. Shall I tell her that or will you.... Dave . Squeak! Edited August 25, 2015 by davefrk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted August 25, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 25, 2015 Cheshire or Cheddar Dave? Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Jason T Posted August 25, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 25, 2015 You could be really cheesy and deliver people's orders via Lowmac to the front of the layout Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefrk Posted August 25, 2015 Author Share Posted August 25, 2015 You could be really cheesy and deliver people's orders via Lowmac to the front of the layout No, customers can put their dosh in a 16ton mineral and I'll throw their goods over to them.... Dave Franks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted August 25, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 25, 2015 I see now why your good lady can't help Dave; http://www.modelrailwayscenery.com/2015/02/roadside-cafe-fionas-oo-4mm-176/ Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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