Horton

[mac1960]

Back on small photos again firstly a Patriot on Bradford stopper meets a 4F heading North on a pick up freight.

 

Class 40 whistles up the bank heading for Kingmoor.

 

A 9F heads rattles down the bank disturbing sleepy Horton heading for Widnes. 

 

A relatively new Clayton Cl 17 back then heads for Stourton with a semi fitted freight.

 

Not so old and the relatively new pass with Cl 40 northbound for Kingmoor and another Long Meg heads South. 

Edited April 19 by mac1960

[JRSS]

Great to see some photos with trains in them.

Can you tell us which magazine you will be featured in?

[Dragonboy]

Only one word can describe this layout - Exquisite 

 

Brian

Edited April 20 by Dragonboy

[mac1960]

JRSS / Dragonboy

 

Thank you for the kind comments with regards to Horton.

 

The photo shoot went very well with Jonathan Newton of the Hornby Magazine. The layout behaved itself, with no issues at all over the 4  hrs it took to complete. We now have to write up an article to go with it, which will be shared by myself and Richard. As for when it will be in the Magazine I am not sure, and neither is Jonathan. Basically it depends to a degree on what layouts are coming up already. This layout is mid 60,s BR steam diesel, so it depends on how many of this type of layout are coming up to be featured in the magazine. You obviously don't want just this type / period of layout, so in short it could be sometime.  I know there are 2 other layouts that Richard was involved with (Staly Vegas / Mills bridge - which are modelled in the same period as Horton) and these are ahead of Horton for publication in the Hornby Magazine, with Mills Bridge being the first of those. Staly Vegas the other one was also photographed yesterday, with a video and still photos and an interview with Richard, so I would say maybe in the next 12 months with regards to Hortons appearance in print. 

 

We are thinking of doing another layout together that would be more exhibition friendly, as we have found through the build of Horton that we work very well together. This would have to be more on the Staly Vegas size due to storage issues, and would have to sit under Horton when not in use, but currently this has only just started to be discussed with senior management (my wife !!). 

 

As for what it would be, I favour a more urban view, and we have discussed the line around Oxford Road in Manchester with the line on a viaduct with maybe just the end of a platform, and one point to the outer edge of a bay platform. This would obviously require overhead wires if we were to do that particular line, which Richard is unsure about for an exhibition layout, but they would not be operational. The period would be the same as Horton, so early to mid 60,s and the stock would be largely the same as Horton with addition of some AC electric traction obviously in the early Electric Blue colour scheme. However we are some way of on this yet.

 

Our next task is to get Horton back to my house in the  next few weeks, and set up and running, and I can then get some more photos of trains and layout which I will then post, though not up too Jonathan's standard alas.

 

Thanks once again for your comments.      

Edited April 21 by mac1960

[mac1960]

Well we took advantage of the good weather yesterday and Horton was moved to its permanent home yesterday afternoon but is  disassembled awaiting erecting. I am not sure when this will be as I am away again but hopefully sooner rather than later.

 

I have received the proof copy photos from the shoot on Saturday which look very good but I obviously cannot share these until after their publication in the magazine . However when Horton is re erected I will post further photos of various locomotives and indeed trains.

 

 

[mac1960]

Well a few more photos from our (though I was not there) pre photo shoot. I am away again so I hope these up load ok.

 

A Class 40 heads North for Carlisle underneath the southern occupation slew bridge while the farmer or could be vet heads toward Horton in his Mk1 Land Rover.

 

A grimy 8F coasts down hill for Leeds and home with the crew dreaming of a pint of Tetley's or two already, know doubt .

 

Jubilee Hardy heads North on heavy parcels from Bradford - its those bloody Grattan catalogue Christmas additions know doubt !  Well into the climb now with the Fireman t starting to ache a little, I hope he has kind driver, but at least its a dry day. 

 

A 4F not far from the cutters Torch heads north with a pick up freight through the trees, complete with with its late Yellow stripe, probably its last paint job !   

 

The pick up freight with a 4F , and the Up Bradford stopper with a Scot Sir Fredrick Harrison both get underway in Horton, though one will definitely get an easier trip ! However both have up coming appointments with the cutting torch unfortunately, however they got their newly acquired Yellow stripes in September 1964, though Kingmoor cleaners obviously did not like theirs judging by the colour of her ! A not unusual fate for Kingmoor based locos as many photographer's back then commented upon. I think most also hated the Yellow stripe, but to me that is so evocative of the time, and therefore it has to be included in our model of this time, which is autumn in the period1964 -67 for those interested in these things. 

 

 

The stopper earlier glides into Horton with little effort with Scot Sir Fredrick Harrison on the front, while farmer Noakes looks on with Shep at his flock .

 

An earlier photo of the  4F heading under the occupation bridge from the South. 

[mac1960]

One last photo of the new order with a Green DMU heading down the bank with a stopper to Skipton calling at all stations from Carlisle. Also the Inspector calls with the Royal Barge on an inspection trip of the district  with a Class 2 for power. Horton will not be winning the best kept station award as Mr Taylor who was the station master at the real Horton in Ribblesdale had moved to Settle by now.

Hope you enjoyed the photos, and sorry bout my ramblings but time for bed here its been a long day !!   

[mac1960]

Well I have just got back from my travels and Horton is up and running with no issues so far at my home. I need to test run a number of locomotives, but so far this evening all the 8F , Scots , Austerity, 4F , CL45 / 46, 40, 33; 25,26 ,17 are fine. The 9F of which I have 3 were more problematic with only 1nr  behaving itself for the Photo session the other week - pony truck issues.  Britanias can also have issues , though out of 6 , 3 run well. As for the Jubilee and Class 5 we had same issues, which is annoying as they are both associated with the S&C and we have a number. One Jubilee Alberta ran very well, the others and the Black Fives not so , but we will see. But the rebuilt Scot no issues. You do have to wonder about some of the QA/QC sometimes.
 

However the other steam CL 2, 4 ran fine along with Std 5 for some reason. Our lone A1 was also good 👍 

Generally diesels run well and the more complex valve geared steam locomotives seem to have more issues. Anyway we will see over the coming days or rather evenings. Once I have run up all the locomotives I will then start to make up the trains though will clean track beforehand obviously, and do a wheel cleaning exercise. There are no problems with clearances or points which is good after the big move.
 

Glad to be home and very pleased to have Horton back 👍👍

 

Cheers

 

Edited April 30 by mac1960

[mac1960]

Well unfortunately a little trip East due to some weather related issues you may have heard of  has buggered up Horton testing. However now back and hope to post some photos later this week.

 

Cheers

Mr Mac

 

[mac1960]

I had to go back East so hope to get some more testing when back later next week.

[mac1960]

Not sure why but back on small photos. Here we have WD 90243 heading down the bank with a partially fitted freight so know doubt a bit of screeching and banging of couplings going on and the cylinder cocks open using a breath of steam to keep the cylinders warm during the 12 mile descent open which left melted snow on the up tracks in winter. 

 

Fredrick Harrison of Kingmoor again on the Carlisle to Bradford stopper.  

 

48608 of Mirfield comes up the bank with another semi fitted freight. The leading vehicles are China Clay hoods so she must have been borrowed somwhere. 

 

Sir Fredrick again drifting nonchalantly down the bank.

Edited May 14 by mac1960

[mac1960]

Another WD from Wakefield heads for home.

 

A stranger in Horton as A1 Archibald Thurrock rattles an express southbound covering for a failed Cl 45 know doubt, or it could be the Gourock to Leicester special.    

 

Saltley Depot Cl 25 7582 comes up the grade on a lose coupled freight while another freight heads south.   

 

 

Another re built on the Bradford. These will change to Britannia and Clan classes over the next few years before the services demise.

Edited May 14 by mac1960

[mac1960]

4F 44044 from Stourton has been dragged North with a short ballast working.

 

Closely followed by Class 2 46433 of Lancatster with the District Engineers Royal Barge who is know doubt going to view where the previous ballast was going, or its a boys day out !

 

48608 meets the Skipton stopper.

 

 

Another view of the Skipton stopper, but just note how few passengers, or indeed cars are in the car park there back then. I sometimes think people forget how few there were. As an example look at early Sweeney ITV crime programs from early 70,s and that’s central London ! As an observation fewer for this period is better and the same with people in the Dales, though I can always add extra Sheep to a degree. 

Edited May 14 by mac1960

[mac1960]

The Thames Clyde Express reverberates through Horton on its ascent with another 7 miles of climbing still to go, while an unfitted freight probably screeches and bangs down the bank with the crew trying with the Guard to keep everything together and the signalman no doubt keeping an eye out for hot boxes with tell tail wisps of smoke or sometimes even sparks.     

 

The 4F plods past Horton box looking for that promised siding for a brew up. It’s a long way from Stourton on an old locomotive the crew are probably thinking, though at least its not raining yet !   Gavin Morrison (the famous railway photographer on the S&C) must also be about, judging by the Red VW Beatle which was his chariot at the time. Perhaps he cadged a cup of tea and a warm from a good natured Signalman.   

 

Heavy freights meet with a WD going south for Normanton and home, and an 8F heading for Carlisle Kingmoor and the dreaded Kingmoor Barracks ! 

Edited May 16 by mac1960

[mac1960]

Last two photos (I promise as I need some sleep too much traveling ) 

 

Firstly a long coal empties trundles back to Yorkshire with a Royston WD on the front.    

 

 

 

Class 40 D338 of Carlisle Kingmoor heads up the grade and home on a down parcels from Leeds. I always like the split head code EE, Peaks. 

Edited May 16 by mac1960

[mac1960]

Well due to a very wet evening I managed to get some more photos done with some different traction as we move forward in time on Horton to 1965.

So the Rolling Stones couldn't get no Satisfaction , and James Bond was in Thunder Ball, though Sound of Music was the biggest grossing in US. In Horton little has changed, the Postman was still walking his rounds, and there was probably no Aston Martins within 70 miles ! However as you will see some things were changing

 

Firstly a Kingmoor Cl 17 brings the ballast train back South which went North yesterday, maybe the 4F gave out though given CL17 reliability I would not put money on them getting back to Stourton.

 

The Skipton to Carlisle stopper heads past Horton box to make a quick stop as he is being chased up the Drag by an A1 who,s driver will want to keep up momentum on the climb so will have been gesturing as such already, to various signalman as he started his assent before Horton. 

 

 

 

As soon as the stopper has cleared, we have A1 Bon Accord on a freight heading from Leeds to Kingmoor (there is a photo of this from 1965 in a publication) and Britania  Firth of Forth on another southbound Express.

 

 

 

Edited May 16 by mac1960

[mac1960]

Another Britannia  Firth of Clyde rattles past the tail of the Bradford stopper in Horton, with the  Whistle blasting for the pedestrian crossing probably!

 

Another stranger in town or at least a rare visitor a Scottish 27 brings an unfitted freight North.

 

 

The next two are photos of something you used to see quite often but that I have rarely seen modelled, that being a light engine working. In this case a Stourton shed 8F heads  home for shed.  

 

Time for bed soon for the crew, and indeed me as an early start for an 06.00 flight, what does the 0 stand for, oh my god its early !!
Incidentally Andy from BRM has asked if they can do an article on Horton as well today, so hopefully you will be able to see some better pictures soon.  

 

I am going to try re shooting some of the above on 35mm SLR and then posting that to see if that allows a larger picture format as the above are small and the details missing sharpness. Will see how we get on this evening.

Cheers

Mac

 

Edited May 16 by mac1960

[mac1960]

Well took these today with 35mm SLR so see what you think.

Firstly the return Ballast to Leeds with a Class 17

 

Closely followed by the returning Royal Barge being pushed so they get a driver eye view. 

 

The Skipton stopper

 

A meeting of heavy weight steam with Firth of Forth Britannia heading south and A1 Bon Accord re starting her train from a signal check on the bank. Can you imagine the noise of re starting your A1 on the climb, and the vocals with the unlucky signalman who stopped them  !  

Edited May 16 by mac1960

[mac1960]

Stourton light engine 8F runs home to shed.

 

The scots interloper heads North with the unfitted.

 

The 8F wonders off home to Leeds and bed as will I, as it was a very early start. Hope you enjoyed the larger pictures. 

 

 

Edited May 16 by mac1960

[25kV]

Echoing many earlier comments, this is a stunning layout capturing the look and feel of the area perfectly.  I used to travel up the S&C once a month every summer for a few years from Preston on the Lancs/Yorks "Dales Rail" service in the mid-late 1980s, so became very familiar with the landscapes.  But my biggest memory of Horton was a few years later, when on a clear, frosty February day in 1991, I rode up from Leeds on a sprinter, got off and just started walking.  Wasn't sure where I was planning to go, but ended up walking north along the road, surrounded by this very scenery!  (I ended up walking to Blea Moor signal box and catching a return from Ribblehead - bonus ECML diversions unexpectedly bringing HSTs down the line.)

 

I've enjoyed reliving that memory while reading through this thread.  Lovely work!

[JRSS]

Very much enjoying the pictures, which ever size they are. 

 

Can I ask where you get your train information from? I would like to try and run a few more prototypical trains and wondered where to get the info?

[mac1960]

JRSS

Some come from the many books and photographs with descriptions of the  trains I have and some is from a long dead Grandfather who was a steam engine driver at Holbeck for a time. Another source is on the internet and is a copy of the train reporting from the South Box at Hellifield in 1961. I can’t quite remember but I think it was put out there by a gentleman modelling Hellifield in 00, but a Google search will find it, I am sure it’s still there. It lists all trains during a 24 hour period in Nov 1961, through there, you just have to filter out the ones heading to or from the Heysham and Lancashire coast and anything originating from Hellifield heading down the Blackburn line the rest is S&C traffic.
 

It does demonstrate the sheer volume of rail freight over the line then, and the relative paucity of passenger traffic with about 6 a day at the time of year we chose to model and that includes a sleeper, where as freight is nearer the 40 plus mark each way with train loads typically at around 35 vans. The volumes out of Stourton and Hunslet alone are remarkable with almost a freight every 2 hrs . Other places further afield were Water Orton , Bescott, Tinsley Ancoatts, Basford Hall, Aintree, Healy Mills to name a few. One of things which did happen was the opening of the big concentration yards during the 60;s like Kingmoor, Healy Mills, etc which led to the grouping of wagons if not full block trains which would come more to the fore later. 
 

Therefore when building up fright trains I will tend to group wagon types together if they are special wagons like Cement for example as it would be unusual to just have one wagon in a train if you understand what I mean. That’s not say it didn’t happen but it perhaps would not be the norm. One thing that is unusual on some S&C traffic was how loaded Coal wagons were sometimes grouped into some semi fitted freight trains where as where I am from in West Yorkshire 1960;s Coal traffic was all in 16ton but only Coal. 
 

Hope that helps or at least does not confuse too much.

 

Cheers

Mac

[mac1960]

On 17/05/2024 at 20:18, 25kV said:

Echoing many earlier comments, this is a stunning layout capturing the look and feel of the area perfectly.  I used to travel up the S&C once a month every summer for a few years from Preston on the Lancs/Yorks "Dales Rail" service in the mid-late 1980s, so became very familiar with the landscapes.  But my biggest memory of Horton was a few years later, when on a clear, frosty February day in 1991, I rode up from Leeds on a sprinter, got off and just started walking.  Wasn't sure where I was planning to go, but ended up walking north along the road, surrounded by this very scenery!  (I ended up walking to Blea Moor signal box and catching a return from Ribblehead - bonus ECML diversions unexpectedly bringing HSTs down the line.)

 

I've enjoyed reliving that memory while reading through this thread.  Lovely work!

25kV

Thank you very much for your very generous comments, and we both like that you and others feel as though you are there when viewing the photos that we have posted after having visited / lived in  the area. That is the best compliment a modeller should aim for when modelling an area in what ever place or country. That is what we were aiming for and I hope / think we have succeed but we did have some wobbles on route 😉

 

Cheers

Mac

[mac1960]

Rooke re starts a fully fitted freight at Horton from Stourton. 

 

An 8F rolls down the bank heading for Hellifield and then the Blackburn line heading for Manchester the engine being from Newton Heath the crew will change at Hellifield. Its passing a North Bound freight from Stourton. 

 

A Royston WD rolls down hill with a fully fitted freight while another fully fitted heads North with a Carlisle based Cl 40 in charge. 

Edited 17 hours ago by mac1960

[mac1960]

Jubilee power on the returning Bradford to Carlisle stopper approaching Horton with Sturdee in charge. Light work for a Jubilee. 

 

More Jubilee power on a North Bound fitted freight this time Alberta doing the honours so another freight from Leeds area. 

 

A earlier shot of Sturdee approaching Horton with the Bradford to Carlisle stopping train. Its a very slow way of getting from Carlisle to Bradford but picturesque. 

 

 

Another partially fitted freight drifts down through Horton bound for Wakefield with one of their WD in charge.

Sturdee on the stopper is passed by a Glasgow to Leeds Express headed by Solway Firth.

Another shot of the south bound Britannia. I like Brits but they looked better with the larger tender as seen here.

Another shot of Alberta on the fully fitted. She will be struggling a little on the bank with a full load with those big driving wheels but the class were quite widely used on freight out of Leeds in the mid 60;s as we know from photos. My late Grandfather preferred a more sure footed type for climbing so would not have been impressed if rostered for a Jubilee over the S&C no matter how buffed up. Now if going to the Welsh Coast once west of Manchester then “happy days” apparently though climb through the Pennines was a bit tough apparently on a heavy freight or passenger.

 

Edited 17 hours ago by mac1960