Gowhole Sidings - a layout now departed

[LNER4479]

At the risk of diverting attention from my current project(!), I thought I might post some details of what I got up to in the pre-RMWeb age. I guess we all have to start from somewhere…

This then is the description of a OO-gauge loft layout that has now run its course and is to be gradually dismantled over the coming months and years. Those of you that follow my Grantham thread (link below) may recognise the style but be possibly surprised by the era/region.


Gowhole sidings was started in 1988 at a time when I led a nomadic existence but had at my disposal a loft space at my Mum’s house. Reasoning that she was unlikely to move house in a long time I embarked on building my layout there, based on a weekly visit and occasional work weekends (Mums like you to visit regularly!). Given that, 24 years later, the layout is still in existence (just) in the same location, I guess that has turned out to be sound reasoning!

It was always intended as a ‘practice’ layout, to try out various ideas and concepts. In some cases I guess it grew beyond this into a layout in its own right but in other areas it is still quite crude.


Firstly the prototype (I don't do 'might have beens'). The real Gowhole sidings lay athwart the former Midland Railway’s mainline out of Manchester. Set as it was amongst the picturesque Peak District foothills, it was at the heart of a busy stretch of a four track railway between New Mills South Junction (where the routes out of Manchester met) and Chinley North Junction (when Sheffield and Derby routes diverged). In Midland days it was apparently the operational control centre for the area(!)

The locale has been a popular source of inspiration for modellers over the years, with Chinley station itself being the more obvious location to depict. Being Manchester born, it is an area that I am very familiar with and indeed I am old enough (just) to remember being taken to see the last vestiges of steam in the February snows of 1968 at Gowhole. My preference therefore was to be a bit ‘different’ and so the busy freight yard at Gowhole was chosen as the basis for the layout.


The diagrammatic track plan shows what I fitted into the space available, that being 20’ x 14’ at its extremities (the roof eaves sloped down on all four sides). There was also an additional length of roof (part of an extension to the original house) in which there was (just) room for an extended ‘U’.

As can be seen, there was a basic double-track circuit round the loft, which represented the ‘slow’ lines (set at the correct ruling gradient of 1-in-90 past the sidings) and a second double-track circuit on the outside and into the ‘U’ to represent the ‘fast’ lines. The latter was never completed (the section shown dotted was never in fact constructed) but at least there genuinely were four tracks running through and past Gowhole, made possible by double junctions at New Mills South and Bugsworth (beyond Gowhole).


Those familiar with my approach to Peco trackwork on Grantham will perhaps recognise the style of adaptation to replicate prototypical track formations; all lessons learnt have been carried forward into the current project.

The model depicts the area in the 1950’s LMR era (although I didn’t like to be too particular, resulting in LMS-liveried 0-6-0’s rubbing shoulders with the Midland Pullman). Much of the operation of the layout was based around goods traffic arriving at Gowhole and being ‘sorted’ and then departing for their onwards destinations.

I was fortunate that several books covering the line were published giving detailed operational information, including full working timetables. This showed that goods traffic outnumbered passenger workings by as much as five to one at certain times of the day(!) Much of this was the inevitable coal traffic, Gowhole acting as a distribution point for block loads coming across the pennines from the South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire coalfields (and corresponding collection of empties returning back). I think I had approx 80 coal wagons (half wooden bodied, half steel) at the last count.

A complete loco diagramming exercise was undertaken and all locos running on the layout had a defined ‘purpose’ and specific plan of where they went next upon arrival at any location.


Passengers services were fewer by comparison, although the most recent aspect of the model involved the intended lower level fiddle yard morphing into a condensed representation of Manchester Central station. This I have decided will survive to become the ‘rest of the world’ at my proposed Carlisle layout.

As you can see, there was a fairly consistent approach to weathering and also carrying of correct lampcodes (lamps could be removed and re-positioned if required). In other respects though there was much finishing off work required, and only a spasmodic approach to signalling!


The layout has admirably served its purpose, allowed me to hone and define my railway modelling standard – and above all was great fun to operate. There were some interesting guests over the years, including a former Gowhole head shunter and a Heaton Mersey shed driver, who enjoyed driving ‘his’ 8F 48503 for one more time!

Hope this will be of interest. I took many pictures over the years and intend to have one final comprehensive photography session for posterity before the tracklifting gang move in in earnest so I should be able to post whatever folks might be interested in seeing a little more of.

'Robert'

Edited August 4, 2020 by LNER4479

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

Good heavens, even your practice layout is better than anything I've yet built! I would love to see more of this before it all disappears.

[LNER4479]

Thanks Dr G-F

 

I've never known a time when I didn't like making models so I guess I must have acquired some skills over the years. Ours is one of the few hobbies I think where you get better as you get older...

 

I have loads of print photographs taken over the years so will scan those in - but I can probably re-take most of them with my current D-SLR. One way or another, I'll get them posted in due course.

 

One interesting snippet for you seeing as how you like track so much. The alignment of the running lines you can see in the centre of the opening photograph was set by a computer! So I can only take partial credit for the lovely reverse sweep of them. I was doing some research into track alignment and used the programme I was working on one lunchtime to run the measurements from Gowhole through

[treggyman]

That's some layout

 

Ditto comment above regarding more pics.......Not my era but just looks so good & interesting would like to see more

 

Cheers Bill

[LNER4479]

Thanks for interest Bill - it certainly seems a little different to your area/era. I'll let you into a little secret though - I did allow a few (green) diesels on the layout, to represent the very end of the era being depicted. I've just realised that I do have one further picture to hand which I can post for now, which happens to show two of them...

[class"66"]

Thats good size layout you have....

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

That shot of New Mills Junction is exquisite - everything about it is authentic - lovely prototypical junction, midland signals and signal box, double telegraph poles, proper cess and ballast shoulder, just enough scenery to frame the railway. It reminds me very much of Don Rowland's work, it has that same ring of truth about it. And all done with off-the shelf rolling stock and Peco track, no super detailing, no P4, just imagination, observation and skill.

 

You Sir, are a genius.

[LNER4479]

Thats good size layout you have....

Thanks Cl.66. Especially as you don't profess to be a steam man (sounds like there's time for you to 'see the light' yet!) Lofts are of course good spacious places to set out a layout. The layout never really seem to suffer too much despite the hot and cold extremes; possibly this was due to the installation of a velux window. What you see is the result of over 20 years modelling so I guess I had plenty of time to build things up over that period.

 

That shot of New Mills Junction is exquisite... (modesty prevents me from re-quoting the rest).

 

Aw shucks Dr G-F - steady on now

 

But thanks all the same. It's one of my favourite shots of the layout and you have succinctly captured my approach to modelling in one sentence (although some of those vans are kit built with sprung buffers I'll have you know!). I'm under no illusion that many will take one look at a thread like this and quickly move on elsewhere. No problem; we're a broad church and there's plenty of room for all approaches. But it's gratifying when others like what you've done (and I do try and comment favourably on other threads I like in equal measure) and I value kind comments from youself and others.

 

Meanwhile, about to pass through the real Grantham at speed, heading back home with two rolls of cork and 17 yards of ex-Gowhole Peco for Grantham's fiddle yard

Edited December 12, 2012 by LNER4479

[class"66"]

Yer your have very impressive collection buddy!! Ive got few steam loco"s,"but" im bigg fan of 37"s and 66"s.....

[Alister_G]

I'm starting to model a bit of the line south of this location - Bakewell, so I'm busy researching the Manchester - Millers Dale - Derby workings. Your pictures are a great inspiration, and I'd love to see more.

 

Frankly, I don't know whether to be inspired or completely daunted by what you've done, as Dr G-F says you have perfectly captured the look and feel of the line and the area, and yet with a minimal amount of scenery.

 

I can only hope I can do half as well.

[LNER4479]

Hi All,

 

Glad my 'old' layout is of interest to some of you. I have just spent a nostalgic hour or so scanning in some of the best of previous print pictures taken over the years, so here they are. This should give a more comprehensive guided tour of the layout, together with an indication of stock built up over the years:

 

These two shots give an overall view of Gowhole sidings (complete with stock boxes beneath!). In the background can be seen the 'rest of the world' return loops. The infamous ICI hoppers make an early appearance (I made up 6 of them, resin castings from Peak Model shop in Buxton at the time).

 

Parked on Dolly Lane in the foreground is my Dad's Ford Anglia! This was a popular spot for local enthusiasts.

 

A 4F is turned on Gowhole's 60ft turntable. I made this (the turntable) from scratch, powered by human hand via a set of Meccano gears!

 

Altogether more exotic motive power from the East! Although not diagrammed, Hasland shed would occasionally turn out one of their Garratts to work a fully loaded coal train from Avenue sidings (Chesterfield) if the more usual 4F wasn't available. There is documentary and photographic evidence of this. They worked in via the Hope Valley route (sorry Alastair!)

 

Having been serviced, 47983, heads back for home with some coal empties (plus some assorted general traffic). I built the loco from an old K's kit. One (large) Mashima motor provides the 'grunt'.

 

A 'chance'(!) meeting of 3 8Fs at New Mills South. The two heading uphill have replacement Comet chassis, whilst Heaton Mersey's 48503 is an original Wrenn. Below the scene can be seen the route of Hayfield branch with the mainline control panel underneath that.

 

I quite like the angle of this view of a royal Scot sweeping downhill through the junction towards Manchester. As it was taken before the signals were installed and is a bit fuzzy in places, I'll have a go at re-taking with the DSLR for a future posting.

 

At new Mills Goods yard, a 2F (still in LMS livery) shunts the yard. This was another kit build, from a Geo Norton etched brass kit (bit too clean!)

 

Down at Manchester Central, Jubilee 45698 'Mars' prepares to head for the Peak District hills with a Liverpool-Nottingham express (which has reversed at the station). In the background, Fowler 2-6-2T 40067 waits to follow with a South District line local service. A D10 is on station pilot duties.

 

A view inside the trainshed. The 2-6-2T is reversing out having brought a rake of stock in, as 2P40470 (with Midland tender) arrives with a local from Chinley.

 

Finally some views at Heaton Mersey. This phot shows the sidings here which aren't actually prototypical, being a sort of amalgam of Georges Road and Heaton Mersey sidings (both of which only ever saw freight wagons!). But they served an operational purpose on the layout. As the Hayfield services ran from Manchester London Road (now Piccadilly) rather than Central then that is why the C13 is at the head of a local train!

 

This is one half of Heaton Mersey depot, which I did try and make reasonable prototypical (although horribly condensed). The 2P draws to a halt beneath the coaling stage.

 

The other half of the shed yard, showing the shed building. More 'exotic' motive power on view here, as one of the last former L&Y 7F 0-8-0s is a rather unlikely visitor (although they were recorded working into Gowhole yard with transfer freights from North Manchester). This is a London Road models kit, again wot I built.

 

The shed yard looked a bit bare so an impression of the engineman's signing-on building was added.

 

An 8F in repose to finish with. I took this one sunny day, with the sunlight coming in through the skylight, creating the characteristic light and shade effect. The shed building was made from hardboard, with the rough surface facing inwards. Painted, I think it gives a passable impression of brickwork?

 

 

i hope you've enjoyed this canter through the various aspects of the layout. It was certainly good fun putting it together. Feel free to ask any questions if you want to know more about any particular aspect(s).

 

'Robert'

Edited February 25, 2021 by LNER4479

[class"66"]

Luv the fine detailing in places around your layout!!

[Guest bri.s]

That's what a layout should be plenty of everything sidings,junctions,big stations and goes all over the place trains everywhere will have see your other layout awesome stuff

 

[Allegheny1600]

A wonderfully atmospheric layout, I do admire such large steam layouts - they always look so good.

Note to self: must pop over and see your other thread, now!

Cheers,

John E.

[92220]

Thanks for sharing this with RMWeb before dismantling. Very interesting and inspiring pictures too. I echo Dr G-F's awe that this is effectively a practice run! Carlisle will be a walk in the park for you.

 

I expect you were forced to overcome all of the usual loft problems - temperature fluctuation, inacessibility for wiring, scenery and repair, dust, fauna etc etc, and not even at your home address. Gowhole is even more impressive for that.

 

Thanks,

 

Iain

 

[ess1uk]

That's some layout.

Shame mine at my Dad's never worked out the same.

No loft space in my house

Edited December 9, 2012 by ess1uk

[LNER4479]

Thanks guys for kind comments

 

That's what a layout should be plenty of everything sidings,junctions,big stations and goes all over the place trains everywhere will have see your other layout awesome stuff

 

Nicely put sir! I liked to think of it as a model of a railway 'system', with various different permutations and combinations of movements and operations. Certainly kept the interest going for 20 years.

 

I echo Dr G-F's awe that this is effectively a practice run! Carlisle will be a walk in the park for you.

 

Perhaps not quite a 'walk in the park' Iain, but certainly a concept along very similar lines - to recreate a railway system. By contrast, Grantham is a simple roundy-roundy!

[cheesysmith]

That picture of the scott at the junction, hard to believe that its peco pointwork. Photos like that should be in the peco catalog just to show that used effectively even peco can give realistically looking pointwork.

[LNER4479]

That picture of the scott at the junction, hard to believe that its peco pointwork. Photos like that should be in the peco catalog just to show that used effectively even peco can give realistically looking pointwork.

 

Thank you my friend. I've always enjoyed the challenge of trying to replicate prototype track formations with the Peco. If you do have time to read my other thread (Grantham) you'll find quite a bit of correspondence on there re use of Peco track.(but I guess you prefer Gowhole as it's nearer to Woodhead )

[trains12]

Hi

A great Layout. In 1990/91 I built a exhibition layout named Buxworth sidings which appeared in Railway modeller in 1993 which was based on Gowhole and which for the last 12 years has been set up at The Railway Study Centre here in North wales. It was shown at many shows up and down the country as well as at three shows in Europe Will post a few shots of it for you.

Keep up the good work

Peter

[LNER4479]

Hi Peter,

 

Yes I remember Buxworth Sidings - saw it at the Warrington show one year and was obviously of particular interest to me. Be good to be reminded of it again if you can post the shots.

 

Great Tunsley Dale looks awesome (especially when the steam is running!), some stunning structure modelling going on there.

[LNER4479]

Well, it's a long time since I posted anything on this topic, but there has been spasmodic things going on in the background. I have amended the topic title slightly to reflect the story...

 

As predicted, the story is one of gradual dismantlement, a process that started two years ago to provide the remaining fiddle yard track required for Grantham. So, although a sad story, I have nevertheless made a record (of sorts) as I've been going along and hope it might be of interest.

 

Inevitably, stock packing away is an early job. Some stock was retrieved, dusted down, serviced and made an appearance at the inaugural show appearance of Chapel-en-le-Frith at the Leeds show last year - handily, a lot of the Gowhole stock suits the location / era of the latter layout so may well yet make further appearances in time.

 

There never was a 'last train' or a closure special per se; however, I did set up this little cameo showing a train taking the Hayfield branchline for the last time. The signal box here was a crude half relief effort, growing out of the cutting side of New Mills South Junction (on the other side of the divide). Apologies for the crummy quality of this and next few pix as I only had a Blackberry camfone handy on this evening.

 

Not long after, the track removal gang have moved in. No-one seems to have told the signalman however, who remains defiantly at his post.

 

This is the junction at New Mills Central (never scenically developed) showing how the Hayfield branch diverged off to the left.

 

It wasn't long before the whole of the junction at New Mills had gone too! Note the contrast between the relatively newly replaced foam ballast and the original which has inevitably perished after more than 20 years in situ.

 

Recovered track being stockpiled at Gowhole.

 

Coming up to date, this view shows the former site of Manchester Central station, which has just been removed. The remaining arch structure was the way of getting through to the mainline control panel (right background), Central station only being about two feet off the ground.

 

However, to end on a brighter note, here is Manchester Central having been safely manipulated down through the loft hatch and temporarily stored in the spare room downstairs. It always was the plan that this would be retrievable and, one or two minor pieces of damage apart, so it proved. This part of layout is set for a new life as the 'rest of the world' for my future Carlisle project. Interestingly though the foam ballast has started to break down on these tracks as well so there'll be quite a bit of work to get it ready for further use.

 

Hope the above is of some interest, even if a somewhat melancholy subject.

Edited August 21, 2016 by LNER4479

[St Enodoc]

On 09/12/2012 at 13:11, LNER4479 said:

The infamous ICI hoppers make an early appearance (I made up 6 of them, resin castings from Peak Model shop in Buxton at the time).

I bought one of those (intended for the late but not lamented Hartford Junction) but never built it. It would have been easier to start from scratch.