Kingmoorkid

It might have been through the arch but sadly can't remember, do remember it was a Greenall Whitley establishment by then though. I was an avid spotter as a kid in early 70's when Carlisle's still had much of its old infrastructure, with a massive working marshalling yard, goods lines, trip workings, signal boxes, proper goods trains, diesel variety, wheeltappers etc etc. Electrification started a change but 40 years later there are still many of the remnants of the infrastructure around. Building Carlisle in EM with such detail ranks as one of the biggest modelling projects I've ever seen - it certainly deserves a thread as the glimpses we've had so far are quite tantalising. Simon

It was the Central Hotel when I was a lad. Used to work part time in Woolworths opposite and would often 'lunch' in the cellar bar which was under the hotel, it was nicknamed the Dive and was ropey even in the mid/late 1970's. I think there was an separate entrance either from the front by means of some steps near the main entrance or down the East side. Can't remember going through the hotel reception. If great models are created to invoke great memories - this really hits the mark for me. Simon

Here is 60024 carrying its Clitheroe Castle name plates pulling the Preston Lanfina to Lindsey Oil Refinery Tanks at Hall Royd junction today.

I saw this and thought of you (part2). I took Junior Kingmoorkid to Dent for first time last Monday - he was impressed that he can actually walk across the tracks over a crossing on his own using just the simple skills of looking and listening - no flashing lights, no fluorescent jackets, no supervision! Anyway took some pictures which just reinforce how you have absolutely nailed the magic of Dent. It hasn't changed that much in the 40 years I've been going up there, just wish the signal box was still standing really was an integral part of the scene. Kingmoorkid

Mike Continuing my 'I saw this and thought of you' posts - here's a view of Dent station that you don't often see. For those not familiar with the topography I'm half way up Great Knoutberry Fell looking West across Dent Station to the Lake District about 30 miles away.

I saw this and thought of you. Making a pleasant change from the usual industrial tanks LYR Class 27 was out and about on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey line on Tuesday, just about 10 miles from your front door! Just getting some of those 21t hoppers onto my workbench - picked up a couple of cheap Parkside kits from Dave's Cherished Trains at Hellifield station (if you haven't been well worth the relatively short trip as you never know what might be for sale). Kingmoorkid

Jeff/Jason Sounds like a grand weekend in Bingley and Haworth - but I'm going to trump that 4F with an 8F that was running on the KWVR mid week. 95280 in all its glory. Now I've done extensive research and can confirm this specific engine pulled a 12 coach troop special from Bacup to Warcop via Kirkby Stephen during the morning on 1st April 1959! Keep the good work going - it's even inspired me to get a bit of modelling done in past couple of weeks. Simon (whose been lurking but not contributing much!)

Jeff et al On subject of local trains DMUs were around in 1966/67 by look of reference material I have. The local Bradford Carlisle stoppers seemed to have a wide range of steam haulage right up to 1966, in MIchael Welch book Settle and Carlisle Steam Finale (full colour highly recommended - Runpast Publishing ) there are pictures of Britannia 70035 on three stanier coaches in 1964, 70006 with three mark ones in 1966, Clan 72006 in 1965 and my favourite Royal Scot 46152 with three coaches, a bogie parcels van, four vans and a DMU being towed north in 1965. Something there for everyone. And I've found in same volume 3f number 43295 heading a freight south in 1957, and a superb picture of a very grubby WD 90243 heading some Covhops north at Dent in 1966. Few locals from Bradford to Garsdale headed by 2-6-4 Stanier and Fairburn Tanks and a Carlisle to Appleby with a Fowler 2-6-4. Its well worth tracking down this book if you can. Simon (KK)

Jeff I've attached a link to the David Hey collection - great site with some links to sites by a selection of photographers and a few anecdotes - a real goldmine. There is a load of stuff from Aire Valley, Holbeck, S&C etc. Diesels over S&C in 1960s were mainly class 25s and class 40s and 45s on freight with occasional class 24 and 47 and nearly always Holbeck class 45s on expresses. The Metrovic COBOs double headed on Condor ran in very early 1960s. 37s were a rarity until early 1980s as were the Class 31s which didn't often get passed Blea Moor. Rails in The Fells has picture of double headed Claytons at Armathwaite but that was a bit of a one off I think. http://www.davidheyscollection.com/ I haven't got any books dedicated to 1960's diesels on the S&C but smattering of good colour pictures in various publications. If you want something specific I'll dig something out. Cheers Simon

How confusing ... Bacup stuff at Luneside the only two layouts that I'm avidly following. That chimney must have some sentimental value Sandside not many in the Aire Valley with a 45 degree top! Anyway popped into Ingrow on the KWVR yesterday just in time to see the 4F 43924 passing, until comments on these sites about left and right hand drive never realised there was a difference. All I can say is that with the 4F all the exciting action goes on between the frames....brilliant to see in detail and it sounded great as well. Think it's a sensible idea to extend your modelling period Jeff - a 10 year period from say 1957 to 1967 should cover a lot of bases, although it might cost a fortune. Keep up the good work... Simon.. (KK)

Jeff I know I kicked the vent idea off but having looked at the pictures I'm in the no Vent camp as well now - I don't think it would look like it was in the right place in relation to the tunnel mouth. Good decision. Get some walls up that hillside. Simon

Jeff Fantastic progress - the walls and fells are looking superb, that green stuff really has brought the fell to life, looking forward to the Air Shaft, I was up at Blea Moor last Friday but didn't get past the Signal Box, (the Ribblehead to Chirk log train is an impressive sight over the viaduct though). I haven't bothered posting recently (too much else going on) but I've been tracking progress on this and on my new near neighbour's Bacup - both proving inspirational. The 4F looks great - the Skipton based ones were regulars on the line early to mid 60's but they seem to have had tender cabs I think for extra protection when working snow ploughs. Now autumn is fast approaching I'll be making more sensible contributions to the cause.... Simon (KK) Here's a photo I know all Lunesters like a nice S&C picture!

Evening Jeff There never seemed to be much cleaning of diesels at Kingmoor - they were pretty grubby by the early 60s from photographic evidence. When I started spotting in early 70's the Class 25s and 40s allocated to D10 Preston Division were often in filthy green livery which they had carried for ten years plus, I suspect they had had minimal external cleaning in that period, but still seemed mechanically sound. I think a well weathered diesel on some well weathered wagons will look the business trundling over that viaduct. There are a few livery options to go for as well - how about a lightly weathered all green Holbeck Peak with no white stripe, split headcodes and small yellow ends as seen on D16 in 1967. Your rate of progress is impressive by the way - the walls are fantastic. Cheers KK (Simon)

Great picture but I think its approaching Ais Gill from the North and that's Wild Boar Fell in the background. Still a great place to watch steam specials & freight trains go by, loaded coal and log trains are passing here at about 10 miles an hour as they struggle the last few yards to the summit. KingmoorKid (Simon)

Jeff Great start with the weathering - this aqueducty/bridgey thing is really very good and it's going to look great when in situ. Small point of correction it was Gargrave not Garsdale. Think that green slime finish in the shady parts will be hard to reproduce convincingly anyway.... Simon (KK)

Bodgit It even looks OK standing still - after being a rusty basket case not that long ago it is a great credit to the restoration team, I'm sure there will be gnashing of teeth from few purists but I guess it will be in green at some point in the future. Lets hope they add one of those yellow diagonal stripes..... KK

While you lot have been discussing dry stone walls the Kingmoorkid has been out today amongst the dry stone walls watching the trains. In this case a BR Maroon Jubilee 45699 on it's loaded test run. Now I know it's not an authentic livery but it looks OK to me, and for some reason better than the LMS equivalent. It's not the best picture I've ever taken but a Jubilee at speed is always worth a look at.

OK I'll admit to be a Bacupster as well - from chimney pots to Black Fives, quite inspirational. The Craven DMU looks great now. KK

Jeff Think it looks great - I'm posting another Gargrave bridge pic (took these weeks ago while waiting for some steam engine working that never turned up) you might not spot it but on each of the stones there is an indentation in the middle where the masons lifted it into position - if you want the ultimate in accuracy....... Still love the fantastic colouring though.

Jeff I'm still monitoring progress (or lurking) but been a bit busy in past couple of weeks - glad to see the Air Shaft for Lune Fell is still in the pipeline. Anyway progress on the bridge/aqueduct is going well, couple of interesting comments in previous threads about finish - so thought I'd attach photo of overbridge at Gargrave Station which isn't a million miles from your design and has a wonderful 'patna' after 150 years of weathering.

Like that last picture - is it just me or does it like a resting Polar bear! Was walking the Dales Way up the real river Lune yesterday alongside the old Low Gill route - a couple of fantastic viaducts over the river, sadly forgot camera, the Low Gill viaduct on a curve with an old pack horse bridge below, is worth a look at from a detail perspective. Kingmoor .

Evening all, can't really afford to go missing for a few days on this thread (Wedding Anniversary, Easter, kids, father, etc etc) I see you've been moving mountains Jeff - plan c looks like a winner and I like the idea of the aqueduct/bridge. I didn't get any pictures of the south end of Blea Moor but the watercourse over the railway is a substantial construction about 15' wide with retaining walls, a stepped stone set base and plenty of stone work. The aqueduct in Dentdale is a lot simpler. Should be fun building whatever you fancy. KK

Jeff - too true there. Can't get car off my drive in Ilkley it's about a foot deep, hasn't been this bad for a few years. Think the S&C is still closed, snowploughs have been sent to Kirkby Stephen area so must be drifting badly up there. No snow in Carlisle though. Bizarre. Kingmoorkid

Just spotted the Copyright Peter Robinson on that plan - if I plug his excellent book 'Railway Centres - Carlisle - Ian Allan 1986' perhaps I'll avoid a court appearance.

[ Hi Jeff, good to see some pics and the Viaduct is getting further away, wonderful stuff mate. I will have to get the Kingmoor Kid involved with my new shed layout Annes Hill MPD as it will be based around Carlisle Canal. Bodgit Bodgit - you just have to ask! Canal closed when I was 4 but I do remember a walk from school circa 1971 when we visted the old shed site and the coaling tower was still there. I've plenty of reference material on the Waverley. Here's a start for you. Canalkid. Ha ha ha