Bob Hordern

As you can see there was plenty to measure up and develop. Working out how to set up for the traverser in its new site is the next stage......

Here is the alternative option for the table top on KB board vi. This allows the two layouts to be connected and the traverser to be re-attached within the Lofthouse boards . Next is a view across both layouts at this end of the garage. In the meantime I’ll be working on the changeover point and its operation. Its siting on the iron bridge will make intallation a bit tricky.

Scenery almost done............... LMS 3F #7471 pulls an ex-Midland Railway six wheeled coach towards Lofthouse.

Getting there but still to ballast, add a few trees, paint sky, etc but looking more like I want it to.

Second stage underway …… basic scenic cover first

Old track bed has gone, instead more landscape is now being added. Maybe I should move the fence line higher up.

Bringing the two layouts together - the pickup goods leaves the reservoir board heading for Kirtley bridge. Beginning to open up the space ready for the traverser to be moved in. The left hand boards will eventually move further along creating more room.

Here’s my first steps….. 1 - adding new Kirtley board 2 - building the curve 3 - track emerging onto Lofthouse

As you may remember it has always been my plan to somehow connect Kirtley Bridge to the rescued Lofthouse in Nidderdale. Having considered an external link beyond the garage doors I have decided to try and build an internal one instead - much more comfortable. So here goes……… So I separate the traverser table from the quarry board, build a 42” curve and reinstall it along the other wall. But must make all this reversible so KB can still go as it was to exhibitions. Wish me look!

A wider shot showing how the quarry, woodland and river help hide the traverser from public view.

Lovely work on those coaches Derek, your son clearly has the skill. I did have, but sadly not a task I fancy these days. Here is my pair of fully lined Clayton arcs at Kirtley Bridge, being drawn in by 2P #323. This is the early service from Leeds. Best regards, Bob

Hi Derek Had a look through your topic/thread and it looks really good. Reminds me of my 20 odd years in EM - the last layout being a post war Garsdale. Your Kirkby Malham looks very like DJ’s Kendal, albeit in a different scale. Best wishes, Bob

First proper running session since all the changes to the control panels... Here is the 'start of day' position in my fiddle yard/traverser. Here we go...... the mirror on the wall makes stopping trains easier when I am at the main panel 6 metres away.

Main panel now sited in new place on board #2. All good. Back to 'playing trains' again......

Latest arrival to the KB roster is an ex-Midland D530 van to carry parcels, newspapers etc.

I always wanted an LMS six wheel van in 7mm and even once bought one second hand. But it was not up to scratch and ended up being sold on and replaced by a parcels van. Before I consider another purchase (kit / 'used') I was wondering about its likely fit with my layout and its operations, where I wish to use it as an occasional brake (BGZ). My pre war branch passenger train - LMS 2P plus two or three Clayton coaches - would have the van attached to the rear. Would this be OK or were the vans essentially for faster passenger trains - hence them often having corridor connections fitted? Could I simply remove/not build these connections as all my coaches are non-corridor? I already add a daily horsebox to one service in a similar way. I'd prefer some precedence rather than just relying on rule one. Bob

A traverser upgrade One of the issues with my existing traverser has been the ‘play’ in the table and the way that this could lead to derailments in the loco headshunt – especially at exhibitions. So I have managed to modify the table to make things more secure. My plan was to retrofit the table with an adjustable door catch mechanism to control any wayward movement at the headshunt end of the traverser. Here’s the scheme. Preparing and fitting the roller ball and housingP Cut off one end. Next cut a slot through the baseboard to create clearance beside the headshunt. Secure table edge with half inch aluminium angle facing upwards, adjust ball and press catch firmly down into slot. Test all slides OK! Constructing and and fitting the table edge 'slots' Fix half inch PVC angle this time facing downwards over the aluminium edge. I had planned to use a single piece but in the end it was easier to build this up in sections, adjusting the spacings and gluing as I went along. This creates the four 'slots' to catch the roller ball. The last shot shows the full set with the ball finally adjusted. The housing is clamped not glued down (so it can be re-set or replaced if need be). Test slide is still OK. Testing with a loco These two shots of the 'dead' end show my 2P running from the headshunt back onto the traverser table. The beauty of this is that the alignment is now done by the ball and slots – viz it operates itself. All I have to do is set the 'active' end with my locking bolt and wait for the reassuring click of the ball catch at the other. Finishing the active end of the traverser table Here trains are ready to depart. Note that now the track is DCC, the whole table and headshunt plank are 'live', not just the selected siding as in DC. This means slightly more work for the operator but things are much more secure. The alignment bolt reverts to being simply a locking mechanism and is no longer needed as a power link.

Bit warm in the sun with the garage doors facing south. The sunshade is an old tent groundsheet rigged up to provide shower and sun protection. The new 'link' between layouts will replace the simple 'plank' shown here.

With the weather good and the garage doors open I have returned to the business of linking LOFTHOUSE and KIRTLEY BRIDGE. I've tacked down onto a ply board some very old Peco flexitrack to test what my locos can cope with. The curves shown are 48, 42 and 40.5 inches radii (the latter is about the same as Peco set-track). TANK LOCOS and rolling stock can cope from 48" right down to 40.5”. The latter is tight for some, however with new/well-laid track they should be OK. 4F 0-6-0 TENDER LOCO is ok at 48" but here again better track etc should mean 42" is good as well. 2P 4-4-0 TENDER LOCO is ok at both 48" and 42". In reality traffic up to Lofthouse was pulled by tank locos only, however if I should decide to use tender locos here I will need to set my minimum radius at 42". This means my semicircle beyond the garage doors can begin at 48", transition down to 42” and then back up to 48". It may not look that good but it's technically off-scene. I just need to find the time to do it! Bob

Here's another two controller manoeuvre revealing another busy moment LMS autotrain - 0-4-4 #1275 leaving from bay platform - on fiddle yard throttle tender of LMS 2P - 4-4-0 #323 reveals passenger train waiting - on recall brake of goods train passing via the loop heading up to Dalehead - on Kirtley Bridge throttle Jinty at coaling stage - on recall The recall facility on both throttles is very useful allowing you to be ready to move quickly to the next loco.

Know it quite well Ade, and a couple of our club members volunteer at Embsay

Main panel indicates to the operator how two throttles can operate at the same time............ line of RED LEDs means controller 1 is set for the quarry train travelling from the quarry to the station loop or goods yard line of GREEN LEDs shows controller 2 allowing the mixed traffic train to enter the main platform Routes via either of the two crossovers obviously mean one train only and the indicator LEDs will alter to reflect this.

Two controller operations at last... The mixed traffic train, seen earlier and pulled by LMS Fowler 3F 0-6-0 #3471, is seen heading for Dalehead via the main platform at Kirtley Bridge. It is soon overtaking the slower mineral train - Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 #6 plus three loaded open wagons - destined for the goods loop at Kirtley Bridge. This is the operator's view of the mill not usually seen by visitors.

A second Powercab (Procab) now sits in its new DIY housing, ready to work the Wharfedale end of the layout. It will operate the fiddleyard, quarry sidings and some goods traffic arrivals. Here a mixed train, with a passenger coach and various wagons, leaves for Kirtley Bridge.

DCC up and running well now. Here's the 07.45 - first train of the day... This carefully weathered workmens train arrives at the platform for its last pickup. The Ixion Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 #6 will next propel the Slaters six-wheel coach to Hebden Beck Quarry. With only one shift per day and no Sunday working it seems the quarry's heyday is now gone. The station building betrays the Midland heritage of this line.