Haltwhistle

Some 25 years ago, I decided to restore marital harmony by switching my modelling efforts from a 28ft X 10ft OO ’Pity Me’ layout in the loft to a small N layout in the garage. I am sure there are other modeller’s wives who fail to adapt to footsteps above while trying to sleep. I decided that, unlike previous OO layouts, I would model a real place – and where better than Haltwhistle on the South Tyne where I spent my Childhood?

The Layout is only 8ft X 5ft, and in the limited space I have fitted the entire station with staggered platforms and the branch to Alston as well as the South Tyne complete with Road Bridge & Viaduct. There is off-site storage for up to 16 trains. Some compression and use of my Modellers License was needed. There is also a scale model of ‘wor hoose’, the New Inn and the abode of my Scout Master Ivan Renwick. The layout was not designed for exhibition – it is for me to stand in the middle admiring my efforts as the trains go by. Viewers outside the layout have to ‘peer in’. Since I am old and resistant to change, electrics were last at the cutting edge in the 1970s and most of the 27 points are driven by Hammant & Morgan point motors from the same era.

The photo below shows a deaf platelayer standing on the rail spreading ballast while his equally deaf Lookout, flag abandoned, is taking a PNB (Physical Needs Break) against the bush. The platelayer jumps out of danger just before the train hits him!