The Ashworth Branch Feb 2023

BRMA Galleries»British»NSW Layout - 0552 - Ashworth Branch

1. MR Deeley 1528 shunting in the old yard at Ashworth Class leader No.1528, a Deeley shunting engine, shunts wagons into siding no.3 in the old yard sidings at Ashworth. The track here dates back to 1988 and is hand built using Slaters sleepers, rivets and cosmetic chairs – each chair comprising three parts. C&L is easier! (Andrew Turner photo). Copyright Andrew Turner
1 Class leader No.1528, a Deeley shunting engine, shunts wagons into siding no.3 in the old yard sidings at Ashworth. The track here dates back to 1988 and is hand built using Slaters sleepers, rivets and cosmetic chairs – each chair comprising three parts. C&L is easier! (Andrew Turner photo).
Copyright Andrew Turner
 2. Waiting room platform 2 and 3 Ashworth The waiting room sits between platforms 2 and 3 at Ashworth. The structure is scratch built based on similar buildings on the MR mainline
2 The waiting room sits between platforms 2 and 3 at Ashworth. The structure is scratch built based on similar buildings on the MR mainline
 3. LNWR Webb Greater Britain class Scottish Chief waits on the engine road The Ashworth Branch is MR circa 1907, somewhere near Huddersfield. The LNWR and LYR have running powers to Ashworth, but not on the minor line to Cheapside. Here we see “Scottish Chief”, one of Webb’s 3 cylinder compound 2-2-2-2’s of the Greater Britain class. The real loco was scrapped in 1906 but we have assumed they lingered on a year to two later. Copyright Andrew Turner
3 The Ashworth Branch is MR circa 1907, somewhere near Huddersfield. The LNWR and LYR have running powers to Ashworth, but not on the minor line to Cheapside. Here we see “Scottish Chief”, one of Webb’s 3 cylinder compound 2-2-2-2’s of the Greater Britain class. The real loco was scrapped in 1906 but we have assumed they lingered on a year to two later.
Copyright Andrew Turner
 4. MR Johnson 1265 waits to shunt local passenger to platfrom 1 There is a regular MR passenger service between Ashworth and Cheapside. Here we see no. 1265, one of Johnson’s 0-4-4T of the 1252 class. The engine is a Slaters kit with largely scratch built compensated chassis. Generally, compensation has been used rather than springing, as it is easy to apply to four and six coupled engines.
4 There is a regular MR passenger service between Ashworth and Cheapside. Here we see no. 1265, one of Johnson’s 0-4-4T of the 1252 class. The engine is a Slaters kit with largely scratch built compensated chassis. Generally, compensation has been used rather than springing, as it is easy to apply to four and six coupled engines.
5. LNWR 2244 and train at Ashworth The LNWR also provide a local passenger service, to Huddersfield. Chopper tank 2244 is at the head of a set of 6 wheel coaches built by Peter Cowling.
5 The LNWR also provide a local passenger service, to Huddersfield. Chopper tank 2244 is at the head of a set of 6 wheel coaches built by Peter Cowling.
 6. MR Johnson 1758 being turned ready for next duty The engine and goods yard are situated near the throat at Ashworth. The mainline starts to fall at 1 in 100 almost immediately. MR 1758, a Johnson engine of the 1698 class, has been built from a FourTrack kit. Details of this engine can be found in the Locomotives Rolling Stock gallery
6 The engine and goods yard are situated near the throat at Ashworth. The mainline starts to fall at 1 in 100 almost immediately. MR 1758, a Johnson engine of the 1698 class, has been built from a FourTrack kit. Details of this engine can be found in the Locomotives Rolling Stock gallery
 7. 1758 departing Ashworth on a transfer freight to Cudworth 1758 is seen on a loaded coal train. Part of the operation at Ashworth is the arrival of loaded coal trains from local collieries which are remarshalled for MR and LYR destinations. Copyright Andrew Turner
7 1758 is seen on a loaded coal train. Part of the operation at Ashworth is the arrival of loaded coal trains from local collieries which are remarshalled for MR and LYR destinations.
Copyright Andrew Turner
 8. Weighing the load Ashworth Good Depot While 1758 departs a load dray is being weighed at the entrance to the Goods Depot. Copyright Andrew Turner
8 While 1758 departs a load dray is being weighed at the entrance to the Goods Depot.
Copyright Andrew Turner
9. Hello sailor Hello sailor! Copyright Andrew Turner
9 Hello sailor!
Copyright Andrew Turner
 10. View across Ashworth cattle dock to Toadmore Tunnel at rear There are cattle docks at Ashworth which are used regularly. The goods depot consists of only three sidings, one of which is very short. As a result, the cattle dock doubles as the coal siding. That, combined with MR, LNWR and LYR goods traffic generates a lot of shunting.
10 There are cattle docks at Ashworth which are used regularly. The goods depot consists of only three sidings, one of which is very short. As a result, the cattle dock doubles as the coal siding. That, combined with MR, LNWR and LYR goods traffic generates a lot of shunting.
 11. Toadmore tunnel with Ashworth engine yard at the higher level The Ashworth Branch itself completes one and a half laps of the train room (which is 6.7m x 4.3m). The line has to tunnel under itself to do this - part of that subterfuge is seen here. Engine 1528 is actually on the minor line to Cheapside, while the adjacent track is the main line to the fiddle yard.
11 The Ashworth Branch itself completes one and a half laps of the train room (which is 6.7m x 4.3m). The line has to tunnel under itself to do this - part of that subterfuge is seen here. Engine 1528 is actually on the minor line to Cheapside, while the adjacent track is the main line to the fiddle yard.
 12. A closer view of Ashworth engine yard A similar view showing more of the engine yard with the MR goods shed behind. The main line is double track to Grimeside where it is singled then immediately followed by the junction to the Cheapside.
12 A similar view showing more of the engine yard with the MR goods shed behind. The main line is double track to Grimeside where it is singled then immediately followed by the junction to the Cheapside.
13. Just enough room on the 50ft table for a MR Big Goods The turntable is 50’ diameter, quite a common size in the early 1900’s. The engine is 3835, the prototype of the 4F. Known as the Big Goods when first built, the engine was initially class 3. Deeley had proposed such an engine before his departure so I have assumed the engine was built 4 years earlier. Unlike most of my engines this one has a Ragstone sprung chassis while the tender has split axles with sprung beam suspension.
13 The turntable is 50’ diameter, quite a common size in the early 1900’s. The engine is 3835, the prototype of the 4F. Known as the Big Goods when first built, the engine was initially class 3. Deeley had proposed such an engine before his departure so I have assumed the engine was built 4 years earlier. Unlike most of my engines this one has a Ragstone sprung chassis while the tender has split axles with sprung beam suspension.
 14. A busy scene at Boundsell Viaduct A busy scene at Boundsell Viaduct, with New Sheppy Cut below. Minters Metalliferrous Manufactory was initially built to hide the lever frame at Ashworth. I have several other buildings that have been progressively modified over the years. Copyright Andrew Turner
14 A busy scene at Boundsell Viaduct, with New Sheppy Cut below. Minters Metalliferrous Manufactory was initially built to hide the lever frame at Ashworth. I have several other buildings that have been progressively modified over the years.
Copyright Andrew Turner
 15. MR Kirtley 1204 at Minter Road Tunnel Engine 1204 is a Kirtley back tank engine and the oldest in service having been built when I was 25 – now close to 40 years ago. It will shortly be rebuilt with a modern spur drive gearbox – the existing drive train is worm and gear which works ok, but it has always sounded like a concrete mixer that has lost several bearings.
15 Engine 1204 is a Kirtley back tank engine and the oldest in service having been built when I was 25 – now close to 40 years ago. It will shortly be rebuilt with a modern spur drive gearbox – the existing drive train is worm and gear which works ok, but it has always sounded like a concrete mixer that has lost several bearings.
 16. LNWR G2 class 2246 running light engine approaches Boundsell Viaduct A more recent acquisition is a professionally built LNWR G2 class no. 2246. No excuses for this engine, I just like it. It will serve while I build the Class C 0-8-0 that I really should be using.
16 A more recent acquisition is a professionally built LNWR G2 class no. 2246. No excuses for this engine, I just like it. It will serve while I build the Class C 0-8-0 that I really should be using.
17. Trains passing at Grimeside station 1204 can be seen on an Up empty cattle train at Grimeside, while MR Johnson 1841 is in charge of the local passenger ex Cheapside. The track curvature here is down to 1.5m radius but even with reduced side play this hasn’t presented any problems. The layout is designed such that all curves are normally viewed from inside the curve – this, combined with relatively short engines and coaches makes sharp curves less obvious.
17 1204 can be seen on an Up empty cattle train at Grimeside, while MR Johnson 1841 is in charge of the local passenger ex Cheapside. The track curvature here is down to 1.5m radius but even with reduced side play this hasn’t presented any problems. The layout is designed such that all curves are normally viewed from inside the curve – this, combined with relatively short engines and coaches makes sharp curves less obvious.
 18. Mr and Mrs Smallwood sorting out luggage and dog at Grimeside A close up view of MR Johnson 1841 – a member of the 1833 class. Mr and Mrs Smallwood are somewhat pre-occupied with luggage and dog. Where is the porter when you need one?
18 A close up view of MR Johnson 1841 – a member of the 1833 class. Mr and Mrs Smallwood are somewhat pre-occupied with luggage and dog. Where is the porter when you need one?
 19. Webb Teutonic class Pacific on a local passenger train to Ashworth An LNWR semi fast from Leeds approaching New Sheppy Cut. Like most of my LNWR stock the engine and coaches are from the estate of John Kennerley, a former BRMA member and very good modeller. The engine is a Teutonic class Webb 3 cylinder compound, being a 2-2-2-0. Built professionally it originally had a motor for each driving axle and had a top speed that would put a Porsche to shame. It now has a single motor with chain drive to the second driving axle, and is a much reformed character.
19 An LNWR semi fast from Leeds approaching New Sheppy Cut. Like most of my LNWR stock the engine and coaches are from the estate of John Kennerley, a former BRMA member and very good modeller. The engine is a Teutonic class Webb 3 cylinder compound, being a 2-2-2-0. Built professionally it originally had a motor for each driving axle and had a top speed that would put a Porsche to shame. It now has a single motor with chain drive to the second driving axle, and is a much reformed character.
 20. Cheapside coal yard Cheapside is the minor terminus and this view shows the coal yard looking towards the station, which is beyond the road bridge.
20 Cheapside is the minor terminus and this view shows the coal yard looking towards the station, which is beyond the road bridge.
21. The sidings at Cheapside coal yard A view of Cheapside cola yard from the station side of the bridge. Boundsell viaduct and Minters Metalliferrous Manufactory can be seen in the background.
21 A view of Cheapside cola yard from the station side of the bridge. Boundsell viaduct and Minters Metalliferrous Manufactory can be seen in the background.
 22. Coal merchant offices at Cheapside The coal merchants’ offices at Cheapside.
22 The coal merchants’ offices at Cheapside.
 23. Cheapside throat with MR Johnson 1952 shutynbing MR Johnson no.1952 is seen here shunting coke wagons adjacent to Cheapside throat. Cheapside still requires finishing off – signals, the station building and backscene are the main tasks.
23 MR Johnson no.1952 is seen here shunting coke wagons adjacent to Cheapside throat. Cheapside still requires finishing off – signals, the station building and backscene are the main tasks.
 24. Goods train arriving at Cheapside Finally, a view of Cheapside station. The goods train on the right has just arrived. Much shunting will now ensue to place arriving wagons and form outgoing trains. There is no run round loop so two engines are required to complete the shunting. The layout is effectively a more complicated version of an inglenook layout and is tremendous fun to operate.
24 Finally, a view of Cheapside station. The goods train on the right has just arrived. Much shunting will now ensue to place arriving wagons and form outgoing trains. There is no run round loop so two engines are required to complete the shunting. The layout is effectively a more complicated version of an inglenook layout and is tremendous fun to operate.
The Ashworth Branch February 2023 Captions
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