LYS1 Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Goods Train
Being into Micromodels, I have always wanted to make some of the contemporary Millimodels produced by RS Madge, and at long last, I have now managed to get four sets thanks to a friend who couriered them here for me!
The first one I have decided to build is Set LYS1 a rather attractive little Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Goods Train.
It comes packed in the Micromodels format the cards are enclosed in a wrap around sleeve, with the instructions both on the inside and outside. Inside the sleeve are six cards nicely printed on thickish stock similar to the Micromodel thickness.
The kit comprises of 6 models to 1/200 scale -
- An Aspinall 0-6-0 loco
- The Loco Tender
- A Coal Wagon
- A Low Sided Wagon
- A 10 Ton Goods Van
- A 6 Wheeled Brake Van
These are spread across 5 cards the 6th card contains four strips of single line straight track.
Quality is great, and while the printed accompanying instructions are limited, they are up to par of the Micromodel standard and fine for anyone with Micromodelling experience.
But, there is also a fully detailed set of instructions (and hints and tips on making the models) on the Millimodels website.
Pictures 1 and 2 below show the kit and the 5 sheets with the models, while
Picture 3 is included to give you an idea of the scale/size!
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The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway is particularly interesting for a number of reasons....
In 1847 it came into existence when several existing railways were grouped to form the L&YR, making it the third-largest railway system in Northern England.
However, the scale of the operation is quite startling, especially compared to todays operations ...
- It was the most densely trafficked system in the UK.
- It owned 1,650 locomotives.
- In the UK this gave it more locomotives per mile than any other railway company.
- It had 738 signal boxes all manned.
- Controlled junctions averaged 1 for every 2.5 miles/6 kms.
- It operated 1,904 passenger services, which filled a 60-page timetable!
- No two stations were more than 5.5 miles/9 km apart!
- It was the biggest shipowner in terms of railway companies (running services across the North Sea and Irish Seas.
- It was the first mainline railway to introduce electrification.
- 750,000 to 1,000,000 tickets were sold per YEAR out of automatic ticket machines starting in the 1840s.
- Numerous engineering feats were accomplished, an example being the Lockwood Viaduct.
Picture 4 The very attractive Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Herald/Badge.
Picture 5 - An 1840's L&YR Automatic Ticket Machine.
Picture 6 The Lockwood Viaduct.
Picture 7 - A L&YR steamer.
Off now to start cutting out pieces for the first piece of rolling stock!