A 009 layout by John Varley
Scale 4mm /Ft. (1/76)
Gauge 9mm 009

Ghylldale is an imaginary narrow gauge railway set on the Yorkshire Coast nestling beneath the North York Moors. Here the steep sided, sinuous valleys have been an obstacle to transport for centuries.  Although standard gauge railways thread their way along Eskdale and Newtondale, some of the lesser known dales might well have been usefully served by the narrow gauge. 

Let us imagine a small quay on the estuary of the River Rye.  The little railway which serves it, provides an outlet for timber, stone, wool and other produce.  Inward goods are in the form of coal, fertiliser, fish and all the necessities of life which the scattered communities of Ghylldale cannot produce for themselves.

Ghylldale takes its name from the fictional village which appeared on the cover of   “Dalesman” magazine for many years. I am indebted to the late Mr. Jos Armitage, (IONICUS) who painted those pictures, for allowing me to use the title.

The quayside was made using DAS modelling compound, spread thinly onto a base of MDF or thick card.  Whilst the DAS was still soft, the paving cobbles and the quay wall were impressed using a piece of plastic strip and a small screwdriver.

I am grateful to Darryl Foxwell who built the boats for allowing me to use them on the layout.

Buildings, typical of the Yorkshire coast and moors  are being added all the time.  The “Central Stores” are based on a shop of the same name, and cottages at Hutton-le-Hole.  The low relief cottages behind the pub are a mirror image of “The Stocks” at Robin Hood’s Bay.

Most of the locomotives are based, some more loosely than others, upon prototypes built by famous  Leeds engineers such as  Manning Wardle, Hunslet Engine Co.  and Hudswell Clarke.

The occasional visitor will appear from time to time.  Amongst these, are freelance ‘Colonial’ type locomotives built by Gary Whiting. Gary, one of the earliest  members of the 009 Society has built a number of  larger narrow gauge locomotives.  Some of these may be running during the show.