From the US, I was introduced to Heckmondwike, Proto 4, and British model railways in general as a teenager in the 1980's when I was given a used copy of 'The Encyclopedia of Model Railroads', published 1979. This is the first I've seen of this layout in action, so thank you for making this video!
Heckmondwike has never been bettered, in my view. It's a perfect evocation of busy railways "up North" in the UK. The atmosphere of grit and grime of the industrial North of England is perfectly created by the superb weathering of the stunning scratch-built buildings and railway infrastructure and, of course, the trains. Yes, truly brilliant.
Scalefour Society, Well this takes me back when no one knew if S4 would work. The layout was built at the hight of the P4/ Scale 4 controversey. When Heckmondwike made it's first exhibition appearance people were crowded right around the viewing side. Everyone wanted to see an express passenger train at full speed. The two G.W.R. carriages on the rear of the last express I used to know why they were there and where they came from. Forgotten in the mists of time I'm afraid. The film was made by the members before the layout finally closed. When not on exhibition it was housed in a large shed on the late Ken Yorks property. Cheers, Chris Perry.
From the US, I was introduced to Heckmondwike, Proto 4, and British model railways in general as a teenager in the 1980's when I was given a used copy of 'The Encyclopedia of Model Railroads', published 1979. This is the first I've seen of this layout in action, so thank you for making this video!
Heckmondwike has never been bettered, in my view. It's a perfect evocation of busy railways "up North" in the UK. The atmosphere of grit and grime of the industrial North of England is perfectly created by the superb weathering of the stunning scratch-built buildings and railway infrastructure and, of course, the trains. Yes, truly brilliant.
Scalefour Society, Well this takes me back when no one knew if S4 would work. The layout was built at the hight of the P4/ Scale 4 controversey. When Heckmondwike made it's first exhibition appearance people were crowded right around the viewing side. Everyone wanted to see an express passenger train at full speed. The two G.W.R. carriages on the rear of the last express I used to know why they were there and where they came from. Forgotten in the mists of time I'm afraid. The film was made by the members before the layout finally closed. When not on exhibition it was housed in a large shed on the late Ken Yorks property. Cheers, Chris Perry.
great episode, and what an iconic layout