A DUCHESS AT CARLISLE
Factfile
Layout name: Duchess of Carlisle
Scale/Gauge: 4mm:1ft / 1:76 / OO
Size: 6ft 8in x 2ft 8in
Era/Region: 1930s onwards - LMS & BR(M)
Layout type: End-to-end diorama module
Anyone familiar with Railway Art will be aware of Barry J. Freeman’s work, especially in connection with Hornby. Its ‘Duchess at Carlisle’ train pack, released in 2011, included a print by the artist of a Coronation Class locomotive in LMS crimson emerging from Carlisle Citadel Station. When I first saw this stunning painting, my first reaction was to ask why a locomotive seemed to be coming out of the side of a Cathedral! Of course, a quick search revealed the Gothic facade to be one of Carlisle’s magnificent end screens erected during the 1880 expansion, now sadly lost to posterity. This beautiful example of Victorian architecture was so impressive that I knew, at some point, I would have to model it.
After a fair bit of research, the sketch pad came out and a rough plan for a slice of Carlisle Citadel Station was drawn up. The layout would need to serve two functions. Firstly, it would provide the final link in my loft runaround scheme and connect up my Perry Barr (BRM November 2018) and High Trees Junction (BRM March 2020) layouts. Secondly, the cameo would provide a scenic plank for my collection of steam locomotives. While not an exact copy, the scheme would contain most of the signature elements of the north
