Our dear departed friend, Andy York, was well known as the creator of the RMweb modelling forum. It was also clear, through his work on BRM, that he was a very skilled photographer and digital artist.
What was less well known was that Andy had a real soft spot for the railways and canals around the Black Country.
There was an idea burning away in the back of his mind and this was to build a layout based upon the Earl of Dudley’s private railway network. An industrial theme, a freight only line using small locos and in a prototype from the Black Country.
It was not uncommon whilst travelling with Andy or standing chatting for him to talk about the Earl of Dudley’s railways and his ideas for a layout. He was however seemingly always too occupied with RMweb and BRM to make a start on this project.
That changed in 2021 when renowned modeller, Geoff Taylor, decided to make some significant changes to his Dolgelley layout and Andy acquired a 12′ x 4′ L shaped section. It had some industry, and a river that could be converted to a canal, and Andy intended to use this to jump-start his Earl of Dudley project. It was erected in his shed and some fiddle yard boards made.
It was to have featured a Black Country landmark, the Crooked House pub, and was to have been named “Crooked House”.
The Crooked House pub (before it mysteriously burned down)
His wife has mentioned that he saw it as a long term retirement project. Sadly, he passed before being able to see his dreams come true. This layout has now been created by the Staffordshire Finescale Group with inputs from many many other RMweb members in memory of, and as a tribute to, Andy.
