Cliffhanger
see video
here
This text and the images in this website may be
used freely for exhibition guides and adapted if required.
This is the latest layout and
it is already making a great deal of news.
Cliffhanger is a 009 scale
model of the Glenthorne Harbour branch line that hangs
on the North Devon sea cliffs at Countisbury Loop.
Unusually, the 16ft long, 5ft high cliffs extend down to
the ground and is visually spectacular. At the foot of
the cliffs is a 1930s lido which is served by a
funicular railway which goes to the top of the cliffs.
The era modelled is the summer of 1935.
The model is a celebration of
the famous North Devon cliffs. They are the highest in
the UK and the only place where native oak trees descend
right down to the shore (in the lee of Countisbury
Head). They are also famous for waterfalls which crash
right down to the sea. Our waterfall is animated! We
think this is a first.
Trains bring coal and other
goods from Glenthorne harbour and climb towards County Gate, the junction
with the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. Passengers are also brought to and
from the harbour and may alight at the loop and take the funicular down to
the lido.
Operation is controlled by
an advanced DCC system which will allows for automation with a laptop
computer using Railroad and Co software. There are ambient and train sounds.
awards
Horsham Model railway Club Best in show 2013
Southwold Model Railway
Show 2014 'best in show'
main feature articles on
Cliffhanger
British Railway Modelling July 2012
British Railway Modelling December 2012
Railway Modeller December 2012
Cliffhanger was first displayed at Warley 2012. These
are some of the published comments:
"top of my list was
Cliffhanger. Very impressive."
"Could get no closer to Cliffhanger than about three
deep at the funicular end, I assume it was. The sheer
scale of this was breathtaking, would have liked to
spend longer and get closer to this masterpiece."
"Cliffhanger was just jaw dropping. The sheer scale of
the thing is just astounding."
"County Gate and Cliffhanger took my eye as these were
really the only 'fully scenic' models on show"
"Best models for me would be Cliffhanger"
"Highlights included the incomparable
Cliffhanger, County Gate and Bratton Fleming"
"Impossible to get close to all day, crowds three deep
admiring the wall of cliff and trees that almost touched
the floor"
"Surprisingly, as I'm not
much of a fan of narrow gauge modelling, I thought a few
of the narrow-gauge layouts were fantastic. Real
modelling of railways set in the landscape, rather than
tacking on some scenery to a layout.
Cliffhanger and County Gate spring to mind."
"Favourite layouts (in no particular order) were Bratton
Fleming, La Baraque, Charmouth, County Gate, Hospital
Gates, Bath Green Park, Stamford East and Loch Tat (and
it's rare that anything post-privatisation will even
begin to win me over). Liverpool Lime Street was
incredible to see, as were Cliffhanger and O'Connell
Street."
"You did well to get some photos of Cliffhanger....it
was always a four deep scrum whenever I went round
there...but well worth 'fighting' your way to the front
for. "
"I was thinking that Cliffhanger was probably the most
impressive display there until I got to the L&B live
steam.....throw in all the magnificent scenery you want
but you just can't beat the steam of a real steamer!"
"Cliffhanger was a very impressive layout; constructed
on a steeply angled base board. More on this superb
layout can be found on its website"
"Particularly enjoyed the
Cliffhanger layout, what a great idea.
"I really liked the idea of
the 'Cliffhanger' railway. A great layout with a
completely different approach to the hobby. "
|
our
needs as an exhibitor |
click on image to enlarge
There is a high lighting rig in
front of the model.
We require
the provision of three 13 amp sockets (two for
lighting). We can supply RCD plugs when required. We
also require the provision of one table (which cannot be
placed in specified clear area) and three chairs and a
crowd barrier.
If the
travel distance exceeds two hours (average speed 45mph) an
option to stay Sunday night is needed. A long wheelbase
Luton van must be rented from Thursday to Monday (as loading
is onerous)
We require
that the layout is insured at its quoted value of
£40,000 GBP
Stock is
valued at an additional £10,000 GBP
The model
railway is transported in a long wheelbase 'Luton' van.
At present prices, van hire costs about £350 for the
weekend. Fuel cost is calculated on the average fuel
consumption 18 miles/gallon (diesel). The layout is
loaded and unloaded from the van from its storage by
local farm workers and we have to charge £60 for that
service.
Rental for
the van is more if travelling abroad due to additional
insurance and recovery costs.
Time to
offload and assemble the layout to operating condition
is about 3 hours.
If you
would like further information for exhibiting Cliffhanger,
feel free to contact us
by
email.
General
requirements
1. We require
that the layouts are insured at their quoted value throughout
the transit from our home and during the show and during
its return to our home. The exhibition organiser is required to confirm
in writing that this is the case.
2.
We require that a suitable barrier is provided.
Many
exhibitions provide barriers of different kinds. The
barrier has to allow the free passage of a small mobility scooter
between the layout and itself.
3. Hotel
accommodation is also expected to be provided. If the
travel distance exceeds two hours (average speed 40mph) an
option to stay Sunday night is needed.
