BARROWFLEET Scale 4mm - 1ft. Gauges 9mm & 16.5mm ('009' & '00') by Hull Miniature Railway Society

Size: 14ft x 2ft (4.2m x 0.6m) (plus operator space), Operators: Four, Transport: Two cars.

The area of' north Lincolnshire between the River Humber and the New Holland to Barton branch line boasted a thriving industry in the manufacture of bricks and tiles. Clay was dug out of the ground by a variety of different diggers leaving large water filled pits behind. When the original clay pits had been exhausted, clay was transported from more distant pits to the works by narrow gauge railway. Barrowfleet attempts to portray the railway activity of the area during the early 1970's.

The River Humber wash bank runs along the front of the layout, with disused claypits immediately behind in the centre. Clay is brought from a far pit, by narrow gauge railway, under the Barton branch. This narrow gauge "rabbit hole" (long since diused, but still visible today) tended to flood and had to be continually pumped dry, hence the pump hut at the top of the incline. The brickworks building and its track layout are modelled on those at Broomfleet on the north Humber bank (East Yorkshire). At the other end of the layout (left) is a dock which was once used to transfer clay to barges for transport to a cement works in Hull.

Behind the dock, on the standard gauge, is a model of Barrow Haven halt, served by a regular DMU from New Holland Town (and New Holland Pier for ferry connections), terminating at Barton. Ammonia tanker traffic, from Ince, also passes Barrow Haven on its way to the Britag fertilizer factory near Barton. Narrow gauge traffic is exclusively tipper wagons pulled (or pushed) by Lincoln-built Rustons and a variety of other diesel locomotives. Additional railway interest is provided by a narrow gauge preservation society which runs steam hauled passenger trains up the disused dock line at "weekends" when industrial activity is dormant.

Standard gauge operation is enhanced by the provision of a private siding. Industrial activity in the area today is considerably reduced and only one narrow gauge line is still in operation. This runs under the southern end of the Humber Bridge at Barton and can occasionally be seen working during weekdays.

Ref: Railway Modeller Feb 1993 & April 1995, Model Railways Illustrated Jan 1995

The first train of the morning leaving the tipping shed for the clay pits	Weekend working by the enthusiasts
A line up of threee of Barrowfleeet locos	Full tippers arriving at the works

This layout can be seen at the following Shows:

Page updated:10th May 2020