Tributes paid to Herbert Clarkson, 85

Skilled Herbert Clarkson spent decades producing an array of locomotive models alongside his father at their workshop in Monkgate for shows across the country, including those at the city's National Railway Museum.

Mr Clarkson was born in York and joined his father's company, H Clarkson and Son, in 1950 before opening a specialist arm of the company a decade later.

The Layerthorpe firm, which was based where Halfords is found today, received fame in 1966 for building a six tonne mini-loco - River Mite - which was transported 200 miles to the Lake District to form part of a display.

The brown and gold locomotive was about the third of a size of a full scale steam engine and was purchased by the Ravenglass and Eskdale 15-inch gauge railway.

H Clarkson and Son closed in the mid 1980s, but Mr Clarkson continued as a sole trader and was commissioned by Rolls Royce and British Rail to build prototypes and display models.

The great-grandfather, of Barmby-on-the Marsh, also built model steam locomotives for collectors worldwide and transport museums including the National Railway Museum.

In 2000 some of the models were on display in the Millennium Dome.

His wife Avril, 83, who Mr Clarkson celebrated 60 years of marriage to in September 2014, said: "Herbert loved his work.

"Over the years he worked with people from all over the UK and the world.

"It’s a testament to his generosity with his time and knowledge that many remained good friends. "When times were hard, he worked harder, yet still devoted time to his beloved family."

His granddaughter Stacey McVeighty, 34, added: "My Grandad was wonderful to be around.

"He was so intelligent but didn’t take himself too seriously, especially around his grandchildren.

"We all doted on him and loved to listen to his stories about his work and travels.

"I am so grateful that we got to spend so much time with him and that my daughter got to know her great-grandad too."