The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling - Issue 5

RAILWAYMagazine The

GUIDE TO

Modelling APRIL 2017

REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, NOSTALGIA, ADVICE

IN THE SHOPS: WICKHAM TROLLEY SIMON KOHLER: GENDER POLITICS IN MODELLING BASIC LAYOUTS WITH NIGEL BURKIN GARDEN RAILWAY HOW-TO

Taking the inside out with

Garden railways

WIN A DAY OUT AT DEVON RAILWAY CENTRE || BASEBOARDS || RAILWAY HISTORY

CONTENTS

Contents

50 64

18

44 08

WHAT’S IN THE SHOPS?

ON THE COVER Garden railway

by Phil Parker.

See page 53 for full feature.

Bachmann’s Wickham trolley, Robinson class J11, Thompson corridor composite coach.

22

STARTING OUT

Get to grips with baseboards this month.

28

BASIC LAYOUTS

Nigel Burkin gives eight variations on the oval track layout.

34

PAST AND PRESENT

Ian Lamb looks at the importance of themes.

38

OPINION

Simon Kohler talks about the gender divide in the modelling hobby.

39

GIVEAWAY

Win one of two family tickets to the Devon Railway Centre.

41

LAYOUTS WE LOVE

44

From the Lincoln and District Model Railway Club exhibition.

BLASTS FROM THE PAST

48

Tony Stratford brings the Hornby story up to date.

PLACES TO VISIT

Devon Railway Centre.

50

ASK A DAFT QUESTION

53

One RMM reader shares his technique for setting up a garden railway.

INSIDE OUT

57

This month Phil Parker looks at taking your modelling hobby outside.

STOCKISTS

61

Where to get your copy of RMM.

DIARY DATES

64

What’s on this month where you are.

INSPIRATION PAGES

Quirks and curiosities of the railway system.

April 2017

| 5

Staff

Editor Sarah Palmer RMModellingeditor@Mortons.co.uk Contributors Michael Watts, Bernard Gudgin, Tony Stratford, Simon Kohler, Nigel Burkin, Ian Lamb, Phil Parker Production editor Sarah Wilkinson Senior designer Kelvin Clements Designer Libby Fincham Picture desk Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield Advertising manager Sue Keily Publisher Tim Hartley Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Subscription manager Paul Deacon Circulation manager Steve O'Hara Marketing manager Charlotte Park

To advertise, contact: Colin Smith 01507 529454 csmith@Mortons.co.uk Fiona Leak 01507 529573 fleak@Mortons.co.uk

Where to find us

Editorial, advertising and administration Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR Tel 01507 523456

www.railwaymagazinemodelling.co.uk

Copyright

James May attempted to lay a 10-mile model railway between Barnstaple and Bideford. One such problem with such an undertaking, aside from the practicalities, was vandalism.

© Copyright Mortons Media Group Ltd. Reproduction in any manner, in whole or part, without prior approval in writing is prohibited. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors in articles or advertisements, or for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations.

Printing

Mortons Print, Horncastle, Lincs.

Tel 01507 523456

ROBIN JONES

From the editor

Sarah Palmer Editor

6

| April 2017

C

ould The Biggest Little Railway in the World be coming to our screens this year? Love Productions, the TV company behind The Great British Bake Off has decided to change track and move from spatulas and cake mixture to model railways, and no, this isn’t an April Fool’s Day piece of fake news. The company has been scouting around for modellers and engineers to lay 74 miles of track from Fort William to Inverness along the Great Glen.

There is TV history in this area, as a few years ago James May attempted to lay the longest model railway over 10 miles from Barnstaple to Bideford in North

Devon, but it’s a big ask to cover 70+ miles.

On the one hand this new TV show, if it goes ahead, could be great for modelling – just look what GBBO has done for baking, however, Love Productions also produced Benefits Street and so is not above creating a TV narrative around a stereotype. I’d be interested to know what RMM readers think.

On a different note, we’ve got a bit of a garden theme to this month’s issue to tie in with the National Garden Railway Show in Peterborough. If this is something you fancy doing then Phil Parker has a few ideas.

Tony Stratford finishes his last instalment of the Hornby story,

just as it has been announced that Locomotive Storage Limited, a property company affiliated with Locomotive Services Ltd, Statesman Rail, Icons of Steam and the Royal Scot Locomotive & General Trust, has bought the iconic Hornby plc factory building in Margate.

I’ve been digging around for some ideas for RMM’s Inspiration Pages and found some notable examples of how landowners and aristocrats helped or hindered, whichever way you look at it, the shape of the railway network today. It was a fascinating subject to research, and I’m sure there are examples all over the country that would make an interesting subject for a layout.

What's in the shops

Locos

Bachmann OO Gauge Robinson Class J11 with Digital Sound Nigel Burkin describes the reissued digital sound equipped Bachmann J11 locomotive.

T

wo new versions of the popular ‘Robinson’ Class J11 0-6-0 tender goods locomotive are set to reach the shops in the next few weeks. LNER modellers will welcome No. 5954 finished in pristine unlined black (31-318A) while featured BR No. 64377 (31-321DS) will find favour with BR modellers.

The J11 was constructed by the GCR over a protracted period by several builders and in batches of varying size between 1901 and 1910. Numerous detail differences occurred between individual locomotives as they were modified with super heating (another protracted project) and boilers were exchanged or replaced. After Grouping, the LNER modified

the locomotives to bring them into line with its ‘Composite Rolling Stock Gauge’ which changed their appearance.

All of these changes make it a challenging locomotive to model and for Bachmann to create an affordable off-the-shelf model in OO gauge with the ability to apply locomotivespecific detail is commendable.

To that end, it has succeeded and offers the model with several variations of boiler, chimney, dome, smokebox door and darts, buffers and other small details. With its neatly applied livery, weathering and beautifully detailed back-head and cab interior, the J11 model is a little beauty. It is a pleasure to run on a layout too and the digital sounds applied to the

To allow the modeller to fill the tender with their own coal load, the die-cast metal coal load provided with the model may be removed, revealing the tender interior.

8

| April 2017

SPONSORED BY

Bachmann is to re-release its popular Robinson Class J11 locomotive imminently.

NEWS

in brief

Deadline passes for Poole Park miniature railway tender

THE deadline to bid for the rights to operate Poole Park’s miniature railway has passed and the Borough of Poole is now looking through the submissions before any final decision is announced.

The council put the attraction’s £45,000 contract out for tender earlier this year.

Miniature railway project shortlisted for funding

Model details:

Robinson Class J11 0-6-0 steam locomotive

Manufacturer:

Bachmann Europe Plc

Catalogue numbers:

31-318A Unlined LNER black 31-321DS Unlined BR black with early crest and digital sound (featured)

Scale:

British OO gauge, 1:76 scale to run on 16.5mm gauge track

Era:

1923 to 1956 as represented by the new models

Web:

www.bachmann.co.uk

Suggested retail price: 31-318A £149.95 31-321DS £239.95

The Riverside Miniature Railway Club is bidding for a payout from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative, money that comes from the 5p charge for carrier bags, as it wants help with its project to build a miniature railway track at the Riverside Park in St Neots.

Voting is open in stores throughout March and April and customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the checkout when they shop. The club hopes to open the facility at Easter.

Metal thieves target model railway

The Canterbury and District Model Engineering Society at Brett Aggregates in Sturry has had part of a 720ft railway track stolen from its model railway in Canterbury.

The entire circuit was stripped of its aluminium running rails and sleepers and around 200ft of the total was stolen, with the rest of the track chopped into lengths between six and 50ft ready to be transported.

It’s estimated that the scrap value of the haul would have amounted to less than £40 but will possibly cost the society thousands of pounds to rectify the damage.

April 2017

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What's in the shops

SPONSORED BY

Numerous detail differences existed between the 174 locomotives of the class, some of which were applied at different times during their operating lives. Bachmann has tooled the model to allow date and locomotive specific details to be applied to the model to suit a specific livery and time.

weathered unlined BR black version (31-321DS) match the model’s pace and motion, including a coasting feature, which engages when the DCC throttle is notched back slightly.

The locomotives were primarily allocated to sheds across the north of England and the East Midlands including Immingham, Lincoln, Sheffield, Mexborough, Gorton

10 | April 2017

and Leicester.

During the LNER period, some were allocated to sheds on the Great Eastern for a short time including Cambridge, Norwich and Lowestoft. The general area of use of the J11 changed little after Nationalisation, with locomotives being allocated to sheds in the north of England, either side of the Humber and

the East Midlands. While they were primarily built for freight traffic, the locomotives did turn up on passenger duties and as records show, not on an irregular basis.

Sadly, none of the 174 J11 locomotives survived to see preservation after the last one was withdrawn in 1962.

However, modellers can still enjoy the sights and sounds

of this small goods engine, albeit in 4mm scale, thanks to the neat and imaginatively designed model by Bachmann.

Digital sound simply adds a further dimension to its already strong appeal.

Wish to read more about the Robinson Class J11 history?

Visit the ‘LNER Encyclopedia’ website J11 page at www.lner. info/locos/J/j11.php

Key features:

Although designed as a freight engine, the J11 did see action on passenger trains from time to time. However, its shed allocations very much reflected their use on freight trains.

■■ Finished in weathered BR unlined black with early crest.

■■ Subtle faded and weathered paint finish.

■■ Wheels, chassis and coupling rods weathered to match the body and tender.

■■ Neatly printed BR crest, loco number and worksplate detail.

■■ Removable coal load fitted to the tender.

■■ Powerful five-pole motor located in the smoke box.

■■ 21-pin DCC socket located in the tender with provision for fitting a speaker in non-sound equipped models (31-318A).

■■ Featured model is equipped with digital sound in the tender.

■■ Digital sound includes several whistle sounds on F2 and F3 functions.

■■ Locomotive-specific details including buffers, smokebox doors and chimney.

■■ Current collection from both tender and driving wheels.

■■ Adjustable drawbar between tender and locomotive.

■■ NEM-362 coupling pockets fitted with standard tension lock couplings.

■■ Fully detailed driving cab, cab end of the tender and back head detail.

■■ In-line brake shoes and detailed brake hangers on both locomotive and tender.

■■ Weighs 290g including tender.

■■ 215mm in length over sprung buffers.

NEWS

in brief

Hornby Hobbies pulls plug on Ramsgate visitor centre

Hornby Hobbies will not continue its plans to develop a new visitor centre at Ramsgate Harbour.

The toy firm had hoped to build the centre next to the maritime museum, but Hornby Hobbies has revealed it will not continue with the build.

A Hornby Hobbies spokesman, said: “We have now exchanged contracts for the sale of the site at Margate and as part of this deal we have agreed to lease back part of the site for the existing Hornby visitor centre and retail outlet.”

In other Hornby news Locomotive Storage Limited, a property company affiliated with Loco Services, Statesman Rail, Icons of Steam and Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust, confirms that it has acquired the former Hornby plc facilities in Margate.

Jeremy Hosking, a director of Locomotive Storage Limited said: “We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Hornby plc after extended but friendly negotiations. Our group has greatly expanded its asset base and activities in recent years and this site will greatly enhance our current facilities.”

Help overhaul Llangollen PT

A £15,000 appeal to bring Llangollen Railway-based GWR pannier No. 7754 back into steam has been launched.

Sponsors for individual components are being sought and anyone wishing to help is invited to send a cheque payable to Llangollen Railway Trust Ltd via Paul Bailey, Dolwen, Bryneglwys, Corwen, Denbighshire, LL21 9LY. For more details email paulbaileywincham@yahoo. co.uk

April 2017

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What's in the shops

SPONSORED BY

The oval windows fitted to the corridor side of the coach opposite the lavatories are a distinctive feature of this type of coach.

OO Gauge Thompson composite corridor coach The last of five new OO gauge Thompson coaches is described by Nigel Burkin.

T

he last of five brandNEW Bachmann LNER Thompson coaches finished in BR crimson and cream livery has arrived

for photography and is as beautifully finished as those models described in the March issue of RMM. The completely new models

The corridor side of the composite corridor coach model.

14  |  April 2017

scheduled for release in the spring of 2017 represent five different main line gangwayed coaches with steel bodies designed by Edward

Thompson for the LNER. The five models include a composite corridor coach No. E1248E (34-411) which has some lovely printed detail

NEWS

in brief

Shildon shunt event

A shunting demonstration was held at the National Railway Museum at Shildon in March as the venue welcomed the Ground Level 5in Gauge Main Line Association, which focuses on realistic railway operations in ground-level 5in gauge. GL5 Association members model British main line railways.

Peckett's top award

Colours, lining and other livery details are very neatly applied with opaque paint colours and an overall pleasing satin eggshell finish.

and effective flush glazing.

A selection of pictures of the composite corridor coach show that the level of detail includes some finely printed curtains in the first-class compartments together with accurate window labels for non-smoking and first-class compartments.

In common with the models reviewed last month,

the final coach of the five has features common with many of Bachmann’s reworked models with completely new toolings including seamless flush glazing, the provision for current collection and detailed interiors. To recap, the Bachmann Thompson coaches offer the following features: • A completely new tooling

offering more refined body and underframe detail compared with the earlier models; • Thin section sides making the clear flush glazing inserts appear seamless; • Flat and clear glazing inserts, which are highly reflective like glass; • Glazing inserts have been,

In the recent British Model Railway of the Year awards Hornby’s Peckett W4 0-4-0ST, as reviewed by Nigel Burkin in February’s RMM, came top of the OO Gauge Steam category, with Hornby also first in the OO Gauge Manufacturer of the Year category followed

by Bachmann Branchline in second and Rapido Trains in third. The Retailer’s Customer Service award went to Hattons followed by Kernow Model Rail Centre and Rails of Sheffield coming in third place.

Staff records online

MORE than 35,000 records of London Transport staff between 1863 and 1931, including Underground workers, have been published online by Ancestry. The London Transport Staff Registers, 1863-1931 collection includes staff over a 68-year period that includes the First World War. The collection stems from the introduction of the Metropolitan Railway and also includes registers for the London General Omnibus Company.

April 2017

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What's in the shops

SPONSORED BY

A side view showing the compartment side of No. E1248E.

•

•

• • •

where appropriate, neatly moulded with window frames and top lights; The lavatory compartment windows have an effective translucent white finish and painted framing; Standalone details include grab rails and separate roof vent mouldings applied to the roof; Separate gangway mouldings applied to the coach ends; Excellent representations of ‘Gresley’ bogies; Metal wheels with stub axles and an insulating bush for

• • •

•

current collection for interior lighting (not fitted).

Close coupling cams and NEM coupling pockets are fitted; The detailing pack includes a coupling bar for forming fixed rakes; Many separately moulded details fitted to the underframe including brake cylinders, dynamo and battery boxes; The first five models are finished in BR crimson and cream livery with faux teak coaches to follow in the autumn.

To conclude Well-modelled coaches always look attractive and the brandnew Bachmann models of the LNER Thompson coaches are no exception.

This has been reinforced by the composite corridor coach, which makes up the fifth model of the new toolings to be released this spring. The BR crimson and cream models will only serve to add to the keen anticipation being felt by LNER modellers awaiting the faux-teak finish Thompson coaches expected for release in the early autumn – the LNER applied a painted ‘teak’ finish to the Thompson coaches in an attempt to match earlier ‘Gresley’ coaches constructed of teak wood.

Model details:

Thompson LNER steel-bodied composite corridor coach BR crimson and cream as No. E1248E (34-411).

Manufacturer:

Bachmann Europe Plc.

Scale:

4mm (1:76) scale, OO gauge.

Era:

Built predominantly between 1945 and 1952, and surviving until the late 1960s.

Web:

www.bachmann.co.uk Suggested retail price: £54.95 for types and liveries.

The fifth coach of the new Bachmann toolings for LNER Thompson coaches is a composite corridor coach numbered E1248E (34-411).

16 | April 2017

April 2017

| 17

What's in the shops

SPONSORED BY

Modellers followed the development of the OO gauge Wickham trolley closely – the small size of the model was always going to present challenges in fitting a smooth-running drive train.

Bachmann’s OO Gauge Wickham Type 27 trolley A challenging prototype from which to create a ready-to-run model is the tiny Wickham trolley, writes Nigel Burkin.

H

ow feasible is it to develop a commercial model of a diminutive prototype such as a Wickham trolley? Well, we found out when Bachmann announced its model of the Wickham Type 27 trolley in 2013.

To fit a motor and drive train in a model, which would be no more than 40mm in length, would be an interesting engineering challenge, one that Bachmann has more than met if the finished model is anything to go by.

Introduced in 1948, the Wickham Type 27 trolley was purchased in large numbers as a simple way of transporting track maintenance workers and basic tools to work sites.

Sometimes, they were used on their own and at others a small equipment trolley trailer would be attached.

Wickham trolleys were light

18 | April 2017

in weight, allowing them to be removed from the track by hand and stored in sheds near to the track. They worked alongside steam traction on day-to-day maintenance duties, being stationed at strategic locations where track maintenance teams would start work.

They varied in design and also saw modifications to suit local conditions. It was not uncommon for the open-sided Type 27, as represented by the Bachmann model, to be fitted with low sides or even large doors when not in use.

The engines fitted to Wickham trolleys were lowpowered petrol engines; the four-cylinder 100E petrol engine as fitted to Ford Anglia cars being one of the most common. Not the most powerful of vehicles and when towing a trailer, a trolley would be limited in the number of

workers and equipment it could carry.

In their unmodified state, the Wickham Type 27 trolley was fitted with tarpaulin screens to protect the interior when stored outside and as cover in bad weather when in use.

Inside, there were simple driving controls and wooden bench seats. It is fair to say that they were small and generally uncomfortable, not being intended for long-distance journeys.

Bachmann released three versions of its Wickham Type 23 trolley in late 2016 and at the time of writing, all three versions are available in the shops. The review model is finished in plain yellow and numbered TR23 – a Wickham trolley built in 1956, receiving works number 7516 (catalogue number 32-992). It had the distinction of being used on the

isolated Holyhead sea wall railway until 1980. The other models released at the same time were No. B30W in BR maroon livery (32-991) and a BR engineer’s yellow version with wasp stripes (32-993).

The model The model is composed of the trolley itself, together with a small powered trailer which allows the interior of the trolley to be modelled with seats and driving controls without any motor intruding into the space.

The motor is concealed under a load in the trailer, which is moulded as part of the trailer sides. The body mouldings are finely executed, yet the various grab rails are substantial enough to withstand normal handling without detracting from the overall neat appearance of the model. A representation of the protective tarpaulin, folded

NEWS

in brief

Flying Scotsman in Lego bricks

The Kent & East Sussex Railway has announced that Flying Scotsman will be visiting the line over Easter.

But – and yes, there’s a but – it won’t be the world-famous Pacific, but a 26ft-long model made from Lego bricks.

The model, with three Pullman coaches, has been made by Bright Bricks, a Hampshire-based company that specialises in building Lego models. It will be the centrepiece of an exhibition at the KESR Tenterden station of 30 Lego models that chart the history of Britain, from Stonehenge to Concorde.

Titled Bricks Britannia, the exhibition opens on April 1 and runs until May 4 with certain exceptions, and will be free to KESR passengers. For an additional £10 when booking online, passengers young and old alike will be able to join workshops to build their own Lego steam locomotive and Pullman carriage.

A quiet interlude on a compact layout sees a Wickham trolley take a spin out on the main line. Full-size trolleys were light enough to be removed from the track by hand for storage and the model would suit a compact or micro-layout theme with a trolley shed scene.

up into the roof is moulded along the bottom edge of the curved roof. Externally, the body is equipped with cosmetic headlights and the simple protective bumpers as fitted to the full-size trolleys.

Interior detail A wooden planked floor sits upon the underframe with bench seats behind the driving position. The engine cover, driving controls and instruments are neatly applied.

Painting of the various interior details is also neatly finished – a crew of track gangers with kit bags is all that is needed to further detail the model.

Wheels and chassis The chassis of both the trolley and its trailer is composed of die-cast metal to introduce a modicum of weight to the model, which tips the scales at 31g. Not the heaviest model in the world for OO gauge and part of the challenge of achieving a working self-propelled model with performance matching the refined steam locomotive models of today. The chassis is enhanced with fine detail including separate mouldings

Statfold Barn opens its doors

Even a tiny model such as the Wickham trolley has been enhanced with standalone details including mouldings for the headlights, bumper bars, brake shoes and benches. The windscreen wiper is particularly fine detail.

»

THE private Statfold Barn Railway near Tamworth will be holding an open day on March 25.

The event is by invitation only and booked via www.statfoldbarnrailway.co.uk Attendees have been warned that road works will badly affect visitors arriving from the Tamworth direction.

Anyone using the M42 should go up to Junction 11 and then come down the B5493.

Over May 6-7, the railway will be holding a charity weekend on the theme of ‘The Giant Miniature Weekend’ with more than 80 miniature locomotives in steam. Again, invitations need to be booked in advance.

April 2017

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What's in the shops

SPONSORED BY

« for the brakes and prototypical wheels with their distinctive weight-saving holes.

Drive mechanism and performance As one can imagine, with so little room for a quality motor alone, it was unlikely that the model could be equipped with a DCC interface socket. Nonetheless, the tiny motor and single driven axle results in some fine-quality performance.

Current collection is over all the wheels of the trolley and its trailer helps to overcome its light weight allowing it to work as well as possible over complex track. The coupling between the two is slightly oversize because it supports wires linking the trolley and trailer current collection pick-ups to the motor.

Layout testing demonstrated that Bachmann had certainly succeeded in creating a fully working model, one which is as controllable as other larger and heavier models in the range.

Livery application The review sample is finished in plain yellow with grey roof

A Peckett saddle tank and Bachmann 13t steel bodied mineral wagon provides an interesting size contrast to the Bachmann Wickham trolley model.

and painted interior with an eggshell finish. It is marked with a stencilled ‘TR23’ on both ends as found on the Holyhead trolley on which this particular model is based. The underframe is painted black, along with the neatly modelled wheels.

Looking at what Bachmann has achieved with the model, it is clear that it set out to produce

a refined working model for serious collectors and modellers.

In preservation Wickham trolleys are popular with heritage railways and find use either as maintenance vehicles (as they were intended to be) or preserved as heritage equipment for the enjoyment of visitors – or both! Examples of Wickham trolleys are located on the Aln Valley Railway, Mid Hants Railway, Bluebell Railway, South Devon Railway, Lavender Line and Royal Deeside Railway to mention a few.

More details and photos of various types of rail trolley can be found on the Rail Trolley Trust website: www.flickr.com/ groups/therailtrolleytrust/ ■ Manufacturer:

Bachmann Europe Plc

Scale:

4mm (1:76) scale, OO gauge.

Runs on 16.5mm gauge track Catalogue number: 32-992.

Era:

1948 to early 1990

Web:

www.bachmann.co.uk

Suggested retail price: £79.95 (all liveries)

A view of the trailer, which closely matches the prototype trailers including the wheels. The trailer body sits a tad high – there has to be room for a decent motor and gearbox in there!

20 | April 2017

April 2017

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Starting out

Back to baseboards Baseboards and track-work are the foundation of all railways, be they prototype or model, write Bernard Gudgin and Michael Watts.

Y

ou may have been following our series of articles aimed at beginners and returnees. If so, you will know we strongly encourage you to start small.

By starting small you will gain handson skills experience, acquire greater knowledge and, as a result, considerably enhance your confidence. Prompt completion of your first small model allows you to get to operate some trains and enjoy the success of your efforts.

Whatever you model (main line, branch line, narrow gauge, etc) is almost immaterial. It is the learning, experience and short-term success, melded with the enjoyment of driving your first trains, that really matters.

This is not an article describing how you should build your first baseboard. There is already much written on this topic, most of which is traditional. In our opinion this is not necessarily helpful to newcomers, doesn’t address newly available materials, adhesives, or the major issues of rigidity, weight, and the lack of practical skills and experience of many would-be-modellers.

We discuss here the baseboard materials for a small model railway. However, we also recommend that these same materials and principles apply equally for a set of baseboard modules for a larger model of your aspirations in due course.

Baseboards and track-work are the foundation of all railways, be they the prototype or the model. We will address the baseboard issues now, and those of the track-work in due course. If you follow our philosophy of small is best at first, then your first baseboard need not be a challenge in itself. In addition, it will not cost much, or take ages to complete, let alone have the complications

of inter-baseboard joins or multi-levels. It could well be as small as 1ft x 4ft or, at the very most, 6ft x 4ft. There is a great deal to learn from starting with the smaller size, and working in N gauge or maybe OO gauge. With a smaller first model you need only buy minimal used stock from eBay or exhibition stalls. This will then not commit you financially to the same gauge, region or era for your next model – a further opportunity for learning from experience.

At this point we need to talk about size!

Many beginners think in terms of a board 6ft x 4ft – that is about the size of a double bed. If you have ever tried to move a double bed you will know that it takes at least two people, is very heavy and doesn’t go around corners. Now imagine the bed covered with delicate scenery. How are you going to move it? You may be fortunate enough to have a dedicated room where the layout can be permanently housed but most people will have to move it at least occasionally.

The largest board that one can move singlehandedly is 4ft x 1ft or possibly 4ft x 1ft 6in.

This is why we talk about a single small board of 4ft x 1ft!

Consider the 1ft x 4ft dimension, or perhaps just a little larger. What board material is suitable? It can be a simple sheet of your chosen material provided it is sufficiently thick not to bend too much, twist easily, or need to incorporate additional support. Too much bending and twisting upsets track-work

alignment and causes derailments. You can, of course, lay your board on a small flat table, or even the floor as a support!

There are many materials for a baseboard: chipboard, plywood, MDF (medium density fibreboard) block-board, shuttering plywood, or even expanded polystyrene.

While all these are quite practicable and available as low cost off-cuts, we think that there is much to commend MDF. It is available in a wide range of thicknesses, both surfaces are very smooth, there is no grain, and the thinner sizes can be cut with basic hand tools. It also accepts a variety of glues with good adhesive effect so that screws or Right: Samples of MDF of several thicknesses – from top to bottom 2mm, 4mm, 6mm, 12mm. Usually brown or buff in colour, but MDF with a green tint is a moisture-proof version that is a little more expensive. The 6mm sample here is an example of this type.

MDF is also available in thicker formats – 18mm, 25mm, 30mm etc, but these sizes are not appropriate for model railway baseboard application.

Bendy MDF (above) is ideal for the curved edges of baseboards. It comes in 2ft x 4ft (600mm x 1200mm) of 6mm thick sheets. It will bend readily, either way, down to a radius of about 12in (300mm) and maybe smaller still according to the suppliers. The grooves are about 4mm deep.

»

HELP!

I NEED SOMEBODY

Hardboard is ⅛in (4mm) thick hard-faced board with a textured back surface. It is quite brittle and not suitable alone, but it can provide a top surface glued to a sheet of expanded polystyrene. If sufficiently thick (1 to 2in) the polystyrene will not require further support, and the hardboard (or 2mm MDF) provides a good track-bed surface. Remember only to use a solvent-free adhesive with polystyrene.

Two less familiar materials today are chipboard and hardboard. However, these could still be suitable for a first small baseboard.

Chipboard at ½in (12mm) thick and up to about 2ft x 4ft could be suitable without further support. However, it is quite sensitive to atmospheric moisture and water when it swells in thickness. This can be alleviated by sizing with two coats of white wood glue diluted 1:1 with water. Chipboard seems to be quite aggressive towards steel saw-blades, which blunt relatively quickly, although durium-tipped blades seem to be very durable and are not noticeably affected.

HELP! NOT JUST ANYBODY

HELP!

HELP! YOU KNOW I NEED SOMEONE

JOHN LENNON

There have been rumours that the dust from cutting MDF is carcinogenic. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE), in its journal Woodworking News, published: The Working Group on the Assessment of Toxic Chemicals (WATCH) endorsed the conclusion of the hazard assessment that there is no evidence that the ill-health effects associated with exposure arising from the machining of MDF are different from those associated with similar exposure arising from machining other forms of wood.

HELP! We all need help. It’s true for all of us, however knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced we think we are. We are all learning, all of the time. Just admit it …

Here is an opportunity for us to learn together, and from each other.

April 2017

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Starting out Right: A monocoque board partially constructed. The edge-frame (6mm bendy MDF with 12mm MDF ends) and lower board are glued together here. In addition, the 2mm MDF inter-board braces are fitted with some plasterer’s cotton scrim reinforcement. Note that these braces have 1½in (40mm) diameter holes for the wiring. Having already marked out the track plan on the upper board it will be clear where access is required underneath, so that the lower board holes can be cut before assembly. Do provide an adequate edge margin of at least 2½in (65mm), and make the corners a large radius – 4in (100mm).

A small, basic, straightforward baseboard design that is quickly and easily constructed from readily available low cost materials – maybe from scrap items lying about in your garage or shed? The top surface/ track-bed can be as thin as ⅛in (4mm) and the unobstructed space underneath allows access and provides protection for wiring and any auxiliary items such as point-motors.

The essentials of a practical monocoquedesigned baseboard module. The constructional sheet material is of your choice – MDF, plywood, hardboard, although our preference is for MDF. Assuming a regular overall size as big as 2ft x 4ft the upper and lower boards can quite reasonably be only 4mm thick, providing there are a few thin inter-board braces of only 2mm thick. The edge-frame should be about 6mm thick, but the ends should be 12mm thick if they are to join to a further baseboard module. A back-scene or landscape profile can subsequently be added easily, and this need only be about 2mm thick.

The basic monocoque engineering principle applied to baseboard modules results in a rigid, but lightweight structure. A supermarket plastic fruit-box exemplifies the monocoque structure. The supermarket box is shown here as two separate parts and as clipped together to form a closed box. The lid or base alone flexes readily. The material may be very thin, yet the rigidity and integrity of the closed box is amazing. Try it yourself – it is most convincing.

A sample showing joining bendy MDF as an edge-frame to 4mm MDF top-board or bottom-board material. Glued and clamped until dry, no additional metal reinforcement is required. The clamps are from Squires, for example, but make sure they open wide enough – mine open to 4in (100mm). The Evode glue is shown here, but do buy in more economical sizes – 2.5 or 5 litres – and decant into a smaller size (250ml) for convenient use.

Left: Diluted white wood-glue provides some waterproofing to baseboard materials – always a good investment whatever the baseboard material. Two brush-painted coats of this not only seals the surfaces but provides a good base for further construction and painting. A typical dilution ratio is 1-to-1 of glue to water. Shown here also is some plasterer’s cotton scrim. Cut into strips it can provide useful but low cost reinforcement of joints within the more complex monocoque structure design. Paste it across a joint with a couple of coats of the 1-to-1 white glue mix.

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Cutting sheet material is significantly easier with a power saw of the jigsaw type. This is especially so if the cutting line is curved – for example when cutting holes in the lower board of a monocoque module, or for cutting landscape profiles. Straight lines can be cut satisfactorily with a jigsaw providing the guide is attached to the saw, or if a straight batten is clamped to the sheet material. Our preference is for a jigsaw of at least 500W power, and driven from mains electricity. Some cordless models just do not have the necessary oomph or the duration required! A good plan is to ask your material supplier to make all the major straight cuts with their professional saw kit – the small extra cost is worth it – but it does need a bit of initial planning.

A monocoque baseboard module almost complete. The whole assembly is upside down here. The top board is glued and clamped to the already joined edge-frame and lower board. The overall size here is about 5ft x 2ft, and it is curved with a radius of about 13ft (4m) for scenic and track alignment reasons.

The inter-board braces are placed so that the unsupported areas are no greater than about 2ft x 2ft (600mm x 600mm) for the 4mm thick upper and lower boards. No metal fixings are required – just glued and clamped until dry.

Note the oval holes in the ends. These are for electrical plugs/sockets/leads to pass through to a nearby board.

« nails are not required. MDF

doesn’t accept track-pins easily but, as we shall see later, this may not be an issue. Whatever the material, a thickness of between about ⅛in (4mm) or ¼in (6mm) will work well without being too flexible or too heavy. With most of these materials, you may prefer to add a couple of battens of 2in x ½in (more commonly 50mm x 12mm) softwood, one to each long edge, and with the ½in surface as the glued contact – screws are not required. These two battens will reduce the bending of a thinner board, and give some protection to any wiring and equipment under the board.

If you opt for 1-2in thick polystyrene it will be sufficiently rigid in itself – good news – and, of course, it will be very low weight.

However, you will certainly need to glue a thin harder material such as MDF, plywood, or even hardboard of about ⅛in thickness to the upper surface. Do note that you must use a solvent-free adhesive with expanded polystyrene, and that white wood glues are not recommended for use with nonabsorbent materials such as polystyrene.

If your first model railway occupies a board of 2ft x 4ft or larger, then you need to address the bendability/flexibility vulnerability issue with a more serious solution. This is why we recommend small is best! With even this slightly larger size, an unsupported board is very floppy – a technical term! A straightforward solution is to create a monocoque structure – an engineering solution used for box-girder bridges, aircraft fuselages and F1 cars for example. This solves the floppiness problem, yet retains lightweight, low-cost, and considerable rigidity without requiring great woodworking skills. It also has the potential of not requiring diagonal bracing that, by Murphy’s Law, usually obstructs an important under-board element. This monocoque design comprises two thin flat boards separated by an edge-frame of about 3in deep. Holes can be cut in the lower board for access without significantly damaging the rigidity. The edge frame should be between 6 to 12mm thick. If the upper and lower boards are about 4mm thick or more then only a few thin interboard braces will be necessary, even if the overall board size is a large as 6ft x 4ft.

For a monocoque structure we have found that ¼in (6mm), or even ⅛in (4mm) MDF works well, and with ¼in x 3in

softwood or MDF as an edge-frame separator along all four edges. All to be glued together, and clamped while drying on a flat surface. No nails or screws are required, or even desirable. We routinely use white woodglue, for example Evode Evo-Stik Resin W Weatherproof Exterior Wood Adhesive.

This dries fully in less than 12 hours, when the clamps (or weights) can be removed.

Recently we have started experimenting with Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue. This is one of a new range of aliphatic glues; don’t worry about the name, it seems to work brilliantly and is incredibly strong when set – the wood will give before the glue.

Holes are then cut in the lower board with a jigsaw and, if the upper board flexes under hand pressure, some ⅛in (2mm) thick braces are fitted tight and glued between the upper and lower boards, and maybe these joins reinforced with plasterer’s cotton scrim. Holes for wiring are easily cut in these thin but very effective braces.

You can position the braces not to cause any obstruction since you will already have planned your track-work – of course!

Cutting access holes in the lower board does need a little thought and care. To maintain the integrity of the monocoque principle, the access holes in the lower board should not be closer than about 2½in (65mm) from the board’s edges.

You may not already know there are regular standard sizes of sheet materials from builders’ merchants and DIY retailers.

The most common is 8ft x 4ft (2440mm x 1220mm). Two other relatively common sizes are: 6ft x 2ft (1830mm x 600mm), and 4ft x 2ft (1220mm x 600mm). Some suppliers will cut sheets to your specification for a relatively small additional charge. This is a considerable advantage in that their cuts will be more precise and straighter that you

can manage with a power saw at home.

Although not essential, we always size or proof all the surfaces – both inner and outer – of our baseboards with two coats of diluted Evode glue. Dilution is 1-to-1 glue to water. It works well when applied with a 1in brush, and it dries quickly. This gives some waterproofing as well as providing an excellent surface for subsequent gluing and painting. Some planning is necessary to ensure that all internal surfaces of a monocoque structure are sized, and sizing before final assembly is quite practical.

We trust that, before embarking on your small first model railway, you have firmly decided on your first small track-plan before making your first small baseboard. The compromises necessary when tackling this in reverse are significant, time consuming, frustrating and demotivating.

Forgive our being schizophrenic with the units of dimensions. While you may prefer to work in our traditional UK Imperial units, many materials are now solely specified using the metric system – which really does have much to commend it. All dimensions and equivalents here are approximate.

Independent support for your baseboard, its height above floor level and overhead lighting will be topics for a later article.

But lack of legs and lighting need not prevent you from getting on with the next stage. This will be laying your track-work to the track-plan that you decided before designing and building the baseboard to accommodate it … ■ Reference

Squires Model & Craft Tools 100 London Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1DD. 01243 842424 www.squirestools.com

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Back to basics

Sample track formations

In last month’s issue Nigel Burkin talked about basic track formations, this month he gives some advice about eight track layouts based on an oval scheme.

A

ll of the track formations plans shown in this article are based on simple track formations and as few turnouts as possible. In effect, the oval track schemes will fit either a six by four or eight by four layout table (OO gauge) assuming shortradius sectional track turnouts are used. The series of formations shows how the basic train set oval may be expanded and the oval concept made more realistic.

When setting out to buy locomotives and rolling stock for the first time, remember that the size of your layout will determine the type of stock you buy. Large steam locomotives such as A4 Pacifics, Jubilee and Britannia Class tender engines will be too large for single-track themes using first-radius curves, for example.

However, smaller engines such as Ivatt 2-6-2 tank locomotives, 0-6-0PT pannier tanks and J39 or 4F 0-6-0 tender engines (choice of loco will depend on your chosen era and region) will look and run better on small layouts. The same applies to coaches and wagons too. Collect stock appropriate to the layout theme you have space for and you will discover that models of less-prestigious locomotive classes will be just as fascinating to run and will look better on sharp curves and turnouts.

The compact layouts built with sectional track may take advantage of standard leftand right-hand turnouts often supplied in train sets and train packs (Hornby R612 and R613). They are short in length and with a sharp diverging curve. R8074 and R8075 curved turnouts can help extend the length of sidings and passing loops when placed on the curved sections of an oval track plan.

Plan 1 – basic train set oval: Train sets are usually supplied with the brand’s standard sectional track system which will usually consist of an oval and one siding, allowing the modeller to get something running straightaway. The curves used in the oval may be sharp first radius curves and a single double-length straight track section will be supplied for one side of the oval. The train set manufacturers never intend this to be a finished layout formation simply because operations are very limited and two-train operation is awkward, even with a DCC control system. Train set ovals can be extended using track add-on packs or by purchasing some additional track pieces.

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Back to basics Plan 2 – oval with passing loop: The simple train set oval has been improved with the addition of two turnouts, half curves and additional straight track pieces to create a passing loop. As described earlier in the article, loops such as these open up operations dramatically, allowing for two-train operation and also for the locomotive of one train to run round e.g. change direction to allow shunting in the siding. This simple oval scheme can be enhanced by making the loop into a station location and by adding one or two more sidings by buying additional turnouts and straight track pieces.

Plan 3 – double track oval: Two ovals, one inside the other representing a double-track railway, allows for the independent running of two trains at the same time. Twice the operations, twice the fun! Double-track layouts need a great deal more space than single-track ones and in OO gauge, can be more awkward to design into the typical six-byfour or eight-by-four scheme. N gauge modellers will have more success fitting in such a design in terms of space. However, regardless of scale, certain planning challenges will occur including how trains will access sidings located in the middle of the ovals and how to incorporate passing loops to achieve multiple train operation.

Both the inner and outer tracks will have to be linked by at least one cross-over and junctions into a fiddle yard or freight yard will be more complex, requiring more turnouts! For a first-time layout, I would personally avoid a double-track scheme.

After all, there are many main line railway locations built as single-track including the long and important Highland main line between Inverness and Perth, which has passing loops in the principal stations, yet hosts trains of considerable length.

A summary of first layout concepts: ■■ Simple single track oval – simple to set up but limited in operations.

■■ Folded figure of eight (twice round) – longer main line run with trains passing through scenes twice.

■■ End to end – potentially more realistic model railway concept but with the loss of the continuous-run option offered by oval layouts.

■■ Double-sided layout – perfect for a continuous run oval (simple or otherwise) with the benefit of having 30 | April 2017

two (often completely) different scenes and end-to-end operations.

■■ Micro-layouts are great when space and budgets are tight. May take the form of an end-to-end layout or oval, but the small size will restrict train lengths.

■■ Shelf layout – a layout assembled on a shelf attached to the wall using low-cost but sturdy DIY shelving components. The layout can be as long as the wall the shelves are attached to and could go right round a room if

desired. Usually restricted to end-toend and micro-layout concepts.

■■ The use of a DCC control system suits small layouts and newcomers to the hobby will be able to take advantage of the flexibility it offers in any of the compact starter layout concepts described in this article. Additional benefits include simplified wiring, digital sound and multiple train operation without having to install electrical block switching.

Plan 4 – folded figure of eight: A great planning technique that almost doubles the main line run over the layout at the price of having the train pass through some scenes twice. Some method of crossing the oval over itself is required and that can be achieved with a diamond crossing or by an over bridge. The latter requires some method of elevating the line so this can be achieved, but creates a visually interesting scene involving a bridge and embankments. Fitting a cross-over somewhere on the layout to link the ovals together actually opens up loop and end-toend operations dramatically.

Folded figure of eight plans are hugely popular with those modellers short on space and many experienced modellers have used the concept for multiple train operation to great effect together with scenery and back-drops to create some stunning railway scenes. However, like the double-track concept, a little more planning with space is needed and an up-and-over crossing may present construction challenges. The problem of accessing sidings and other features in the middle of the oval common to double-track ovals is avoided.

Plan 5 – oval with train fiddle yard to rear: The benefit of a fiddle yard or off-scene because of the operational flexibility they train storage and staging cannot be provide. In this plan, a double-ended fiddle over-emphasised as providing an onward yard is located at what would be the rear of destination for your trains to travel to. a single-sided plan, concealed by buildings, Similar to passing loops, they are regarded as landscape and a backdrop board. The single layout planning essentials for many modellers staging track would be used by a freight or

branch train while the two through tracks would be used for through trains. Fiddle yards can be incorporated in almost any oval track theme and should be located to allow end-to-end running from a layout feature (station, yard or industry).

April 2017

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Back to basics

Plan 6 – double-sided layout with two separate scenes: An oval plan may be divided into two appearance of a layout and introduces the separate scenes by adding a scenic backdrop opportunity for totally different scenery across the middle of the baseboard; a on either side of the layout. Add a small concept that breaks up the tail-chasing fiddle yard to the side, and you have the

potential for end-to end operations from the industrial sidings (coal mine or quarry for example) located on the opposite side of the layout.

Learning points: 1. A basic oval with siding provided in many train sets is just a starting point for some interesting track plans. Buy some additional track when buying a train set. Track packs are often available from the same manufacturer as the train set.

2. Passing loops are an essential part of real railway operations and should be incorporated in your track plan.

3. Oval layouts can be used for both continuous run operations and endto-end running depending on the type of operations you enjoy the most. DCC will do much to enhance operations and make train driving flexible and enjoyable.

4. Adding a small fiddle yard as somewhere to store and stage trains between runs will open up the operating potential of an oval layout.

5. Remember that all OO gauge equipment from all of the major UK manufacturers 32

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6.

7.

8.

9.

will all run on standard OO gauge track.

You can mix and match OO gauge products from Hornby, Bachmann, Oxford Diecast and Dapol on the same layout. The same principle applies to N gauge equipment.

Curved turnouts (points) are invaluable track pieces that allow the curves at each end of an oval to be better used to extend loops and sidings.

Avoid return loops! Unless you are willing to introduce additional electrical switching (or a reversing module for DCC operation) to the layout, they will only cause a permanent short circuit.

Simple layouts do not necessarily mean boring operations. Add sidings and other features to serve businesses and industries to give your railway a definite purpose. Such locations could include a dairy, quarry, coal mine or china clay works to mention a few.

Remember there is nothing wrong

with the basic oval track plan. Most layouts are based on an oval and it is how you arrange sidings and passing loops on the plan that makes it realistic to operate.

10. When there is insufficient space for an oval layout, which necessarily needs an oblong-shaped baseboard of some description, consider an end-to-end layout that may be easier to accommodate in the average home. It may be built on shelves or portable baseboards.

11. Run trains slowly when operating the layout. The quality of mechanisms fitted to contemporary standard models makes slow-speed operation possible and it will extend the time it takes to run a train over the layout making the distances seem further.

12. Collect small, short wheel-base wagons – you will fit more in a given length of train.

Plan 7 – double-sided layout with angled backdrop: A similar oval plan but with an angled offers some different scenic possibilities and scenic backdrop dividing the two scenes the provision of a small fiddle yard to one from each other. Angling the backdrop side provides end-to-end operations from

the station and its bay platform. Note the use of curved points to extend the length of the passing loop located in the station area.

Signal box

Plan 8 – end-to-end layout concept: A six- or eight-foot by four-foot layout may be an awkward shape to accommodate in the average home, even if the backdrop and buildings are removed from the layout between running sessions.

An alternative concept is the long, narrow shelf layout with end-to-end running from

a fiddle yard to a terminus station and freight sidings. This plan demonstrates the principle of a station to fiddle yard concept with the addition of a freight branch running from the station yard into the fiddle yard, which creates additional moves for small tank engines and a handful of

wagons. The branch suggests industries to be served on a branch line, which could lead to docks, a quarry or other such traffic-generating location.

Note the run-round provision in the station provided by a set of turnouts close to the buffer stops.

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Past and present

Modelling themes

Ian Lamb discusses themes and whether or not to accurately model a line the way it would have been or to take an ‘anything goes’ approach.

Y

ears ago it used to be said that, “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas”; and this slogan could equally apply to model railways. Usually

by Easter the novelty of railway modelling had worn off for many. The Santa Specials were but a memory, and the once-prized ‘train sets’ had been shunted to the attic or back of the wardrobe in the hope that enthusiasm – one day – might arise again.

Fortunately, however, some who were ‘baptised’ in model railways at Christmas have no intention of giving up, and it is to those people that this article is aimed.

Having ‘taken stock’ and paid great heed to last month’s superb “Asking the right questions” prompt by Bernard Gudgin and Michael Watts, it is now time to seriously consider what you want from your hobby, now and in the future.

There is no doubt that some model railway enthusiasts will be fully satisfied

with simply enlarging their layouts, increasing stock etc and gradually adding to their pool of models as and when the opportunity presents itself. For me, however, being as near to the real thing as possible is essential, while realising that whatever is created will only be an illusion; and yet most times we get away with it!

Attempts in the first few years will surely and continually change, but this is acceptable provided the theme chosen is realistic, and the end product is a vast improvement on the layout gone before.

Undoubtedly, whatever theme you decide on will be personal, nevertheless in many ways what you produce will be an extension of your own interests and personality – something to be proud of.

Manufacturers go to a great deal of effort to produce their products as accurately as possible (and magazine reviews invariably emphasise this point) so personally I think

The other end of the station in LNER days Era 3 (1923- 1948). A Hornby Railroad Hunt class locomotive about to leave Superquickton with a train of Gresley coaches for Newcastle in 1948.

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it is often sad to see a lot of items as a kind of ‘anything goes’ approach on a layout, which have no real reference to each other.

However, as we say many times, “It’s your layout, so feel free to run whatever you want and enjoy most”.

Nevertheless, realism came home to me in 1980 as of paramount importance. I had just moved to work in London so I took the opportunity one weekend to visit a reasonably local exhibition. I arrived as the show was opening, and immediately found myself in front of an absolutely superb model of ‘Kyle of Lochalsh’ in the Scottish Highlands, not all that far from my home.

The atmosphere and scene was quite amazing; all that was missing was the sound of seagulls and the smell of seaweed.

I almost found myself in a trance at this wonderful piece of railway modelling. Just as I was about to disappear totally into dreamland, imagining a 60A Inverness ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 loco heading its train slowly into the platform, instead a reasonably accurate ‘Cornish Riviera’

With the majority of cardboard models being ‘SuperQuick’ kits, it became the obvious name for the town. The Bachmann ‘Derby’ DMU fits the scene perfectly, depicting Era 5 (1957-1966).

appeared with a very attractive King at its head.

I was quickly jolted back to reality with the shock of this image, which to my mind had destroyed the illusion that must have taken many, many hours to create in terms of its accuracy. When I pointed out my concerns to the operator – who was obviously enjoying every moment – seeing a ‘GWR’ train on a model of a ‘Highland’ line just did not seem right, he told me that the layout belonged to the club, and all stock by individual members who ran whatever they wanted. They simply enjoyed model railways.

Now having ‘nailed my colours to the mast’, on any future modelling articles they will all be related in some way. While a theme may be around any subject – for instance, a particular period, specific railway company, architecture or personal recollection – around five years ago I was required to construct a layout specifically for beginners utilising basic track and scenic materials. This layout may look spacious, but it is only 8in x 2in (24.4cm

x 6.1cm) plus fiddle yard.

Before determining what items to obtain, it was necessary to establish a principal theme (or themes), so I got together with Simon Kohler of Hornby and chose Hornby’s about-to-be released K1 model as the focal point.

Inevitably this meant that as the loco was North Eastern based, all the surroundings would reflect that region, so there was lots of tangerine colour on signs and posters, all of which gave the right foundation for the atmosphere trying to be created.

Great effort was made to ensure the surrounding scene – especially the motive power and rolling stock – was as correct as possible. This meant much research and site visitation (all of which almost became a hobby in itself ), but the positive response and ‘feedback’ from shows and displays as the layout went round the country made it all worthwhile.

In no specific order or priority, the key elements (or themes) were, as far as

possible, to be proprietary card kits for the buildings, and ‘off-the-shelf ’ locos and rolling stock for the trains. Further study reduced the location to Northumberland, ending up with the project being loosely based on the county town of Alnwick.

When the Newcastle & Berwick Railway Company planned to build a rail link between these towns, it was intended to route the railway via Alnwick, a prosperous town. However, the Duke of Northumberland refused to allow the railway to come anywhere near Alnwick Castle, and the East Coast line had to follow its present alignment via Warkworth and Alnmouth (for more impacts that aristocrats and landowners had on our railway network see page 64).

For many years, trains provided a through service from Alnwick to Newcastle, but in British Railways’ administration it became a shuttle service to Alnmouth, where passengers had to change trains. The branch saw a wide variety of locomotive types, including April 2017

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Past and present

ABOVE: The ‘SuperQuick’ engine shed kit is prominent in this scene, along with Hornby’s magnificent Class K1 2-6-0 locomotive heading a Bachmann Thomson coach arched beneath an amended Hornby signal gantry.

LEFT: Maximising on a theme whenever possible should be your aim. A Class 72 0-6-0 tank engine (Bachmann) was a regular ‘pilot’ in the North East, so what better than Gateshead’s pride and joy for one of the theme’s purposes?

ABOVE: Ancient and modern resources operating together in perfect harmony to create the main theme of constructing basic vintage card kits to complement the latest proprietary rolling stock. ‘SuperQuick’ kits – engine shed, signalbox and goods depot – provide the railway atmosphere through which a Bachmann manufactured Newcastle-bound 101DMU departs in a very realistic setting.

ABOVE: ‘SuperQuick’ Terminal Station kit. What a difference carefully located items make to the side of a station; all dating the period to the 1950s: (1) telephone kiosk; (2) Lambretta moped; (3) cycle rack and cycles; (4) posters and timetables; (5) goods depot sign, coal merchant’s sign, ‘No Parking’ notice above posters; (6) boundary of station site; (7) long platform fencing; (8) fence posts (match sticks); (9) ‘Merit’ lampposts; (10) individual fence posters. Note that the corporate image/depot and ‘No Parking’ signs are in the regional tangerine.

classes D20, J39, K1, V2 and even a Standard 9F 2-10-0! Steam locomotives operated over the line until June 1966 when they were displaced by diesel multiple units.

In an effort to reduce costs, BR singled the track, but passenger services were still declining, so the line was axed on January 29, 1968. Freight traffic was also 36 | April 2017

discontinued from October 7 of that year.

Large or small, whatever theme is chosen, and subsequently followed, should give much pleasure and enjoyment. I look forward to hearing of your ventures and the decisions you made.

Are you a ‘purist’ or an ‘anything goes’ modeller? Email rmmeditor@mortons.co.uk with your thoughts. ■

ABOVE: Many branch lines – the Alnwick one is no exception – have their own character, which could well provide a theme on which to construct or create in model form. In this model’s case it was the two-vehicle ‘Alnwick Parcels’, usually hauled by an Ivatt ‘mogul’ and ideal for such a location (renumbered Bachmann product displayed).

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April 2017

37

Opinion

Girls just want to have fun

Simon Kohler wonders how we can involve everyone in the world of model railways, whatever their gender.

W

 I   i I recall that what children played with tended to depend on their gender. In the primary school playground boys would run around playing tag or pretending that they were cowboys fighting renegade Indians. I remember that we also used to play ‘war’ with some of us running around with our arms outstretched making strange aeroplane noises while at the same time firing at an invisible enemy endless bullets from imaginary guns located on our ‘wings’.

While we lads were simply messing about with our own vivid imaginations, those of the opposite sex would normally hang around in small groups practising their handstands against the wall or playing hopscotch on roughly chalked squares. There would be other games, depending on the weather, such as playing ‘jacks’ which involved bouncing a ball and while it was still in mid

38 | April 2017

air trying to scoop up as many jacks in one hand and catching the ball with the other before it hit the ground. I also recall that these same girls would play with their ‘cat’s cradle’ making what seemed endless string shapes while chanting some rhyme or other. On other occasions they would sit around and chat among themselves and giggle at the boys playing their silly games.

When Christmas came along or birthdays then once again gender would normally dictate what was given to the youngsters; cars and trains for the boys, whereas it would be dolls and cuddly toys for the girls. In those days the embarkation line between the sexes was well and truly drawn and maintained not necessarily by the child but by their parents. Try as I might I cannot think of a single person in my clique of male friends, while I was growing up who professed to wanting a Barbie doll for Christmas or any of their sisters demanding a train set, but I wonder, what if they had? What would their parents or peers have thought? I can imagine there would have been a great gnashing of teeth and hand wringing, certainly from the dad of a boy who wanted a doll as a present. And would the mums have fared any better if their little girl had demanded a train, or indeed a Meccano set as their main Christmas gift?

When Hornby started selling not just trains and cars but a whole variety of dolls and soft toys in the s and early s, there were those who looked upon that particular time as a dark period in Hornby’s history. For me I have to admit it was a time of commercial enlightenment, because I rationalised that as long as the products were bought and used, why limit a company’s product range to suit just one gender or another?

Remember, at the time we were fighting for the company’s very existence.

Up until the s Hornby had been famous for making boys’ toys, while its sister company, Pedigree, tended to focus on prams and dolls, the most famous of which was Sindy. When the two companies split and times became difficult for Hornby, its management changed and by a strange quirk of fate many of the senior members of Pedigree ended up as directors at Hornby. These new directors knew virtually nothing about trains but a heck of a lot about dolls, which was why when it came to their first toy fair at Hornby they decided, in an effort to broaden the company’s brand selection, that they would introduce a product range called ‘Flower Fingers’. ‘Flower Fingers’ was a collection of products aimed squarely at girls and involved

assembling ‘silk’ flower petals on green plastic stems and then arranging the completed flowers in an assortment of different garden scenarios. In an effort to soften the shock of such a range appearing on the Hornby toy fair stand, my new MD at the time told me he wanted a girls’ train set. It was such a simple request but it did make me think that for years Hornby had been ignoring at least  of its potential market, i.e. girls. That was not necessarily the company’s fault but certainly it had ignored the possibilities and this had to be mainly down to stereotypical thinking.

The lateness of the request meant that I suspect that the MD was only half serious and so the mock-up set that appeared at the  London Toy Fair contained an HST drive unit in pink and pastel blue, a Mk. coach, again in pink, plus a long wheelbase wagon, which had printed on the side ‘Clothes for the Princess’. The mock-up box was produced with a silver cardboard tray and lid emblazoned with the name, ‘The Princess Train Set’. I was quite pleased with how the pack and contents had turned out, as was my MD but sadly it was not met with a great deal of applause by the hardened, male-dominated, model-shop owners, who each in turn muttered something unprintable and quickly walked on. The set was not a total failure though, as a buyer from the US saw it and immediately placed an order for , but sadly not enough for the set to proceed into production. However, the whole idea of working towards breaking down the idea that train sets were just for boys

WIN A family day out

got me thinking about how Hornby could attract the other  of what I perceived was a potential market. Some might think I was deluded but I was young in those days and up for a challenge.

Over the following years I took particular note, while at the various model exhibitions I visited, as to how many of the children that attended were girls. Sadly, there were precious few and those that were there tended to be with their whole families rather than on a father/daughter day out. I often thought about revisiting ‘The Princess Train Set’ again but decided against it, having spoken to several parents and asking them what attracted their children to trains, I was told without doubt that they wanted ‘real’ rather than anything fanciful.

Therefore I concluded that to create an overtly feminine train set would not only be a poor decision but one that showed little or no respect to why such girls enjoyed model railways. All of which begs the question, how can the model railway fraternity entice the other  of the population to have an interest in trains when ‘fanciful feminised’ trains would simply not be suitable?

I suppose it really all boils down to whether such an interest is down to nature or nurture. As far as I am concerned women make great modellers, as they do artists.

Many I believe, and certainly those I have met over the years

that model their own layouts, either by themselves or with their husbands, partners or boyfriends, have a wonderful eye for detail. Coupled with that they have an enormous amount of patience, which is what model railways is all about – passing time and immersing oneself in the joy of creating. So, if that is the case why is it that this hobby is still dominated by the male of the species? I am sure it is not because the men want to keep it a closed shop but more likely that it is both a nature thing and a deep-routed effect of being nurtured when they were young; trains are for boys, dolls are for girls.

In today’s more liberal and opened-minded society I feel it is about time that such stereotyping of children’s toys and who plays with them should be confined to history and that it is very much up to the parents to perhaps change their way of thinking rather than that of the child. I also feel that the model railway industry could do more to encourage a broader interest and move away from a male-orientated approach to the hobby.

In my opinion there is much that can be done to assist in changing people’s perceptions as to what type of toy a child should play with but at the end of the day it will all boil down to the direction that parents give to their children and which toys they deem suitable, so let’s hope it is a model railway. ■

at Devon Railway Centre Devon Railway Centre is a popular South West tourist attraction based in Bickleigh that offers a unique railway experience and boasts a host of attractions in one location.

There’s a superb undercover model railway exhibition with push buttons that control the trains. There’s also an Edwardian model village and model funfair, Wheal Beckie Tin Mine and outdoor children’s play area.

It’s a great day out for families as Devon Railway Centre also has a riverside picnic area plus the station tea rooms.

There are also indoor play coaches to keep everyone happy whatever the weather, and children can enjoy spending time in the ball pool and large indoor sand pit or playing with the wooden railways.

The play shed houses a railway-themed soft play area and all the family will enjoy a visit to the railway’s museum housed in a former BR carriage.

For modellers, Polchester is DRC’s largest model railway layout and has been adapted this year to display both night and daytime scenes and the Edwardian model funfair has been extended to incorporate a ghost train. If you and your family would like to enjoy a day out at Devon Railway Centre then we have two family tickets (two adults two children), worth £27.90 each to give away. Deadline for entries is Tuesday, April 18. The winner of last month’s giveaway is Richard Pickles of Queensbury, West Yorks.

DEVON RAILWAY CENTRE GIVE AWAY Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (Please circle) First name ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Surname ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Address ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ .................................................................... Postcode ������������������������������������� Email ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� TERMS AND CONDITIONS: On occasion Mortons Media Group Ltd may decide to contact you by post/phone/email regarding information relating to current offers of products or services (including discounted subscription offers) which we believe may be of interest to our readers. If you do not wish to receive such offers please tick this box £ On occasion Mortons Media Group Ltd may permit third parties, that we deem to be reputable, to contact you by post/phone/fax/email regarding information relating to current offers of products or services which we believe may be of interest to our readers.

If you wish to receive such offers please tick this box £ Offer expires on April 18, 2017. Terms and conditions apply. Please see Mortons' website for full terms and conditions. There are no cash alternatives available. The winners will be the first entries drawn at random.

April 2017

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40 | April 2017

Layouts APRIL 2017

We want to dedicate these pages to your inspirational, unusual, well-loved layouts and models. So please do get in touch with us by emailing rmmodellingeditor@mortons.co.uk or visit our Facebook page to like and share your photographs.

Find us at:

railway magazine guide to modelling

These layouts were photographed by RMM's editor at the Lincoln and District Model Railway Club exhibition, held this year for the first time at Newark Showground.

Loughley Town trams in 00 gauge by Dave Tooley.

This amazing bridge can be seen on the O gauge Hassell Harbour layout courtesy of the Alsager Railway Association. The lovely layout was attracting some attention at the show, as was the funicular railway that is also part of the scene.

April 2017 

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Layouts «

I really like these enclosed layouts as they seem to create their own atmosphere within them. According to its creator: “The inspiration for Tredethy Wharf came from two photographs, one was of a Beattie well tank crossing the road at the Hellandbridge, the second was again a Beattie well tank but shunting wagons at Tresarrett Wharf. Both locations were on the goods-only Wenfordbridge branch of the Bodmin & Wadebridge Railway.”

This layout is described on its maker Pete Goss’s website as having a “prime aim purely to entertain”. The layout is based on the Yorkshire market town of Knaresborough. I loved the Sealed Knot re-enactment scene created from figures made by the maker. The musket fire is a nice touch! ■

42 | April 2017

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April 2017

43

Blasts from the past

Hornby: the later years In the last instalment of the Hornby story, Tony Stratford brings the company’s history right up to the modern day.

I

n 1976 the most unusual model to bear the Hornby name was introduced in the form of a 3.5in gauge live steam model of Stephenson’s Rocket locomotive.

Coaches were also made, along with an oval of track. The locomotive was powered by butane gas and was produced until 1978 when it was dropped from the range. It has not reappeared since.

In 1977, the tools for FROG kits and the Big Big Train were sent to Russia and the resultant products were available in the UK under the NOVO brand. NOVO was based

44 | April 2017

in Peterborough but by 1980 they were no longer being imported. The Big Big concept was licensed to Lima through its association with former Tri-ang subsidiary company G & R Wrenn and it went on to produce a range of ready-to-run electric O gauge trains in 1973.

Ironically, the last release before the financial collapse was No. 92220 Evening Star, the 9F Class 2-10-0, which was the last steam locomotive to be built for British Railways at Swindon in March 1960. It differed from the other 250 9Fs in that

instead of being painted in standard BR unlined black livery, it was finished in Swindon’s Great Western Railway lined green livery and was the only one to receive a name in BR days. It became a cult locomotive working over the Somerset & Dorset route and is today preserved as part of the National Collection at the NRM, York. Just as the prototype marked the end of an era for British Railways, the 9F, regarded by many to be the finest locomotive produced at Margate upon its release, marked the end of the Tri-ang era.

Hornby railways Now in the hands of Dunbee-Combex Marx (DCM), Hornby was part of a large global toy-making group. The business continued to acquire companies and grew to be the largest toy-maker in the world.

The Rovex division, which included Hornby, continued to prosper.

The 1970s would see the arrival of some new competitors in the form of Airfix, Lima and Mainline Railways, alongside Graham Farish and G & R Wrenn, which continued to serve the OO market. Hornby had, by far, the largest share of the cake in the early 1970s but by the end of the decade that slice would be much smaller.

Challenges came from several continental manufacturers in the form of Fleischmann, Jouef, Lima and Rivarossi.

Fortunately for Hornby all apart from Jouef opted to produce models in HO or at 3.8mm scale, while Jouef opted for OO scale, presumably having learnt the lesson producing the Playcraft models for Mettoy in the 1960s. All had disappeared from the scene by the end of the Seventies, otherwise the marketplace would have become very crowded.

Hammant & Morgan, the longestablished manufacturer of transformers

and controllers, would join the group, which three years earlier had become Hornby Hobbies, in 1979.

The acquisitions began to take their toll and by 1978 DCM was in financial trouble and once again the train-makers at Margate would find their jobs in jeopardy because of the performance of the parent company.

In February 1981, DCM entered receivership and was eventually sold to a management buyout. Again, the new owners diversified, introducing soft toys and toys for young children alongside the more traditional Hornby and Scalextric.

In 1984 television producer Britt Allcroft produced a series of 26 programmes based on the stories of Rev Wilbert Awdry’s Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends.

First published in 1945, a series of books

emerged and in 1979 Britt Allcroft acquired the rights to produce the television series.

Thomas & Friends went on to become a major success and in 1985 Hornby produced its first models, which were converted from existing tooling. Thomas & Friends proved highly successful for Hornby, which continues to produce the range today.

The company was floated on the stock exchange in December 1986 as Hornby Group Plc. The threat from Airfix and Mainline had been removed by then but would emerge again, initially through Dapol, Replica and Bachmann, who picked up the pieces after Palitoy quit the British market. During the 1990s Bachmann became a serious contender and Hornby needed to react. Production at Margate was unable to compete with April 2017

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Blasts from the past

the products coming out of Hong Kong.

Hornby sourced a number of three-, four- and six-plank wagons in 1995 from Sanda Kan, which had previously produced the Airfix range and a small number of Mainline Railways’ items.

Over the next three years production at Margate was run down and finally finished in 1999 when all models were outsourced from China, as Hong Kong had ceased to be a British colony in 1997.

In 2000 the release of the rebuilt Merchant Navy Class was a truly exceptional model and made a statement that its days as a toymaker had come to an end and signalled the move into the scale model market.

New ranges followed with the introduction of high-quality resin ready-touse buildings under the Skaledale label.

A move into Live Steam OO scale models followed, with the release of an A4 Class locomotive, which was powered to boil distilled water in the boiler and was operated with an impressive control system. The system also saw the release of an A3 Class locomotive but production stopped in 2008, a year in which the global financial crisis began to kick in.

In 2003 the company posted record profits and in 2004 it began a major expansion programme. During 2004 Hornby purchased the Spanish manufacturer Electrotren. It also bought the troubled Lima Group in the same year, not only giving the company access to the British outline Lima OO scale range, but also the ranges of Arnold, Jouef, Lima and Rivarossi. French company MKD, which produced plastic building kits, followed in 2005 and German company Heico, which produced HO scale road vehicles, was acquired in 2006. These products are part of 46 | April 2017

the Hornby International range.

The purchase of plastic kit manufacturer Airfix and model paint manufacturer Humbrol followed in 2007 and gave Hornby a very impressive portfolio of modelling products.

Acquisitions did not stop there and in 2008, Hornby purchased model vehicle manufacturer Corgi, which was then based in Leicester. With it came Bassett-Lowke O gauge model railways, covered in depth in the RMM January 2017 issue.

These acquisitions were obtained at a time when the financial markets across the world saw considerable downturns and they impacted on the company’s own finances and its ability to perform.

A refinancing package, recently resourced, will enable Hornby to maintain its place in a market with more players in the field than ever before. As a result, some difficult decisions have had to be made and cloth cut accordingly.

Today the main core brands are Corgi, Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix and Humbrol.

Despite the difficulties, Hornby has released some high-quality models, including the J15, Q6 and the diminutive Peckett industrial locomotive. Currently under development is the IEP unit, which is set to dominate express services on the East Coast and Great Western main lines over the coming years.

Hopefully, Hornby will blast through the dark tunnel it has journeyed through and back into glorious sunshine to serve us all for many years to come.

The author would like to thank Pat Hammond of the Train Collectors' Society and Simon Kohler, formerly marketing manager of Hornby, for their assistance in compiling this article. ■

Class 9F No. 92220 Evening Star running as ‘The Border Venturer’ in May 1978 through Carlisle. Evening Star was the last steam locomotive to be built by British Railways and Evening Star, the model, coincidentally marked the end of the Tri-ang era.

For further information

The Tri-ang Society was formed in 2000 and caters for all ranges produced under the Tri-ang name, including Tri-ang Railways. For further information please see www.tri-angsociety.co.uk The current Hornby company has its own collectors’ club and for further details please see www.hornby.com/uk-en/club

April 2017

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Places

to visit

Devon Railway Centre

D

evon Railway Centre is set around the old GWR station at Bickleigh just south of Tiverton, Matthew Gicquel from the centre tells RMM. The station was on the old Exe Valley Line, which ran from Exeter to Dulverton via Tiverton and closed in 1963 as one of Dr Beeching’s closures.

It then sat derelict for 34 years until purchased in 1997, then it was transformed into the Devon Railway Centre.

The railway centre has a working 2in gauge and 71/4 gauge line, together with a 1/12 scale Edwardian model village (complete with a G scale railway).

Between the platforms there are six full-size BR coaches, three of which are of great interest

to modellers as they contain Devon Railway Centre’s large model railway exhibition.

The exhibition consists of 14 layouts in various scales and gauges including Z, N, OO-9, OO, O-9, 0-16.5 and G scale.

There are two N gauge layouts – one set in the 1990s called Jonestown and the very famous Chiltern Green, which has been featured in many magazines and videos over the years.

In OO there are also two large layouts, Exton which is a modern image layout set in the South West, and Polchester, which is set in the 1930s on the GWR and is more than 40ft in length and for 2017 has had a night scene added to it.

There are 10 other layouts of various scales all built to a good exhibition standard.

What period is the OO scale layout Polchester?

Polchester is set in the late 1930s, just before the Second World War on the Great Western Railway.

What length of track and wiring do you have?

Polchester is more than 40ft long and has over 100yds of track but we have never counted how much. However, together with the other layouts on exhibition we think we may have 500yds!

Wiring runs into miles particularly after wiring-in all the streetlights and the lighting in the houses for the night-time scene that we have just added.

How long did it take to build?

Polchester was built over a period of three months originally but has had many extra details added over the years, like most model railways.

How many models feature?

There are almost 50 trains running in the model railway exhibition with many of them operated by push buttons by the visitors.

There are hundreds if not thousands of figures and vehicles on the layouts.

What’s your favourite thing?

It is setting the period with the scenery that I find fascinating, together with cameo scenes reflecting that particular period.

Devon Railway Centre can be found at Bickleigh, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8RG. Telephone 01884 855671 or visit www.devonrailwaycentre.co.uk 48

| April 2017

What do visitors comment on?

The quality of the modelling and attention to detail, together with the reliable and smooth running.

When did work begin?

Work on Polchester began in Easter 1998 and we haven’t stopped since.

Have you had any famous visitors?

We have had both famous people from the model world to Hollywood film stars and pop stars but we never make a fuss of them as they are trying to have a good time with their families just like all our visitors.

What problems do you have?

The main problem we have is with the availability of spares for some makes as our trains run many miles each year! We help alleviate this by having three or four trains for each one on display, thus allowing for one in use, one spare and the others in the workshop awaiting repair. This is no mean feat when you are running 50 trains as you need around 200 in total!

How did it all start for you?

Before the Devon Railway Centre, I ran the St Ives Model Railway but wanted to run a larger, more varied railway attraction.

Describe the layout in three words?

Entertaining, interactive, historical.

April 2017

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Ask a daft question

How can I build a garden railway?

I

have always been impressed by garden railways but not everyone – including me – has the time, money, space or ability to have one, writes RMM reader Darryl Foxwell of West Yorks.

Then I had an idea and now have a 15-minute almost instant garden railway. All I need is some: B&Q black plastic spacer blocks, 2in x 1in timber, tent pegs, lengths of track, matchsticks... and it works for all scales from Z to O. A good friend of mine, Susie, who is in a wheelchair as she is seriously ill, has tried it out.

How the system works • For each piece of wood fit two wooden dowels at one end and two matching holes in the other end. This allows the ends to be connected and stops the wood twisting. Drill holes 50mm from each end to allow for bent wire U-shaped connectors to be inserted to stop the wood being pulled apart. Cut a number of 200mmlong pieces of timber to act as spacers.

• For each plastic support drill two holes in the base to take wire tent pegs. Prefabricate turnouts to avoid bending or twisting • Make up wire U-shaped wire connectors • The construction is the same regardless of track size. Simply lay out the timber where you want the track to go, including turnouts and curves • Place the plastic supports on the ground held in position with tent pegs. In each plastic support place a 200mm wooden spacer, then rest the long timbers on the supports making sure that the ends with the dowels fit into the hole and the U-shaped wires are in place so that the wood cannot spring apart • Place the track on the timber, every 300mm drill a hole either side of the track and push in a matchstick to ensure that the track does not move sideways • Connect a controller to the rails • Place a loco on the track





• Enjoy. So, that’s how it works. I hope that RMM readers will appreciate.

Just a few notes about health and safety: • Do not use in the rain or in standing water.

• Fit a safety cut-out between the mains power and the controller.

• Ensure that all cables are suitable for outside use.

1: Susie with all the bits we need to make the garden railway.

50 | April 2017

2: Getting ready to put the track on.

LEFT: Darryl's system can even be used to travel across garden ponds.

BELOW: A garden railway is a great way to combine two great hobbies in one; modelling and gardening!

PHIL PARKER



3: Tent pegs hold everything in the ground, and steady.



4: Susie with the controller, and ready to go.





5: Getting everything ready for operation.

6: Some final checks.

» April 2017

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Ask a daft question

Rebuilding a full-size loco

I guess most of us have had a model railway at some point and indeed, I am still building mine, writes David Holmes of the 2874 Trust.

But some of us, maybe the lucky few, get to work on and with the full-size versions, be they diesel or steam, on one or more of the many heritage railways spread throughout the UK. I am lucky indeed, having worked on several locos and now as a trustee for the 2874 Trust whose aim is to restore exGWR 2874 from ‘Barry’ condition to full operational state.

No. 2874 was designed by that doyen of loco design George Jackson Churchward, one of the first 2-8-0 locos ever built, and left Swindon in November 1918 just missing the end of the First World War. It was built initially to haul the Jellico coal trains for the Grand Fleet.

The engine worked tirelessly through until Dear RMM

Thank you for your magazine. I have read the March magazine with great interest. As a mum of five- and six-year-old girls who take an interest in trains and buildings, mostly plastic/cardboard kits, I feel I must list some of the ways our girls have engaged with railways and the hobby.

We have several different gauge rideon-tracks close enough for a day out.

Perrygrove Railway in Gloucestershire is excellent with its tree houses, small houses to explore as well as trains to ride.

Also some of the engineer-run, miniature railways have open days, which I for one would like to see better promoted. Broomy Hill Miniature Railway in Herefordshire is an excellent one with a boating pond in the centre. As you mentioned in the article concerning interest from younger children, it can depend on which engineers are on duty and how friendly and helpful they are.

Dear RMM

I enjoyed your article on young modellers in March’s issue. I probably have to thank my grandmother for my model railway interest, as she made Airfix kits for me.

At the time I had a Lone Star pusharound set, having previously played a Hornby tin-plate set to death. Just before I was five I received a Tri-ang set with the black Princess Elizabeth, which I still own (three motors on!). Had I been born a few years later I guess slot cars would have been the thing.

Although my railway interest waxes and wanes, I am in the process of 52 | April 2017

1963 when it was withdrawn, having travelled more than 1.25 million miles hauling coal and heavy freight trains across the GWR system.

It was then was sold to Dai Woodham and languished at Barry for a number of years and, having since been sold to a number of different preservation groups, it has now been bought by the 2874 Trust, a charity whose aim is to restore the engine to full working order.

Why yet another 28xx? This class of loco is ideally suited for heritage lines being strong, reliable and economical. But what makes 2874 special? It will be the only one of the class restored in as-built condition and specifically with inside steam pipes.

We have already carried out a wheel swap, with later version, sister No. 3850, to ensure historical accuracy, so 3850 now has Collett pattern wheels and 2874 the correct Churchward pattern.

Based now at GWSR Toddington, investigative work has commenced to ascertain the state of boiler, the frames and etc so that we can identify what needs to be done, what needs to be found and, more importantly at what cost.

How can you help? By joining the 2874 Trust (www.2874trust.org) or sending a donation however large or small via our website or, if you want to get hands on and move to 12 inches to the foot, then please contact us through our website.

Avonscroft is another good example of a miniature railway that has open days.

I have to say when our local club has running days at a village hall the girls love bringing their ready-to-run trains (E.T.S Czech republic tinplate type) and putting their names down for a running slot. After which we eat some lovely cake and watch some rather more sedate running trains.

The Anything Goes track featured in the issue really chimes with our experience as the girls rarely worry about scale of buildings on their layouts. Sometimes we can photocopy the cardboard kit in a smaller or bigger scale without the girls minding but as a rule Lego figures mix up with other toys as well as scale metal figures.

Our girls really enjoy York Model Railway Show (this year held over Easter weekend in April) as the show has a children’s building area and every child

leaves with a model building. Maggie and Gordon Gravett are sterling, as are the helpers who are not named in the show guide but are really patient with our girls.

Also there are some fantastic demonstrators who have sent the girls away with a garden or allotment for building.

In my opinion schools could make a big difference. After-school clubs could offer classes to paint metal figures, build plastic and cardboard kits, make scenery and wooden models as well as kit building using soldering techniques. At the moment there seems too much red tape for this to be possible.

Meg McGeown, via email Ed: I do also think that mum’s roles in encouraging young modellers and railway enthusiasts is underestimated as when I take my son to railway events there are lots of mums taking their children on days out and supporting their enthusiasm.

constructing my second OO garden railway, I do worry that there aren’t enough younger modellers coming along, my son likes railway stuff but he wants to be a guitar player!

I recently went to the New Mills and District Railway Modellers’ exhibition in Chapel-en-Le Frith, a good show, and it was heart warming to see parents bringing their children. But when you walk around it does look like an old boys’ network. I am rapidly becoming an old boy myself, I wonder how many of these children will get the bug?

Via email

Write to us Get in touch by emailing: RMModellingeditor@mortons.co.uk or send letters to: The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR. Please include your name, address and email in all correspondence.

Inside out

Getting out into the garden The sun is shining, the weather is warm. Shutting yourself away in the railway room doesn’t seem quite so appealing as it did over the winter months. How lovely would it be to sit in a deckchair with a cool drink and watch the trains go by on your own garden line, asks Phil Parker.

S

urely modelling is challenging enough indoors... so outside – with rain, snow and insects to tangle with – it’s going to be a lot harder, isn’t it?

Not necessarily. Taking your enthusiasm outdoors offers a lot of advantages.

For a start, gardens tend to offer much more space than spare rooms and even lofts.

This is handy because most garden railways are built to larger scales than those indoors.

While people have built OO gauge railways in their gardens, the most common scale is G, or 1:22.5.

Trains run on 45mm gauge track, the same as Gauge One. Being narrow gauge, you can get away with very tight curves.

A starter set from LGB includes a circle of their tightest track – just over four feet in diameter. It’s robust too, an old advert used to show an elephant standing on a piece without harming it!

Rolling stock is pleasingly large and chunky. Beginners will normally start with an 0-4-0 locomotive around 25cm long and with a couple of wagons or coaches the same size.

Obviously as you get into the hobby, bigger locomotives are available depending

on the size of your line and the depth of your pockets.

Expensive? Well an LGB ‘Toy Train’ starter set with a small diesel outline loco, couple of wagons, track and controller can be bought for £172. The steam outline version is just over £200. That sort of money can easily be spent on a single OO loco nowadays. Don’t be fooled by the Toy Train title either – these are nicely engineered products that just lack the finer details. For £100 more, you can have a Bachmann (yes, the same people who produce OO models) Percy and a couple of wagons along with track and controller. A child-pleasing set if ever there was one.

Children are another source of rolling stock. Do they have Playmobile trains? Well these are LGB stock designed around the little plastic figures. They work on the track and couple to standard LGB trains. When children grow out of them, quite a few sets make their way to eBay too, a quick look shows several complete ones for £150.

Beyond this, you’ll need to think about buildings and scenery. There are a huge number of cottage industry suppliers.

Outdoor models have to deal with the weather so models tend to be cast in resin to be glued together by the modeller. This

Garden railways have to be robust to deal with the local wildlife, in this case a cat who doesn’t appreciate track being laid in the sunny spot in which she likes to snooze.

isn’t a job for little tubes, more often it’s the cartridge glue guns beloved of decorators and builders. Even car body filler can be used.

Another popular material for buildings is concrete. Ready-to-use buildings and bridges can be bought pre-cast and certainly have enough strength to survive anything nature can throw at them. You don’t need to worry about them blowing away in the wind either.

Greenery comes from your local garden centre. Dwarf plants look great beside garden railways. If you have a keen gardener in the family, they are often only too happy to be co-opted to look after this side of the railway, letting you concentrate on the trains.

The secret to garden railway building is

»

It might be a ‘Toy Train’, but LGB’s Otto is based on a real locomotive built by the German firm Kraus in 1892. The flat wagon wouldn’t normally carry a car, but it could easily be replaced with tree trunks or pipes. The brake van is a typical German type with a rear veranda.

April 2017

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Inside out

Isle of Man railway No. 6 Peveril heads up a train of four-wheel coaches, all manufactured by Accucraft. Steam outline but electrically powered, this highly detailed model makes a lovely display piece when not in operation.

Can you recognise the passenger enjoying his look at the locomotive?

« to understand that most aren’t looking to

build a realistic section of a real railway as you do indoors. No, the point is you ARE building a real railway. Think of famous narrow gauge lines such as the Talyllyn or Ffestiniog. These are separate entities not connected to the main line and this is how most outdoor modellers see their railway.

They don’t build part of it, they build the whole line. It’s just not a very big line.

This approach allows any stock to be run. If it fits on the track then that’s all that matters. Real narrow gauge lines tended to buy old locos, wagons and coaches from all over the place, so it’s not unrealistic to mix them up.

This laid-back attitude is one of the attractions of garden railways. People are

54 | April 2017

friendly and helpful. Apart from a small number of shows, most get-togethers take place in other people’s gardens. Inviting fellow modellers along to play with your railway is part of the appeal. It’s easy to find yourself enjoying a barbecue in the sunshine as a tiny steam engine runs by.

Which brings me to steam. Outdoors, a proper, working steam engine is a real possibility. Chinese manufacture has brought the prices within reach of normal people. Okay, so we are still talking four figures, but a new loco costs about the same as a season ticket to watch Arsenal kick a ball around for a year, or a designer handbag. Neither of these will hold their value as well as the steam loco either. Be warned though, most modellers start by

saying that their line only needs a single engine but find that perhaps a second one would be nice. Mind you, I’m told the same thing applies to handbags.

So, how do you get started?

My suggestion is to look at starter sets.

They are cheap and include everything you need to have a line running in a few minutes. Don’t worry about civil engineering to begin with – lay the track on a freshly cut lawn, imagine it’s a temporary contractors' railway and enjoy the sunshine.

Next, you’ll need some more track and points. These aren’t cheap, LGB are just under £40 for a manually operated turnout, but keep things simple. A loop and single siding is pretty major for many narrow gauge enterprises. By this stage

Bought for £45 brand new, this LGB loco is battery powered and operated by a remote-control handset. Perfect for track testing, more serious modellers might like to treat it to a coat of paint!

Just because a building is cast in concrete, doesn’t mean it has to look lumpen. A little pruning is required so N Slack’s coal merchants doesn’t disappear, but then regular trimming of the scenery is part of the fun of working outside.

you’ll be thinking about laying track in the flowerbeds. Compact the earth with your foot and sprinkle some pea gravel for ballast and it will look great if not be that permanent. Just like the real railway, a certain amount of maintenance is to be expected. In the early stages, don’t commit to a plan, treat the line like a giant train set and re-design as you see fit.

If the bug takes hold you’ll want to fix the track down so it doesn’t move through the winter, yes, people do run trains in the snow. You might even be re-designing the garden around the railway. Raised flower beds do look nice and make operating the trains so much easier.

Be warned, once you move outside, you might not want to come back in!

USEFUL WEBSITES

The G Scale Society wwwgscalesociety.com The national society for those modelling in G scale. Home to many area groups who organise get-togethers and provide help and support for members building their own lines.

The Association of 16mm Modellers www.16mm.org.uk

»

The largest garden railway association in the UK. Although the focus is on trains running on 32mm (O gauge) track, the scale is close to G and it welcomes anyone working in the garden scales into the association.

April 2017

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Inside out

Garden railways have a worldwide following with prototypes from all corners of the globe. American prototypes but bought in the UK, the steam loco is from Bachmann and the steeple cab from Hartland locomotive works.

Ruby year for National Garden Railway Show I f Phil has whetted your appetite for a garden railway, then why not take a trip to the National Garden Railway Show at the Peterborough Arena on Saturday, April 8, which this year is celebrating its 40th year.

There will be more than 100 specialist trade stands and 17 layouts running live steam and electric models all day, including Mwch Grumblyn, Timpdon Lake Railway, Roche Junction, Fiddlers Green... and visitors can also climb aboard 15in gauge Sandy River and Rangely Lakes Railroad No. 24 on a specially laid length of track where people can turn up and drive.

Show director Laurence Smith was determined to have something special

56 | April 2017

for this year’s show: “For the first time ever we’re having a passenger-carrying steam locomotive, in steam; No. 24 from the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway – a replica of the SRRL 2ft gauge No. 24 – will be in steam and giving visitors the chance for a driving experience for a fiver.”

The original No. 24 was built by Baldwin at its Philadelphia works in 1919 for the Sandy River and Rangely Lakes Railroad in Maine, USA. As well as the 15in gauge replica it has been a popular subject for modellers and is a current loco made by 16mm loco builders Roundhouse Engineering of Doncaster.

There will also be a timed task as the Association of 16mm Narrow Gauge

Modellers will be building a train in less than five hours.

As part of the Budget Boulevard section director, Brian Dominic, will start as the show opens to assemble a Swift Sixteen Teeny Weeny Tank Wagon, build a Houston Gate Locomotive Works LB1 body and Deluxe Battery Electric Chassis kit, and a flat wagon from Wood Valley Works, with the aim of having a complete train ready to be one of the prizes in the grand draw at 4pm at the end of the show.

Doors open 9am with the main exhibition open from 10am to 5pm. Online Advance Adults £8, U18 (with adult) free, on the door adult £10, U18 (with adult) free.

See nationalgardenrailwayshow.org.uk for full details. ■

Finding a stockist Here's where you can pick up a free copy...

Not sure where you can get your great value copy of The Railway Magazine guide to Modelling? Here's the latest in our growing list of stockists... and if there's no model shop near your home, ask your local retailer to call us on 01507 529401 BEDFORDSHIRE Beales (Bedford), 5A Harpur Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 1PE, 01234 353292 Dunstable Model Centre, 23/25 West Street, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 1SL, 01582 662566 AGR Model Railway Store LTD, 9 High Street Mews, 28 High Street, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 1EA, 07525 854788 Leighton Buzzard Railway Ltd, Page’s Park Station, Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, §LU7 4TN, 01525 373888 BERKSHIRE JW Toys at Reading Collectors' Centre, Unit 15 Harris Arcade, Station Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1DN, 0118 9588666 Timemachine, 32 Westborough Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 4AR, 01628 622603 MDR Direct, The Old Bank, High Street, Cookham, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 9SJ, 01628 528459 Model Junction, 916 Yeovil Road, Slough Trading Estate, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 4JG , Berkshire Dolls House and model Company, 9 Wargrave Road, Twyford, Berkshire, Berkshire, RG10 9NY, 0118 934 3700 Bracknell Railway Society, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 3AQ, 07543 679256 Loddon Vale Model Railway Club, c/o Grazeley Village Hall, Mereoak Lane, Grazeley, Berkshire, RG7 1JN Marlow Maidenhead & District Model Railway Club, Cox Green Community Centre, 51 Highfield Lane, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3AX, MJH Models, S’agaro, Goring Road, Woodcote, near Reading, Berkshire, RG8 0EQ, 01491 681262 BRISTOL Brunel Model Railways (Richards Railways), 120 High Street, Yatton, Bristol, Bristol, BS49 4DH, 01934 876328 Model Railways Direct, Retail Unit 2, Phoenix Way, Portishead, Bristol, Bristol, BS20 7GP, 01275 774224 Modelmania of Bristol, 13 Clouds Hill Road, St George, Bristol, Bristol, BS5 7LD, 01179 559819 Antics (Bristol), 8 Fairfax Street, Bristol, BS1 3DB, 01179 273744 E Harding Prams and Toys Ltd, 45 East Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4HB, 0117 9663584 Angel Barracks – K&M TREES, 50 Littleton Court, Blakeney Road, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5RT, 07922 16037 C and L Finescale Modelling Ltd, Aran Lodge, Severn Road, Hallen, Bristol, BS10 7RZ, 01179 505470 GMW Retail Ltd, 17-19 Cranleigh Court Road, Yate, Bristol, BS37 5DQ, 01454 322121 Nailsea & District Model Railway Club, Y atton, Bristol, BS49 4HP BUCKINGHAMSHIRE SPD UK, Unit 15 Bessmer Crescent, Rabans Lane Ind Est, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 8TF, 01296 334677 Garden Railway Specialists, 6 Summerleys Road, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9DT, 01844 345158 Modelling Tools.co.uk, Uncle Jacks, Lavendon Road, Olney, Buckinghamshire, MK46 4HH, 01234 711980 Transport Treasures, 2 London Road, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5HQ, 01296 631002 Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4BY, 01296 655720 High Wycombe & District Model Railway Society, c/o Block A, Top Floor, Commercial Square, Leigh Street, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 2RH, 07929 905502 Hunts Hardware, 35 Station Road, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1NW, 01628 488228 Milton Keynes Model Railway Society, secretary, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 3DJ CAMBRIDGESHIRE Nene Valley Railway, Wansford Station, Stibbington, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE8 6LR, 01780 784444 Glendale Junction, 5 New Row, Deeping St James, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE6 8NA, 01778 343183 City Cycle Centre, 7 Market Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4PB, 01353 663131

Trains4u, 27 St Davids Square, Fengate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE1 5QA, 01733 895989 Cambridge Toy Shop, 15 Sussex Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 1PA, 01223 309010 DB Models Ltd, 28c Europa Way, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13 2TZ, 01945 429252 New Modellers Shop Ltd, 25 Eastern Avenue, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE1 4PH, 01733 704502 Broadway Junction, The Coach House, 9 The Broadway, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 5BX, 01480 464684 31a Cambridge Model Railway Club, c/o The Odd Fellows Hall, 131 Newmarket Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB5 8HA Layouts4u, 36 Elwyndene Road, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 9BL, 01354 652302 March & District Model Railway Group, c/o The Rookswood Club, Rookswood Road, West End, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 8DP Modelrailways, Glebe Farm, Spaldwick, Cambridgeshire, PE28 0YT, 01480 890317 CHESHIRE Holder Collectables, Culcheth Model Railways, CPS Shopping Centre, Common Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, WA3 4EH, 0800 046 3595 High Lane Model Railways, Unit 3 Stockport Market Hall, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1ES, 01663 810 299 The Model Shop, 167 Witton Street, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 5EA, 01606 47740 Grimy Times Model Railways, 187 Orford Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, WA2 7BA Haslington Models, 134 Crewe Road, Haslington, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 5RQ, 01270 589079 Waltons Models, 30 Stamford Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1EY, 0161 928 5940 Widnes Model Centre, 128 Widnes Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 6AX, 0151 424 1196 Chester Model Centre, 71-73 Bridge Street Row (East), Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1NW Crewe Heritage Centre, Vernon Way, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 2DB, 01270 212130 Alsager Toys & Models, 58 Sandbach Road South, Alsager, Cheshire, ST7 2LP, 01270 882871 G Scale Direct, 39 The Parklands, Congelton, Cheshire, CW12 3DS, 01260 279194 Hazel Grove Model Railway Society, Methodist Church Hall, Wesley Street, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire, SK7 4JQ, Manchester Model Railway Society, Mersey Road, Sale, Cheshire, M33 6HL CLEVELAND Redcar Models & Hobbies, 130 High Street, Redcar, Cleveland, TS10 3DH, 01642 494912 Stockton Modeller, 10 Silver Street, Stockton-onTees, Cleveland, TS18 1SX, 01642 616680 Cleveland Model Railway Club, Unit 2 The BHive Centre, Skelton Ind Est, Skelton, Saltburn-by-theSea, Cleveland, TS12 2LQ, 07864 880242 Middlesbrough Model Railway Club, c/o Settlement Community Centre, Union Street, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS1 5NQ CO DURHAM Windsock Models, 5-7 Fore Bondgate, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, DL14 7PF, 01388 603759 Models4Hobby, Unit 13 Avenue 3, Chilton Business Park, Chilton, Durham, Co Durham, DL17 0PB, 01388 417940 Locomotion – The National Railway Museum, Shildon, Co Durham, DL4 1PQ, 01388 777999 North East Model Centre, The Old Chapel, Durham Road, Chester Moor, Durham, Co Durham, DH2 3RJ, 0191 3881128 Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum, North Road Station, Darlington, Co Durham, DL3 6ST, 01325 460532 Durham Trains of Stanley, 6 Station Road, Stanley, Co Durham, DH9 0JL, 01207 232545 Connelly's Toy Shop, 9-11 The Bank, Barnard Castle, Co Durham, DL12 8PH, 01833 637 396 Beamish, North of England Open Air Museum, Beamish, Co Durham, DH9 0RG, 0191 3704000 CORNWALL Bodmin & Wenford Railway, General Station, Lostwithiel Road, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 1AQ, 01208 73666 Great Western Scale Models, 5 Pentowan Road, Loggans, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 5AR, 01736 757679

Kernow Model Rail Centre, 98a Trelowarren Street, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8AN, 01209 714099 Liskeard Railway Models, Station Road, Liskeard, Cornwall, PL14 4BX, 01579 349950 World of Model Railways, Meadow Street, Mevagissey, Cornwall, PL26 6UL, 01726 842457 Blewetts of Hayle, 19 Penpole Terrace, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 4BQ, 01736 753012 Falmouth Society of Railway Modellers, c/o The Athenaeum Club, Kimberley Place, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3QL, 01326 312338 Hidden Valley Adventure Park, Tredidon, St Thomas, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 8SJ, 01566 86463 Koalaclaire 69, Pengon, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 7TR Lappa Valley Steam Railway, St Newlyn East, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 5LX, 01872 510317 Launceston Steam Railway, St Thomas Road, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 8DA, 01566 775665 Mid Cornwall Model Railways, Unit 12 The Market House, Market Street, St Austell, Cornwall, PL25 5QB, 07807 613039 Model Realm, Unit 3b Highfield Road Ind Est, Camelford, Cornwall, PL32 9RA, 01840 214440 CUMBRIA Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway Co Ltd, Haverthwaite Station, near Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8AL, 01539 531594 Stainmore Railway Co, The East Station, South Road, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4LA, 01768 371700 C & M Models, 1 Crosby Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 1DQ, 01228 514689 E Atkinson & Sons Ltd, Promenade Shop, Lake Road, Bowness On Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3DE, 01539 443047 Crafty Hobbies, 54 Cavendish Street, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1PZ, 01229 820759 Armstrong Ward, 8 Wainwrights Yard, Stricklandgate, Kendal,, Cumbria, LA9 4DP, 01539 720400 Broughton Rail, The Post Office, 11 Princes Street, Broughton-In-Furness, Cumbria, LA20 6HQ, 01229 716220 Furness Model Railway Club, c/o The Flat, 1 Dundee Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 2RP, 01229 583595 Harpers Toymaster, 1-2 Middlegate, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7PG, 01768 864475 Hadrians Hobbies, Unit 6 The Old Brewery, Craw Hall, Brompton, Cumbria, CA8 1TR, 07962 177904 Jacksons Models & Railways, 33 New Street, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 9AL, 016973 42557 DERBYSHIRE Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association, Wirksworth Station, Station Road, Coldwell Street, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, DE4 4FB, 01629 823076 Malc's Models, 2-4 Pelham Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8AR, 07786 896807 Midland Railway Trust Ltd, Butterley Station, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3QZ, 01773 747674 Mount Tabor Models, Scarthin, Cromford, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3QF, 01629 822294 TTCDiecast (Derby), 107 Nottingham Road, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1 3QR, 01332 343943 WD Models, 25-27 Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 2AH, 01246 208244 Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre, Campbell Drive, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S43 2PR, 01246 472450 Peak Rail PLC, Matlock Station, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3NA, 01629 580381 Chesterfield Railway Modellers, c/o 6 Fishponds Close, Wingerworth, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S42 6SD, 01246 271099 Galactic Models, 3-4 The Strand Arcade, Sadler Gate, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1 1BQ, 01332 344033 Historical Model Railway Society, Museum & Study Centre, Midland Railway Centre, Butterley Railway Station, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3QZ, 01773 745 959 Belper Model Railway Group, c/o Strutts Community Centre, Derby Road, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 1UU, Clay Cross Model Railway Society, Clay Cross Central Mehodist Church, High Street, Clay Cross, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S45 9DZ Edinburgh Wool Mill (Matlock), Masson Mills Shopping Village, Derby Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3PY, 01629 760208 Golden Valley Light Railway, Butterley Station,

Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3QZ, 01773 747674 Loughborough Model Centre, 107 Nottingham Road, Derby, Derbyshire,DE1 3QR, 01332 343943 Wheelbase Models, 21 Market Place, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S44 6PN, 01246 767876 DEVON The Model Shop Exeter, 4 St David’s Hill, Exeter, Devon, EX4 3RG, 01392 421906 Antics (Plymouth), 30 Royal Parade, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 1DU, 01752 221851 Exmouth Model Railway, Queens Drive, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 2AY, 01395 278383 Bekra Models, 91 Queen Street, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2BG, 01626 334884 Buffers Model Railway Ltd, Colston Cross, Axminster, Devon, EX13 7NF, 01297 35557 Peco Model Shop, Underleys, Beer, Seaton, Devon, EX12 3NA, 01297 21542 Shady Lane, 11 Grenville Street, Bideford, Devon, EX39 2EA, 01237 238872 Dartmoor Railway, Okehampton Station, Station Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1EJ, 01837 55164 Antics, 86 Cornwall Street, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 1LR, 01752 221851 Anything Narrow Gauge, Shop 2 Holsworthy Market Parade, Holsworthy Square, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 6DL, 01409 259009 Austins of Newton Abbot, 6 Courtenay Street, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2DU, 01626 333444 Collett’s Model Trains, 6B Albion Street, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 1JL, 01395 224608 Dart Valley Railway, Queens Park Station, Torbay Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6AF, 01803 555872 Devon Railway Centre, The Station, Bickleigh, near Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8RG, 01884 855671 Ilfracombe Model Railway Society, Forresters Hall (above WM Pearce), 5 Wilder Road, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8BN Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, Woody Bay Station, Martinhoe Cross, Parracombe, Devon, EX31 4RA, 01598 752795 Mainly Miniatures, 83 Middle Street, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8EJ, 01803 882555 DORSET Platform Models, Unit 1, 10-12 Alder Hills, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4AL, 01202 798068 Swanage Railway, Station House, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1HB, 01929 475204 Redlands Models, 71 Greenway Road, Redlands, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 5BD, 01305 812183 Scale Link Ltd, Unit 27 Applins Farm Business Centre, Farrington, Dorset, DT11 8RA, 01747 811817 Bournemouth Model Railway Centre, 329-331 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 8BT, 01202 309872 Howleys Toy Master, 5 Frederick Place, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8HQ, 01305 779255 Christchurch Model Railway Club, 8 Belvedere Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1PT, 01202 486802 Dorchester Toymaster, 25 South Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1BY, 01305 261152 East Dorset Area ‘N’ Gauge Group, c/o 3 Riggs Garden, Bournmouth, Dorset, BH11 8QZ, 01202 546679 Aspire Gifts & Models, Unit 9 Court Farm Business Park, Buckland Newton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7BT, 01300 345355 F Herring & Sons, 27 High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UP, 01305 264449 / 267917 Frost & Co Ltd, 34 West Street, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3QP, 01308 422271 Beales (Bournemouth), 36 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 1LJ, 01202 552022 Beales (Poole), The Dolphine Centre, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1SQ EAST SUSSEX Train Times, 37 Seaside, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN22 7NB, 01323 722026 Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, Sheffield Park, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3QL, 01825 720803 Classic Rail, 30 High Street, Ticehurst, Wadhurst, East Sussex, TN5 7AS, 01580 200400 Silverhill Models & Toys, 383 London Road, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN37 6PA, 01424 431133 The Hobby Box, 121 High Street, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 1RN, 01825 765296 Brighton Model Railway Club, c/o London Road Station, Shaftsbury Place, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 4QS, 01273 771929

April 2017

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Finding a stockist & St Leonards Model Railway Club, « Hastings c/o Baldslow Memorial Hall, Harrow Lane,

St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN37 7PR, 01424 753684 Hobby Box Models LTD, 121 High Street, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 1RN, 01825 765296 Crawley Model Railway Society, c/o Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3QL, 01403 255712 Gravesend Railway Enthusiasts' Society, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1DR Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway, Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN23 6QJ

EAST YORKSHIRE 53A Models, 430 Hessle Rd, Hull, East Yorkshire, HU3 3SE, 01482 227777 Bridlington (Area) Railway Modellers & Train Enthusiasts' Society, Barmates, Bridlington Railway Station, Station Approach, Bridlington, East Yorkshire, YO15 3EP, 01262 603309 Croppers Models, 17 Landsdowne Road, Bridlington, East Yorkshire, YO15 2QU, 01262 677231 ESSEX Clacton Art & Craft Centre, 93 Pier Avenue, Clacton on Sea, Essex, CO15 1QE, 01255 436346 Flair Rail, Unit 7 Springfield, Nursery Estate, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, CM0 8TA, 01621 786198 Plus Daughters, 8 Brittania Court, Burnt Mills Ind Est, Basildon, Essex, SS13 1EU, 01268 726211 John Dutfield Model Railways, Wards Yard, 133 Springfield Park Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6EE, 01245 494455 Mankim Models, 213 Shrub End Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 4RN, 01206 574929 Marquee Models, Unit 71 The Harvey Centre, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1XS, 01279 423334 Roneo Models, 32 Roneo Corner, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 4TN, 01708 442836 Colchester A1 Models, 64 London Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 4DF, 01206 572094 Colchester & District Model Railway Club, c/o The Clubhouse, Armoury Farm, Armoury Road, West Bergholt, Essex, CO6 3JP, 01376 570156 Argosy Toys, 553 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 9LJ, 01702 346806 Braintree & Halstead Model Railway Club, c/o East Anglian Railway Museum, Chapple & Wakes Colne Station, Wales Colne, Essex, CO6 2DS, 01787 222920 Chelmsford Model Railway Club & Mangapps Railway, c/o Mangapps Railway Museum, Southminster Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8QG, 01277 225206 Colne Valley Railway, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3DZ, 01787 461174 East Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel & Wakes Colne Station, Wakes Colne, Essex, CO6 2DS, 01206 242524 Epping Ongar Railway, Station House, High Street, Ongar, Essex, CM5 9BN, 01277 365200 Flair Depot Mk 2, Manor Garden Centre, Pound Lane, Bowers Giffird, Basildon, Essex, SS13 2JS, 01268 725556 G F C Models, 2 Milton Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5ED, 01277 219254 B & M Cycles, 13 High Street, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 4RG, 01277 214342 Ilford & West Essex Model Railway Club, Romford, Essex, RM2 6BS Mangapps Railway Museum, Southminster Road, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, CM0 8QQ, 01621 784898 Modula Layouts, 19 Tylers Avenue, Billericay, Essex, CM12 0RA, 01277 624741 GLOUCESTERSHIRE Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, The Shop, The Railway Station, Toddington, Gloucestershire, GL54 5DT, 01242 621405 Forest of Dean Models, High Street, Bream, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 6JF, 01594 563054 Antics (Gloucester), 81 Northgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2AG, 01452 410693 Antics (Stroud), 49 High Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 1AN, 01453 764487 Cheltenham Model Centre, 39 High Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1DY, 01242 234644 Dean Forest Railway, Norchard, Forest Road, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 4ET, 01594 845840 Bourton Model Railway, Box Bush, High Street, Bourton On The Water, Gloucestershire, GL54 2AN, 01451 820686 Antics (Stonehouse), Unit One Springfield Business Centre, Stroud Water Business Park, Brunel Way, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, GL10 3SX, 01453 825645 Derails, Unicorn House, Market Place, 37 Cole Ford, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL16 8AA, 01594 835692 Garden Railway Centres Ltd, Capel Orchard,

58 | April 2017

London Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 6UZ, 01242 519770 Gloucester Model Railway Club, Elmscroft Community Centre, Barnwood Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL2 0RX HAMPSHIRE Mid Hants Railway, The Watercress Line, The Railway Station, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9JG, 01962 733810 The Magic Toy Box, 210 Havant Road, Drayton, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 2EH, 02392 221307 Fratton Model Centre, 171-173 Fratton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 5ET, 023 928 27117 A C Models, 7 High Street, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 5LB, 02380 610100 Alton Model Centre, 7a Normandy Street, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 1DD, 01420 542244 Mainly Planes & Trains, 79 Stoke Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1LR, 02392 581402 Moors Valley Railway, Moors Valley Country Park, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2ET, 01425 471415 Ron Lines, 342 Shirley Road, Shirley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 3HJ, 02380 772681 The Model Shop, 117 New Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 7QS, 02392 653100 Waterlooville Model Centre, 225 Commercial Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 4BJ, 023 9217 6367 Wicor Models, 7 West Street, Porchester, Hampshire, PO16 9XB, 023 9235 1160 AC Models, 7-9 High Street, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 5LB, 02380 610100 Church Street Models, 10a Church Street, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 7QE, 01256 358060 A C Models, 9 High Street, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 5LF, 02380 610100 Andover Toys, 20 Chantry Way, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1LX, 01264 352263 B&D (Collectors) Toys, 2 Beaulieu Road, Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire, SO45 4PT, 023 8084 4550 Fleet Toys, 195 Fleet Road, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 3BL, 01252 613949 Garden Rail Outlet, 7 Rosebery Avenue, Hythe, Southampton, Hampshire, SO45 3HA, 023 8084 0834 Alton Model Railway Group, Alton, Hampshire Modelling & Gaming Supplies, 28 Cove Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 0EN, 01252 540894 HEREFORDSHIRE Hereford Model Centre, 4 Commercial Road, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR1 2BB, 01432 352809 Golden Valley Hobbies, Unit 1 Pontrilas Business Park, Pontrilas, Herefordshire, HR2 0AZ, 01981 241237 Martins Models & Crafts, 10 West Street, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8ES, 01568 613782 Martins Models Garden Railways, The Forge Hatton Gardens, KIngton, Herefordshire, HR5 3RB, 01544 230777 HERTFORDSHIRE Hurricane Models, Unit 7 Impresa Park, Pindar Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 0DL, 01992 447346 Garden Railway Ltd ( Martins Models), 3 Plaw Hatch Close, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 5BL, 01279 831641 Junction 20 Models, 51 High Street, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 9HU, 01923 270247 Cuthberts Toys, 21a Eastcheap, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, SG6 3DA, 01462 486030 Cuthberts Toys, 2 Christopher Place, Upper Dagnell Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 5DQ, 01727 838753 KS Models, 19 Middle Row, Stevenage (Old Town), Hertfordshire, SG1 3AW, 01438 746616 Hoddesdon Model & Railway Club, Mill Lane, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, EN10 7AX Felicitations, First Floor, 17 High Street, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2RU, 01582 767811 ISLE OF MAN Track Shack, Unit 4 Olive Court, Ramsey Road, Peel, Isle of Man, IM5 1RH, 01624 845977 Model World, 16 St Pauls Square, Ramsey, Isle of Man, IM8 1LH, 01624 816048 ISLE OF WIGHT Isle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Havenstreet, Isle of Wight, PO3 4DS, 01983 882204 Reeds Hobbys, 5 Pier Street, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1ST, 01938 56189 Upstairs Downstairs, 3 Pier Street, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 8JR, 01983 406 616 Fort Victoria Model Railway, Fort Victoria, Westhill Road, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, PO41 0RR, 01983 761553 KENT Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, New Romney Station, New Romney, Kent, TN28 8PL, 01797 362353

Chalk Garden Rail, 4 Brewhouse Yard, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2EJ, 01474 351672 Manklows, 44 Seal Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 5AR, 01732 454952 Model World, Unit 1 Anchor Business Park, Castle Road, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3AE, 01795 410630 Ramsgate Models, 74a Queensgate Street, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 9ER, 01843 584073 The Model Shop, 8 Front Road, Woodchurch, Kent, TN26 3QE, 01233 860008 Ashford Model Supply Centre, Unit 23, Ellingham Way, Ashford, Kent, TN23 6NF, 01233 635837 Invicta Model Rail, 130 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 7AB, 0208 3027774 Kent Garden Railways, 66 High Street, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent, BR5 3NH, 01689 891668 Regal Models, The Old School House, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TZ, 01634 838808 Rochester Games & Models, 21 Corporation Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1NN, 01634-815699 The Hobby Shop, 122 West Street, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7JB, 01795 531666 Bexley Model Centre, Broughton House, Iris Avenue, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1HH, 0845 22 66 545 Fenwick (Canterbury), St Georges Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2TB, 01227 766866 Fenwick (Tunbridge Wells), Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2SR, 01892 516716 Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway, The Warren, Bredgar, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8AT, 01622 884254 Dream Steam, Ground Floor Suite, Vanguard House, Mills Road, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7NA, 0845 0773007 East Kent Railway, Station Road, Shepherdswell, Dover, Kent, CT13 7PD, 01304 832042 Folkestone, Hythe & District Model Railway Club, c/o New Broomfield Hall, 29-37 Broomfield Road, Cheriton, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 4DJ, 01303 239889 HLS Models, Unit 5 Manford Ind Est, Manor Road, Erith, Kent, DA8 2AJ, 0747 311 2524 Erith Model Railway Society, c/o 91 Northdown Road, Welling, Kent, DA16 1NU, 0208 306 1768 Beales (Tonbridge), Angel Centre, Angel Lane, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1SF, 01732 771177 Faversham Model Railway Club, c/o West Faversham Community Centre, Bysing Wood Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7RH, 07931 589001 Hoo Peninsula Model Railway Club, c/o The Scout Hut, Stoke Road, Hoo St Werburgh, Rochester, Kent, ME3 9DG, 07527 596630 Hornby Visitor Centre, Westwood Ind Est, Margate, Kent, CT9 4JX, 01843 233524 Kent & East Sussex Railway Company, Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6HE, 01580 765155 Minnis Bay Hidden Treasures, 137 Minnis Road, MInnis Bay, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9NS, 07724 626073 Model Baseboards, The Model Shop, 8 Front Road, Woodchurch, Kent, TN26 3QE, 01233 860008 LANCASHIRE Arcadia Models, 67 Rochdale Road, Shaw, Oldham, Lancashire, OL2 7JT, 01706 882900 Bolton Model Mart, 58 Great Moor Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, BL1 1SN, 01204 382282 Conways (West Houghton), 46-48 Market Street, Westhoughton, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, BL5 3AZ, 01942 812398 East Lancashire Railway, Bury Bolton Street Station, Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0EY, 0161 7647790 Model & Hobby World, 7 Owen Road, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 2AW, 01524 843553 Toys 2 Save, 1 Brighton Avenue, Cleveleys, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY5 2AA, 01253 855 905 Trains & Diecast, 138a Wright Street, Horwich, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 7HU, 01204 669782 Transport Models Ltd, Unit 1 Oyston Mill, Strand Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 8UR, 01772 733644 Hobby & Model Centre, 1 Hutton Lane, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 4JB, 01204 61446 Topslots N Trains, Mariytime Street, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 7PB, 01253 773731 JPL Models, 129 Elliott Street, Tyldesley, Manchester, Lancashire, M29 8FL, 01942 896138 MJR Models, Hobbies & Accessories, 11 Hindley Road, Daisy Hill, Westhoughton, Bolton, Lancashire, BL5 2JU, 01942 386790 The Locoshed, 48 Bury Old Road, Whitefield, Manchester, Lancashire, M45 6TL, 0161 772 0103 Tower Models, 44 Cookson Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 3ED, 01253 623797 / 623799 West End Model Centre, West End Buildings, 113 Albert Road, Colne, Lancashire, BB8 0BT, 01282 867711 Conways (Blackpool), 19-21 Birley Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1EG, 01253 626461 E C Toys, 44 Bond Street, South Shore, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1BQ, 01253 341897

Carnforth Models, Unit 5 Carnforth Station, Warton Road, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA5 9TR, 07986 252205 Collectors Toy Shop, 138a Wright Street, Horwich, Lancashire, Lancashire, BL6 7HU, 01204 669782 Diesel Depot Model Railways, 23 The Crescent, St Annes on Sea, Lancashire, Lancashire, FY8 1SZ, 01253 780015 F & S Scale Models, 227 Droylsden Road, Audenshaw, Manchester, Lancashire, M34 5RT, 0161 370 3235 Chorley & District Model Railway Club, c/o 101 Carr Lane, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 3JQ, 01257 412710 Bury Steam Locomotive Co Ltd, East Lancashire Railway Co Ltd, Bolton Street Station, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0EY, 0161 7985821 Lancashire & Yorkshire DCC Model Rail Group, Waterside Road, Haslingden, Lancashire, BB4 5EZ Leigh Models & Hobbies, 527 Bickershaw Lane, Bickershaw, Manchester, Lancashire, WN2 5TU, 07830 839718 Leyland Model Railway Club, Buckshaw Village, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 7BX M J Racing (Slotcars) Ltd, 11 Hindley Road, Westhoughton, Bolton, Lancashire, BL5 2JU, 01942 386790 Models and More Ltd, 12 Bridge Street, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 2HH, 01254 775093 LEICESTERSHIRE Great Central Railway, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1RW, 08708 308298 The Signal Box, 1 Albion Street, Anstey, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE7 7DD, 0116 236 2901 Keith’s Model Railways, 2 Holyrood Drive, Countesthrope, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE8 5TR, 0116 2778634 Ace Connections Ltd, 23 Market Street, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 4EJ, 01455 557052 Scale Model Scenery Ltd, 62 Station Road, Hugglescote, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE67 2GB, 01530 456952 Acme Model Products, The Shops, 48 Highgate Road, Sileby, Leicestershire, LE12 700, 01509 812177 Fords Oakham Ltd, 8 Church Street, Oakham, Leicestershire, LE15 6AA, 01572 722654 Battlefield Line Railway, The Shackerstone Railway Society, Shackerstone Station, Shackerstone, Leicestershire, CV13 6NW, 01827 880754 Little Gem Products, Unit 38D Sowters Lane, Burton on the Wolds, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5AH, 01509 880659 LINCOLNSHIRE Mad About Trains of Gainsborough, 106 Trinity Street, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 1HS, 01427 811040 B & H Models, 7 The Strait, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 1JD, 01522 538717 D Hewins Models & Hobbies, 7B East Saint Mary’s Gate, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, DN31 1LH, 01472 347088 GRA’s Models, 65 Scotgate, Town Centre, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2YB, 01780 751826 Model Railway Shop Grantham, 46 Watergate, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6PR, 01476 563472 Models & Computers Plus, 55 West Street, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 8QN, 01205 365102 RA Models, 182a Ashby High Street, Ashby, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, DN16 2JR, 07561 400533 Caistor Loco, Ashtree Enterprises, 8 Market Place, Caistor, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN7 6TW, 01472 859990 Granary Models, 31 High Street, Swineshead, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE20 3LH, 01205 820115 Masons Models, 20 New Road, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 1DQ, 01775 722456 York Model Railway Ltd, Veck House, Helmswell Cliff Business Centre, near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 5TJ, 01427 667470 Digitrains, 15 Clifton Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 8LQ, 01522 527731 DB Models Ltd, No 4 Wheatsheaf Court, Deeping St Nicholas, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 3TH, 01775 630479 / 07723 336344 A Part Toys & Models, Room 11 Welland Stationers, Cherryholt Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2EP, 08701 424224 Angel Cottage Supplies – K&M TREES, 4 Brewery Lane, Carlton le Moorland, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 9HZ, 07824 335583 Ashtree Enterprises/Caistor Loco, 8 Market Place, Caistor, Lincolnshire, LN7 6TW, 01472 859990 Fraction Models, 10 Roman Bank, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE25 2RU, 01754 760077 Gainsborough Model Railway Society, Florence Terrace, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 1BE, 01427 615871 Classic, 138 Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, DN35 7DN, 01472 291934

Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, Lakeside Station, Kings Road, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, DN35 0AG, 01472 604657 Cleethorpes Model Railway Society, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, DN34 5TG Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, Ludborough Station, Station Road, Ludborough, Lincolnshire, DN36 5SQ, 01507 363881 LONDON London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB, 020 7379 7310 Ian Allan Bookshop & Model Shop, 45-46 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, London, SE1 7RG, 0207 401 2100 E F Russ, 101 Battersea Rise, Battersea, London, SW11 1HW, 020 7228 6319 Northfields Model Shop, 217 Northfield Avenue, Ealing, London, London, W13 9QU, 078 064 711 73 Janes Trains, 35 London Road, Tooting, London, SW17 9JR, 020 8640 1569 Fenwicks (Brent Cross), Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Brent Cross, London, NW4 3FN Hannants London, Unit 2 Hurricane Trading Estate, Graeme Park Way, Collindale, London, NW9 5QW, 0208 205 6697 London Model Railway Club, Keen House, 4 Calshot Street, London, N1 9DA Hillingdon Railway Modellers, c/o Yiewsley Church Hall, Fairfield Road/Cobham Avenue, West Drayton, London, UB7 8HF Fagins Toys, 84 Fortis Griffin Road, Muswell Hill, London, N10 3HN, 020 844 0282 MERSEYSIDE Kitstop Models, 20 Oxton Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH41 2QJ, 0151 647 9067 DKG Hobbies, 14 Princes Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1EZ, 01704 500630 Formby Model & Hobby Scene, 77-79 Gores Lane, Formby, Merseyside, L37 7DE, 01704 870432 Sawyer Models, 27 Bridge Street, Earlestown, Newton-Le-Willows, Merseyside, WA12 9BE, 01925 227 835 D K G. Hobbies/Hobby Scene, 14 Princes Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1EZ, 01704 500630 Liverpool Model Railway Society, County Methodist Church, Ludlow Street, LIverpool, Merseyside, L4 3RH MIDDLESEX Enfield Town Model Railway Club, c/o St Paul’s Centre, 102 Church Street, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 6PR, 01992 639361 Jennings Models, 5 Alberta Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 1JA, 0208 882 7679 NORFOLK Hobbies, Units 8b-11 The Ravingham Centre, Ravingham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 6NU, 01508 549330 Train Terrain Models, 199 Plumstead Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 4AB, 01603 304379 Great Eastern Railway Models, 199 Plumbstead Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 4AB, 01603 431457 Hunstanton Models, 36 High Street, Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 5AF, 01485 533324 Buoys Toys and Models, 30 Louden Road, Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9EF, 01263 519652 Bure Valley Models, Aylsham Station, Norwich Road, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6BW, 01263 733858 Mid Norfolk Railway, Dereham Station, Station Road, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1DF, 01362 690633 Association of Larger Scale Railway Modellers, c/o 8 Ffolkes Place, Runcton Holme, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE33 0AH , Auto-Loco, 10 Station Road, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8RG, 01263 821777 Hobbies, Units 8b-11 The Ravingham Centre, Ravingham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 6NU, 01508 549330 JPM Balsa, Unit 2 Archway Shopping Centre, Stalham, Norfolk, NR12 9AZ, 01692 581862 Langleys Toys, 12-14 Royal Arcade, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1NQ, 01603 621959 NORTH YORKSHIRE Monk Bar Model Shop, 2 Goodramgate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7LQ, 01904 659423 P & S Hobbies & Models, 32 Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1XE, 01723 377020 Starbeck Models, 16 Devonshire Place, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 4AA, 01423 507089 The Model Centre & Custom Finish Locomotives, Hill Farm, Beckhole, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 5LF, 01947 896040 The Toy & Book Warehouse, Rear of 9 Market Place, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7AA, 01751 474672 The Train Shop, 41 Eastborough, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1NH, 01723 354019 White Rose Modelworks, Unit 10 Bedale Station, Bedale, North Yorkshire, DL8 1BZ, 01677 422444 Buffers, Backoth Hill Farm, Storiths, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6HU, 01756 710253

North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Pickering Station, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7AJ, 01751 473799 Ellis Clark Trains, Unit 1 Toller Court, Shortbank Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 2HG, 01756 701451 Monkbar Model Shop, 2 Goodramgate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7LQ, 01904 659423 Fenwick (York), Coppergate Centre, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 9WY, 01904 643322 Harrogate Models, 67 Leeds Road, (above the post office), Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8BE, 01423 871 364 Craven Model Centre, Unit 3 Mount Pleasant,, High Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1JZ, 01756 794919 Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, Yorkshire Dales Railway Museum Trust, Bolton Abbey Station, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6AF, 01756 710614 Embsay Steam Railway Trading Co Ltd, Embsay Station, East Lane, Embsay, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6QX, 01756 794727 Claridges, 9 Church Street, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5AD, 01439 770401 National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York, North Yorkshire, YO26 4XJ, 01904 686240 Edinburgh Woollen Mill (Settle), Langcliffe Road, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 9LR, 01729 825539 Grosmont Book Shop, Front Street, Grosmont, North Yorkshire, YO22 5QE, 01947 895170 Modeltrains4U, 2 Sawyers Crescent, York, North Yorkshire, YO23 3YA, 08000 431174 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE The Model Shop, 230 Wellinborough Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 4EJ, 01604 631223 Wellingborough Trains & Models, 26 Market Street, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN8 1AT, 01933-274069 A & H Models Ltd, 95 High Street, Brackley, Northamptonshire, NN13 7BW, 01280 701410 Daventry Model Railway Club, c/o Unit 10 Austin Way, Royal Park Ind Est, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 8QY, 07773 275428 H & A Models, 19 Keats Way, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire, NN10 8DQ, 01933 355531 Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, Irchester Country Park, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN8 2EH, 01400 261043 MP Models UK, Unit S6 Moulton Business Centre, Redhouse Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN3 6AQ, 07837 497368 NORTHUMBERLAND Trains & Planes Ltd, Unit 19b, Airport Ind Est, Kingston Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, NE3 2EF, 0191 286 4175 Collectors Cellar, 11 Hencotes, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 2EQ, 01434 601392 J & J Models, 1 Packhorse Buildings, Newgate Street, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1AW, 07792 925181 Aln Valley Railway Trust, Lionheart Railway Station, Lionheart Enterprise Park, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 2EZ , Bowes Railway, Springfield Village, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, NE9 7QJ , Alnwick Model Railway Club, Old Village Hall, Rock, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 3SE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Access Models, 43/45 Castlegate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1BE, 01636 673116 D, J & F Benham of Edwinstowe, 45 High Street, Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, NG21 9QR, 01623 822302 Gee Dee Models, 21 Heathcote Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1 3AF, 0115 9412211 Geoffrey Allison Railways, 90 Cheapside, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S80 2HY, 01909 473255 Sherwood Models, 831 Mansfield Road, near Daybrook, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG5 3GF, 0115 9266290 The Goods Yard, Station Lodge, Lodge Lane Ind Est, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire, NG22 0NL, 07930 557601 MB Models, 32 Conery Gardens, Whatton, Nottinghamshire, NG13 9FD, 01949 850063 OXFORDSHIRE Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway Assoc, Chinnor Station, Station Approach, Station Road, Chinnor, Oxfordshire, OX39 4ER , Didcot Railway Centre, Station Road, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NJ, 01235 817200 Bicester Toys & Nursery Ltd, 66/68 Sheep Street, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 6JW, 01869 323946 Cholsey & Wallingford Railway Preservation Society, 5 Hithercroft Road, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 9GQ, 01491 835067 Dentons Cycles & Toys, 1 High Street, Whitney, Oxfordshire, OX28 6HW, 01993 704 979 Tinders, 56-59 Broad Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 5BL Banbury & District Model Railway Club, Cherwell

Business Park, Southam Road, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 2SP, 01295 252931 / 01295 250463 Howes Models Ltd, Unit 2c/d Station Field Ind Est, Rowles Way, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, OX5 1LA, 01865 848000

Ellesmere Model Railway Club, c/o Criftins Village Hall, Dudleston Heath, Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 9LQ Modelscape, Unit 8b-8c Rodenhurst Business Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 4QU, 01952 771115

SCOTLAND Alva Motor Factors Ltd, 31 Mill Street, Alloa, Scotland, FK10 1DT, 01259 723033 Sports & Model Shop, 66 High Street, Dingwall, Scotland, IV15 9RY, 01349 862346 Strathspey Railway Company, Aviemore Station, Dalfaber Road, Aviemore, Scotland, PH22 1PY, 01479 810725 The Hamilton Toy Collection, 111 Main Street, Callander, Scotland, FK17 8BQ, 01877 330004 Wildcat Models, 251 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, Scotland, G11 6AB, 0141 3345599 Inverness Model Shop, 16 Victorian Market, Queensgate Arcade, Inverness, Scotland, IV1 1PJ, 01463 712448 Mackenzie Models, Quarryside, Duncansby Head Road, John O’Groats, Scotland, KW1 4YS, 01955 611210 Mac’s Model Railroading, 4-8 Reform Street, Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland, DD8 4BS, 01575 572397 Waddell’s Models, 56 Bell Street, Merchant City, Glasgow, Scotland, G1 1LQ, 0141 5528044 Wickness Models, 6 Greenlea Crescent, Collin, Dunfries & Galloway, Scotland, DG1 4PR, 07920 407724 Wonderland Models, 97-101-103 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 9AN, 0131 229 6428 Harburn Hobbies, 67 Elm Row, Leith Walk, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH7 4AQ, 0131 556 3233 Invergowrie Model Centre, 118 Main Street, Invergowrie, Dundee, Scotland, DD2 5BE, 01382 561064 McLaren Models, 155 Grahams Road, Falkirk, Scotland, FK2 7BQ, 01324 624102 Models Unlimited, 2 North Street, Inverurie, Scotland, AB51 4QR, 01467 672277 Modelzone at WH Smith, 177 Sauchiehall Street, Sauchiehall, Glasgow, Scotland, G2 2ER, 0141 331 2833 Pastimes (Glasgow), 126 Maryhill Road, St Georges Cross, Glasgow, Scotland, G20 7QS, 0141 3311008 Uddingston Model Centre, 161 Main Street, Uddingston, Glasgow, Scotland, G71 7BP, 01698 813194 Dumfries & District Model Railway Club, Lockerbie Railway Station, Station House, Lockerbie, Scotland, DG11 2HA , Dundee Model Railway Club, 2-4 Huntly Square, Craigie, Dundee, Scotland, DD4 7SX, 01382 644342 / 07776 011601 Edinburgh & Lothians Model Railway Club, 47 Long Crook, South Queensferry, Scotland, EH30 9XR Durrans, 2 St Johns Square, Thurso, Caithness, Scotland, KW14 7AN, 01847 893169 Ayrshire Model Centre, 41 Kyle Street, Ayr, Scotland, KA7 1RS, 01292 886614 Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, The Scottish Railway Preservation Society, Bo’ness Station, Union Street, Bo’ness, West Lothian, Scotland, EH51 9AQ , Falkirk Model Railway Club, Unit 5 Redding Ind Est, Falkirk, Scotland, FK2 9TT , H&I Supplies t/a Model Warehouse, 5 Badentoy Place, Portlethen, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB12 4YF, 01224 784799 Elgin Model Railway Club, Elgin, Moray, Scotland, IV30 4JT , WH & MR Model Railways, Elgin Mart (Saturdays), New Elgiin Road, Elgin, Moray, Scotland, IV30 6BE, 01343 543243 Scoonie Hobbies, 87 St Clair Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, KY1 2NW, 01592 6517 Country Toys, 66 High Street, Annan, Scotland, DG12 6DL, 01461 207890 Cupar & District Model Railway Club, c/o The Old Theatre Block, Castle Hill Centre, Cupar, Scotland, KY15 4HA Keith & Dufftown Railway, Dufftown Station, Banffshire, Scotland, AB55 4BA, 01542 831295 Kilmarnock & District Model Railway Club, 14 Pine Road, Kilmarnock, Scotland, KA1 2EZ Leadhills & Wanlockhead Railway, The Station, Leadhills, Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML12 6XP Marionville Models, 42 Turnhouse Road, Maybury, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH12 8LX, 0131 3177010

SOMERSET East Somerset Models, The Railway Station, Cranmore, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4QP , Frome Model Centre, 1-2 Catherine Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1DA, 01373 465295 Model Masters, International House, 50a Clifton Road, Weston Super Mare, Somerset, BS23 1BW, 01934 629717 Signals Model Shop, 8 Holly Court, High Street, Midsomer Norton, Somerset, BA3 2BD, 01761 402484 West Somerset Railway, The Buffer Stop, The Railway Station, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5BG, 01643 700387 Denners, 23-25 High Street, Yeovil,, Somerset, BA20 1RU, 01935 444444 Eric Snook Ltd, 22-24 Union Passage, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1RD, (01225) 464914 Bridgwater Model Railways, Bridgwater Railway Station, St. John Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5HB, 01278 427646 DCC Train Automation, Unit 4, The Court Yard, Bowdens Farm, Hambridge, Taunton, Somerset, TA10 0BP, 01823 429309 East Somerset Railway, Cranmore Railway Station, Cranmore, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4QP, 01749 880417 G W Hurley, 27-29 High Street, Burnham on Sea, Somerset, TA8 1PA, 01278 789281 Bath Railway Society, St Mary’s Church Hall, Darlington Street, Bathwick, Bath, Somerset, BA2 4EB Burnham & District Model Railway Club, c/o Community Centre, Berrow Road, Burnham on Sea, Somerset, TA8 2ET Hollylovestoys Ltd, 27 Mayflower Court, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3BQ, 01278 785925 Jadlam Racing Models, The Firs Underwood Business Park, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1AF, 01749 671809 Loco Notion Models, 88 Meadow Street, Weston Super Mare, Somerset, BS23 1QW, 07710 215566 Mainly Trains, Williams & Cleal, Willet Farm Workshops, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 3QB, 01278 741333 Taunton Controls Ltd, 12 The Octagon, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1RT, 01823 327155

SHROPSHIRE Severn Valley Railway, The Railway Station, Hollybush Road, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 5DT, 01746 765801 Classic Railway Models, 62 Whitburn Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 4QP, 01746 769009 Antenociti’s Workshop Ltd, 5 Hebron Close, Clive, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 5QT, 01939 220498 Cambrian Heritage Railways, Old Station Buildings, Oswald Road, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1RE, 01691 671749

SOUTH YORKSHIRE MG Sharp Models, 712 Attercliffe Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S9 3RP, 0114 244 0851 Marcway Models & Hobbies, 598-600 Attercliffe Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S9 3QS, 0114 244 9170 Rails of Sheffield, 27-29 Chesterfield Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S8 0RL, 0114 2551436 Sheffield Transport Models (Puffer Willies), 206 London Road, Highfields, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S2 4LW, 0114 234 7792 Tag’s Model Shop Ltd, 4 East Laith Gate, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN1 1HZ, 01302 320732 Atkinsons, Conways, 78-82 The Moor, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 3LT, 0114 2781960 Baccus 6mm Ltd – K&M TREES, Unit C Graham House, Bardwell Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S3 8AS, 0114 272 4491 Barnsley Models and Games, 37 The Arcade, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2QP, 01226 206005 Barnsley Model Railway Club, 53 Cypress Road, Kendray, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 3LY, 07774 806487 Elsecar Heritage Railway Preservation Group, Elsecar Heritage Centre, Wath Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S74 8HJ, 01226 746746 Olivia’s Trains & Models, 25a Mansfield Road, Intake, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S12 2AE, 0114 2647 449 Manor Model Railways, 48a Spring Lane, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN5 7QG, 01302 311683 STAFFORDSHIRE The Model Shop, First Floor The Octagon Centre, New Street, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 3TN, 07939 544527 Chasewater Railway Museum, Chasewater Country Park, Brownhills West Station, Pool Lane, Burntwood, Staffordshire, WS8 7NL, 01543 452623 The Hobby Goblin, 54 Hamil Road, Burslem, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 1AU, 01782 818 433 The Tutbury Jinny, Unit 9 Tutbury Mill Mews, Lower High Street, Tutbury, near Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 9LU, 01283 814777 Topp Trains, 28 Marston Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 3BS, 01785 247883 Amerton Railway, Stowe-by-Chartley, Nr Weston, Staffordshire, ST18 0LA, 01785 850965 Foxfield Railway, Caverswall Road, Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire, ST11 9BG, 01782 396210

April 2017

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| 59

Finding a stockist Goblin, 13 Queen Street, Burslem, Stoke On « Hobby Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 3EL, 01782 823818 Alsager Railway Association, 10 Cornhill Close, Waterhayes, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs, ST5 7TA Burton Railway Society, c/o Marston’s Social Club, Shobnal Road, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 2BG Mech Models, Unit 9 Lancaster Park, Newborough Road, Needwood, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 9PD, 01283 575444 SUFFOLK Diss & District Model Railway Society, c/o The Maples, Old Barningham Road, Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 2BA, 01359 250739 Perfect Miniatures, 86-88 Friars Street, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2AJ, 01787 375884 Model Junction, 10 Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1NX, 01284 753456 Coastal DCC Ltd, Unit 2, 48-52 Tomline Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8DB, 01473 710946 Ipswich Railway Modellers' Association, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2HB Mid Suffolk Light Railway, Wetheringsett, near Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 5PW SURREY Dorking Models, 12/13 West Street, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1BL, 01306 881747 Models of Distinction, 23 The Woolmead, East Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7TT, 01252 716981 Addlestone Model Centre, 130 Station Road, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 2BE, 01932 845440 Roxley Models, 4 Beckley Parade, Great Bookham, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT23 4RQ, 01372 452976 Allders Ltd, 2 Northend, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 1SB, 0208 6037400 Hampton Court Model Railway Society, 38 Arnold Drive, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2GD, 020 8949 3431 Roxey Mouldings, 58 Dudley Road, Walton on Thames, Surrey, KT12 2JU, 01932 245439 Guildford Model Engineering Society, c/o 61 Beech Grove, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7UZ, 01483 536937 / 07970 034498 Scale Rail Model Centre, 117 Victoria Road, Horley, Surrey, GU7 3LH, 01293 783558 Carshalton & Sutton MRC, c/o St Barnabus Church, 37 St Barnabus Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 4NS East Surrey ‘N’ Gauge, c/o Eastwood Baptist Church, St John’s Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 6DZ Farnham & District Model Railway Club, c/o Wrecclesham Community Centre, Greenfield Road, Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8TJ, 0207 760582 Horley Book & Model Shop Ltd, 117 Victoria Road, Horley, Surrey, RH6 7QS, 01293 783558 Modesco, 43 Farncombe Street, Farncombe, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 3LH, 01483 424666 TYNE & WEAR Pooley’s Puffers, 382A Jedburgh Court, Team Valley Trading Est, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE11 0BQ, 0191 4910202 Stephenson Railway Museum, Middle Engine Lane, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE29 8DX, 0191 2007146 A19 Model Railway Club, c/o Room 13, Groundwork South Tyneside & Newcastle, The Eco Centre, Windmill Way, Hebburn, Tyne & Wear, NE31 1SR, 0191 455526 Fenwick (Newcastle Upon Tyne), Northumberland Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE99 1AR, 0191 2325100 Gladston (North Shields Model Centre), 99 Bedford Street, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE29 6QJ, 0191 252 9591 Blyth & Tyne MRS, First Floor Offices, 40 Saville Street, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE30 1NT Monkwearmouth Station Museum, North Bridge Street, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR5 1AP WALES Conwy Valley Railway Museum, The Old Goods Yard, Betws-Y-Coed, Wales, LL24 0AL, 01690 710568 Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, Harbour Station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales, LL49 9NF, 01766 516000 Gwili Railway Co, Bronwydd Arms Station, Carmarthen, Wales, SA33 6HT, 01267 238213 Llangollen Railway Station, The Station, Abbey Road, Llangollen, Clwyd, Wales, LL20 8SN, 01978 860979 North Wales Models, Southwold, Old Mill Road, Penmaenmawr, Wales, LL34 6TG, 01492 622298 Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Co, The Railway

60 | April 2017

Shop, 33 Broad Street, Blaenavon, Torfaen, Wales, NP4 9ND, 01495 792263 Dapol Ltd, Gledrid Industrial Park, Chirk, Wrexham, Wales, LL14 5DG, 01691 774455 Talylynn Railway Shop, Wharfe Station, Tywyn, Wales, LL36 9EY, 01654 710012 The Railway Shop, 33 Broad Street, Blaenavon, Wales, NP4 9NF, 01495 792263 Trainstop, 10 High Street, Knighton, Wales, LD7 1EY, 01547 520673 Voyle’s, Unit 33 Llanelli Workshops, Trostre Business Park, Llanelli, Wales, SA14 9UU, 01554 770041 / 749200 Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog), (Bookshop), Tremadog Road, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales, LL49 9DY, 01766 513402 Western Valley Models, 1 Crescent Road, Risca, Newport, Wales, NP11 6GJ, 01633 615445 Abergavenny Model Shop, 1 Brecon Road, Abergavenny, Monmouth, Wales, NP7 5UH, 01873 852566 Hippo Toys & Models, 5 Diamond Units, Blackmarsh Road, Mochdre, Colwyn Bay, Wales, LL28 5HA, 01492 534169 Holt Model Railways, 100 Bishopston Road, Bishopston, Swansea, Wales, SA3 3EW, 01792 232264 Lendons of Cardiff, 192-194 Fidlas Road, Llanishen, Cardiff, Wales, CF14 5LZ, 029 2075 2563 Lord & Butler Model Railways, The Old Warehouse, Next to Pumping Station, Penarth Road, Cardiff, Wales, CF11 8TT, 02920 667 225 MIB Models, 1 Lewis Buildings, Newton Nottage Road, Newton, Porthcawl, Wales, CF36 5PE, 01656 771121 Model Railways Rhyl, 44 Wellington Road, Rhyll, Wales, LL18 1BN, 01745 798460 Old Barn Hobbies, Unit 18 Aberaeron Craft Centre, Closs Pencarreg, Aberaeron, Wales, SY46 0DX, 01545 571634 Photoworld Model Railways, 26 Queens Road, Craig-Y-Don, Llandudno, Wales, LL30 1AZ, 01492 871818 R & R Hobbies, 3 Shoppers Walk, Swansea, Wales, SA1 3AY, 01792 468749 Railways Unlimited, Unit 3, Y Barics, Nantle, Caernarfon, Wales, LL54 6BD, 01286-882332 Rhuddlan Models, Bryn Awel, High Street, Rhuddlan, Wales, LL18 2TU, 01745 590048 Brite Ideas Toymaster, Unit 1 Gwersyllt Shopping Centre, Gwerstllt, Wrexham, Wales, LL11 4NT, 01978 758451 Albatross, 29 Pier Street, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 2LN, 01970 617836 Antics (Cardiff), 14 St David's House, Wood Street, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 1ER, 02920 229065 Austins Models, 65 High Street, Bangor, Wales, LL57 1NR, 01248 209662 Bala Lake Railway, The Station, Llanuwychllyn, Gwynedd, Wales, LL23 7DD, 01678 540666 Clwyd Hobbies and Models, 447 Abergele Road, Old Colwyn, Conwy, Wales, LL29 9PR, 01492 518709 Colwyn Model Railway Club, Unit 1 & 2, ChapelStreet, Abergele, Wales, LL22 7AW, 01690 750004 Fairbourne Railway, Beach Road, Fairbourne, Gwynedd, Wales, LL38 2EX, 01341 250362 George Lewis (Toys) Ltd, Market Hall, Llanelli, Wales (South), Wales, SA15 1YF, 01554 757358 Clarice Toys, 4 Upper Frog Street, Tenby, Wales, SA70 7JD, 01834 843493 Cmyru County Store, Madog Harbor, Porthmadog, Wales, LL49 9LP, 01766 513834 Corris Railway, Station Yard, Corris, Machynlleth, Wales, SY20 9SH Corven Arts, Corven Hall, Howey, Llandrindod Wells, Wales, LD1 5RE, 0870 0664902 Crossgates Post Office, Cross Gates Wells, Llandrindod Wells, Wales, LD1 6RD, 01597 851206 Edinburgh Woollen Mill, The Old Station, Severn Road, Welshpool, Wales, SY21 7AY, 01938 556622 Filco Supermarket, 19 Boverton Road, Llantwit Major, Wales, CF61 1LZ, 01446 794118 Llanberis Lake Railway, Rheilffordd Lyn Padarn, Gilfach Ddu, Llanberis, Caernarfon, Wales, LL55 4TY, 01286 870549 Magical Miniatures, 6 Chester Street, Wrexham, Wales, LL13 8BD WARWICKSHIRE Classic Train & Motor Bus, 21b George Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV31 1HA, 01926 887499 Our Place, 3 Swan Street, Alcester, Warwickshire,

B49 5DP, 01789 766755 FTD Models, 189B Cheveral Avenue, Radford, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV6 3EN, 02476 599988 Barby Model Rail, Studio 3, The Locks, Hillmorton, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 4PP, 01788 543442 Barney’s Toy Store, 1a Park Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4QN, 01926 889411 Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society, Whatcoat Road, Oxhill, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV35 0RA WEST MIDLANDS Hobbyrail, Unit 38 Market Village, South Parade, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B72 1QU, 07981 757023 Ian Allan Bookshop, 12 Ethel Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B2 4BG, 0121 6432496 Springhill Models, 4 Springhill Lane, Penn, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV4 4SH, 01902 341302 Wonderful World of Trains & Planes, 3 Mary Ann Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3 1BG, 0121 227 4000 A Oakes Ltd, Oakend House, 174/180 Vicarage Road, Oldbury, West Midlands, B68 8JB, 0121 552 1684 Tennents Trains, Shop 1, 130 Hagley Road, Haleygreen, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 1DY, 0121 550 1266 Antics (Coventry), 1a City Arcade, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 3HX, 02476 551155 Arcade Toy Shop, 30-34 Fountain Arcade, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1PG, 01384 252 608 Graingers Models & Crafts, 5 Appledore Terrace, Walsall, West Midlands, WS5 3DU, 01922 623382 Handbourn Cabinets Ltd, 17 Willow Court, Sandwell Business Park, Warley, West Midlands, B66 1RD, 0121 544 4946 West Midlands Collectors' Centre, 4 Salop Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV3 0RX, 01902 772570 Bournville Model Railway Club, Selly Oak, Birmingham, West Midlands, B29 4DN Mikes Models, 3-5 Brockwell Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham, West Midlands, B44 9PF, 0121 3604521 WEST SUSSEX Martells Department Store, Martells, Queens Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1BB, 01342 321303 Gaugemaster, Gaugemaster House, Ford Road, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 0BN, 01903 884321 Morris Models, 80 Manor Road, North Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 0HD, 01903 754850 East Grinstead Model Railway Club, c/o Basement – East Court Mansion, College Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3LT, 01342 314228 Chichester Toys, 53 South Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1DS, 01243 788 055 Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre, Amberley, near Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9LT, 01798 831370 Bognor Models, 52 Aldwick Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 2PN, 01243 867079 Bognor Regis Model Railway Club, 12 Dukes Meadow, Pagham, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 3PJ, 01243 555065 Beales (Worthing), South Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3AN, 01903 231801 Burgess Hill Model Railway Club, c/o Selamat, Hurstwood Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 7SH Chichester & District Society of Model Engineers Ltd, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7FS Horsham Model Railway Club, St Leonards Church Hall, Cambridge Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 5ED WEST YORKSHIRE Kirklees Light Railway, Park Mill Way, Clayton West, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD8 9XJ, 01484 865727 Nick Tozer Railway Books, 159 Church Road, Paddock, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 4UJ, 01484 518159 Pennine Models, 33-35 Mill Hey, Haworth, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD22 8NE, 01535 642367 Pennine Wagons, 34 Leith Court, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF12 0QP, 01924 459104 Something Wicked Models, 1 Woodstreet, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 1BT, 01484 537191 The Model Railway Shop, 30 Station Lane, Featherstone, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF7 5BE, 01977 706730 Frizinghall Models and Railway, Unit 3c Hillam

Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD2 1QN, 01274 747447 Going Loco, 38 Potovens Lane, Lofthouse Gate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF3 3JF, 01924 824748 Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, The Railway Station, Haworth, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD22 8NJ, 01535 646838 Millennium Models, 67 Queen Street, Morley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS27 8EB, 0113 2189286 Milnsbridge Models, 90 Market Street, Milnsbridge, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD3 4HT, 01484 640007 Conways (Keighley), 53 Cavendish Street,, Keighley,, West Yorkshire, BD21 3RB, 01535 604045 Conways (Otley), 23A Westgate, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 3AT, 01943 462065 Conways Toymaster (Halifax), 24 Commercial Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1TA, 01422 353986 Halifax Modeller’s World, 29 Union Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1PR, 01422 349157 Something Wicked, 1 Wood Street, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 1BT, 01484 537191 Blackgates Engineering, Unit 1 Victory Court, Flagship Square, Shawcross Business Park, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF12 7TH, 01924 466000 Bradford Model Railway Club, Sedburgh Youth & Community Centre (1st Floor), 5-11 Huddersfield Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 1DJ, 01274 698861 Demon Models, 81 Dewsbury Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 9BL, 01924 365612 Halifax Model Railway Club, 5 Deal Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1QX, 01422 371489 Keighley Model Railway Club, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 4NZ Middleton Railway Trust Ltd, The Station, Moor Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 2JQ, 0113 2710320 WILTSHIRE Hobbybase, 19-24 White Hays North, West Wilts Trading Estate, Westbury, Wiltshire, BA13 4JT, 01373 825825 Steam – Museum of the Great Western Railway, Kemble Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 2TA, 01793 466646 Gas Cupboard Models, 6 St Georges Walk, Silver Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8AA, 01225 777888 Modelmaniacs, Unit 9 Harris Road, Porte Marsh Ind Est, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 9PT, 01249 817731 Salisbury Model Centre 2010 Ltd, 37 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 7SU, 01722 334757 Spot-On Models & Games, 49 Fleet Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 1RE, 01793 617302 Westons Railways, Unit 44a Studley Grange Craft Village, Hay Lane, Studley, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN4 9QT, 01793 850554 Devizes Toys, 29-30 Maryport Street, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1AG, 01380 723841 Duncan's Toy Chest, Unit 13, The Midland & Light Industrial Estate, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 6RU, 01225 783280 Aster Hobbies, Beechcroft Farm House, Upton Lovell, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA14 8AA, 01985 851221 Collectors' Corner, 37b The Arcade, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 1LL, 01869 323252 Ducklings Toyshop, Unit 1A, Hilliers Yard, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1BE, 01672 512170 Endless Models, Loder House, 16 Endless Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1DP, 01722 340460 Marks Models, The Garage Outbuilding, Lyneham, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 4TG, 01249 892794 WORCESTERSHIRE Severn Wheels, 46 Old Street, Upton Upon Severn, Worcestershire, WR8 0HW, 01684 591080 DCC Supplies Ltd, Unit 17a Top Barn Business Centre, Worcester Road, Holt Heath, Worcestershire, WR6 6NH, 0845 224 1601 Footplate, 101 Comberton Hill, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 1QG, 01562 750076 CDS Models, Sugarbrook Mill, Buntsford Hill, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 3AR, 01527 577175 Kidderminster Railway Museum, Station Approach, Comberton Hill, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 1QX

If you want to stock Railway Magazine Modeller, contact our team on 01507 529401

Dates for your diary RM MODELLING LISTINGS MARCH-APRIL 2017

Compiled by Jon Longman. Send details of your events to RMModellingeditor@mortons.co.uk OPEN TUESDAY TO SUNDAY

APRIL 8

Brighton Toy and Model Museum.

52-55 Trafalgar Street, Brighton, West Sussex BN1 4EB. brightontoymuseum. co.uk 10am-5pm (Saturday 11am-5pm).

See website for admission prices.

East Surrey N Gauge Show. East Surrey N Gauge, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Linkfield Lane, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1DU. esng.co.uk 10am-4pm.

Adults £4, child £2, family £10. 10 N gauge layouts.

OPEN DAILY (MARCH 26 TO OCTOBER 1)

APRIL 8

World of Model Railways. Meadow Street, Mevagissey, St Austell, Cornwall. model-railway.co.uk 10am-5pm. Adult £4.50, concessions £4, child (5-17) £3.50, family £14. Disabled access.

MARCH 25 Belper Model Railway Exhibition.

Strutts Centre, Derby Road, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1UU. bmrg.coffeecup. com 10am-5pm. Adult £3, concessions £2.50, child £1.50. 10 layouts and demonstrations.

MARCH 25 Felixstowe Area N Gauge Group.

Model Railway Open Day. Welcome Hall, Trimley St Mary, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 0NT. felixstowengauge.org.uk 11am-4pm.

Free admission. Layouts and sales.

MARCH 25 Carlton Model Railway Show. The Courtyard, Boothferry Road, Goole DN14 6AE. Email: thomaszugic@gmail.com 10am-4pm. Adults £5, child free. Layouts, live steam and sales.

MARCH 25/26 London Festival of Railway Modelling.

The Model Railway Club, Alexandra Palace, London N22 7AY. Saturday 10am5pm, Sunday 10am-4.30pm. Adults £12, child £6, family £36. Disabled access.

40 layouts, societies, demonstrations and sales.

APRIL 1 Beckenham Vintage Model Railway Club Exhibition. Beckenham and West Wickham MRC, St John’s Church, Eden Park Avenue, Eden Park, Kent BR3 3JN. 10am-5pm, disabled access. Adult £5, accompanied child free. Nine vintage layouts and demonstrations.

APRIL 1 Beacon Rail 2017. Tring & District MRC, Pitstone Memorial Hall, Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Bucks LU7 9EY. tdmrc. co.uk 10.30am-4.30pm, disabled access.

Adult £3, child £1.50, family (2+2) £7.

Eight layouts.

APRIL 1 Cambridge Model Railway Exhibition.

31A (Cambridge) Model Railway Club. Sawston Village College, New Road, Sawston, Cambridge CB22 3BP. cambridge31a-mrc.org.uk 10am4pm, disabled access. Adult £4.50, concessions £3.50, child £2. Layouts and trade stands.

Heywood Model Railway Group Open Day. Unit 3, Park Works, River Street, Heywood OL10 4AB. hmrg.co.uk 10am-4pm. Admission by donation.

Club layouts.

APRIL 8

Hillingdon Railway Modellers’ Test Track Open Day. Yiewsley Baptist Church Hall, 74 Colham Avenue, Yiewsley, Hillingdon UB7 8HF. hillingdonrailwaymodellers.co.uk 10am4pm. Admission £4. Three club test tracks in O, OO and N gauge.

APRIL 8

Ipswich Railway Modellers’ Association. Open Event. 40A Norfolk Road Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 4HB. irma.org.uk 10am-1pm. Admission free.

Layouts and club stand.

APRIL 8

National Garden Railway Show.

Peterborough Arena, East of England Showground, Peterborough PE2 6XE. nationalgardenrailwayshow.org.uk 10am-5pm. Adults £10, under-18s free, buy tickets in advance for £8. 16 layouts, demonstrations and live steam. Shuttle bus from Peterborough station.

APRIL 8/9

Brierfield Model Railway Club Exhibition. St Luke’s Church Hall, Brierfield, Nelson, Lancs BB9 5JW. pfmrs. org.uk Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm. Adult £3.50, child £2, family £10, disabled access. Layouts.

APRIL 8/9

Rail Road 2017 – Model Railway and Transport Show. Astley High Sports College, Yew Tree Lane, Dukinfield, Greater Manchester. Adult £4.

APRIL 15-17

APRIL 22

Model Railroading Revealed. Stade Hall, The Stade, Hastings TN34 3AR. Hosted by the NMRABR Kent and East Sussex Group. 10am- 4pm. Adults £2, members and children free. See the projects, plans, techniques and results.

APRIL 22

De Havilland Model Railway Society Exhibition. Ludwick Way Methodist Church, Woodhall Parade, Welwyn Garden City AL7 3PN. dhmrs.co.uk 10am5pm. Adult £5, child £2, disabled access.

12 layouts and trade support.

APRIL 22/23

Crawley Model Railway Society annual exhibition. Tanbridge House School, Guildford Road, Horsham RH12 1SR. crawleymrs.org.uk/exhibition Saturday: 10am-5pm; Sunday 10am4pm. Adult £6, child (over 5) £4, family (2+2) £15. Disabled access. 16 layouts including Steam Miniature 5 inch & 7¼in gauges, Indian Hill Railway 16mm scale live steam, traders, demonstrations, second-hand stand, Kids Layout OO drive your own trains.

APRIL 22/23

Maryport Model Railway Club Exhibition. Netherhall School, Netherhall, Maryport, Cumbria CA15 6NT. Saturday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 10am-4pm. Adult £5, child £2, family £10.

Layouts and displays.

APRIL 22/23

North Down Model Railway Society Exhibition. Bangor Grammar School, Gransha Road, Bangor, Co Down, Northern Ireland BT19 7QU. ndmrs.co.uk Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm.

Adult £5, child £4, family £15, disabled access. 20 layouts and displays.

APRIL 29

Luton Model Railway Club O Gauge Section Exhibition. Christchurch Hall, Bedford Road, Hitchin SG5 1HF. lutonmodelrailwayclub.org.uk 10.30am5pm. Adult £5, child £2. O gauge layouts, test track and trade support.

APRIL 29

Gainsborough Model Railway Society.

Florence Terrace, Gainsborough, Lincs DN21 IBE. gainsboroughmodelrailway. co.uk 1.30-6pm (opens 10.30am on Monday). Adult £4, concession and child £3, family £10. (O) The East Coast Main Line from King's Cross to Leeds Central.

Bluebell Railway Collectors’ Fair.

Horsted Keynes station, Station Approach, Horsted Keynes, West Sussex RH17 7BB. www.bluebell-railway.co.uk 10am-4pm. Admission by platform ticket, train travel ticket or Bluebell Railway membership card. Railwayana stands and car boot sale in station field.

APRIL 22

APRIL 30

Newgog-South Wales O Gauge Exhibition. Lysaght Institute, Orb Road, Newport, Gwent NP19 0RA.10am-4.30pm.

Adult £6, concessions £5, disabled access. Six layouts and demonstrations.

Driverlewis2004@ yahoo.co.uk

APRIL 22

Pontypridd Model Railway Exhibition.

Community Centre, Crown Hill, Llantwit Fardre CF38 2NA. 10am-4pm. Adult £3, accompanied child free, disabled access.

10 layouts.

Cleveland Model Railway Club Open Day. Unit 2, The B-Hive, Skelton Industrial Estate, Skelton, Cleveland TS12 2LQ. E-mail: enquiries@clevelandmrc.org.uk Website: www.cmrc.club 10am-4pm. Adults £1, child 50p. Be a member for the day, see the clubroom and talk to members. On show are eight layouts working and under construction from 2mm to 7mm scales, with displays, demonstrations, club sales and tombola stalls. Club hours are 6pm-9pm Tuesdays and Thursdays. Visitors and

new members are always welcome.

Refreshments, disabled access, parking.

MAY 1

Ellesmere Model Railway Club Show Criftins Parish Hall, Dudleston Heath, Ellesmere, Shropshire SY12 9LQ. www.ellesmere-modelrailwayclub. weebly.com 10am-4pm. Adults £2, child 12 -16 £1, under-12 free. Layouts and trade support.

MAY 5

Great Eastern Model Railways.

199 Plumstead Road, Norwich NR1 4AB. ‘Goes Scenic’. 10am-3pm. Scenic demonstrations, layout advice, static grass demonstration, weathering workshop, modelling the scenery, kit building and detailing.

MAY 6

Billericay Model Railway Group Exhibition. Galleywood Heritage Centre, Galleywood, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 8TR. www.billericaymrg.org 10am-5pm. Adult £5, concessions £4.50, family £11

MAY 6

Rickinghall Model Railway Show.

Diss and District Model Railway Society, Rickinghall Village Hall, Rickinghall, Diss IP22 1HD. www.rickinghallvh.onesuffolk. net/events 10am-4pm. Adult £5, child £1.

Disabled access. 16 layouts and model traction engine trailer rides.

MAY 6

Hope Methodist Church Model Railway and Bygone Era Exhibition.

The Rushden Academy, Hayway, Rushden NN10 6AG.10am-4pm. Adult £5, concessions £4, child £3, family £10. 20 layouts – Koln Westbahnhof, Pages Park, The Wagon Works, Bettws Road, Greenford Central, Two Sisters Farm, Aldburgh, Ashley Town, Bastogne Rue De Clevaux, Woodlands, Sankei Kansen, Kilwinnock, Aix en Pain, Webber Heights, Whitwick, Billingham Road, Gariazella Bahn.

MAY 13/14

Salisbury Model Railway Exhibition 2017. Salisbury & South Wilts Railway Society, Michael Herbert Hall, South Street, Wilton, Salisbury SP2 0JS. www. sswrs.org.uk 10.30am-4.30pm. Adult £4, child £2, under-5s free. 12 layouts in a variety of scales/gauge. Garden railway open (weather permitting) short walk from hall (see website for full details).

MAY 20

DD Model Railway Exhibitions.

Southborough Primary School, Broomhill Park Road, Southborough, Kent TN4 0JY. 10am-4.30pm.

MAY 20/21

Kyle Model Railway Club Model Railways and Hobbies Exhibition.

Auchenharvie Academy, Stevenston, North Ayrshire KA20 3JW. Saturday: 10am-5pm; Sunday: 10am to 4pm.

Adult £4, child/concessions £3, family £11 (2+2). Ample free parking and wheelchair friendly. 15 layouts, demonstrations and traders.

April 2017

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To feature on the map please call Colin on 01507 529454 or email csmith@mortons.co.uk

Where’s my nearest expert?

Britain is blessed with a network of great model shops and outlets, with experts keen to help and advise. Here are some you can turn to... simply look for the number nearest you on the map, and find their details below: 1.

REDCAR MODELS & HOBBIES 01642 494912

13. GRIMY TIMES 01925 632209

25. CAISTOR LOCO 01472 859990

WIDNES MODEL CENTRE 0151 4241196

14. THE MODEL CENTRE 01947 899125

26. COLLECTORS CELLAR 01434 601392

15. A C MODELS 02380 610100

27. MILLENNIUM MODELS 0113 2189286

130 HIGH STREET REDCAR CLEVELAND TS10 3DH www.redcarmodels.co.uk

2.

128 WIDNES ROAD WIDNES CHESHIRE WA8 6AX www.widnesmodelcentre.co.uk

3.

ROXLEY MODELS 01372 452976

F & M & S RICE-OXLEY & S BLEWETT T/ AS 4 BECKLEY PARADE GREAT BOOKHAM SURREY KT23 4RQ www.roxleymodels.co.uk

4.

HATTONS MODEL RAILWAYS LTD 0151 7333655 UNIT 17 MONTAGUE ROAD WIDNES WA8 8FZ www.hattons.co.uk

5.

MERCIAN MODELS 01562 884800

1A MARKET WAY HAGLEY STOURBRIDGE WEST MIDLANDS DY9 9LT www. modelrailways.tv

6.

CHURCH STREET MODELS 01256 358060

DTL ENTERPRISES LTD 10A CHURCH STREET BASINGSTOKE HAMPSHIRE RG21 7QE www. churchstreetmodels.co.uk

7.

EDWINSTOWE TRAINS’N’THINGS @ BENHAMS 01623 822302 42 HIGH STREET EDWINSTOWE NG21 9QR www.benhamsonline.com

8.

RAILS OF SHEFFIELD 01142 551436

27/29 CHESTERFIELD ROAD SHEFFIELD SOUTH YORKSHIRE S8 ORL www. railsofsheffield.com

9.

DIGITRAINS LTD 01522 527731

15 CLIFTON STREET LINCOLN LINCOLNSHIRE LN5 8LQ www.digitrains.co.uk

10. GAUGEMASTER 01903 884488

GAUGEMASTER HOUSE FORD ROAD ARUNDEL WEST SUSSEX BN18 0BN www. gaugemaster.com

11. NEW MODELLERS SHOP LTD 01733 704502 25 EASTERN AVENUE DOGSTHORPE PETERBOROUGH PE1 4PH www. newmodellersshop.co.uk

12. MONK BAR MODEL SHOP 01904 659423

2 GOODRAMGATE YORK YO1 7LQ www. collectable-models.co.uk

62 | April 2017

187 ORFORD LANE WARRINGTON WA2 7BA www.grimytimes.co.uk

HILL FARM BECK HOLE GOATHLAND NORTH YORKSHIRE Y022 5LF www. themodelcentre.co.uk

7 HIGH STREET EASTLEIGH HANTS SO50 5LB www.acmodelseastleigh.co.uk

16. THE HOBBY GOBLIN 01782 818433

54 HAMIL ROAD BURSLEM STOKE-ONTRENT STAFFORDSHIRE ST6 1AU www. thehobbygoblin.co.uk

17. GOING LOCO 01924 824748

38 POTOVENS LANE LOFT HOUSE GATE WAKEFIELD WF3 3JF www.modelrailways.co

18. RON LINES 02380 772681

342 SHIRLEY ROAD SHIRLEY SOUTHAMPTON SO15 3HJ www.ronlines.com

19. POOLEYS PUFFERS 01914 910202

382A JEDBURGH COURT TEAM VALLEY TRADING ESTATE GATESHEAD TYNE & WEAR NE11 0BQ www.pooleyspuffers.com

20. GAS CUPBOARD MODELS 01225 777888

6 ST GEORGES WORKS SILVER STREET TROWBRIDGE WILTSHIRE BA14 8AA www.gascupboard.co.uk

21. WORLD OF MODEL RAILWAYS 07724 133312

MEADOW STREET MEVAGISSEY CORNWALL PL26 6UL www.model-railway.co.uk

22. FLAIR RAIL 01621 786198

FLAIR RAIL UNIT 7 SPRINGFIELD NURSERY EST BURNHAM ON CROUCH ESSEX CM0 8TA www.flair-rail.co.uk

23. THE MODEL TREE SHOP 01890 819021

SIST TREES 4 DAVID HUME VIEW CHURNSIDE DUNS TD11 3SX www.themodeltreeshop.co.uk

24. TRAINS & PLANES LTD 0191 2864175

UNIT 19B AIRPORT INDUSTRIAL ESTATE KINGSTON PARK NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE3 2EF www.trainsandplanes.co.uk

8 Market Place Caistor Lincolnshire LN7 6TW

11 Hencotes Hexham Northumberland NE46 2EQ www.collectorscellar.co.uk

67 Queen Street Morley Leeds LS27 8EB

28. BUFFERS MODEL RAILWAYS 01297 35557

Colston Cross, Axminster Devon EX13 7NF

29. WELLINGBOROUGH TRAINS & MODELS 01933274069 Mob 07482828898 26 Market Street Wellingborough Northamptonshire NN8 1AT

30. MAC’S MODEL RAILROADING 01575 572397

4-8 Reform Street Kirremuir Angus DD84BS www.macsmodels.co.uk

31. SAWYER MODELS 01925 227835

27 Bridge Street, Earlestown, newton-lewillows WA12 9BE www.sawyermodels.co.uk

32. AGR Model Railway Store LTD 01525 854788 8 High St mews 28 High Street Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire LU7 1EA www.agrmodelrailwaystore.co.uk

33. THE HOBBY SHOP 01795 531666

122 West Street, Faversham Kent ME13 7JB www.hobb-e-mail.com

34. SCOONIE HOBBIES 01592 651792

87 St Clair Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY1 2NW www.scoonie-hobbies.co.uk

35. JACKSONS MODELS 01697 342557

33 New Street, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 9AL www.jacksonsmodels.co.uk

36. WADDELLS MODELS 01415 528044

56 Bell Street, Merchant City, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, G1 1LQ

37. RONEO MODELS 01708 442836

32 Roneo Corner, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 4TN

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 April 2017

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Inspiration pages

Quirks and curiosities of the railway network If you’re searching for inspiration for a new model railway layout, then these pages might give you a springboard for ideas, as this month we’re looking at the impact that individual objections and landowners had on the creation of anomalies on our railways, writes Sarah Palmer.

A

lthough the idea of one person or family being able to command their own station, insist on costly and decorative bridges or alter railway routes rather offends my socialist sensibilities, it is part of the rich heritage of our railway network and hence it can provide rich pickings for modellers who might enjoy doing a bit of research. In fairness to early objectors to the railways, or NIMBYs depending on your point of view, anyone who is going to be affected by Crossrail or HS2 may have some idea of what they may have felt.

The objections of one landowner even went as far as to erupt in a pitched battle known to posterity as the Battle of Saxby Bridge. The Peterborough & Syston Railway had proposed the laying of the Syston-Peterborough line across Lord Harborough’s estate of Stapleford Park; a large landscaped park around his residence, located between Leicester and Peterborough.

Although Lord Harborough had welcomed and indeed invested in a canal that passed through his parkland, which provided for all his estate transport needs, a slow-flowing cut of water was one thing, a dirty, noisy railway was something else.

It certainly didn’t pay to be poor in the Victorian era if a railway company wanted to lay tracks through where you lived. The age-old story of rich and poor still ran true as poor tenants could be evicted at a moment’s notice without compensation as the might of the unstoppable railway built its way into the centre of the country’s towns and cities with its viaducts and railway infrastructure. The only plusside for Victorian slum-dwellers was that middle-class railway travellers could now see the scars of the Industrial Revolution on their travels, as well as its impact on the populous and, in some instances, be prompted to do something about it.

Yet these were new times as possibly for the first time in history a major landowner or aristocrat did not have the final say over his land, as his rights could be trumped by an Act of Parliament permitting compulsory purchase to run a railway

64 | April 2017

across it. However, in order to get an Act passed evidence of a line’s feasibility had to be found and to do that land surveys were needed. In the case of Lord Harborough this was where he took his stand as he hired thugs and estate workers to keep surveyors off his estate, action that resulted in a skirmish whereby equipment was broken and men fell into the canal. Reading about it today it seems almost comical, but it can’t have been so at the time. Surveyors eventually managed to gain access on the quiet and Lord Harborough settled for compensation and an agreement to hide the railway in a tunnel where it crossed his land.

However, the tunnel collapsed during its construction, meaning that the line was later laid to a very tight curve around the boundary wall of the park. Lord Harborough had his own way at the expense of users of the line, who were slowed to a snail’s pace for this section of their journey, as such it gained the epithet Lord Harborough’s Curve. This stretch of line later lost its acute curve after one of Lord Harborough’s heirs sold the railway enough of the park to enable the laying of straighter track for a considerable profit.

Despite Sir Thomas Wardle, a renowned Staffordshire industrialist, being a director of the Leek and Manifold Railway, he did not want the views from his house being spoiled by the railway crossing his land. So, Swainsley Tunnel

Haddon Tunnel, on the Midland Railway and LMS main line near Bakewell, was built to keep the railway hidden from the gaze of the Duke of Rutland.

was built to protect his view. When the LMR was being built in the late 1890s a sceptical local described it as “a line starting nowhere and ending up in the same place”.

Despite this dire forecast, the Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway was promoted by businessmen in nearby Leek, who were worried that the Manifold Valley’s agricultural produce would head away down the newly built Ashbourne to Buxton line. Government grants were matched by private share capital. Costing £67,243, the line never did much business and closed in 1934, after just 30 years.

It is difficult with our modern sensibilities and love of travel to imagine objections to early railways. When moving sedately through wisps of smoke and beautiful landscapes on heritage lines it’s hard to envisage that people would have objected to steam, been worried about travelling at excessive speeds, or have been concerned about the risk of disease from travelling in tunnels.

In the early days of the railways a class war was being waged over the landscape. Some of the most vocal in their opposition to railway lines were

Fears for their hunting grounds prompted some landowners to object to railways, but as this poster shows the GWR then transported hunt-goers to their destinations via rail.

landowners who believed that railways would hinder fox-hunting, frighten livestock and horses or possibly, more importantly (to them), reduce land values or hinder their commercial interests. The headmaster of Eton even voiced concerns to Lord Gladstone that a railway near his school would interfere with the morals of his scholarly charges by allowing them access to London.

Colonel Sibthorpe stated that he “would rather meet a highwayman, or see a burglar on his premises, than an engineer; he should be much more safe, and of the two classes he thought the

former more respectable!”

Other landowners earned huge compensation payments by allowing the railways to cross their land. One of the largest was the £120,000 the Eastern Counties Railway paid to Lord Petre for going across his estates at Thorndon and Ingatestone. George Lane-Fox MP, master of the Bramham Moor Hunt in Yorkshire, sold off parcels of his land bacon-slicer style to 14 different railway companies to keep the bailiffs at bay.

However, once many landowners came to realise that the value of their land rose when railways were built on it, as they gave improved access to markets, their attitudes changed, with influential peers sitting on company boards and taking up directorships in order to influence future decisions.

There are numerous other examples of how local idiosyncrasies in the network came to be. A mile-long tunnel north of Watford had to be built by the London and Birmingham Railway after objections from the Earls of Essex and Clarendon that the railway would intrude on their estates.

For many years Oxford didn’t have its own railway station, instead being served by the 10-miles distant Steventon station, after the University of Oxford and its landowning colleges opposed a station in the city. Cambridge had a similar issue, explaining why the railway station is even today some distance from the city centre.

Sir Astley Cooper, surgeon to George IV, when told that the London and Birmingham company wanted to run a track through his property at Berkhamsted, replied rather pompously: “You are proposing,” he told Robert Stephenson, “to cut up our estates in all directions for the purpose of making an unnecessary road. If this sort of thing be permitted to go on, you will, in a very few years, destroy the nobility.”

After modification, the line received Royal Assent following the River Bulbourne instead of the River Gade and going around the edge of Hemel Hempstead to appease Sir Astley, hence the town’s railway station is to be found a mile outside the town centre at Boxmoor.

The delay in the bringing of the railway to Stamford was as a result of local aristocratic opposition. But one of the three original opponents later went on to form what became known as the Marquis of Exeter’s Railways: The Stamford and Essendine Railway, The Stamford and Wansford Railway, and the proposed Luffenham to Spalding Railway. So, by 1867 Stamford was connected to the three principal rail networks in the region: The Midland, the Great Northern and the London and Birmingham.

As well as deviations from routes, there are also examples of private stations on railways for the personal use of the aristocracy.

The 5th Earl Fitzwilliam took on the »

Tornado running as 'The Seaforth Highlander' with Dunrobin Castle away to the left. Dunrobin was a private station for the Duke of Sutherland. BRIAN SHARPE

April 2017

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Inspiration pages Left: A Down evening West of England express leaving Twerton Tunnel, Bath, from a 1954 edition of The Railway Magazine.

Right: No. 45212 heading back from Keighley to Castleton at Gisburn tunnel in March 2017.

BEN COLLIER

Great Northern Railway over its proposed line to Peterborough where it planned to go over his estate at Milton Park, yet his heir went on to put a private station on a goods line to allow private parties from the Fitzwilliam estate to travel to Doncaster for the St Leger meetings. Trains were known as ‘EFW Specials’ and the MS&LR issued a royal standard to the station to be flown when royalty was included in the party.

The station still stands and today forms part of the Elsecar Heritage Centre.

Little Bytham, near Grantham, was also served by Lord Willoughby’s Private Railway or, by its official title, the Edenham Light Railway. This private railway was some four miles long and built

by Lord Willoughby from Little Bytham on the GNR to Edenham and operated from 1855 to 1873.

The railway track, established by Lord Willoughby in 1855, stretched around what was the Grimsthorpe Estate Deer Park up to the castle at Edenham and served five trains a day, including both passenger and goods wagons.

Little Mill station has all but disappeared, yet it once served a Victorian prime minister and his queen. For many years, at the behest of the landowning family, Scottish expresses would call at Little Mill omitting more important stations on the ECML. Despite its early status, Little Mill was closed during the Second World War as it was so little used, ultimately disappearing from the timetable.

East Lodge was constructed in the grounds of Castle Grant in Morayshire and enabled the Earl of Seafield and his family to travel without mixing with the great unwashed. The family would transfer directly from the train into the lodge before going downstairs to where their carriage would await and take them to the door of their castle. It was built in 1863 by the Inverness & Perth Junction Railway Company in thanks to then Earl John Charles Grant Ogilvie, 7th Earl of Seafield, who allowed them to run the railway line through his estate.

66 | April 2017

There is Dunrobin station in Sutherland, which was a private station for the Duke of Sutherland. It was described in The Railway Magazine: “The Duke of Sutherland has a beautiful private railway station. As is well-known, his Grace owns a large proportion of the North of Scotland, and his famous seat of Dunrobin Castle in that district has its own station for the Duke and his household, called after the Castle, ‘Dunrobin’. The station is one of those on the line of the Highland Railway, and lies between Brora and Golspie, in Sutherlandshire. The Duke has had the place made not only serviceable, but very picturesque in its design and finish.

“The general outline seems to be that of a Swiss chalet, and this appearance is not lessened by the surrounding hilly district. The windows are latticed, and look very cosy, while all the waiting rooms and other necessary adjuncts to such a station are well fitted up. With true patriotism his lordship determined that Scotch pine should be used as far as

possible in the construction of his station, so that he had it built of that wood. Thus it is extremely strongly made, as it needs to be to resist the ravages of snow and wind that sweep so terribly across the Sutherland moors in winter.

“As a rule the platforms of private stations are very small, but this one at Dunrobin is an exception. It is very long, for often the family at the castle will entertain three or four hundred guests at a time, when important fêtes or events are taking place there.”

Queen Victoria would become the first monarch to travel by train and Windsor would come to boast two rival railway stations. It became a must-have for stately homes to have a station, with several still around today, including Dunrobin Castle (the Duke of Sutherland), Castle Howard (the Earl of Carlisle), Bolton Abbey (Duke of Westminster), Breamore (for Breamore House), Althorp Park (Earl Spencer) and Quainton Road (for the Duke of Buckingham’s Wooton House).

Another way in which landowners

made their mark on the railways as companies often sought to win favour and minimise their impact on grand estates, was to create aesthetically pleasing structures or the landscaping of lines to hide locomotives; all done to ameliorate a railway’s impact.

Twerton tunnel, west of Bath, is one example of this, as it would have been visible from a large stately home opposite.

Its portals are now listed, and it was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel as part of the Great Western line development between Bath and Bristol.

Catesby Tunnel was built at the insistence of the landowner who didn’t want his land blotted by the London Extension of the Great Central Railway. It was opened, along with the rest of the line,

in 1899 and closed on March 4, 1963, more than three years before the line itself on September 5, 1966.

The disused 2997-yard twin-track Catesby Tunnel between Charwelton and Upper Catesby is now set to be transformed into a vehicle testing facility, as Daventry District Council is to approve a planning application to use the old tunnel for aero-acoustic tests.

The London Extension Bill had already nearly failed to get off the ground after cricketers at the Marylebone Cricket Club objected as the line would go through their

grounds at Lord’s, they were later appeased by a tunnel passing underneath the MCC. Haddon Tunnel, on the Midland Railway and LMS main line near Bakewell, was built to keep the railway hidden from the gaze of the Duke of Rutland where it passed Haddon Hall, as he did not want to see smoke and steam over his estate.

The Duke wasn’t all anti-railway as he used Bakewell station frequently hence its grand appearance. After this line from Derby to Manchester closed in 1967 the trackbed and tunnel were taken back into the Haddon Estate, which opposes any plans to reopen it by PeakRail as part of its plans to expand the line to Bakewell.

On the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway’s Blackburn to Hellifield line is the former Gisburn station and to its »

Twerton Tunnel, near Bath. Its portals are now listed, and it was designed by Brunel as part of the Great Western line development between Bath and Bristol.

April 2017

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Inspiration pages

Above: Catesby Tunnel was built because the landowner didn’t want his landscape blighted by the London Extension.

Right: A lonely signalman on the isolated signalbox at Broomielaw on the Darlington to Barnard Castle line had only one train to pass in each direction on each day; the local pick-up freight. Covered in snow the signalman prepares for the token exchange with the fireman of LMS 4MT No. 43129 in January 1965. MAURICE BURNS

east is a railway tunnel with ornamental stone portals, built at the insistence of Lord Ribblesdale, who would not allow the railway to pass through the grounds of Gisburne Park unless underground.

Longstone Station, in-between Bakewell and Buxton, the main station building of which was designed by W H Barlow who was responsible for the Midland Railway’s St Pancras station, was designed to complement nearby Thornbridge Hall.

At the time the hall was the home of George Marples, a director of the Midland Railway. He was also provided with his own set of steps linking his home to the northbound platform.

Despite their initial reluctance to welcome the railways, landowners eventually came to embrace them, possibly because railway companies would go on to pay way over the odds for land and compensation in order to appease them.

The city of Northampton initially protested against being served by a railway, then had to ask if it could be connected to the network resulting in the building of the very expensive Kilsby Tunnel, something that would not have been needed if the original plan had gone ahead.

Other examples include Avon Lodge railway station. The route adopted by the Ringwood, Christchurch and Bournemouth Railway passed through several miles of land owned by Lord Malmesbury who, as a condition of the sale of his land to the railway, required that two private halts be provided: the first to serve his Heron Court residence in Hurn and the second for his tenants and staff at Avon Cottage (which later became ‘Avon Castle’). Today it’s a private residence.

68 | April 2017

Crathes was a private halt for Sir Robert Leys, in return for leasing the land, even the Royal Train stopped there and Broomielaw station was built as a private halt for the Bowes-Lyon family, who lived in the nearby Streatham Castle. According to disused-stations.org.uk the station was opened to the public in 1942 but had no general freight facilities, but a siding was provided to the north side of the line controlled by a signal box to the west of Right: A Freightliner Powerhaul going through Ingatestone from a 2011 issue of The Railway Magazine.

One of the largest compensation payouts was the £120,000 the Eastern Counties Railway paid to Lord Petre for going across his estates at Thorndon and Ingatestone.

the station. Broomielaw did handle parcels and continued to do so until the final closure of the line in 1965.

This is just a whistle-stop tour of the foibles of our railway network and is by no means exhaustive; the advantage of looking at what to model from this type of angle is that it suits both steam and diesel/electric fans. If you’ve modelled one or have an interesting story to tell about railway quirks in your area then email rmmeditor@mortons.co.uk