Model club’s event is on track

Dec 4 2008 by Adrian Short, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

RAINHILL Model Railway Club’s Christmas show proved a resounding success with a turnout of more than 700 visitors.

The show featured layouts including, for the first time, a huge G Scale layout which can be operated by electricity or steam.

There was a layout depicting United Tramways around Penny Lane in Liverpool, a OO gauge layout entitled St Ann’s Central and a narrow gauge layout called Royston St David’s.

Layouts owned by club members included Degston in N gauge by Derek Hall and the OO gauge Seaview created by Kieth Naylor.

There was also a visitor exhibitor with an EM gauge layout based on the early 20th Century railway system in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

The Thomas the Tank Engine layout proved as popular as ever and raised £20 towards the Rainhill Guide House Appeal

An estimated 200 children kept Father Christmas busy throughout the day.

Colin Oldfield, chairman of Rainhill Model Railway Club said: “We had a marvellous show – it gets better every year.

“The club has made a lot of new friends both young and old and if we can encourage youngsters to take up the hobby we will have succeeded.

“The hobby is a very rewarding one requiring the use of many skills and the pleasure derived from making a working model is immense.

“As chairman I must thank all the members and their wives, husbands and children for all the help they gave so willingly.

“Special thanks must go to Alastair Oldfield and David Davies who organised the event and managed it so successfully.”