Oiling up for Model Railway open days...

Members of Gainsborough Model Railway are making final preparations for their open days over the August Bank Holiday weekend, when they will mark 30 years output by their most prolific loco-building member.

Derek Simmonds, from Melton Mowbray, brought his first locomotive to the society in 1983, after switching to 0 gauge modelling and wanting somewhere to run it.

Since then he has regularly brought engines, and the society’s collection has 71 pieces of his work.

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“Loco building is his main contribution to the society, but he has turned his hand to most things, and there are quite a few carriages and wagons he has built, as well as trackwork and buildings,” said Society Chairman Richard Woods.

People come from all over the world to see our model railway, and the fact that members like Derek travel across the country to help man our exhibitions is a reflection of how well regarded our society is.”

Derek’s latest engine is a Great Northern Railway freight engine known as a Long-Tom because of the length of its boiler.

Committee member Chris Wragg said: “Derek usually builds engines that he can remember from his train spotting days at Grantham. However, he will occasionally build engines such as this one, which disappeared during the depression in the 1930s.”

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The GMRS open days are at the club rooms in Florence Terrace on Saturday and Sunday 25th and 26th August from 1.30pm to 6pm.

Opening is earlier on Monday 27th August from 10.30am to 6pm. Admission is £4 adults, £3 children and senior citizens. Family tickets are £10. For more call 01427 615871 or email [email protected]

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