Gainsborough: Model Railway Society open days

Society chairman, Chris Wragg, said: “Opening our railway on the Saturday and Sunday after Christmas provides a good opportunity for people to get away from the turkey and chocolates.”

“As members we certainly welcome the opportunity to get out of the house, and openings at this time of year seem very popular with visitors.”

“But this will be the last opportunity for people to visit us for several months, as immediately after the open days we will too be taking some parts of our railway apart for repair and improvement work.”

“While the railway should still be running every week on club nights, we need to do some work around the building which will make public access difficult.”

“However, the open days will see the railway running as normal and visitors will be able to see our extensive railway, which requires ten signalmen to operate at any time, running through the three rooms of the old Victorian school building which form our clubrooms.”

“Anybody who would like to join us as a member should speak to a steward at the open day, contact our secretary Mick Clapham on 01427 615871, or come down on a club night any Monday or Thursday evening from 7.30pm”

The open days are on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th December from 1.30pm to 6pm at the clubrooms in Florence Terrace, Gainsborough, near the Tesco superstore.

Admission is £4 for adults and £3 for children and senior citizens.

A family ticket is £10.

The building of the present railway commenced in 1953, and has now become one of the largest ‘O’ gauge model railways of its kind in the country. The railway covers 2,500 square feet, has over 1,200 feet of main line track and needs 10 operators.