A valuable model rail layout, destroyed by vodka-fuelled teenagers and restored with the help of rock legend Sir Rod Stewart, is to go on show at Shildon Locomotion in October.
It will be one of the highlights of an exhibition organised by Shildon Model Railway Club assisted by Rotary Newton Aycliffe which will feature some 21 working layouts including a rare Trix Twin train set which has been in the same family for over 70 years and was recently re-discovered in the loft of a Durham house.
“We feel very proud to have such quality layouts at this year’s exhibition”, said exhibition manager Bob Arrand this week.
Admission from 10am on Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9, is free and as well as the working layouts in scales ranging from ‘N’ to ‘O’, visitors will be able to enjoy 17 trade stands selling a range of new and pre-loved displays from kit-builders and preservation societies. In addition to Shildon Locomotion’s full -size exhibits, organisers are hoping that steam rides will also be available.
The £30,000 wrecked ‘Woodcroft’ layout had been set up by members of Market Deeping Model Railway Club ready for their annual show in Stamford when four 16-year-old boys smashed it to pieces. One club member said they destroyed ‘a lifetime’s work’.
Thirty club members rallied round and spent approximately 1000 hours painstakingly re-building the train, track and buildings by hand and replacing all the wiring and electrics.
The club launched an appeal and raised £70,000 in one day. Sir Rod Stewart, himself a keen railway-modeller, then backed their efforts and the fund eventually topped £107,000.
The Trix Twin layout, owned by Luke Bamford and his wife Becky, proved a popular attraction at Bishop Middleham model railway exhibition in June.
Luke spent many late-nights re-structuring the layout from the contents of a case stored for years in their loft.
Further information is available from Bob Arrand on 07564 301487 or via robertedwardarrand@yahoo.co.uk