Checking out the Engines above Asda
By Noreen Rees
I wonder if you know what is on the top floor of Asda in North Shields? I didn’t until recently but it’s a massive hangar of a place, home to The Blyth and Tyne Model Railway Society. It was a hive of activity on the night I visited, when I was shown around by Trevor, the secretary, and Lee, the treasurer. Trevor has a background in Education (was Vice Principle of Blyth Community College) but since he retired has had more time to devote to building train models and layout, as well as travelling to check on real-life trains and tracks etc. Trevor’s family worked on the railways and both men’s enthusiasm for model trains goes back to childhood when they were given train sets by their parents. Trevor envies Lee, however, as he gets to drive real trains in his day job for Northern Trains. What I took from my visit is the commitment to detail the members have and the authenticity of the rail layouts. All of the layouts are based on existing (or past) rail locations. As one of the members, Louis, said, “The best way is to look at the real thing in person.” After that, as Trevor told me, it’s a case of, “Concept, make a plan, then build.”
Although there were around twelve club members there on the night I visited, there are ninety who regularly participate in club activities. The club was formed in 1968 and was originally located in premises at the back of the Rendezvous Café in Whitley Bay. It enables like-minded people (not all men – there are several women members) to have space for their own train layout and to gain support and advice from other members. Somewhat like the Repair Shop on TV, some people have particularly useful skills to share. Lee is the comms person for the club and regularly posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Peter is the ‘electrics fairy,’ happy to give advice on the best way to power layouts. Trevor is something of an expert in 3D printing, having created an exact replica of railway buffers at Rugby Station using AI. On my visit I was surprised to see how much new technology was being used, from mobile phones directing trains and changing points and signals, to sharing videos of locomotives in action. Sometimes it can be an expensive hobby though. During my visit Luke showed me his Tamper train, which replicates a track maintenance train and cost £400.
Although many club members are in their 50s, there are also teenagers whose ambitions lie in constructing a working railway from hundreds of Lego pieces. On the night I visited they were totally engaged in this task, particularly in building the grass landscape from tiny green bricks. The club has a policy of only allowing under-16-year-olds to participate if accompanied by a parent or other suitable adult, and currently there are ten young members. The club has a feeling of being a safe space where – particularly men – can gather, rather in the manner of ‘Men in Sheds’ initiatives. It’s also accessible to all via a lift. For a membership fee of £180 a year people can use the building seven days a week to store tools, base boards, trains etc and build their own railway (some of which have been in construction for over six years).
One of the highlights for members of the Blyth and Tyne Model Railway Society is the chance to exhibit their work. On the weekend of the North Shields Christmas Market they open their premises to visitors. Coming up in the Summer, however (this year on 25th and 26th July), they will be setting out their layouts at The Parks, North Shields, NE29 6TL. It’s a chance to see the trains in action and talk to the enthusiasts who build them. It could be a chance to reminisce about childhood trains and also take children to show them what can be achieved. For further information see the Blyth and Tyne Model Railway Society Facebook page (RAILEXNE), Twitter (RailexNE) or Instagram (@RAILEXNE)
