Railways Interest Group
Group Leader: Robert Watson
Phone: 01565 655668
Email: info@knutsfordu3a.co.uk
The group covers all aspects of railways from model railways to full size. We meet at 10.30 am on the second Wednesday of the month at Knutsford Methodist Church Centre.
We cover a wide range of subjects at our meetings, these have included:
- Development of the railways in the UK and some of the major people involved.
- Overseas train trips we have done – or would like to do before it is too late!!
- Narrow gauge railways in the UK and overseas
- Visits to major model railway layouts
- My favourite UK loco class – steam and later.
- Discussing our model railways and things we would like to have.
Antique model trains – Anyone still got their childhood model trains?
If you wish to join the group, please contact Robert Watson at info@knutsfordu3a.co.uk
Visit to the ”Making Tracks” Railway Exhibition at Chester Cathedral
The exhibition includes a large model railway layout based on the “West Coast Main Line” built by Pete Waterman the well-known Song Writer, Record Producer and Railway enthusiast.
Please click here to see a short report and photos from the visit in November 2021.
Visit to John Ryan’s Model Railway – March 2022
For the second time this year our group was simply bowled over by the impact of visiting a model railway system that almost beggars description. For some of us, the LNER theme was the cherry on the icing on the cake.
We were thrilled to see a terminus station with seven platforms, clearly Kings Cross but masquerading under another name; not only was it busy, but we were treated to its night-time persona as well, to demonstrate the quality of illumination, down to the signalling and firebox glow of the locomotives. Even I’ve only seen eleven ‘streaks’ in one day – until now!
The detail? Well, the sound effects actually included the haunting A4 triple chime! A very nice touch, John Ryan being a Doncaster man, a former Doncaster Rovers chairman, a noted railway author and a perfectionist. We had the privilege of spending two hours being transported back in time, wrapped in nostalgia.
Simply brilliant.
Our thanks to John Ryan who created it and let us witness it, and to Robert Watson for organising this magic experience.
Roger Brown