I got into model railways again about a year ago because it was a bit of relaxation. I love it. A model railway is never finished in my eyes. You can always find something new to do with it, add more trees or a bit of shrubbery here or there. You build it up as you go along. I did each corner one at a time.
I’m in the process of changing the yard. It’ll be four lines with a refuelling road, lights and a jack as well where they can do maintenance on a locomotive. A very dear friend of mine helps with the electronics. I’m no good at that, I’d blow up the flat. Underneath the board there’s wires going to the junction board which leads to a switch where you can turn them on and off.
My layout is a fictional place. I haven’t thought of a name for it. Maybe Robinsland. I’m trying to do the 1990s, just as privatisation was taking over. That’s why you’ll see an InterCity engine with blue and red coaches because that’s how it was during the transition.
Model railways aren’t a cheap hobby but I did rehab about seven years ago. I was heavily into drink and drugs. The money I’d have been doing naughty things with I use on the model railway. Turning a negative into a positive, so to speak.
If you are thinking of buying a set as a Christmas present, my advice would be to get one of the great starter sets available, just a little roundy-roundy. Remember you can add to it. You can make it bigger, you can make it smaller. A starter set might come with a steam engine and three trucks but it also comes with a track plan as well, so you can actually build onto that. You can actually nail it to a board and eventually you’ll get the gist.
