Model railway club back from the brink after devastating year

Heywood Model Railway Club

A popular model railway club that was devastated by flooding and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is about to complete an unlikely comeback.

The very existence of Heywood Model Railway Group was in the balance when, during last year’s lockdown, a flood destroyed an exhibition layout and ruined the club rooms.

However, loyal members and volunteers who were desperate to save the club they love rallied around and embarked on a painstaking rescue mission to transform the River Street premises.

The public will get its first glimpse at an open day on Saturday 11 September. The eagerly-anticipated event, which is tailor-made for the whole family, runs from 10am to 4pm.

Publicity Manager Ryan Brown said: “It has been a long journey to get to this point but we are so delighted and relieved to be back in action and we’re determined to be bigger and better than ever.

“I want to say an enormous thank you to everyone who spent their own free time to help us reach this stage. It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and I’m so glad we had the resilience to overcome the various obstacles that stood in our way.”

After last year’s clean-up operation, the club fitted new lights in the rooms that had been flooded, laid 800 carpet tiles and painted every wall.

Reflecting on this period, Mr Brown admitted the mammoth task was complicated by the impact of the global health crisis.

He added: “Lockdown was a very depressing and lonely time. We set up a WhatsApp group chat to provide support and enable members to keep in touch. The club is such a huge part of people’s lives and all of a sudden it was taken away, so being able to talk to each other was the next best thing.”

Finally, brighter days are here again and all eyes are on the upcoming open day, a brilliant occasion for railway modellers and families alike.

Mr Brown continued: “You can see what is happening at the club, how the layouts are made and a lot more. Children can come along and drive Thomas the Tank Engine. And if visitors have stock of their own they can come along and run them on our large layouts that we have to offer.”

For more information about the club and future events, visit the brand new website www.hmrg.net