Focus on Heywood: Heywood Model Railway Group

When most people think of model railways an image probably comes to mind of sitting on the floor of a loft or above the garage at a young age, with a single train running in a circle pulling a couple of carriages. Start to think about fifty times bigger and you might be part of the way to understanding the scale of the operation at the Heywood Model Railway Group (HMRG), which is more Manchester Piccadilly than Rochdale train station.

Established in 1969 by a small group of friends with a shared interest in model railways, the group has moved to various locations all around Rochdale Borough over the last forty years, but appears to have finally found a permanent home at Heywood Distribution Park.

Despite the name of the town being associated with the group since its inception, the recent move to Heywood is the first time it has actually been based in the town. The founders met at a house in Heywood and consequently named the group after it.

For John Essex, Chairman of the HMRG, and Roger Bottomley, Group Secretary, the relocation is a welcome relief after years at Champness Hall in Rochdale. Mr Essex, who has been a member of the HMRG for 16 years, is pleased that the new location gives them a chance to put more of their track layouts on show.

He said: “At the old place we could only have two layouts up and running because we didn’t have enough space. But now we have more space and can do a lot more with it. We now have five layouts erected for people to come and use.”

Mr Essex has had an interest in models and model railways since a young age, but became a member of HMRG almost by accident. “I took early retirement in 1994. I went to one of the exhibitions and ended up signing up, going along to one of the days and have been a member ever since.”

The HMRG are now fully settled in to the site and are hoping to attract more visitors as a result of the improved facilities. Mr Bottomley said: “The main thing is meeting people with a like-minded interest in model railways. There’s more to it than just running the trains around the track, there’s all the electronics as well. You get out of it as much as you put in.”

He added: “We’re still moving in and have got loads of boxes but once we get that sorted we’re doing a layout for the Manchester hospital and the kids there.”

The new premises aren’t just beneficial because of the extra space; they also provide better security for the HMRG to keep their prized possessions safe. In an unfortunate incident at Champness Hall the group had its entire Thomas the Tank engine stock stolen, to the distress of the group’s younger visitors. “We went to get it out one day and it was just all gone,” said Mr Essex.

The pair hope that the HMRG can continue to be educational for visitors as well as fun. Mr Bottomley said: “People come and want to build their own layout but have no idea how to do it.”

Mr Essex added: “Our club is a good place for people to come and learn how to do things.”

Apart from being open for visitors to come and use the tracks or learn how to make there own, HMRG also takes its layouts out to various shows and exhibitions. The biggest of these is held at the Heywood Civic Centre once a year, usually in March, attracting around 1,000 visitors. For a small group the costs of putting on exhibitions like this are not cheap and the HMRG relies a great deal on grants from the township.

Mr Bottomley explained that the group has to take itself seriously when it comes to financial matters. “It’s a very expensive hobby so we do rely on grants to an extent. Our main layout has to be insured if we take it out because it’s very valuable.

“Hopefully Heywood Township are going to give us a few bob to cover our overheads, because we’re one of the things people come to Heywood for. We can give them a little bit more to put on the tourist board. “

With the new location shaping up well the HMRG is steaming along nicely, with plans already taking shape for future exhibitions. Mr Essex explained: “The exhibition is already fully organised for next year and some has already been done for 2012.”

To find out about more community groups in Heywood visit:

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/community/groups/heywood