IAN BURFORD tells us about the layout and how the Wentworth Yard came to be built.
Wentworth Yard is a OO Scale layout representing an LNER locomotive depot; run by the Oak Field Model Railway Group.
Wentworth Yard is a fictitious Motive Power Depot on the London North Eastern Line (LNER).
Our layout is set in the last weeks before the nationalisation of the railways. Featuring a working turntable, coal lift – which raises the wagons into the hopper in the top of the tower, and an operational ash plant which lifts the ash bucket from under the locomotive.
The layout features over sixty different LNER locomotives of many different types, and is a showcase for the locomotives that form the Sam Burford Collection. Built using both ready to run models, and kits from various manufacturers, each locomotive is a faithful reproduction of a real engine – with details taken from period photographs, drawings, and other research.
If you are interested in how the model locomotives were build, please as to speak to Sam when you’re at the show, and he will be happy to answer your questions.
We feel that it always best to encourage the visitors to any show to engage with the layout. Some other exhibitors use a simple quiz such as ‘count the number of cats or birds’. We like to think that we have taken that concept forward, and offer our visitors the chance to return to the days of trainspotting.
We have published a brief ABC of Wentworth Shed, which is offered free to all visitors. Many parents and grandparents take the opportunity to return to their youth, and introduce children to a new hobby by spotting locos on the layout. Our experience shows that this is, for many, a most welcome moment of interaction with the children, and a chance to relive some fond memories.
We are a loose association of family and friends who come together to provide support and encouragement to Sam Burford. Sam is diagnosed with autistic tendencies. While Sam may struggle with some aspects of life, he is a remarkable railway modeller who produces some of the most exquisite examples of the form.
Wentworth Yard is being exhibited at the Gaugemaster Model Railway Open Weekend on the 1st and 2nd September 2018, one of nearly 20 layouts on show in many different scales, depicting railways from around the world. Entry is free, with free parking.
If you couldn't join us this time why not try to join us at one (or more) of our upcoming events here at Gaugemaster HQ.