Back on Track

Looking back on a successful Railway Day at St Andrew's in November 2023

After two and a half hours of the hard work of delivery and setting up, the doors of the church were flung open to welcome visitors. The initial trickle of people turned into a steady flow that went on all day, right up to closing time, welcoming an estimated 800 model railway enthusiasts and interested observers of all ages. The atmosphere turned into one of great interest for the adults and delight for the children as they were mesmerised by all the trains.

So what did this year’s Railway Day have to entertain people? Perhaps the stand-out operating system was the large one occupying the sanctuary, a 16mm scale circuit on which attractive narrow-gauge trains of central European appearance ran between buildings of matching character. This attractive system, powered by both battery and steam, was put on by David Cramphorn and friends from the Hoddesdon Model & Boat Club, who also had more models on display on adjacent tables.

At the other end of the scale (and the church) were two N gauge layouts, with British trains running circuits through typical British country scenes, operated by Gillian and Reg Harman and by James Toyn respectively.  
 
Close by was the Perfection and Beaver Bend, a compact layout showing an American narrow gauge line in a 1950s USA country setting, superbly modelled by Malcolm Brown.

Over on the north side pews, Guy Brigden and David Marshall ran a vintage 1960s/1970s Tri-ang/Hornby layout featuring brightly coloured trains made for British Commonwealth countries. There was also, laid out on the floor, a G scale narrow gauge line lent by Geoff Oates. 
 
More vintage trains featured among the static displays along the central aisle, in terms of a group of six pre- and post-War Hornby O gauge trains shown by Stephen Healing, all 1950s M type. These were neatly presented on a tiered display stand specially built by Stephen.

Further along were two much larger items. One was a magnificent wooden fretwork model of an engine and tender built using fretwork around 1912-13 by Nick Cheall’s grandfather, beautifully restored by Nick during lockdown. The other was a 3½” gauge working steam model locomotive, built in his home workshop by Brian Dilley. Brian also lent some traditional freight train lamps for show.  

Thomas from Sodor and his friends also turned up in the children’s corner, where they could be driven by the children themselves. Some six-year-old drivers demonstrated Thomas’ over-enthusiasm for speed! But they loved it. The children's corner was jam packed with families making and colouring models of Thomas as well as playing with any other trains we might have.   

The northeast corner of the church was occupied by stands for two voluntary member bodies. The East Herts Miniature Railway is well known in the area, running a substantial 7¼” gauge line at Van Hages Garden Centre (and looking for volunteers, if you fancy it). The Battle of Britain Locomotive Society have restored 1940s main line steam engine ’92 Squadron’ and now support its maintenance and operation on charter trains. 
 
Under the tower, local model dealers Joe and Pauline Lock ran a trade stall selling pre-loved model trains and vehicles; this did good business throughout the day. Another stand sold the lovely ‘Saddletank Engines’ books by local artist and author Pauline Hazlewood, who kindly supplied sets of them for sale. 
 
Being Armistice Day, it was important to remember ultimate sacrifices in wars fought long ago as well as current conflicts. At 11 o’clock, a request for silence was made from the pulpit, all operating models were stopped, with the traditional two minutes’ silence observed throughout the church. Then the sounds of lively activity filled the building again!  

The day proved to be very cheerful and lively, with a lovely atmosphere throughout. And numbers were amazing. With over 800 people coming to visit, and many taking advantage of the refreshments and light lunches provided in the St Andrew’s Centre by the busy catering team, St Andrew’s reputation for cakes of excellence was spread far and wide by those tweeting, "Come to the Raiway Day, the cakes are amazing".  

Congratulations are due to all those who were involved in any way and to the communications team for their excellent publicity work. Clearly, there remains an appetite for railway-related events in and around Hertford and St Andrew’s cakes! 
 
Click here to see a review of our 2022 Railway Day.