Husband’s 00 gauge Hornsby train set is 60 years old and hadn’t seen the light of day for nearly 30 years. With two train mad grandsons, it was time to get it out again. Although it all seemed to work, the steam locos lacked poke and husband wanted the controllers checked for safety.
A google search threw up the Goods Yard Model Railways in Tuxford. After a long and useful conversation with the owners, he decided to take the locos and controllers down to them for checking.
The shop hasn’t been open long and is in the office block of the old Goods Yard of the long closed Tuxford Station. It is a typical Victorian brick building dating from 1895. The other brick buildings on the site used to be the loco works.
The two staff are friendly, very helpful and passionate about model railways. They checked the controllers and locos while we waited and offered unbiased advice. There was no pressure sell for unnecessary work.
There was a Triang gauge 00 layout which they ran for the grandchildren to watch. They were fascinated by the Royal Mail van picking up and dropping off mail bags. husband is now regretting selling his mail coach many years ago.
There was a good stock of 00 gauge locos, carriages and wagons as well as track, points, signals, water towers etc. They also have station buildings, both made up and in kit form as well as scenery and other vehicle. They also have some O and N gauge stock.
For those starting from scratch, they will also design and assemble track layouts.
This was a very productive visit. Both men knew and understood their stock. We felt we were leaving the locos in safe hands. We also bought a flat bed wagon to the delight of Number One Grandson.
The shop is open Wednesday-Saturday 10-4. There is plenty of parking and it is wheelchair friendly. Be warned, they do not accept credit cards; cash or cheques only.