Mid Germany, pre war, Zeitz represents a busy junction between 3 towns.  Although the track layout is prototypical the appearance is fictional.  At one end a twin track main line approaches the station over a Bow Arch bridge crossing the Canal.  At the other end of the station 2 Bi-directional single lines exit by way of tunnels below the castle.   Between these lines can be found a regional motive power depot with turntable and roundhouse. This small depot can supply Zeitz with spare motive power for the many passenger and freights which pass the area and also supply small engines to shunt the sidings and goods yard within the station limits.

Zeitz is wired with 2 main cabs and a third to control the engine shed, the electrics being of a conventional nature.  The layout features many interesting trains from this period, including freights consisting of 40 wagons plus, heavy passenger trains up to 14 bogie coaches and such delights as “Flying Hamburger” sets and The “Rheingold” all in period colour. (Not just Black and red)

Zeitz has appeared mainly in the North of the country and has not had too much exposure in the South, the layout has also been into Europe and has also featured in “Continental Modeller”.  The layout requires 4 people to  operate the layout efficiently and requires the use of a van to move the layout.

Zeitz is one of many layouts owned by members of “The Phoenix Model Railway Club” and any prospective new members are more than welcome to come along and see us at our clubroom.

Contact us on 01452 501765, or click here to send us an e-mail.

“Corrinford”, as it then was, was built by Ken Ross in 1992, and has been on the exhibition circuit ever since. The layout was purchased by the Phoenix Model Railway Club in 2003, when Ken became unable to exhibit it on his own.

Since then the layout has been under going a period of renovation. The wiring has been totally replaced, and the layout is now wired using the Lenz DDC system. The layout has been “turned around” such that what was the operating side is now the viewing side.  This means that the lorry is not so prominent that it detracts from the railway operations. The scenery has also been “lifted” a little.

“Corrinford Road” recently featured on the front cover of Alan Postlethwaite’s book “Model Railway Detailing” and has been filmed by Mark Found for his “Railway Channel”!

Corrinford Road is owned by “The Phoenix Model Railway Club” and any prospective new members are more than welcome to come along and see us at our clubroom.

Contact us on 01452 501765, or click here to send us an e-mail.

In the 3rd incarnation of this layout, the base boards are built by Giles Walburn and John Freer, wiring, track laying, operating and scenicing by Sarah Padam, who is also the club treasurer.

The sole aim of this layout is to entertain the children (and of course, it’s operator), being at a lower than usual height and makes the attempt to “tell” as many of the original stories as possible.

Previous layouts were 7 by 8 feet and 10 square in size and was originally constructed by Sarah and her father Dev (club president) in 2000. It was demolished following the club open day in July 2004 as it size was felt to be too restrictive for the larger locomotives, such as Gordon and the Flying Scotsman, as well as being unsuitable to take to exhibitions. The third layout is 7 foot by 11 foot and has been constructed in a sectional manner, such that it could be easily transported and stored in the house.

As you may be aware the original Island of Sodor, as depicted by the Rev Awdry  is a fictional island situation between the Isle of Mann and mainland Britain. As such it was considered to be part of the Great Western Region and was based  in the period just prior and just after centralisation. This layout is set in the same era and region.

However, there are a number of “visiting locos” such as Hogwarts Express and the Flying Scotsman.

As one of our founder members, Sarah’s interest in railways could be considered as somewhat unusual.  Her interest was inherited from her mother who used to delight in playing with her brother’s “train set” and spent hours watching engines such as the Mallard and Scotsman flashing past her bedroom window.

Sarah’s ancestry include the company secretary of LNER and Dr Beeching’s Secretary!

Sarah and her family travel widely in their pursuit of their railway interests. Visits include the National Railway Museum in New Delhi, India, which can be highly recommended.

Island of Sodor is one of many layouts owned by members of “The Phoenix Model Railway Club” and any prospective new members are more than welcome to come along and see us at our clubroom.

Contact us on 01452 501765, or click here to send us an e-mail.