MARKET LINDUM Scale: 4mm - ft. Gauge: 16.5mm ('00') by Andrew Hartshorne

Size: 20ft x 8ft, Operators: Four, Transport: Van hire + one car

As the name Market Lindum might suggest, this fictitious small town is imagined to be in the east of Lincolnshire, near the edge of the Wolds. We had previously constructed scenery and buildings for various Club layouts, and were persuaded to build a layout of our own. As a change from modelling hills, valleys and cuttings we wanted somewhere reasonably flat, hence the choice of our neighbouring county.

Market Lindum is supposed to be a passing place on a line between the Midlands and the East Coast, with access to the railways of East Lincolnshire. With help and advice from other Club members we have tried to be as railway-like as possible, but the emphasis has been on the buildings and the scenery. All the buildings, with one or two exceptions, are based on photographs taken within our chosen area. They have been constructed by whatever methods and using whatever materials each of the builders preferred.

Most of our locomotives and stock are not at all representative of our chosen location, so we decided the line should have a Midland origin. We wrote a history to "justify" this decision and use it as our excuse for what runs on the line. We hope to gradually replace our "wrong" stock, but it may take a long time. Indeed, it might never happen! The trackwork has been kept simple, reflecting our interests and abilities, but the layout has run well thus far, and provides plenty of operational interest.

Our thanks must go to John Wass for his help with the trackwork and the electrics. The layout was planned so that it could be extended in two stages. The final stage is now complete and the layout can be erected in any one of three different ways.

Ref: Railway Modeller Nov 1994 & Aug 1999