The weekend of Septmber 25th and 26th will see the Barrow Hill roundhouse throw open it’s doors to a new type of event. The monthly magazine Model Rail with the support of Hornby are holding a Model Rail ‘Live’ event, to bring together both model railway enthusiasts and prototype railway enthusiasts alike. There will be a chance to see some high quality model layouts alongside some impressive prototypes in the roundhouse near Chesterfield. Please refer to website for details  http://www.modelraillive.co.uk

The Class 56 Group have been invited along with their sales stand and it is also hoped that we will have our own loco, 56040 in attendance at the show. Along with the Class 58 group and their own 58016, this will no doubt bring back many memories of these two Barrow Hill stalwarts.

To go with the Class 56 groups stand, the group has built a small 4mm micro layout that is based on it’s in house magazines cartoon (Big Enders). Named ‘Arnold Lane’ after Pink Floyds first single release (Arnold layne), the layout has been built to show off it’s growing collection of model 56’s. Some of these model locos that have been weathered, renumbered and detailed will be sold off over the weekend to help raise further funds for the ongoing repairs of 56040.

The group encourages all members and non members alike, who have an interest in these big heavy haulers to come along and take a look inside and discover what it takes to keep these fine machines working and have a chat to those who have been involved with the restoration of 56040.

56040 on Arnold Lane – Photo by Keith Wright