UK: BRIDPORT: Railway club 'do the locomotion'

View Online UK: BRIDPORT: Railway club 'do the locomotion'
MULTI-MILLIONAIRE record producer Pete Waterman shared his passion for trains with members of the Bridport and District Model Railway Club last week.


The former Pop Idol judge has masterminded 22 number one hits for the likes of Cliff Richard, Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley but has always harboured a passion for model railways.


The star even runs his own company called ‘Just Like The Real Thing’ producing scale model locomotives for the world market.


Last weekend the Bridport and District Model Railway Club paid a visit to Pete’s home in Cheshire.


The club travelled up to Birmingham on Friday where they stayed overnight and were guests of the Warley Model Railway Club, who organise the national model railway exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham each year.


They were given a conducted tour of the club facilities and invited to take along some of their own stock to run on the club layouts during the evening and also had time to spend talking about model railways to the Birmingham members.


On Saturday morning the party travelled up to the home of Pete Waterman where they spent the day with Pete and his friends.


The layout is centred on Leamington Spa and Pete himself has spent a considerable amount of time researching the area and building details in order for the model to reflect as close as possible the reality.


His layout is 140 foot long by 40 foot wide and can run 13 full-length carriage trains and still be in scale with the surroundings.


Pete only operates the layout a few times each year as it takes a dozen people to run it.


After a short presentation about the layout, and a chance to operate it themselves, the Bridport members had lunch with Pete discussing railway topics in general and exchanging thoughts and ideas on many model railway subjects.


Before departing from Cheshire, Club Publicity Officer, Douglas Beazer, presented Pete with a copy of ‘The Bridport Branch’, which they hoped would serve as a reminder of the club’s visit.


The trip was organised by Mr Beazer, who said: “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to view and operate such a fantastic layout and the club was very privileged to have the opportunity for this day.


“The members who attended said they had enjoyed the weekend very much. They had a most enjoyable and unforgettable day and are grateful to Pete Waterman for accommodating them on Saturday.”