Families enjoy first models and miniatures weekend of the year at Stapleford

Hundreds of people found Stapleford Miniature Railway's first open weekend of the year just the ticket.
Pat Franks and June Riley discuss Pat's 4''scale model Foster engine PHOTO: Tim WilliamsPat Franks and June Riley discuss Pat's 4''scale model Foster engine PHOTO: Tim Williams
Pat Franks and June Riley discuss Pat's 4''scale model Foster engine PHOTO: Tim Williams

The free admisison event, held on Saturday and Sunday, supported Leicestershire and Rutland hospice Loros.

It attracted an estimated 1,200 passengers who took a trip on Stapleford’s magnificent ten- and-a-quarter inch gauge miniature railway as well as enjoying other attractions.

Main attractions included traction engines, a range of different locomotives and vintage vehicles, tractors, craft and trade stalls and a bottle bar supporting Loros.

Steams up for miniture railway enthusiasts  PHOTO: Tim WilliamsSteams up for miniture railway enthusiasts  PHOTO: Tim Williams
Steams up for miniture railway enthusiasts PHOTO: Tim Williams

Spokesman Nigel Spencer said: “We managed to escape the rain. One minute it would start and look like it would continue for hours but we managed to get lucky.

“Plenty of families had a great time and a number of the locomotives and engines were drapped in the Union Jack to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.

“We are hoping to open more often to the public and our next event is over the August Bank Holiday.”

Volunteers are always needed to help with the upkeep of Stapleford Miniature Railway. Painters, gardeners and repairers especially.

For more information about how to get involved visit http://www.fsmr.org.uk/