Member's Tracks  7

Pictures are submitted by members of the group to be exhibited here

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Member's Tracks  "Maple Cross Railway"

Member's Tracks   "Saaletalbahn"

Member's Tracks  "Hayes Valley Railway"

Member's Tracks   "Martin's Railway"

Member's Tracks "Darley Light Railway"







"Clematis Railway"

Station master Paul Newman

 Pictures taken on the "Open Day Good Friday 2006"
Work started in May 1990 and on 14th July one of my granddaughters performed the official opening ceremony cutting the ribbon across the track as the first train set off from the make shift platform of what was to be the site of the future main station of Norton. During the years that followed the lines to Rushett, Lewson Street, Syndale and Lynsted were added to create the railway in its present form.

The official opening of the railway was on 14th July 1990 but it was not until October 1997 that it occurred to me to keep a "Running Book" and this is now beginning to provide an interesting picture of the activity thereon. It shows December as being one of the busiest months of the year . The reason for this is the activity demanded by the preparations for the events of Christmas week.

What a great idea to have a "Running Book" about ones track may be members will do that and we can hear how much running is actually done each month - Webmaster

When the railway acquired the land to permit the extension of the main line out to Syndale Bottom it also acquired the cave that exists at the side of the track. . The Railway Manager has arranged for the cave to be tidied up and even lighting installed so that it can be brought into use from time to time. For example, it has been known for the Teddy Bears to hold their annual picnic in the cave mouth.

However, the most important usage is in December when the cave is leased to Santa Claus and becomes Santa's Grotto. He fits it out with extensive shelving which becomes laden with Christmas packages and presents and it obviously becomes his operational base for the local area

On Open Days, although usually no charge is made for admission, donation boxes are placed in prominent positions and over the years various good causes have benefited from the takings, The Norton Village Hall, the Village Church, Kent Air Ambulance, The Railway Children and, of course, the Kent Group of the G Scale Society