Tiny details and big ambitions for railway model of town's past
A group of model railway enthusiasts hope a detailed recreation of a town's past can one day become a permanent attraction.
The seven-metre-long (23ft) layout depicts Leominster's railway station and the surrounding area as it appeared during the first half of the 20th Century.
Its creators say one of the most rewarding moments came when a visitor recognised part of the scene from their own childhood.
"We even met a lady who'd grown up in one of the houses that was on the goods yard area, so it was lovely to talk with her and get a little bit of background information," said Peter Dennis, from the Marches Model Railway Group.
The group hopes the display will eventually find a permanent home in the town.
"We'd love to see it finished or certainly finished enough for it to be a permanent display in Leominster," he said.
"That's always been our long-term aim. We see it as a value to the town, as a tourist attraction."
Part of the appeal lies in the tiny details hidden throughout the layout.
A lorry with a flat tyre, a Land Rover stuck in the mud and a farmer trying to stop sheep escaping through an open gate are among the scenes added since the model first went on display.
"On the road there's a lorry that's got a flat tyre and you can see there's the men standing around trying to decide what's going to happen about it," Dennis said.
"In the field, a Land Rover's got its wheel stuck in the mud in the gateway and you can see the mud on the road which is very typical of Herefordshire.
"There's a man trying to keep the sheep from escaping through the open gate where the Land Rover's stuck."
The model, which was unveiled at Leominster Library in April 2025, has continued to grow as new details are added.
Its previous exhibition attracted 921 visitors over two days, a response Mr Dennis said left members of the group "amazed".
"The library's never seen so many people come through in that period of time so we were really encouraged by that and we were encouraged by the comments and encouraged by some of the people that came," he said.
The project has cost about £2,500 since work began three years ago and Mr Dennis estimated a similar amount would be needed to complete it.
The group has received a £540 grant from Leominster Town Council and is also accepting donations.
"We don't ask for anything but if anyone does feel willing or able to make a donation they are gratefully received and it will all be used towards getting the model finished," Mr Dennis said.
"I have to say modelling is a very expensive hobby now."
The exhibition, which opened on Wednesday, runs until Saturday at Leominster Library, with members of the group hoping the latest display will bring them a step closer to securing a permanent home for their recreation of the town's past.
Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
