Ian Futers,
Next month Oxford Rail Brand Developer Scott Rhodes
1 What was your first train set/model?
An unnamed ‘roundy-roundy’ train set on an 8ft by 4ft baseboard. I was about 12 years old and I made it myself. This was followed by my ‘OO’ gauge NER layout ‘Ashleigh’ in 1972.
2 Are you working on a layout now?
At least three! Including what my wife calls the ‘lockdown layout’.
3 What piece of modelling are you most proud of?
The infamous ‘Fort William’, a layout too far.
4 Have you ever finished a model railway?
About 40 of them. Although, is a model railway ever finished?
5 What model have you’ve always longed for? 6 Favourite trainspotting location?
Newcastle Central in the 1970s and 1980s.
7 Favourite locomotive?
North British Railway ‘J’ 4-4-0 (LNER ‘D30’), better known as the ‘Superheated Scotts’.
8 When did you start working in the model railway industry?
I have never worked in the model railway industry as such, but I began writing in the model press from 1972.
9 What did you do beforehand?
I mainly worked in education (early years and primary) with 20 years as a headteacher.
10 Who has influenced your modelling the most?
P.D. Hancock and the Reverend Peter Denny.
11 What is one of the things you would put on your bucket list?
I would like to visit Russia.
Salmon Trout.
My wife says I keep losing everything! I can never find anything
12 Strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Frogs’ legs at the Leamington Spa Model Railway Club Christmas dinner. They tasted like chicken…
13 What is one of your weird quirks?
My wife says I keep losing everything! I can never find anything.
14 What is your best childhood memory?
Heading on the North Tyneside electric trains to Newcastle with my father in order to purchase a Hornbydublo three-rail item on a Saturday.