Father and son project steals the show

Blair Atholl layout draws crowds at Perth model railway exhibition

A project undertaken by a father and son team has resulted in the creation of a miniature Highland Perthshire village.

Ian McCreadie, 52, of Glasgow, and his later father, John, began the amazing Blair Atholl towards Drumochter model rail line back in 1986 and it took pride of place at the Perth and District Model Railway Club exhibition, held at the Dewars Centre at the weekend.

The layout was first shown at Model Rail Scotland in 1988 before regional shows in Ayr, Falkirk, Perth and Milngavie.

Following John’s death in 2015, the layout moved to a more accessible storage facility, meaning it can be taken to exhibitions again.

John was mainly responsible for the construction of all buildings and bridges, several hundred trees and many of the landscape features. Ian’s specialisms of joinery and electrical installation were also put to good use.

The buildings were created from picture framing mounting board and painted to represent the local stone used in Blair Atholl.

Ian’s son, Callum, 12, is now installed as the ‘small controller’, thus sparking a new generation of a father and son team.

“Originally the layout was set in the period between the late ’70s and the introduction of the super sprinter services,” Ian said.

“However, Callum’s influence will see services depicted up to the present day.

“The objective of the layout has always been to entertain allowing the viewer at exhibitions to enjoy a wide range of services as they travel north and south on this attractive selection of the Highland main line...”

Picture: Steven Brown. Conlan Turner, 5, and his brother Bryn, 6, admire the Blair Atholl display.