BRITAIN’S BIGGEST MODEL RAILWAY KEEPS GROWING

Simon George’s ‘Heaton Lodge Junction’, the giant 200ft long ‘O’ gauge layout that has wowed crowds over the past two years, is set to get even better!

Simon recently announced that, although the prototypical scenic section of the layout will remain, work has begun on converting the existing fiddleyard area into a fully detailed industrial scene.

“As well as being doubled in size widthways, the fiddleyard will now become a fully operational marshalling yard. We’re also adding a near-scale coal-fired power station loosely based on Eggborough in Yorkshire, complete with three metre high cooling towers!”

A working merry-go-round coal unloading facility will also be included, along with a large motive power depot. The new scenes are expected to take around 12‑14 months to complete. Look out for more updates at www. britainsbiggestmodelrailway.com

SIMON KOHLER PARTS COMPANY WITH HORNBY

In a surprise announcement, the long-standing ‘face’ of Hornby, Simon Kohler, left the Margate company at the end of May, after over 40 years of service. Olly Raeburn, the new CEO of Hornby, said “Simon has made an enormous contribution to the company, the hobby and the industry and will leave a lasting imprint on all three. It goes without saying we wish him all the very best for the future.”

Simon has insisted that he will not be retiring, planning instead to reopen his models and hobbies consultancy business, which was mothballed in 2017 when he was called back to Hornby to help reverse the firm’s fortunes.

Asked if he would miss Hornby, Simon replied “Yes, of course I will. It has been my life for well over 40 years and

I care for the people who make up the beating heart of Hornby. However, for me it is a new beginning and a chance to work outside of the Hornby bubble and put my experience and knowledge to good use through my Kohlercoms consultancy business.”