A popular model railway exhibition, Narrow Gauge North 2024, will be pulling into Pudsey.
This much-loved event will take place at Pudsey Civic Hall on Saturday 9 March between 10.30am and 4.30pm with organisers hoping to beat last year’s numbers and attract more than 400 visitors. Set up in 1994 by Ron Redman, a keen model train enthusiast who worked as a fundraiser at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley, the event has gone on to raise a staggering £115,000 for the charity over the last 29 years.
19-year-old student Oliver Kirkby is organising the show this year, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. He said:
“For many years my Grandad organised the exhibition – he did it until 2015. Another long-time supporter took on this role from 2016-2017 with help from my Dad, and then Dad was in charge for a few shows. I took it over completely in January 2023 though I’d been helping out quite a bit before that.
“My love for model railways comes from my family really. My Dad and my Grandad used to take me to railways and railway exhibitions when I was much younger. I’m lucky enough to have a 009 narrow gauge layout at home – it fills an entire small bedroom!
“But tracks come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. We’ve had people bring layouts to the exhibition that have been built in suitcases, there was one that came in a washing up bowl. Someone even built one in an ex-army ammo box. You can buy the track as small as the palm of your hand!”
The exhibition offers a range of attractions that will appeal to people of all ages. Oliver explained:
“We have a variety of exhibitors – those who have built their own model railways including the track, the buildings and the scenery, including the fine details. We’re also pleased to welcome a number of societies and key supporters. This year at the event we have approximately 13 traders, 21 layouts and 6 societies who will be attending.”
Oliver continued: “There’s nothing stopping you, as a visitor, from walking in the morning knowing nothing about model railways and buying everything you need to build a layout when you get home. Everything is here, from baseboards, tracks, the trains themselves, scenery items, kits to build. All sorts of things!”
Tickets costs £10 for adults and £1 for accompanied children. Family tickets are available for £15, which covers 2 adults plus accompanied children.
Oliver confirmed: “We see quite a lot of families turning up – grandparents will take their grandkids for a day out to see the trains. We get a whole range of ages coming through the doors, which is good to see.”
A second-year computer science student, Oliver has been working on plans for this year’s exhibition since July 2023, with the key planning stages starting at the beginning of September.
He confirmed: “It’s quite a logistical challenge. You’ve got to make sure you’re on top of it and that everything (and everyone) fits into the hall!”
When asked about his involvement with Narrow Gauge North 2024 (NGN), and what it means to him, Oliver said:
“It means a great deal to me – I’m extremely passionate about model railways. I’m proud that NGN can continue supporting Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice by raising vital funds that will make an impact on the lives of those when they really need it.”
Michael Tarbatt, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice said:
“I think I can speak on behalf of everyone at the hospice to say that we’re blown away by the huge amount of money that has been raised by Narrow Gauge North over the past 29 years and are so grateful for their ongoing support. Not only are Narrow Gauge North helping raise vital funds so we can provide care for local families when it matters, they’re creating a day out to remember.”
At Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, we can’t make life’s most difficult moments easy, but we can carry some of the load. For more than 70 years we have been a source of strength and specialist support for anyone living with a life-limiting illness or grief. Dying and grief are universal experiences, but too many people face them alone. Here at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice located in Headingley we provide a safe and reassuring hand for the people of Leeds to reach for.
From giving specialist care and support for someone at the end of their life to helping someone manage their grief, we know there is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need. We campaign for everyone who is approaching the end of their life or grieving to have access to the right support, at the right time and in a way that is right for them. We seek to break down the barriers to talking about dying and grief – so we can all be better prepared and better equipped to be there for each other.
We can make a positive difference during even the darkest of times. Whether in the last months, weeks or days of life, or living with grief, we help people live the best life they possibly can. We are there when it matters and work inclusively with our diverse community in and around Leeds.
For more information on Narrow Gauge North 2024, please visit www.narrowgaugenorth.org.uk
For more information on Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, please visit www.sueryder.org/Wheatfields
