Model railway layout voted Best in Show by Town Mayor

Colin Postlethwaite, from Askam, received the vote from the Mayor of Kendal at the Kendal Model Railway Exhibition, which took place over the weekend.

His layout was based on a town in the North West and has a small station on a single-line system. 

There are various cameo scenes on the layout including the local fire brigade in action, along with a busy market scene. Most buildings have been fitted out with internal lighting, including the signal box, which has been detailed inside. 

St Seeb layout at Kendal Model Railway Exhibition. (Image: Filipa Gaspar, Newsquest)Mr Postlethwaite said: "I wanted to put working signals in with a level crossing in so that shows a bit more interest rather than just trains running up and down.

"I also decided I'd like to put lots of other things in like the fire engine, roadworks, buses and all the normal stuff you see in a town."

This was Mr Postlethwaite's first attempt at building an exhibition layout as an independent modeller. It took him four and a half years to complete. 

On being voted the best show in the event by Kendal Town Mayor Councillor Julia Dunlop, he said: "It was a bit of a surprise - I'm quite humbled, really.

(left to right) Town Mayor Julia Dunlop, Exhibition Manager Ian Conway and Colin Postlethwaite. (Image: Submitted)"I don't rate myself to be a good modeller as such. There are far better modellers than me, but I'm quite proud.

"It's quite an achievement. It is good that somebody liked it because this is its first-ever show that it has been to so that made it even more special."

Cllr Dunlop said: “This show is a credit to the organisers. The enthusiasts had a great time and the traders reported brisk business. Many of the visitors stayed in Kendal accommodation and ate out in the town - making a great contribution to the local economy.”