Ambitious plans have been laid out to create the UK's largest model railway display in Hoveton, Norfolk.
The attempt is the brainchild of Ray, Sean and Mark Green who are directors of Semmence Coaches in Wymondham and Ambassador Travel in Great Yarmouth. The trio are set to unveil years of hard work when the area's newest attraction is officially unveiled opposite Wroxham station on April 4th. Named Wroxham Miniature Worlds, it will become the largest model railway of its kind in the UK and is hoped to attract tourists from all over the country.
Ray Green told EDP24: "We hope to attract 40 to 50,000 visitors a year but it will be all down to the public. As well as visitors to Wroxham we hope the local population will support us; we have been supporting the community by using local suppliers as much as possible.”
It has been a labour of love for the Green family who have invested £500,000 making their dream become a reality. Sean explained to the news provider that he has been fascinated in railways and modelling ever since he visited Great Yarmouth's model village at the tender age of eight. However, the Hoveton could overshadow its neighbour as it spreads over 3,000 ft and encompasses a whole host of layouts.
Wroxham Miniature Worlds is split into five different layouts: European, Little Brick World, Great Britain, Japanese and Desert Race. Each of the designs spread over hundreds of square feet and display the various scenic routes that people may have experienced on their travels at home or on the continent.
The Great Britain layout represents the largest modern OO scale display of its kind in the UK and passes through traditional villages, preserved railways and a huge canal basin providing a great feel for the British countryside. The Desert Race layout moves away from the rails and on to the road with a desert racetrack snaking through hills and tunnels with cars dating from the 1960s right up to modern day.