Sowters Lane

Soar Valley Model Railway Club’s Sowters Lane is a classy example of modelling in narrow gauge on a grand scale. Gifted to the club by a member and subsequently extended and improved it is a regular on the exhibition circuit. It was featured in the November 2004 Trains On-line magazine.

This view (above) shows in detail the carriage sidings and sheep pens at Sowters Lane. Although the railway is entirely fictitious the scene is typical of what would have once been found on similar narrow gauge enterprises found across the UK.

There is more than a hint of dereliction in this view of Sowters Lane’s rather basic water and coaling facilities, with parts of dismantled locomotives scattered in the foreground apparently left to rust away.

What could be more rural than a blacksmith hard at work shoeing a horse. There is always more to a good layout than engines and track and Sowters Lane’s scenic cameos bring much to this 12 foot long ‘showstopper’.