Great Central now a model railway

Bachmann Models latest range includes a OO scale Rothley Station

Visitors to the award winning grade II listed Rothley station can now take it home! The model maker Bachmann has unveiled a range of scale models of the popular Great Central Railway location for OO railways.

Their Scenecraft range now includes a collection of buildings which depict Rothley station. The station was opened in 1899 as part of the Great Central Railway's grand extension to London Marylebone. Most of the stations on the route were built to the distinctive ‘island platform'
layout.

The model buildings can be configured to reflect many of them, including those which were accessed by steps from below (as opposed to the stairway arcade which descends from road level at the prototypical Rothley).

A donation will be made to the GCR for every item sold from the new range.

"Rothley station is a particular gem on GCR and retains virtually all of its late Victorian features", said Richard Patching, Commercial Manager of the Great Central. "Knowing that Bachmann are just about to introduce a full set of buildings for Rothley is wonderful news, not just for GCR, but especially for all the visitors who have admired this station. The fact that they initiated a donation from the sale of each item is a wonderful gesture which GCR's supporters will appreciate greatly"

The eight items in the range are finished by hand and include a booking office and canopy, a water column and lamp hut.

David Haarhaus, Bachmann's Sales and Marketing Manager said "The Great Central Railway is local to our offices in Leicestershire and has been a great help in researching and developing items from their impressive collection of preserved rolling stock. We at Bachmann, recognise the tremendous effort and hard work carried out by the railway's staff to operate this heritage railway situated in the heart of England. We are therefore keen to produce a model of their popular Rothley station."

Rothely station has won railway heritage awards and is grade II listed. While built at the end of the Victorian era, it has been carefully restored by a dedicated team of volunteers to reflect early Edwardian times. It is often used as a film set and hosts period themed events.

The collection will be launched at the Great Central Railway's Mail By Rail gala on 23rd & 24th July. Items will be available to purchase following July's launch.