Sutton MR Display and Friends launched
20 September 2008 by Peter Bryant
The first museum for Britain's miniature railways, the Miniature Railway Museum Trust (MRMT) was officially launched on Saturday 6th September. This new group will preserve, display and interpret items relating to the history of miniature railways. The Trust is looking at potential sites, and one candidate is near the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, itself already well known for its collection of historic miniature railway equipment and past.
The MRMT also launched its supporting and fundraising group "The Friends of the Miniature Railway Museum Trust" which enables the public to join in with projects.
Chairman of the MRMT David Humphreys welcomes all to the official unveiling of the Sutton Display © Colin Peake
The MRMT's first project has now gone on display. It charts the history of the Sutton Miniature Railway, which is based in the Griffin Hall of the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway. The railway closed in Sutton Coldfield in 1962 and was moved almost in its entirety to Cleethorpes in 2001 after almost 40 years of storage. The new display was unveiled by John Tidmarsh who, as a teenager, drove some of the last trains at the old railway site and has been reunited with the collection so many years later. The team that developed the explanatory panels was lead by Simon Townsend who utilised his experience in launching the new station building in Rhyl.
The MRMT has been formed to preserve the heritage of Britain's miniature railways. The trust has support from owners of some of Britain's most popular and historic miniature railways.
Chris Shaw (CCLR Manager), David Humphreys (Chairman of the MRMT) and John Tidmarsh (Ex Sutton MR Driver) © Colin Peake
The Friends of the Miniature Railway Museum Trust has been formed as a fundraising and support group to enable the Trust to concentrate on preserving, displaying and interpreting items relating to the history of miniature railways. Membership of the Friends will include several benefits including discounts on travel at some of Britain's varied miniature railways.
Anyone interested in the work of the Trust can get details by contacting Chairman David Humphreys on 07789 967694 or emailing Secretary Colin Peake - secretary@miniaturerailwaymuseum.co.uk
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this seems like a great idea and I hope it goes from strength to strength. As a boy of nine in 1939 I spent a month in Rhyl. Most of this time I helped with the minature railway and have been a fan ever since
Wondered where you were Mr Humphreys! good to see you in the railway world, what a fantastic Idea! I was just milling around to see where Effie was these days, Found her! such god memories! Keep up the good work!