The Peak District in the final year of the LMS is the setting for SAM JONES’ ‘OO’ gauge layout, which faithfully recreates this beautiful area in miniature. Photography, Richard Watson.
GAUGE: ‘OO’, 16.5mm | SCALE: 4mm: 1ft | SIZE: 13ft x 13ft | REGION: Midland | PERIOD: 1947 | CONTROL: DCC, Gaugemaster Prodigy
PEAKS ‘47 is based in the Peak District in 1947. I’ve tried to capture locomotives running along the old Midland Main Line from Matlock to Buxton and from the local quarries. The areas around Monsal Dale and Millers Dale have been particular inspirations. It is a layout which continues to develop and has created a keen interest in the hobby as well as creating videos for the layout’s dedicated YouTube channel.
Before returning to model railways around 18 months ago I was heavily into motorbikes, but I was struggling to find the time and I needed something that I could do in the evenings. Model railways were the obvious answer and a step back to my past. The LMS was the area which had always attracted my attention following family trips to the Peak District to walk in the stunning scenery.
I threw myself into the railway hobby once more and I’m continuing to learn about the subjects that I model…
