About Burgess Hill MRC

Description

Burgess Hill Model Railway Club has been in existence for sixty years in 2011, having started life as a section of the Burgess Hill Model Aircraft Club. In 1951 it was large enough to form the independent Burgess Hill Miniature Railway Club. Premises were obtained in the crypt of St. John's Parish Hall in Cyprus Road, Burgess Hill and construction was started of a layout that included a model of part of the Ouse Valley Viaduct.

In 1962 the club left the crypt and meetings were held in member's houses and a local pub. In 1963 a very small room on the up platform of Burgess Hill station was rented. During this period, a portable layout was built for which Club members independently built sections which combined to form a continuous layout with a large station that was exhibited successfully at the Model Railway Exhibition as Central Hall, Westminster during Easter week 1964. Several local exhibitions were also attended.

In 1974 the Club changed its name to Burgess Hill Model Railway Club, and in 1980, after a long search for better premises, the Club finally moved to its present location near the town centre. We are now about to celebrate 60 years of independent existence!

Other layouts that have been constructed by the Club include Thornbury Hill, a 40ft long 'OO' gauge model of the Brighton main line in south London, Youlgreave, a 'OO' gauge Derbyshire terminus and quarry, and Midsomer Norton & Midford, an 'N' gauge circular layout based on the Somerset & Dorset in the early 1960s.

Several members also have their own layouts in 'O' and 'OO' gauges and the Club enjoys close links with the Thornbury Hill Owners Group who now own the layout originally built by the Club; several of whom are also Burgess Hill Club members.

Exhibitions are regularly attended with the Club layouts, and regular events for members are arranged.

Please use the links to see what our current layouts are; or to come and see us at our next exhibition.

If you would like to become a member of the Club, please use the form to contact us to arrange to come and visit or join up. We would be pleased to meet with you.

Return

© BHMRC 2010-2012

Last updated 16 Feb 2012