“SOME people just love trains and their love of trains spills over into model railways.”

Susan Sanderson sees first-hand how much passion enthusiasts put into their hobby. “Whether it’s recreating the Settle-Carlisle line or building a scene from your imagination, railway modelling brings a sense of achievement.

“There are so many different aspects, like planning out track and electrics. You can totally absorb yourself in it,” she says.

As manager of Frizinghall Models & Railways - the T&A’s Trader of the Week - Susan is among a team of staff who know an N gauge from an O gauge and a DMU (diesel multiple unit) from an EMU(electric multiple unit).

“Railway modelling can be as easy or difficult as you want. You can buy a train set starter pack that contains everything you need for a simple working layout box full of bits to create a simple layout or you can start from scratch, get a base board and track and go from there,” she says.

Modellers are mainly from the older generation, but not exclusively. “Many people are retired and have more time, but there are also quite a few younger ones. Two of our staff, Oliver Harrison, in his twenties, and David Harris, in his thirties, love modelling and both volunteer on heritage railways. To have them as members of our team is ideal - they are often asked for advice.”

In his seventies, Joe Tarver is the shop’s sound technician, using sound files that replicate the whistles, horns, steam and brakes, etc, of the rolling stock “Nowadays you can make your models sound like the real thing,” says Susan. Joe is also a keen modeller himself.

Whether you want your trains to rumble through an industrial city or a pastoral scene or both, there’s a huge range of accessories for layout building. Green fields, corn fields, brick buildings, rocky outcrops, forest foliage and water effects are among the items that creative minds put to use. “You can make it really interesting with working lights, such as street lights,” says Susan.

The shop, in Sapper Jordan Rossi Park, Baildon, dates back to 1950, when Bradford Model Shop owner Hubert Foster sold his business to John Ayrey and his father. The stock was valued at £1,543 6s 6d.

The business became Bradford Model Railway Centre, then located on Keighley Road, Frizinghall, and later on Hillam Road. Shops were subsequently opened in Huddersfield, Leeds and Manchester. John also developed a wholesale business.

In 1976 the Bradford shop was sold to long-standing customer Arthur ‘Tug’ Wilson, and run by him and later his son Stephen, wife Elaine and family until their retirement in 2017, when it was sold, returning to the John Ayrey fold - John Ayrey Die -Casts - and moving to Baildon.

One of the current owners of the shop Norman Hinchliffe, worked part-time for John Ayrey in Huddersfield in the 1960s, occasionally helping out in Frizinghall, where he met Andrew Feather, who is also now a part owner.

Ever-popular model engines at the Baildon shop include the Flying Scotsman and Mallard. “New engines come out every year and other models are updated - these are always popular with enthusiasts,” says Susan.

It’s not all about trains, though - the shop sells a vast range of other models including domestic and military aircraft, tanks, lorries, cars, space capsules and other forms of transport, as well as die cast and collectable models.

Never waning in their appeal, Thunderbirds in kit form are still a hit. “Some new Bachmann kits came out earlier this year and I imagine will be popular at Christmas,” says Susan.

November to January is the shop’s busiest time of the year. Weekends are also busy and Saturday staff Paul Towers and Matthew Moore - both keen modellers - help out.

Lockdown did not see a slowdown in business for Frizinghall Models & Railways, which has a thriving mail order service. “We were just as busy, but it was harder as everything was mail order and had to be packed,” says Susan.

“In normal times a lot of people prefer to come in as they like to see what they are buying - it is fine to order a bit of scenery or kit, but if you are buying a £200 loco you want to see how it looks and see it run on our test track.”

As well as the test track, the shop has a “fantastic” 12ft by 3ft Peco model railway layout in N Gauge.

“A retailer closed down about a few years ago and we were asked by Peco if we wanted it. Norman completely refurbished it in his garage, with a bit of help from the rest of the team,” says Susan. “It is very popular, especially with children who come with their grandparents to see it.

“It is also great to be able to show people what they can do and what is possible.”

Some of the shop’s customers previously worked on the railways. The future looks bright for the model shop, which is looking to raise its profile across the UK at trade shows and exhibitions.

The team are passionate about their miniature world. “We are very fortunate to be able to come to work and love what we do,” adds Susan.

*Frizinghall Models & railways, Unit 8A Sapper Jordan Rossi Park, Baildon BD17 7AX; modelrailshop.co.uk T: 012764 747447

*Would you like your shop to feature as a T&A Trader of the week. Contact helen.mead@nqyne.co.uk or emma.clayton@nqyne.co.uk