A vast new railway network is being built in Bradford but it won't help get cars off the road.

If anything, it will increase the traffic congestion up to Baildon as model train enthusiasts flock to see the miniature steam engines.

For a £2,580 National Lottery grant has enabled Shipley Model Railway Society to build a huge new layout twice the size of a particularly spacious front room.

The 30ft by 14ft construction will take visitors back to the years between 1948 and 1963, when steam was still king.

It will portray a stretch of track south of Leicester in the post-war years and will have a spaghetti junction of sidings extensive enough to hold 50 model trains.

Society spokesman Reg Cowling said: "We are delighted to receive this award. Our two other layouts - Evercreech Junction on the Somerset and Dorset line and Tebay in Cumbria - have received national acclaim and given a great deal of pleasure to many people.

"Leicester South is already generating a great deal of interest.

"It will make its first appearance at our 25th annual exhibition on September 20 and 21.

"We hope people will come along to see it and that it encourages people to participate in the hobby - and even consider joining Shipley Model Railway Society."

The Leicester South layout is now under construction.

It is a replica of the former Great Central route a few hundred yards south of the city's Central Station in the period 1948 to 1963.

"As a result of our research we intend to model 50 trains, so extensive storage sidings are required to hold them for realistic timetable operation." said Mr Cowling.

For railway buffs, among the model trains on show will be the Master Cutler and the South Yorkshireman.

The grant from the National Lottery's Awards for All programme will pay for construction of the main control panel, points motors for the storage sidings and fluorescent lighting.