Famous Garden Railway

When Merrivale changed ownership in 2004, research began to find a suitable replacement for the scratch built 2½” gauge 3 rail system that had been running in the garden for more than 40 years. After much research and consultation, the German manufacturer, LGB, the inventors of G scale (45mm gauge railway) was chosen to supply a new railway network to the garden.

Thanks to the enthusiasm and supportiveness of the team at LGB and the assistance of David Pratt, consultant to the Discovery Channel’s Garden Railway programme, plans for the new LGB Garden Railway at Merrivale Model Village started to take shape.

Installation got underway at the end of October 2004 and was completed by Easter 2005. The new railway became an immediate hit with garden railway enthusiasts and visitors to the Model Village, with many people choosing to return within the week for another look.

Merrivale Model Village boasts approximately 350 metres of 45mm G gauge track running throughout the garden. There are 28 different types and styles of locomotive, tram, novelty vehicle and associated rolling stock with carriages, ensuring a wonderful range of train-spotting opportunities for visitors who never know which section might be running from one day to the next.

The model railway has also become very popular with garden and model railway societies. We are always delighted to welcome visits from larger groups or coach parties wishing to train spot or simply to enjoy the garden and the railway running through it. To find out more about group visits please click here