East Sussex model railway group awarded police funding to keep project on track

Pictured: PCSO Daryl Holter with members of the East Sussex Garden Rail Group

East Sussex PCSO Daryl Holter met with members of a local model railway society recently to present £300 of grant funding towards their latest project.

East Sussex Garden Rail Group has been awarded the funds from the Police Property Act Fund, which will go towards extending their outdoor railway track.

Group leader Colin Feist said: “We have two projects to extend the outside railway, having been allocated more space, we will be purchasing track and timber thanks in part to the generous donation from Sussex Police.

“Our members on average are from the elder generation, who enjoy running larger scale model trains in a garden setting, or indoors given the space.

“We welcome all comers. Members attend with their trains to run who may not have the facility at home and over lunch we sit and discuss modelling projects, hints and tips, and the latest internet scams.”

The Police Property Act Fund is made up of money received by the police from the sale of property confiscated by order of the court. Proceeds go towards funding a wide range of projects across the community.

PCSO Holter, who worked with the society to secure the grant, said: “I am really happy to be able to help the society.

“Building the railway requires a diverse set of skills, such as researching the prototype, planning and drawing the project, manual construction including carpentry, track laying, building control panels and powering the track.

“There is always someone with at least one of these skills, and can help with any queries raised by the members.”

For more information on the East Sussex Garden Rail Group, visit eastsussexgardenrail.co.uk