Sheffield model railway firm aims to help combat coronavirus isolation

A Sheffield model railway shop has teamed up with a renowned train enthusiast in bid to combat loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Rails of Sheffield, of Chesterfield Road, Heeley, has linked up with former radio broadcaster and well-known model rail enthusiast Jennifer Kirk to stage The Big Virtual Expo online tomorrow.

The move began as a back-up plan in case The London Festival of Railway Modelling at Alexandra Palace, the UK’s largest model railway exhibition, was

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cancelled – which it now has - and has now morphed into a live virtual model rail exhibition.

Jenny KirkJenny Kirk
Jenny Kirk

Jennifer, who took part in television model railway shows The Biggest Little Railway and The Great Model Railway Challenge, said: “It’s fantastic to have the support of manufacturers and the model railway community for this event.

“At a time when people are feeling lonely and isolated because of the virus, I think it’s important to show everyone that they don’t have to be alone.

“They can come and watch the expo and take part in a live chat at the same time.”

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The show will be broadcast on YouTube tomorrow, Saturday, March 21, from 1pm, at youtu.be/tmZd0pp2xPY

A train in the Wear Yard model.A train in the Wear Yard model.
A train in the Wear Yard model.

Jennifer said: “We will be showcasing a variety of model railways, built by members of the community and including railways you would not normally see at these events because they are built into peoples’ attics and spare rooms.”

Jennifer has previous experience with live broadcasting of this type, as she has conducted a weekly live stream for the model railway hobby since early 2019 and recently installed cameras into her own model railway, Wear Yard.

She said: “The success of live streaming ‘running sessions’ on Wear Yard showed that a live model railway exhibition on YouTube could work.”

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“There will also be a range of talks and interviews from model railway companies and magazines.

The model Wear Yard.The model Wear Yard.
The model Wear Yard.

“It’s going to be everything you would expect from a model railway event, only this time it’s being streamed directly into your living room.

“It really is the next best thing to being there, which is why we’re doing this.

“Just because there’s a virus outbreak doesn’t mean we can’t all come together and enjoy our hobby.”

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