Background to the Layout
It is Summer 1967, with passenger and goods trains gently trundling between Redhill and Westerham. The NDLR opened in 1920, using 2nd-hand materials from WWI military railways, and connects the various sand, brick, lime and tile works along the foot of the North Downs. Passenger services have developed with local and tourist traffic, and there is a remaining goods service that has not been lost to the roads.
The Area Served
The places mentioned on the text panels, and the industries served by the railway, are all real. The NDLR never existed, but could easily have done as a later version of some of the railway proposals for east Surrey. East Surrey was a very busy industrial area up to some 60 years ago, with sand excavation, lime burning, brick works and roof tiles being the principal activities. Many local people and firms have generously given their time to help with the researching for the layout.
Photograph by Mick Thornton, 009 Society
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