Train station model goes on tour in Sydney

Known as a 'layup' in the model train community, the model of Dungog Train Station captures the essence of what it would look like in the 1990's.

Owner of the layup Brett Watson first purchased the model in 2022 from the North Shore Modellers Association.

However he said that when he purchased the layup that it was in poor condition and that a lot of work has had to be done to get it to the standard it's currently at.

"They constructed it about 30 years ago. I picked it up in 2022 and it was in a pretty bad state, it wasn't working," Mr Watson said.

"I basically, with the assistance of my good friend Brett Greenland, had to rewire the whole thing so that it runs to a modern standard.

"Its basically been a full rebuild, like getting an old car and restoring it."

Although he's not from Dungog, Mr Watson said that he feels a connection to the town. Having grown up in the Newcastle area he was constantly in Dungog which drew him to the model.

"When I saw that the model was for sale I basically just had to have it. I immediately had this vision to restore it," he said.

The layout itself is 8.3 metres long and 3.4 metres wide and features the Dungog Train Station platform, multiple trains and a fully operational control panel.

"The thing with building a model like this is that you're confined by space so it's not an accurate layout of Dungog but it's got the Dungog feel," Mr Watson said.

"It's what we call 'modellers licence' which means it's got the essence and the main parts of Dungog in it but not everything is accurate."

As a part of modernising the design of the Dungog layout, Mr Watson began including pieces of modern technology into the system such as working streetlights, operating boom gates and boom bells and a centralised traffic control.

Not being from Dungog, Mr Watson joined the Dungog Community Noticeboard to show the town his creation and so far the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

"We got quite a few favourable comments. I've had a resident of Dungog in some railway groups with me, when he saw the photos he said I'd hit Dungog on the head," Mr Watson said. He also thanked his fiancé Elina Bosis for her support in making the model.

Mr Watson said that he will be displaying his layout of Dungog Station at Epping Model Railway Club's Great Train Show on Saturday, May 4 and on Sunday, May 5 at Rosehill Gardens' Grand Pavilion.