Vandalised model railway story hits the stage

The story of a model railway club that had to rebuild its £60,000 display after it was vandalised has been turned into a play.

The Market Deeping Model Railway Club's display was ruined by four teenagers at Welland Academy in Stamford, Lincolnshire, in 2019, and rebuilt after generous donations, including £10,000 from Sir Rod Stewart.

Playwright William Ivory has now turned it into a drama which is showing at Nottingham Playhouse until 25 July.

Peter Davies, vice-charman of the railway club, said the story was "huge at the time" and he was "looking forward to seeing it on stage."

In 2019, four 16-year-old boys admitted criminal damage at Lincoln Youth Court.

The court heard they had shared a bottle of vodka as part of a "pre-exam night out" before going on a "rampage".

Members of the club said a life's work had been destroyed with some displays taking years to complete.

Following thousands of donations, about 30 members of the club managed to restore the displays by hand, which took approximately 1,000 hours.

Speaking on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Davies reflected on when the display was destroyed.

"It was the worst vandalism anybody had experienced in the model railway world.

"Other people had layouts and things destroyed. It really was horrific."

He described making model railways as a "very creative hobby".

"I've been involved in model railways for well over 60 years and I'm still learning," he added.

Music producer Pete Waterman, who also helped the club following the vandalism, said: "Model railways is a passion. It's about details.

"It gets us away from the music. You have to be as intense with model railways as you do with music."

He added: "I would like to see the play because I've seen the clips online and it looks good. It's a great story.

"The whole community came together and Sir Rod Stewart gave a sensational donation."

Founded in 1976, the Market Deeping Model Railway Club has been a hub for railway modellers in South Lincolnshire and Peterborough ever since.

It meets on Monday evenings and Thursday afternoons and hosts an exhibition every year in Stamford.

The club enjoyed a revival in 2024 with several younger members also joining the group.

Gavin and Stacey star Adrian Scarborough plays the club's chairman, Graham, in the new play.

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