Tricky fix for model railway

Bob and Juliet McMurtrie own Glenbrook Leisure Time, a model railway on Morley Road that sits next to the Glenbrook Vintage Railway line.

Glenbrook Leisure Time opened in 2016, originally under the name Glenbrook Model Railway.

There are more than 810 metres of tracks, over 600 carriages, two five-track spiral climbs, and multiple buildings. Outside is a ride-on train loop, but the engine needs serious repairs to get it back up and running again.

Bob said repairs to the ride-on train were slow and expensive, with parts sourced from the United States.

“We’re trying to find parts, but it is an old engine, and parts that are hard to get or make are very expensive.”

He said it was a very frustrating repair job, and the lack of the ride-on train affected the income from the model railway, which is used to maintain the engine and models.

“We need to get it fixed as quickly as we can, as kids are missing it very much.”

Earlier this year, he was able to borrow a ride-on train from fellow enthusiasts, but had to return it as their main engine broke down too.

Glenbrook Leisure Time hosted a NZ Motor Caravan Association rally in mid-October, and Bob said the model railway remains open on Sundays, with details updated on the Glenbrook Leisure Time Facebook page.