Andy Y Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 I've had an email this morning with sad news: It is with deep regret that I have to inform all our friends - enthusiasts and followers, that Monks Bay Model Railway has closed its doors and will no longer be a model railway attraction, due to serious ill health of the owner Mr. Mike McDonald. I would like to thank everyone who has made a contribution to this attraction, whether large or small. It has for the last five years given many people a significant amount of entertainment, pleasure and satisfaction. You, the general public, have voiced this on numerous occasions and the compliments in the visitors book speak for themselves. We agree with all of you that Monks Bay Model Railway was simply the best of its kind in the UK. We all have Mike to thank for sharing his lifetime hobby with us. The railway is up for sale as I write this final newsletter and anyone who wishes to purchase the layout or indeed parts of the layout including locomotives, rolling stock, buidings or scenery please contact one of the people below:- Mr. Jeff Tomlinson Mablethorpe 01507-479902 Mr. Peter Riggleford Hannah 01507-441828 Many thanks for your input over the life span of Monks Bay. Kind regards Jeff Tomlinson We featured Monks Bay in BRM August 2014, it includes an extensive list of locos and rolling stock and magnificent Alan Downes' buildings based on Mablethorpe's sea front. Sad news but I hope buyers can be found. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mike Bellamy Posted January 18, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 18, 2016 Sad news indeed - Mike was a one time member of the Mickleover Model Railway Group when he lived locally and I have an Alan Downes Farmhouse that came from Mike's layout which he dismantled before moving to Mablethorpe where I believe he was employed by the local council before building Monks Bay and opening it to the public. A hidden gem at the back of the funfair with a tea room attached. Further details and photos here http://www.vintagecoach.com/monksbay/home.htm . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theakerr Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Very Sad and I wish Mike well. I am so pleased I took the time out to see Monks Bay last time I was over. Not only did I get to see a superb layout but got invited "inside" to see the workings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravensdmufan Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Went to Mablethorpe about two years ago - I thought it the best O gauge layout I'd ever seen. Very upset to read of Mike's ill health. He made us very welcome and we spent about two hours chatting (and trainspotting!) A phenomenal layout which actually I think deserves to be in the National Collection. I reckoned it was a lot better than the O Gauge behind the glass at the NRM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhBBob Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 It is a stunning layout and I, too, wish Mike well. I hope the layout finds a home, although I appreciate that this may be far from its present location. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mike Bellamy Posted January 22, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 22, 2016 NOW ON EBAY A friend has forwarded the following link - for sale £7,500 for layout and all fixtures. No stock included. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MONKS-BAY-MODEL-RAILWAY-0-GAUGE-EXHIBITION-LAYOUT-40-X-14-/111878617583?hash=item1a0c7c39ef:g:pxwAAOSwCypWnRLL . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grovenor Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Maybe less of a bargain when you see the conditions Viewing is essential as this layout has effectively been built into the room and will require a great deal of work to split into manageable portions for removal. It MUST be cleared from site by 29th February 2016. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravensdmufan Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 eBay listing has now been ended by the seller. "Item is no longer available". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold traction Posted January 30, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 30, 2016 I do hope it will be on show again. I have been to Mablethorpe to see it in action, and spent ages chatting about it to Mike. It would be nice if the owner of Wroxham Miniature Worlds saw it and bought it for his attraction as it was a stunning O-gauge layout. It would make a great addition to what they already have. A real shame, it would be nice to know where it's ended up. Cheers Ian 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RANGERS Posted May 29, 2017 Share Posted May 29, 2017 Anyone know what happened to Monks Bay? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 There were no bids on eBay, so I hope it was saved somehow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold traction Posted July 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 29, 2017 Does Anybody have any further news on what happened to Monks Bay? Just remembered about it and came back here to see if it had been updated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now