Madder Valley Railway

John Ahern’s Madder Valley Railway is on permanent display. 

The Madder Valley Railway layout was built by John Ahern between 1941 and 1951 and is an historic relic of the early days of scenic railway modelling. It pioneered the idea of placing a model railway in the context of the towns and villages that it was built to serve, together with the countryside through which it ran. In the early days of railway modelling it showed others what could be done, and remains an inspiration to the modelling hobby today.

After John Ahern’s death in 1961, Pendon Museum was happy to accept the Madder Valley Railway layout to accompany the Museum’s own model displays, The Vale Scene and Dartmoor Scene, and help place these exemplary models into context of the scenic modelling hobby.

Unlike the Vale Scene, where each building and structure is an historically accurate and exact representation of a real building, Madder Valley was never intended as a replica of an actual scene. It features buildings that were derived from real ones, without necessarily being exact copies of their originals. The rolling stock was also “a mixed bag” (as John Ahern put it), which included models of narrow gauge locomotives from the Isle of Man, Wales and Devon built to run on 16.5mm gauge track alongside models of standard gauge stock, some of them based on real light railway vehicles as well as some freelance models.

Below is a short video clip illustrating Madder Valley in operation.

To ensure the prolonged operation of this historic model and to preserve it for future generation to enjoy, trains only run on select few days during the year. These are listed in 'What's On' and also marked in Amber on the calendar.

Our recently published Guide book is a must-have for any model rail enthusiast or anyone interested in John Ahern, and features some updated information about the MVR as well as fantastic photographs highlighting the best of the scene. You can purchase the Guide book at the museum or from our web shop (p&p fees apply) by clicking here.

Images of the oldest model railway

Tap/click to expand an image and read its caption.

  • Our journey starts at Gammon Magna Station where the locomotive Welsh Pony and its passenger train have arrived.

    Our journey starts at Gammon Magna Station where the locomotive Welsh Pony and its passenger train have arrived.

  • Loco No. 6 and carriage is at Gammon End Station where a hansom cab and a charabanc are waiting.

    Loco No. 6 and carriage is at Gammon End Station where a hansom cab and a charabanc are waiting.

  • The Tunnel under The Madderhorn!

    The Tunnel under The Madderhorn!

  • This is the brick field where we see a small industrial loco hard at work.

    This is the brick field where we see a small industrial loco hard at work.

  • Much Madder – where one can catch a train, obtain postage stamps, take a refreshing drink and buy eggs from the farm. There’s even a dump to get rid of the rubbish!

    Much Madder – where one can catch a train, obtain postage stamps, take a refreshing drink and buy eggs from the farm. There’s even a dump to get rid of the rubbish!

  • The canal lock at Much Madder where the Moonrakers Inn offers tea, luncheon, accommodation and boats for hire.

    The canal lock at Much Madder where the Moonrakers Inn offers tea, luncheon, accommodation and boats for hire.

  • At Madderport Station loco Manx Kitten arrives with her train and Welsh Pony is about to depart. Behind them can be seen the handsome Georgian-style Harbour Office.

    At Madderport Station loco Manx Kitten arrives with her train and Welsh Pony is about to depart. Behind them can be seen the handsome Georgian-style Harbour Office.

  • The SS Erica waits to be loaded at Madderport – the lighthouse that protects the port is beyond.

    The SS Erica waits to be loaded at Madderport – the lighthouse that protects the port is beyond.

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Pendon recaptures scenes from the English countryside as it was in the 1920s and 1930s using exquisite models to explain a past era and a different way of life.

Pendon Museum Trust , Long Wittenham , Abingdon , Oxfordshire , OX14 4QD