Archived: Neville Davis, R.I.P.

Neville joined the club in the early 1970’s and soon established himself as an enthusiastic member and was later duly elected onto the committee where, he held several of the offices including Secretary and Chairman.

He was a very proficient modeller in various scales and produced a few exhibition layouts, the majority of the stock on his layouts were either scratch built or very heavily modified proprietary from various manufacturers.

“Z” gauge Hardwater Canyon which featured in the Continental Modeller and at exhibitions.

“0” gauge “0 16/5” Tinniswood and Street Trams again another exhibition layout with some hand built intricate trackwork.

Another “0 16/5” was called Grasmere which featured in model press and as well at various exhibitions.

He had also built a SM32 layout in his garden with live steam radio controlled locos.

All of the above as well as other members layouts can be found in more detail on the club web site under “ARTICLES” then “OLD LAYOUTS”

He has had a lot of involvement in procuring premises for club use, especially the ones we now occupy, another of his many talents was in the initial setting up of the club web site. 

A special mention must be made of the article on there that he produced which chronicles the full history of our club and the text he used is well worth a read, again look under “ARTICLES” then “THE CHRONICLES OF PDMRS”.

He was also involved in the link that the club had with the club in the twin town of Recklinghausen (Germany) and in taking a small layout based on Longridge to an exhibition in their town in 1977.

Again, another unsung role he took on was to provide valuable assistance to Les in the setting up of the exhibition to a format that we know so well today.

Although he was not in the best of health these last few months and unable to attend the club, he still had a keen interest and was kept informed of club matters by phone or emails.

He will be greatly missed by the club.