Just like a real train that arrives and departs again, the model railway association Post B also leaves Roosendaal station behind. After years of building fun, the association has to say goodbye to the hall where it has displayed a more than 20 meter long model railway layout. The NS has plans to renovate and rent out the space.
There is no lack of attention. Partly due to the ‘A location in the station’, says Luc Zwegers. According to the chairman of the Post B model railway association, the miniature railway still attracts a lot of attention to this day. “We are now in plain sight and people regularly trickle in, for example when they are delayed,” he says.
“Our job is a look back in time.”
For example, last Saturday, Zwegers, together with the 26 other members of the association, organized the annual ‘evening of lights’, where more than six hundred people came along to see the heart and soul of the model builders. They look at a replica of the old Roosendaal station from 1936, specially decorated for the holidays. “It is much more than a miniature railway. Our job is a look back in time. Roosendaal had a beautiful, grand station in the 1930s and we have completely rebuilt it to its former glory.”
“You can’t even have a decent cup of coffee there now.”
The space where the track is exhibited is located in the old restoration of the station. This will soon be renovated, after which the model builders will have to make way for brand new catering facilities.
Zwegers understands. “You can’t even have a decent cup of coffee there now.” Still, he’s disappointed. It was a great craft room. And, not unimportant: the 20-meter long model railway has to move. “Just try to find a space at a reasonable price that fits all that,” the chairman suggests.
The club does not have to disappear from the station completely. The old space of the railway police, which has now moved to Breda, is still used for a number of smaller jobs. Until this year, the association was always allowed to use all areas free of charge. “We have always only had to pay energy costs,” says Zwegers gratefully. “But now we are negotiating a lease for next year.”
“As long as we have a good, suitable space.”
Zwegers immediately sees the negotiations with the NS as an opportunity to discuss a possible new space. For example, he wants to point out that there is a space above the current hall. According to him, it is still empty, but could use a good lick of paint. “We take care of all that maintenance ourselves,” says the model builder in good spirits. “As long as we have a good, suitable space.”