This weekend, visitors to the Royal British Legion in Abingdon can view the impressive “Overlord” model railway layout, created by Chris Mead. Transported from Wakefield, the layout is so large that it has to be displayed in two sections to fit the available space.
“Overlord” depicts a busy dockside scene, inspired by the wartime ports of Southampton and Portsmouth. Grey naval ships — landing craft and destroyers — are moored in resin water. On the quayside, military trains connect the docks to the inland supply routes, while tanks and troops prepare for embarkation.
The layout represents the build-up to Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Among the many details are a captured German U-boat repurposed by the Allies, the PLUTO pipeline (used to supply fuel across the Channel), and sections of the floating Mulberry harbours that were vital to the landings.
This video gives a tour first of the Royal British Legion club with bunting and poppies and then the railway layout:
All welcome. Please. Come to view this amazing exhibition. Open on Sunday 10-4pm. Barbecue from 12 noon Free entry donations to be poppy appeal.
See us too with MGs in the market place, Sunday from 10 am.
Went to this yesterday…a fabulous display and wonderful modelling
On behalf of Chris, Rob, Tony and myself, I would like to express our thanks for the lovely warm welcome we had all weekend from Clare, Penny ,Hilary, Heidi , Harry and others too numerous to mention. We really enjoyed our time with you, Overlord being part of your VE80 celebration and we were pleased that we were able to contribute.