More Than Just a Model

Deep within the tranquil grounds of Ulverscroft Grange in Leicestershire lies an attraction of extraordinary character. It is not merely a model railway, but a masterpiece of miniature engineering, the intensely personal legacy of a remarkable British philanthropist, and a cherished community asset saved from the brink by the very people who tend to it. The David Clarke Model Railway is a testament to a singular vision: to replicate not just the look, but the complex, logical soul of a real railway. A visit to its home within the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation in Markfield (LE67 9QB) offers a journey into a world of meticulous craftsmanship, fascinating history, and profound generosity.

The Visionary Behind the Tracks: The Story of David Arnold Clarke

To fully appreciate the marvel of the model railway, one must first understand its creator. The life of David Arnold Clarke (1929-2002) is a compelling story of converting private passion into public good, a narrative in which a world-class car collection and a fascination with engineering were masterfully leveraged to create an enduring legacy of community care and heritage preservation.

Clarke was a man of diverse talents: a Leicestershire industrialist at the helm of his family firm, Clarke’s Boxes; a competitive racing driver in the 1950s, a contemporary of Stirling Moss; an early independent film-maker; and, most famously, a world-renowned Ferrari collector. His influence on the marque in Britain was so profound that his associate, Bob Houghton, noted: “I think Ferrari, as a company, wouldn’t have done so well in the UK if it wasn’t for David Clarke… He was a pioneer.”

The pivotal moment in his philanthropic journey came in 1988. In a brilliant act of strategic foresight, Clarke sold his iconic Ferrari 330 P4 racing car for a then-record £5.5 million. This was no simple transaction; it was a masterstroke that converted a “passion asset” into an immediate capital endowment for what would become the dual pillars of his philanthropy. The proceeds funded two distinct but complementary legacies: the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation, a social care charity honouring his mother, and his transformative investment in the preservation of the full-scale Great Central Railway, which celebrated his love for industrial heritage.

It is this combination of grand public vision and an intensely private passion that provides the perfect context for the meticulously detailed masterpiece he created in miniature.

A Masterpiece of Engineering: Inside the Model Railway

While the scenic beauty of the layout is immediately captivating, its true genius lies hidden in plain sight. This is a railway conceived as a “technical exercise in signalling,” a project dedicated to replicating the complex operational logic that governs the safety and efficiency of the iron road. It is, in essence, a working simulation of a railway, not just a static diorama.

The layout’s artistry and monumental scale are a testament to decades of dedication.

• Era and Scale: The railway is meticulously based on the Great Western Railway (GWR) of the 1930s, constructed at a scale of 4mm to 1ft.
• Built using ‘old school’ techniques like chicken wire and papier-mâché, the layout’s craftsmanship inspires admiration and respect for the dedication behind its scenic work.
• Monumental Scale: Currently measuring 38ft by 16ft 6in and weighing an estimated 8 tonnes, the structure is so vast that the building housing it was constructed around it, with the final wall added only after the layout was moved inside.

The layout’s most revolutionary feature, however, is its entirely prototypical signalling system. This was achieved through a series of ingenious solutions. First, Clarke’s pioneering use of radio control for the locomotives, with batteries carried in the rolling stock, freed the rails from holding power. This allowed them to be used for realistic track circuiting, detecting a train’s presence just as on a full-scale railway.

At the heart of this system is the magnificent, fully working signal box. It contains 210 handmade, scale-working levers that are mechanically interlocked in the authentic GWR fashion. This means a signalman cannot clear a signal unless the points are correctly set, replicating the safety-critical principles of the real thing. Visitors can see two types of period-accurate GWR signals in operation: the traditional drop-arm semaphores and the innovative searchlight colour light signals developed with Westinghouse.

This remarkable piece of engineering finds its home within the grounds of the charitable foundation that represents the other half of Clarke’s legacy.

The railway’s location is no accident. Visiting this miniature world also means supporting the community effort that saved it, fostering a Sense of pride and connection among visitors.

The railway’s location is no accident. A visit to this miniature world also means supporting the vital work of the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation, adding a powerful layer of meaning to the experience. By enjoying the founder’s personal passion project, visitors are directly contributing to his public mission of community care.

Founded by David Clarke in 1989 with the proceeds from his Ferrari sale, the Foundation’s vital work supports the community, inspiring hope and purpose among visitors and beneficiaries alike.

Today, the Foundation offers a wide range of programmes designed to foster community and personal development, including:

• Wellbeing Activities: Such as Seated Yoga, T’ai Chi, and Mindfulness.
• Support Groups: Providing structured aid for individuals managing specific conditions.
• Active and Creative Engagement: Including Nordic Walking, Art Groups, and Craft Clubs.

The Foundation’s mission of providing care and a sense of community was recently mirrored in the dramatic story of the railway’s own volunteers fighting for its survival.

Saved from the Brink: A Community’s Triumph

In 2025, the model railway faced a defining chapter in its story. The threat of its closure due to financial pressures became a crisis that ultimately revealed its profound importance not just as a historical artefact, but as a living, breathing community asset.

The Foundation’s trustees, citing rising costs, made the difficult decision to close the railway. For the dedicated team of volunteers who operate and maintain it, the news was a “bewildering” blow. Their reaction sparked a groundswell of public support. A Change.org petition to save the layout quickly gathered over 3,000 signatures, while media coverage brought its remarkable story to a national audience.

This powerful display of community spirit led to a favourable resolution. Following constructive discussions between the volunteers and the trustees, the decision was reversed in November 2023. It was announced that the railway would remain open for the “foreseeable future,” with new collaborative plans to enhance the attraction and secure its future.

This victory highlighted a deeper truth: the railway directly fulfils the Foundation’s mission. For its dedicated volunteer team, it provides “companionship and common purpose,” acting as a powerful antidote to loneliness. This cherished attraction was saved by its community, for its community.

Your Visit to Ulverscroft Grange

A trip to the David Clarke Model Railway is a uniquely rewarding experience, combining a technical marvel with the beautiful, peaceful setting of Ulverscroft Grange in Charnwood Forest and the inspiring work of a community charity.

Why You Should Visit

1. Witness a Technical Marvel: This is a rare opportunity to see a model railway that operates on authentic principles, with a fully working, mechanically interlocked GWR signal box at its heart.
2. Discover a Unique Philanthropic Legacy: Experience the intensely personal miniature project of a man who also funded the preservation of the full-scale Great Central Railway, revealing a unique passion for engineering heritage at every scale.
3. Support a Vital Local Charity: The site is the home of the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation, and your visit helps support its mission to provide well-being and companionship for vulnerable adults.
4. Experience a Community’s Passion: Meet the dedicated volunteers who not only operate this complex layout but also fought tirelessly to save it, and who now share their passion with the public.

Location

The David Clarke Model Railway, Ulverscroft Grange, Priory Lane, Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9QB.

Open

Wedensday’s and Friday’s 10:00-15:00 

The David Clarke Model Railway is far more than a collection of tracks and trains. It is a monument to one man’s lifelong passion, an ingenious piece of engineering, and a testament to the power of a community dedicated to preserving a unique piece of heritage. We encourage you to visit and experience for yourself this miniature world with a truly giant heart.