Why all ages love Model Junction train display, in Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds

A model railway display that has been running for more than 30 years continues to bring smiles to the faces of shoppers young and old.

The miniature train, in the window of Model Junction in Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds, covers 800 miles each year, and encourages children to take up a hobby enjoyed by generations.

Owen Calloway, who co-owns the shop with David Munnings, said little faces can often be seen pressed up against the window, trying to get a glimpse of the train and its special passengers- a family of teddy bears.

“A lot of locals have known about it for many, many years and a lot of them bring their children past on the way to the school in the morning and look at the bears going around and around,” said Owen.

“It has gone full circle, people are coming in now that are probably mid-40s that have had children who are now coming into the shop.”

Owen, who started working at Model Junction 25 years ago, before taking over the reigns, alongside David, in 2014, said: “It (the display) is good because it keeps the youngsters interested in model railways - they all love the trains.”

“There are a couple of families that are probably three generations, grandparents, parents, and the youngsters.

“They all seem to love it. If it is not running then we know about it because they start shouting.”

People, from around the world, have contacted Model Junction about the display, and news of a recent breakdown reached another continent.

Owen’s brother, who lives in Africa, was made aware of the breakdown by young family members who live in Bury.

One local resident even popped into the office of the Bury Free Press to let reporters know the train had come to a stop.

Thankfully issues with the much-loved train are not a regular occurrence, with Owen saying it happens every few years.

However, now and then, the team at Model Junction, which specialises in all things miniature, give the display a refresh - changing the wagon or the bears.

Owen said: ““People do travel from all over to come and see us because there aren’t many of these types of shops about.”

For mini train enthusiasts, there is also a display inside, which costs 10p a go - this has been a feature of the shop since shortly after it opened in 1978.