Modelling the Early Railway 

A Scottish company, the North British Railway, pioneered the sleeping car in 1873. At night, the seats were converted into beds by a complicated system of levers which retracted armrests and extended bed legs.

A unique model built from scratch by Jim Summers in 7mm scale will feature in this year’s exhibition, showing in fine detail the teak livery, convertible seats, toilet and washing arrangements as well as the expensive décor and fabrics.

Other models on display have been kindly loaned to us by friends in the Bo’ness Gauge ‘O’ Group.  These include a 1930s LMS vehicle with six wheel bogies; a 1950s BR Mark 1 Sleeper and a BR Mark 3 Sleeper.  Together they show how the sleepers developed through the years.

An exclusive model to own and run

You can have your own model of the pioneering 1873 vehicle in 4mm scale to run or display. Easy-to-build kits, designed and 3D-printed by Ross Burns of Lothian Railway Models, showing off all the exterior features but not the interior, will be available to order for £30.00 when our 2026 exhibition launches in May 2026.  For more information, contact us at the museum.