Knockbrake Railroad
In 2011 Gordon Ross set up Knockbrake Railroad in his garden at Crosshill, Ayrshire. His passion started when his grandfather bought him a train set for his 4th birthday. The garden railway began in 1990 & has grown & moved several times since. It now covers over 500sqm with over 1000m of track. 
Gordons first 1:22.5 scale model train arrived in 1990. The collection has continued to grow with his favourite Santa Fe F3 arriving in 2016. The collection comprises of more than 30 locos.10 trams and more than 250 carriages & wagons.
The garden is not just a rail track - there`s a town "Gibb Town" & villages with scale people and a large collection of diecast American vehicles. Ponds & a hydro-electric dam with bridges including the Morrison bridge named after one of the many volunteers. A 7m showpiece bridge inspired by the Vicksburg bridge, Warren county, over the mighty Mississippi forms the centerpiece of the garden. other features include stockyard, livestock, car scrapyard & railway siding. The 1950`s tram system travels through a manicured landscape. http://www.facebook.com/lococontrol has fitted the sound system & electronics to run the system including freight trains, circus train, military trains.... plus some favourites!
Yes!... you may recognise Gordon, he was one of the finalist on George Clark`s Shed of the year in 2017.
Knockbrake is a mountain summit in the Carrick and Galloway Forest region, in the county of South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is 196m high with a prominence of 39m. This is the view that Gordon sees from his garden & the inspiration of the name. The stunning view down Doon Valley towards Girvan.
The Knockbrake railroad has been supporting local Charities for over 10years. With this years Charity weekend on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th June 11am -3pm supporting The Ayrshire Hospice. There's something for everyone! Who knows who may make an appearance?
Santa Fe Railroad
The inspiration behind Gordon`s garden model railroad is the Santa Fe Railroad, San Diego. https://www.facebook.com/KnockbrakeRailroadCross The railroad was chartered in February 1859 to serve the cities of Atchison and Topeka, Kanas, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is often refed to as the Santa Fe or AT&SF. It was one of the larger railroads in the United States. Santa Fe means - Holy Faith, the Santa Fe Depot or (station) was built to replace the small Victorian-style structure erected in 1887 & was officially opened on March 8, 1915 The railroad officially ceased operations on December 31, 1996, when it merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad to form the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway.
Gordon`s favourite engine is the Santa Fe F3. This is a painting of it done by Roddy McKenzie It hangs in pride of place in his lounge. The engine is in front of San Diego Union Station. The Spanish Colonial Revival style building is still in existence today, having be subject of proposed demolition (and it being replaced with 12- two storey buildings) but was saved in 1972. Amtrak agreed to preserve the station if the city would redevelop the surrounding neighbourhood.
Signed giclee prints are available.
