"Axminster model railway firm helps James May with Great Train Race"

By Jamie Brooks Published at 6:00am on Tuesday 26th April 2011 for thisisthewestcountry.co.uk

A MODEL railway firm on the outskirts of Chard and Axminster has once again teamed up with James May for his latest fun toy construction.

Buffers staff and customers worked with the Top Gear presenter on his new project The Great Train Race on Saturday, April 16, where two teams were taking on a challenge to be first to complete a race distance of 9.1 miles.

James May worked with Oz Clarke in the British team, who were tasked with getting their trains from Barnstaple to Bideford.

They were racing against a team of German experts from world famous miniature railway Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg, who had to send their trains from Bideford to Barnstaple.

Maria Husson, owner of Buffers said: “Everyone worked their socks off and what they produced was phenomenal – they were making trees and making buildings – it was just fantastic.

“We really want to say how grateful we are to all our customers, men and women, for all the hard work they put in.”

The Great Train Race follows last year’s Toy Stories, where an attempt was made to build the world’s longest model railway. It is not yet known when the programme will be broadcast – and there were some secrets that Buffers cannot yet reveal.

Lynne Phipps, Buffers staff member added: “We can’t reveal the results but we did have people in both sides so we can definitely say Buffers won!”

Buffers have a new model railway club open to all ages with the emphasis on fun. The Buffers Bogies group meets fortnightly every Wednesday – for more information, follow this link.