High profile Millicent resident Chris Mathias is well-known in the local community for the hours he devotes to such groups as the RSL, Men’s Shed, CFS and Wattle Range Suicide Prevention Network.

He has found time in his productive retirement to add a pleasurable pastime to his busy schedule.

Mr Mathias has also joined the Millicent-based Limestone Coast Model Railway Group.

The fruits of his new hobby were viewed by the many hundreds who inspected his layout and trains in the Millicent RSL Hall during the Geltwood Festival.

His three train tracks with an “OO” scale were based around the English village of Hadley Wood, north of London.

Most of the building structures like shops and a church on the layout were built by Chris from scratch.

The mischievous sense of humour of Chris was seen in the addition of a brothel, complete with a red light, “madam” and “customer”.

There was a particular reason why Chris opted for a re-creation of Hadley Wood.

“I spent my childhood in England before my family emigrated to Australia,” Chris said.

“I rode on The Flying Scotsman which is probably the most famous steam locomotive in the world.

“Hadley Wood was the home of Sir Nigel Gresley, who was the designer of The Flying Scotsman.”

Sir Nigel was the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway and he lived in Hadley Wood during the 1920s and 1930s before moving away.

He was the designer of some of the most famous steam locomotives in Britain.

The  Flying Scotsman was the first steam locomotive officially recorded over 100 mph (160kph) in passenger service.