Trains conjure fond memories of a bygone era for Sunshine Coast man Allan Lenham, who has dementia.
The 89-year-old lights up when he sees the model railway in his retirement home.
“As kids, we’d get a halfpenny and we’d go up and put it on the rail and the train would flatten it,” Lenham said.
“A lot of that was part of our childhood, and the cane trains would drop off a load; they’d bring a load up from the valley.”
Mr Lenham’s nursing home had a model railway installed this year to keep residents engaged and connected.
“They’ve really done a wonderful job, but you can’t play with it,” joked Mr Lenham.
Wendy May says residents “light up” when they spend time with the model railway. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Amy Sheehan)
The miniature railway came to life as a pilot project between Estia Nursing Home and Dementia Support Australia (DSA) after social isolation became an issue during the COVID-19 restrictions.
The idea came after an assessment of dementia patients at the facility, many of whom had railway backgrounds.
Lifestyle co-ordinator Wendy May said the railway had a profound impact on residents.
“I think this railroad set is like a piece of glue that brings everyone together and will continue to bring people together,” he said.
“It’s an attraction in itself.”
Railway club on board
The Sunshine Coast Model Railway Club has joined the project, driving the design of the tracks and surrounding landscape, which replicate the old township of Nambour, where most of the residents grew up.
Steve Blackbourne and Paul Downes helped design and build the railway. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Amy Sheehan)
Club member Paul Downes said it took volunteers a year to bring the railway to life.
“We wanted a diesel that represented a period of about the 1970s and 1980s, and we have the two steam locomotives, which are part of the design,” Downes said.
“Graham Booker was instrumental in the design of the bridges. He designed the Club Hotel, which required him to take photos of the actual building and then scale it down.”
Allan Lenham and Mary-Clare Maloney inspect the model railway. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Amy Sheehan)
“We didn’t know it at the time, but here is a resident who at one stage owned this hotel.”
Residents meet once a week to see the trains and to bond with the model railroad club while doing maintenance.
Filling a COVID Void
DSA team leader Mary-Clare Maloney said keeping residents engaged and connected had been more important than ever during the pandemic.
“The involvement has been really helpful in helping people reduce that distress that they may be experiencing,” he said.
“It might actually help them with their memory. It certainly helps with remembering and connecting with other people.”
Mrs May said the home was still operating under strict infection protocols, which restricted the movement of visitors to the centre.
The model railway is designed to incorporate the ancient landscape of Nambour. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Amy Sheehan)
“For now, we can’t have families in the common areas,” he said.
“Not many people have seen the railway, so when our restrictions are lifted more people can spend time there. We will do that for sure.”