Mark has a passion for anything with an engineering theme, and also anything electrical. With his engineering background which spans many years, he thoroughly enjoys working on larger scale locomotives which reminds him of his previous career. In the past, Mark was part of a small preservation group (The On-Track Plant Preservation Group – OTPPG) based at the Colne Valley Railway, set up to preserve and restore on-track plant & machines. He was responsible for the mechanical overhaul of the Rolls Royce C6TFL engine and re-wiring of the electrical system on the rare Matisa Inspection Saloon (DX 68030 ex ballast consolidator). He stripped all the wiring out and started from scratch, because the old wiring insulation had become cracked exposing the bare strands beneath, and the control cabinet was a birds nest of untidy wires all over the place. During the re-wiring he also upgraded the existing electrical system to incorporate modern safety features such as warning devices, interlocking systems and emergency brake controls. The Matisa later moved from the Colne Valley Railway up to Longhoughton Goods Yard (Nr. Newcastle), but sadly restoration work could not continue due to work commitments and the distance needed to travel to get to the Matisa. A few years later the Matisa was sadly scrapped. Mark still has a big interest in On-Track Plant & Machines.
Mark’s Trains provides a high quality bespoke DCC and Sound conversion service in all scales, finished to professional high standards. Mark’s Trains is an authorised Zimo dealer meaning that exceptionally high quality decoders can be supplied and fitted. Mark believes customer service is a fundamental aspect of running a friendly, reliable and professional business, it is for this reason that regular contact with the customer takes place from start to finish to inform them of likely costs, safe receipt of their models, progress of work and dispatch information.