In June 2018, Ross Balderson shared a photo in the Lost Newcastle Facebook Group of a scale model scene of Newcastle 1899 that he was building. Not only did people not mind Ross sharing a photo of his incredible model work, the photos and conversations have continued ever since.

Ross says he was inspired to build the scale model after seeing a Ralph Snowball photograph of the city – a labor of love that took 10 years to complete!

Ross has finally been able to bring his diorama of Newcastle in 1899 to Newcastle Museum, complete with operating scale model trains that work their way around the harbour and models of ships that are historically accurate and visitors to the port of Newcastle.

Ross’s model of Newcastle 1899 is on display in the Link Gallery at Newcastle Museum THIS WEEKEND ONLY 7 – 9 July 2023.

Entry to the museum is free and is open 10am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday.

Listen to Carol Duncan’s conversation with creator Ross Balderson and Newcastle Museum’s David Hampton in the podcast below.