“It’s a tribute to the lasting legacy which Gordon has left behind that his models continue to inspire, uplift and entertain people of all ages.”
This is the view of Selwyn Johnston, Curator of Headhunters Railway Museum, Enniskillen, who extended thanks to Toni Johnson, for the unique opportunity to allow Myrtle the Steam Train, created by her late husband Gordon Johnson, an accomplished modelmaker and artist, to be displayed in David Hall’s shop window.

“It looked wonderful in Hall’s window,” felt Toni, who is passionate about Myrtle, the model train, which her husband Gordon wanted “to stay in Enniskillen.”

She says it was Gordon’s wish that the train would go on “permanent display” and she wants to give it to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council for this purpose. “I would like to see her displayed in Enniskillen,” she said.
“It is important for me from the point of view of Gordon that this happens. It’s a legacy and Enniskillen is the only place for it,” she stressed, adding that this is also very important for the family.


It took the retired art teacher a year and three months, in between other work, to create Myrtle, and among materials put to good use were a copper boiler, a metal cooking pot, and brass curtain rail, while the wheels were taken from a piece of farm machinery. The engine is powered by a motor from an obsolete wheelchair. The model drivers and drummers on the back were modelled on real people. A model of Jane Styles can be seen at the controls of the steam train.

With the eye-catching steam engine having been on show in David Hall’s shop window, Selwyn points out that “Myrtle has certainly been a star attraction over Christmas and the New Year.” He noted that the train has been particularly popular with young children “who stand and marvel at its magical design.”
He felt that “Gordon carefully selected the components to make ‘Myrtle’ and identifying the household objects that he used in the design continues to fascinate people. From copper boilers, curtain rails, metal cooking pots to brass knobs – to name but a few!”

Selwyn added that Gordon was a much valued friend of Headhunters Railway Museum and they are honoured to have several of his creations on display.  
He said unfortunately ‘Myrtle’ is much too large to accommodate in the railway museum and so they are supporting “Toni’s sterling efforts in ensuring ‘Myrtle’ finds a permanent home in the county” where she was created and “where she can be loved and admired by everyone, just as her designer Gordon Johnson would have dearly wished.”

A model of Gordon Johnson’s on show at Headhunter’s is his model of the Beauty Bus, while Gordon’s workshop is going to the Enniskillen Castle Museum.

Toni says it is very important for her and the family to have Gordon’s work on display for people to enjoy.