Model Railway exhibitions (that you might also be attending).

[Class15]

I went as I was in London with Family for a West End show and realised Alexandra Palace was hosting a show. So popped up for the morning.

Observations:
Alexandra Palace was a spectacular location (I'd never been there before) - lovely walk through the park before checking out the amazing architecture

Seemed a bit disorganised at the beginning with non Advance Ticket Holders joining the huge Advanced Ticket Holder Queue only to be moved to the much shorter and 30 mins delayed entry non Advanced Ticket Holder Queue
Highlight - the lovely Dawn Quest attending in person with her superb Monochrome Brief Encounter and Ladykiller Layouts - really great to see something different
Highlight - the superb Mostyn Layout. I remember being in queues of traffic on the Coast Road next to the railway line in my younger days. Superb recreation of the era. I also used to work right next to the line at Warwick International and could see a lot of the features I remember including the sloped road after the Bridge over the railway that used to take me to the Entry Gate to the site.

A big thumbs up for the quality on display with all the other layouts
Lowlight - bad signage meaning it took me 20 minutes to find the exit
Lowlight - unfortunately a common factor in most shows - far too busy by 13:00 so I left to pursue a few other activities
Lowlight - unfortunately a common factor in most shows - the rising levels of body odour as the day progressed.......................

I agree with all these points, the queue was a mess which I fell foul of on the Saturday. On the Sunday I went with a couple of friends and we walked around the park until the queue was shorter. The monochrome layout was excellent - many thanks to @modelrailquest for bringing it to the show. Coppell was another brilliant one.

 

[Dave W]

I went as I was in London with Family for a West End show and realised Alexandra Palace was hosting a show. So popped up for the morning.

Interesting summation, as I go every year and I'm rather used to it now (and I've lived near Ally Pally for over a decade, so same applies - almost, it never quite loses its aura! Probably my abiding image of London, over all the tat in town) - not the afternoon smell though, nothing prepares you for that, although not entirely dissimilar to the post afternoon smell you get at the Darts

I personally thought this year was an improvement on recent years. Prices seem to have dipped a little and there were lots of sale items on the Sunday and some "pre owned" bargains to be had. Interesting layouts too, which again is an improvement on some bland offerings. I was very impressed with Furness MRC's Coppell - and the other big layouts were most compelling. Barnwood was a particular favourite which I spent some significant time watching too.

This year is the first I've had the little one so of course she came along. Don't think there's much crank in her! Little interest sadly, oh well. It was very easy to push her pram around although the height of most layouts meant I had to get her out to see if she took interest and it was hard to get the pram near enough to take a keen study myself (not a criticism - just an observation for others taking their nippers)

 

[trainmania100]

Haven't been to a toy fair since before COVID. Shame the Brighton Model world doesn't still happen. My local exhibitions only ever seem to have 20 layouts or less, with an entry fee ever rising. Last time I went I bought £50 of stuff on a £10 entry fee for 10 layouts.

 

[4SubAsociation]

Haven't been to a toy fair since before COVID. Shame the Brighton Model world doesn't still happen. My local exhibitions only ever seem to have 20 layouts or less, with an entry fee ever rising. Last time I went I bought £50 of stuff on a £10 entry fee for 10 layouts.

Would recommend Chatham, but that may be a bit far from Brighton. Chatham Model Railway Exhibition - Chatham Dockyard The Historic Dockyard Chatham, ME4 4TZ - 19th/20th July

Otherwise you have

Worthing on the 27th/28th Sept - Durrington High School, The Boulevard, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1LA

Uckfield on the 18th/19th October - Uckfield Civic Centre, Civic Approach, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1AE

As for toy fairs, this biggest one near you is Sandown park at over 500 stalls (2nd biggest in the country bar the NEC), i can see some smaller ones around but not visited them so i cannot confirm what they are like. I have been to Maidstone, Kempton, Brentwood and Rayleigh. But i realize these are not very near.

 

[DIW]

Romsey and District Railway Modellers' Society is having an Open Day on Saturday 5th July 2025 at:
Scout Headquarters
Braishfield Road
Romsey
SO51 0PB

 

[Pub]

htthttps://chestercathedral.com/events/event/making-tracks-200/2025/07/24
Pete Waterman is back at Chester Cathedral 24 July to 30 August 2025 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Sat

 

[4SubAsociation]

One to add

30th August - Kent and East Sussex Model railway Exhibition - https://kesr.org.uk/model-railway-exhibition-30th-aug/

 

[Trainlog]

One to add

30th August - Kent and East Sussex Model railway Exhibition - https://kesr.org.uk/model-railway-exhibition-30th-aug/

That's pretty good value for money for a five-pound entrance fee.

I know I asked last year, but are you guys doing the Maidstone model railway show this year?

And what dates are they during the Christmas-New Year's awkward week, if it's possible to know, please?

 

[4SubAsociation]

That's pretty good value for money for a five-pound entrance fee.

I know I asked last year, but are you guys doing the Maidstone model railway show this year?

And what dates are they during the Christmas-New Year's awkward week, if it's possible to know, please?

Hi. It is unlikely we will be doing Maidstone any time soon. Reading around it is on Mon 29th - Tue 30th Dec 2025.

 

[Trainlog]

Hi. It is unlikely we will be doing Maidstone any time soon. Reading around it is on Mon 29th - Tue 30th Dec 2025.

Fair enough. Thank you for the exhibition details, though.

 

[DIW]

Romsey and District Railway Modellers' Society have a small marquee at the Romsey Show on Saturday 13th September, at Broadlands Park, Romsey (follow the AA signs).

We intend to display several club members' layouts (currently 8 planned), and there will be a stand and working display from the Romsey Signal Box group.

The show plan indicates our location to be placed between the Classic Cars and the Vintage Vehicles displays.

The Romsey Show also includes Horses, Donkeys, Livestock, Shopping & Craft marquees, food court, fair, several show rings and other displays as one would expect from a town & country show - so something for everyone several members of the family!

A map of the showground is here, from which you can link to other information about the show.

Admission prices are shown on this page.

 

[Cowley]

We’ll be exhibiting Moors View at the Swansea model railway show next weekend if anyone’s in the area.

Swansea Model Railway Exhibition 2025

World of Railways is the UKs biggest Railway themed website, incorporating British Railway Modelling, Garden Rail, Narrow Gauge World & Traction

www.world-of-railways.co.uk

SRMG's 13th Model Railway Show will be held at Swansea LC this September 13th-14th, 10:00am-4:00pm. Featuring: Layouts from South Wales and beyond Trader and Society stands Demonstrations Fun for all ages Wheel-chair friendly venue

 

[4SubAsociation]

Ok. Below is the 2026 events the 4SUB stand will be attending.


Canterbury Model railway exhibition - St Anselm's School, Old Dover Road, Canterbury, CT1 3EN on Weekend of 17th/18th Jan

Erith Model railway exhibition - Harris Garrard Academy, Yarnton Way, Thamesmead, Erith, DA18 4DW on Weekend of 24th/25th Jan.

Pevensey Model railway exhibition - Victoria Baptist Church Hall Eldon Road Eastbourne BN21 1UE - 20th June

 

[Trainlog]

After going to the Maidstone show yesterday, I can say it is still a very good model railway exhibition, especially for OO gauge and N gauge collectors. There was even a decent number of G-scale items for sale.

The layouts on display were also good. I think the only thing that downgrades the show a little bit compared to the 2024 and 2023 shows is that neither the Gauge 1 layout nor the 16mm layout was present this year, unlike in previous years.

Don't get me wrong, there were many good layouts on show this year, but for me, seeing a live steam Gauge One locomotive thundering round the layout, hearing the 'clickety-clack' of the train going over the track at baseboard joints, alongside the sounds and smells of the locos, it does a brilliant job at bringing alive the golden age of steam.

It's a shame they weren't present, though it does seem that they have changed around some of the layouts present this year from years previously, so I never know, Gauge One and 16mm might make a comeback next year instead.

 

[4SubAsociation]

I do have a couple more events we will be attending

The Beckenham and West wickman model railway exhibition - Forest Hill Boys School, Dacres Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 2XN - 14th March
Crawley Model Railway exhibtion - Milton Mount School, Grattons Drive, Pound Hill, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 3AG - 25th April

 

[steamybrian]

25th January - Erith Model Railway Exhibition
21st February- Tonbridge Model Railway Exhibition. Angel Centre, Tonbridge.

 

[4COR]

Have booked myself in for ABRAIL on 7th March this year (Held at Abingdon and Witney College at their Abingdon campus).

 

[DIW]

Romsey and District Railway Modellers' Society have our 46th Annual Exhibition at:
Crosfield Hall
Broadwater Road
Romsey
SO51 8GL

Main information is on the poster below.

Further details of attending layouts and traders is on the Club website.

 

[Cowley]

25th January - Erith Model Railway Exhibition
21st February- Tonbridge Model Railway Exhibition. Angel Centre, Tonbridge.

Moors View will be at the Tonbridge show this Saturday (the 21st). I can’t make this one unfortunately but Paul and Spencer are very nice chaps, so feel free to say hello (maybe even offer to get them a cuppa, because it’s hard work when there’s only two you ).

 

[steamybrian]

Moors View will be at the Tonbridge show this Saturday (the 21st). I can’t make this one unfortunately but Paul and Spencer are very nice chaps, so feel free to say hello (maybe even offer to get them a cuppa, because it’s hard work when there’s only two you ).

I will try to meet them but as I am a steward on one of the stands I have limited opportunity to visit other displays/layouts.

 

[Cowley]

I will try to meet them but as I am a steward on one of the stands I have limited opportunity to visit other displays/layouts.

Thanks. Hope the show goes well.

 

[DIW]

Romsey and District Railway Modellers’ Society has an Open Day on 18th July 2026 11:00am to 4:30pm

at the Scout Headquarters, Braishfield Road, Romsey SO51 0PB

what3words ///premises.finger.pianists

https://www.rdrms.com/july-open-day-2026.html



The Open day is part of the events for the Romsey Festival:

https://www.romseyfestival.org/genre/2026/7/18/

so there's something for non-modelling family members, too.



The RDRMS Open Day line-up according to the draft programme I saw is currently:

Lone Star – Member’s layout of Lone Star 000 products

Somebody’s Snob – Member’s 009 layout

Penzance – Club layout of Penzance station in 00

Elderwood – Member’s layout under construction, N gauge

Sadler’s Basin – Club N gauge layout, under construction

Wire Liss – Member’s 00 layout, under construction

Weeke End – Demonstration and layout featuring Scalescenes products

Molendorp – Club H0e layout donated by a retiring member

Club sales and information stand – come and buy something! So far I know of model products to be available in N, 00, H0, H0m, 0m, and books too

Romsey Signal Box Preservation Society display and information stand - https://romseysignalbox.org.uk/visit-us/ The Signal Box is listed as having an Open Day on 18 July on the Romsey Festival listings, although I didn’t see it on their own site yet. Come along and ask them

Demonstration stand of modelling techniques – I’m told that the demonstration will be of making fences.

NO ENTRY FEE – however a donations bucket will be available

 

[Sun Chariot]

Hello @Cowley , I noticed Lapford on the list for this weekend's Exeter exhibition; I.wonder how it will look now?

Winners of our 2026 Visitors’ Choice & Exhibitors’ Choice awards: – EXE Model Railway Society

No Moors View this weekend?

 

[Cowley]

Hello @Cowley , I noticed Lapford on the list for this weekend's Exeter exhibition; I.wonder how it will look now?

Winners of our 2026 Visitors’ Choice & Exhibitors’ Choice awards: – EXE Model Railway Society

No Moora View this weekend?

Yes that’s right (sorry for the late reply).

Paul (Moors View) will be there with the local Exgog (O gauge) crew, but I won’t be unfortunately.

The Okehampton lads are taking Lapford out for its first outing under their stewardship and I’m wishing them the very best of luck!

Unfortunately I’m away this weekend, so I have no influence on what will happen…