Model rail event draws thousands of enthusiasts

The National Railway Museum in York hosted the event yesterday and on Saturday to showcase designs by some of the biggest names in modelling, including Hornby, Bachmann and Dapol.

A total of nine operating layouts was on display. Organisers hope to make the model railway weekend an annual event there.

The museum's festivals and events officer, Rose Lindsay Smith, said: "We were really looking forward to the new event and it was a huge hit with adults and families alike.

"Visitors were able to see an array of wonderful moving models and detailed life-like layouts, as well as discovering some hidden model rail gems in our warehouse and other collection pieces inspired by this popular hobby. It proved to be a must-see spectacle for anyone who enjoys model railways."

Organisations at the event included the Alsager Railway Association and Manchester Model Tramway Association.

The 16mm Garratt Owners and Operators' Association created a live steam layout and there were also demonstrations from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Signalling School.

A competition was held to give modellers the chance to submit photographs of the most lifelike sections of their layouts.

The winner, who has yet to be named, will receive a City of Truro working model in 3440 livery and a boxed set of West Yorkshire region Co-operative wagons.

They will also win a year-long subscription to Model Rail magazine and railway books and DVDs worth 100.