Everybody, especially grown-ups and young kids, loves scale models. That’s everything from large radio-controlled model aircraft and ships – through detailed model cars, trucks, tanks, figures, space & sci-fi, scenes & dioramas – to elaborate model railways in all gauges down to tiny z-scale. There are whole worlds in miniature on display at model engineering shows, exhibitions and other events, for the whole family to enjoy. And the entry fees are usually as ‘cheap as chips’!

So, if you happen to be in the neighbourhood when a model show/display is taking place, why not pop along?

These are some of the shows and exhibitions in 2026 that I’m aware of so far.

 

10 Jan 26	MMDMRC Winter Show
Cox Green Community Centre, Maidenhead SL6 3AX
The Marlow, Maidenhead & District MRC will have 8 layouts and 7 traders.
17 Jan 26	Wonderworks Model Show
The WonderWorks, Westwood Industrial Estate, Margate, Kent
Wonderworks is Hornby’s brand museum. This will be their second annual model show.
17/18 Jan 26	Syston Model Railway Society Winter Exhibition
Birstall Social Club, 16-18 Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4JS
Eleven layouts in 00, HO & N gauges plus nine traders.
24/25 Jan 26	Irvine Model Railway Exhibition
The Scottish Maritime Museum, Linthouse Building, Irvine, KA12 8BT
The Kilmarnock District Model Railway Club’s show with around 10 club & guest layouts plus trade and craft stalls.
24/25 Jan 26	Erith MRS January Exhibition
Harris Garrard Academy, Yarnton Way, Thamesmead DA18 4D
Erith Model Railway Society will be exhibiting upto 35 layouts plus traders, societies demonstrators and other exhibits.
24/25 Jan 26	Southampton MRS Exhibition
Barton Peveril College, Chestnut Ave, Eastleigh, Southampton SO50 5ZA
The Southampton Model Railway Society show will have over 20 layouts plus traders, societies and demonstrators. And a will have a test track, in ’00’, ‘EM’, ‘TT’, N gauge, 2mm fine scale and Z gauge, where you will be able to test locos.
24/25 Jan 26	Normanton & Pontefract RMS Exhibition
Pontefract Racecourse, Pontefract Park, Park Lane, Pontefract WF8 4QD.
Layouts, plus societies and traders. (No more info at this stage)
24/25 Jan 26	Kendal Model Railway Exhibition
Kendal Leisure Centre, Burton Rd, Kendal LA9 7HX
The 62nd edition of the Kendal Model Railway Club’s annual exhibition. They’ll have eleven layouts in OO and n gauges, plus traders and other societies.
25 Jan 26	Bolton IPMS Show
TS Community Stadium, De Havilland Way, Bolton BL6 6JW
Over 1,000 scale models will be on display including aircraft, ships, armoured vehicles, road vehicles and figures. Plus a stand featuring classic Tamiya models in celebration of the brand’s 80th anniversary.
31 Jan 26	Bourneville Fundraiser Show
St Francis Church, Sycamore Road, Bournville B30 2AA
A one day model railway show raising funds for a cosmetic restoration of 1925 Cadbury No.1 factory steam engine in the care of the Tyseley Steam Trust. There will be 10 layouts plus other railway artifacts including, a 7¼ gauge working model of Cadbury No.6. (No website)
07/08 Feb 26	Festival of British Railway Modelling 2026
Doncaster Racecourse, Bawtry Rd, Doncaster DN2 6BB
Large show with a selection of 30+ layouts and 60+ traders, clubs, and societies from across the country.
14 Feb 26	Morecombe Model Exhibition
Morecambe Library, Central Drive, Morecambe, Lancashire LA4 5DL
Clubs, groups and individuals displaying a wide range of models and miniatures including: Aircraft, tanks, military vehicles, ships, submarines, Warhammer and more. No traders though.
14/15 Feb 26	Bournemouth Model Railway Exhibition
Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Kinson, Bournemouth BH10 7LH
The East Dorset N-Gauge Society show will have 25+ layouts in a variety of gauges, plus traders and societies.
14/15 Feb 26	Weston-super-Mare Model Railway Show
Priory Community School, Queens Way, Weston-super-Mare BS22 6BP
This is a Burnham & District Model Railway Club event. They usually have around 20+ layouts in various scales, plus traders.
21 Feb 26	Tonbridge MRC Show
The Angel Centre, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1SF
The Tonbridge Model Railway Club’s annual show will feature 60 stands including 24 layouts in various gauges and 24 traders.
21 Feb 26	East Anglia Model Show
Inspire Dome, Lindbergh Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 9QX
Ipswich Branch of the International Plastic Modellers Society celebrating 21 years of modelling.
21/22 Feb 26	Portsmouth Railex 2026
Horndean Technical College, Barton Cross, Horndean PO8 9PQ
24 model railway layouts on display, plus traders and societies.
22 Feb 26	South Cheshire Militaire ‘Universal Model Show’
Malbank 6th Form College, Welsh Row, Nantwich CW5 5HD
South Cheshire Military Modelling Club’s annual show of military models, figures, aircraft, ships, railways, science fiction, wargames, and flying aircraft, plus traders.
28 Feb/01 Mar 26	Midlands Garden Rail Show
Warwickshire Event Centre, Southam Road, Leamington Spa, CV31 1FE
Over 15 layouts in the larger gauges and scales including Gauge 1, O Gauge, G Scale and others, plus 40 traders.
07 Mar 26	Gauge O Guild – Spring Show
Kettering Leisure Village, Thurston Drive, Kettering NN15 6PB
This is the 70th anniversary of the “7mm” or Gauge O Guild and they have four railway modelling exhibitions lined up this year. This is the first.
07 Mar 26	Deal Model Railway Exhibition
Landmark Centre, 129 High Street, Deal Kent CT14 6BB
The East Kent Model Railway Society will feature around 20 layouts in a range of scales and styles, plus 10 traders.
07 Mar 26	West Sussex N Gauge MRC Show
Sompting Village Hall, West Street, Sompting, Lancing BN15 0BE
West Sussex N Gauge Model Railway Club open day will have layouts and mini modules, all N Gauge, and a shop. (You won’t find the village hall easily on Google Maps for some reason. It is at ///total.lanes.last)
07/08 Mar 26	Romsey & District Rail Modellers Society Annual Exhibition
Crosfield Hall, Romsey SO51 8GL
Their 46th Annual Exhibition. No details yet but last year they had 13 layouts in a variety of scales & gauges, plus traders.
07/08 Mar 26	Abingdon Model Railway Show
Abingdon and Witney College, Abingdon Campus, Wootton Rd, Abingdon OX14 1GG
The Abingdon & District Model Railway Club show will have some 50 layouts, plus trade stands.
07/08 Mar 26	Redditch MRC Show
Trinity High School & Six Form Centre, Grove Street, Redditch B98 8DS
Thirty stands will be on display including 14 layouts in gauges from N to 0, and 7 traders.
14 Mar 26	Sodbury Vale MRC March Exhibition
Aerospace Bristol, Concorde Hanger, Hayes Way, Patchway Bristol BS34 5BZ
Details not available yet, but Sodbury Vale Model Railway Club had 18 layouts plus traders, demonstrations, and 5 visiting societies last year.
14 Mar 26	Yorkshire Wolds Railway Model Railway Show
The Rix Pavilion, Driffield Showground, Driffield YO25 9DN
Now in its ninth year, the show will have 16 different model railway layouts, plus specialist traders.
14 Mar 26	Narrow Gauge North 2025
Pudsey Civic Hall, Cote Ln, Pudsey, Leeds LS28 5TA
Annual NGN show with 20+ layouts/exhibitors plus traders
14/15 Mar 26	Spa Valley Spring Model Railway Show
Tunbridge Wells West Railway Station, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5QL
Not clear yet (Nov 2025) how many layouts and traders will be exhibiting.
21/22 Mar 25	London Festival of Railway Modelling 2026
Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way London N22 7AY
Usually around 40 hand-picked layouts by The Model Railway Club, in a range of scales and gauges, from the UK, Europe and the USA, plus 70+ traders. (I usually buy paints & tools here)
27-29 Mar 26	Model Rail Scotland Show
Hall 3, SEC, Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW
The 60th edition of Model Rail Scotland’s annual exhibition will have over 50 layouts and 130 exhibitor stands.
28 Mar 26	Royston Model Railway Exhibition
Bassingbourn Village College, Royston SG8 5NJ
Royston & District Model Railway Club exhibition with around 22 layouts plus demos, societies and traders.
29 Mar 26	Blue Lamp Model Show
Woodrush High School, Shawhurst Lane, Birmingham B47 5JW
Two large halls full of plastic models; aircraft, ships, military vehicles, dioramas, figurines, etc.
3-18 Apr 26	Masterpieces of Modelling Expo
Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon, The Square, Barnstaple EX32 8LN
The North Devon Model Society will be exhibiting and holding hands-on modelling sessions to inspire new & young modellers.
04-06 Apr 26	York Model Railway Show
Knavesmire Stand, York Racecourse, York YO23 1EX
It’s a large show. Some 39 layouts in a range of gauges, plus 40 traders, societies and demonstrators will be at this year’s show.
05/06 Apr 26	Shildon MRC Spring Exhibition
Locomotion, 1 Dale Rd, Shildon DL4 4RE
Shildon Model Railway Club’s spring show with 20+ layouts, 20+ traders, plus societies & groups
11 Apr 26	HWDMRS – MRX26 Spring
Cressex Community Centre & Social Club, 203 Cressex Road, High Wycombe HP12 4PZ.
The High Wycombe & District Model Railway Society’s spring show will have 11 layouts in a variety of gauges including N, H0, 00, EM, 7mm, and 00-9 narrow gauge, plus traders.
11 Apr 26	Poole Vikings Show
Parkstone Grammar School, Poole BH17 7EP
IPMS Dorset (hosted by Poole Vikings Model Club) and other regional plastic model clubs will have 100+ tables of aviation, military, transport, marine and sci-fi models.
11/12 Apr 26	Macclesfield Model Railway Exhibition
King’s School Sports Centre, Alderley Rd, Macclesfield SK10 4RH
MMRE’s annual exhibition, bigger than before and in a new, larger venue.
11/12 Apr 26	Lothians Model Railway Exhibition
The Students’ Union, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS
The exhibition will feature 17 working layouts covering a wide range of scales from tiny Swiss Z and N gauge railways to British and American O gauge, as well as EM and P4 fine-scale modelling. Plus 7 trade stands.
11/12 Apr 26	Cheltenham Model Railway Exhibition
St. Margaret’s Hall, Coniston Road, Hatherley, Cheltenham GL51 3NU
Nine layouts listed so far (last year it was 15) plus displays, model road vehicles and trade stands.
11/12 Apr 26	Calne Model Railway Show
Calne Community Campus, White Horse Way, Calne SN11 0SP
The Calne model Railway Society’s 30th annual show with 15+ layouts in various gauges plus 15 traders.
12 Apr 26	East Midlands Model Show
Leisure Centre, Argents Mead, Hinckley LE10 1BZ
The East Midlands Model Club will be hosting displays from over 45 model clubs and 29 traders.
18 Apr 26	G1MRA Spring Show
Statfold Barn, Statfold Country Park, Ashby Road, Tamworth B79 0BU
The Gauge One Model Railway Association (G1MRA) which focuses on large scale steam locomotives and garden railways, usually (details not in yet) has a large track layout and Gauge One exhibits.
18 Apr 26	Carmarthenshire Model Railway Exhibition
The Princess Gwenllian Centre, Kidwelly SA17 4UL
West Wales Railway Modellers’ show. No info on layouts, organisations or traders; their website is a little moribund to say the least.
18 Apr 26	Steamers of the Clyde
Dunoon Victorian Pier, Dunoon PA23 7HJ
The Cowal Heritage Society & Scottish maritime history group Ship Ahoy have organised this event featuring talks, a range of stalls and a display of working models of the Waverley, the TS Duchess of Hamilton and the PS Jeanie Deans. The event marking the official start of two years of anniversary celebrations for the iconic and much-loved Waverley, the world’s last remaining sea-going paddle steamer.
18/19 Apr 26	Wicksteed Model Show
Wicksteed Park, Barton Rd, Kettering NN15 6NJ
The Wicksteed Model Boat Club will be hosting not just RC boats at this show, but model aircraft, plastic models, model railway layouts, RC trucks, model jet turbines, model steam traction engines, and more.
18/19 Apr 26	Scottish National Scale Model Show
Live Active Dewars Centre, Perth TH2 0PH
Plastic scale model exhibition with roughly 45 clubs and special interest groups exhibiting
19 Apr 26	Felixstowe Radio Controlled Model Truck Show
Felixstowe Leisure Centre, 75 Undercliff Rd, Felixstowe IP11 2AE
Organised by Felixstowe Lions, this exhibition will have over 20 types of HGV’s on a large scale model road layout including ERF’s, Volvo F10’s, BEDFORD TK’s from 70’s/80’s
25 Apr 26	National Garden Railway Show
NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth CV8 2LH
The 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers show featuring multiple layouts in a variety of garden scales, and a large number of trade stands.
25/26 Apr 26	Model World Live
National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1NT
The third edition of this national scale model and model railway engineering show will feature over 190 stands .
26 Apr 26	BRMC Show
Unit 6, Grange Business centre, Belasis Ave, Billingham TS23 2LG
Little detail from the Billingham Railway Modellers Club but “at least 10 layouts on show”.
01-03 May 26	Bristol Model Railway Exhibition
Thornbury Leisure Centre, Alveston Hill, Thornbury BS35 3JB
Over 30 layouts across multiple scales and gauges, plus 40+ retailers, clubs and societies.
02/03 May 26	SVR Model Railway Weekend
The Engine House, Station Rd, Highley, Bridgnorth WV16 6NZ
The Severn Valley (steam heritage) Railway is holding its annual model railway exhibition featuring around 30 (up from 25 last year) of the “UK’s most popular layouts” in a range of gauges.
02-04 May 26	Saddleworth Charity Model Railway Exhibition
Saddleworth Museum & Art Gallery, High St, Uppermill, Oldham OL3 6HS
Small fundraising (for guide dogs) exhibition with usually around 5 layouts and 3 traders
09 May 26	SWHMRS Annual Show
Queens’ School, Aldenham Rd, Bushey WD23 2TY
No details yet but the South-West Herts Model Railway Society usually exhibit around 21 layouts in various gauges, plus visiting societies and traders.
09 May 26	Sompting & District Model Railway Show
St. Peter The Apostle Church, Bowness Ave, Sompting, Lancing BN15 9TS
Sompting & District Model Railway Club’s annual show will have layouts in 0, 00, T and Z in a variety of eras and locations. Plus club sales and one second-hand trader.
09 May 26	Birchington Model Railway Exhibition
The Centre, Alpha Rd, Birchington CT7 9EG
The Whitstable based, East Kent Model Railway Society will have some 15 layouts in a variety of gauges, plus 11 traders.
09/10 May 26	Stamford Model Railway Show
Stamford Welland Academy, Green Lane, Stamford PE9 1HE
The Market Deeping Model Railway Club will exhibit 28 layouts, plus stands for 6 societies and 18 traders. (Here’s something a little unusual. There is a play called ‘The Market Deeping Model Railway Club’ about their 2019 exhibition that was wrecked by vandals. It will be performed at Nottingham Playhouse from 6th to 25th July.)
9/10 May 26	Wensleydale Model Railway Show
Leeming Bar Station, Leases Rd, Leeming Bar DL7 9AR
Wensleydale Railway’s annual model railway show willhave 14 layouts in various gauges from N to O, plus trade and model-making demonstration stands.
09/10 May 26	expoEM Spring Show
Garth Hill College, Bull Lane, Bracknell RG42 2AD
EM Gauge (4mm/ft) spring show. NB New venue.
09/10 May 26	Popham Model Show
Popham Airfield, Coxford Down, Winchester SO21 3BD
Annual radio-control model aircraft show on Popham Airfield with statics displays of RC model cars, military vehicles, boats and more, plus traders.
15/16 May 26	South-West Miniature Engineering Show
Newton Abbot Race Course, Newton Abbot TQ12 3AF
An exhibition of crafted and engineered working miniatures, including steam engines in many scales from the major Societies in the S.W, plus demonstrations, related traders, and local interest groups.
16 May 26	Ely & District Model Railway Club exhibition
Ely College, Downham Rd, Ely CB6 3DY
Well-attended annual show. Usually around 15 layouts.
16/17 May 26	Jarrow MRC Exhibition
Primrose Community Association, Jarrow NE32 6QY
Jarrow Model Railway Club annual exhibition showing around 12 layouts and 9 traders.
16/17 May 26	NTHC Model Railway Exhibition
Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottingham NG11 6JS
The Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre (big trains!) in partnership with Nottingham Model Railway Society’s annual show in a 10,000sq.ft venue. No details yet on what or how many layouts will be displayed, but… outside Flying Scotsman will be on static display and LNER A1 No. 60163 Tornado will be hauling return trains to Loughborough on the 9-mile northern section of Great Central Railway’s heritage track.
17 May 26	Axminster model railway exhibition
The Guildhall, Axminster EX13 5NX
Now in its third year, the show moves to a larger venue where it will present at least 16 different model railway layouts, with specialist traders and themed exhibits.
17 May 26	Hastings Model Railway Show
Hastings Summerfields Leisure Centre, Bohemia Rd, Hastings TN34 1ET
This year’s show will have around 20 layouts and 17 trade stands.
23 May 26	Sword & Lance Show
Northern Echo Arena, Darlington DL2 1DL
Figurines, military figures and plastic scale models. It’ll be the Darlington Military Modelling Society’s 51st Anniversary Show.
23/24 May 26	Railex 2026
Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Aylesbury HP21 9PP
Risborough and District Model Railway Club show with 22+ layouts and 30+ traders
24 May 26	Stalham Model Railway Show
Stalham Poppy Centre, Recreation Rd, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9BJ
The Broadland Model Railway Club show will feature around ten layouts in various gauges, but there’s little more information than that.
30 May 26	IPMS Salisbury Scale Model Show
Wyvern St Edmund’s Sports Hall, Laverstock, Salisbury SP1 1RD
Annual plastic model show with displays from around 34 other clubs and 15 trader stands.
30 May 26	Sleaford Model Railway Show
St George’s Academy, Westgate, Sleaford NG34 7PP
Sleaford and District Model Railway Club’s 8th annual show will have 15 layouts on display, plus traders.
30 May 26	Gauge O Guild – Summer Show
The Robin Park Leisure Centre, Loire Way, Newtown, Wigan WN5 0UL
“7mm” or Gauge O railway modelling show. This is the 70th anniversary of the Guild and they have four railway modelling exhibitions lined up this year. This is the second.
06 Jun 26	Milton Keynes Model Railway Society Annual Show
Walton High Brooklands Campus, Brooklands MK10 7HE
A variety of operating layouts ranging from within the club and from visiting clubs and individuals. This year they hope to have around 25 layouts. Plus trade stands.
06/07 Jun 26	SMRC Spring Exhibition
Locomotion, 1 Dale Rd, Shildon DL4 2RE
Shildon Model Railway Club spring show with approx 20+ layouts on display, and 20+ traders.
07 Jun 26	Cam & Dursley Model Railway Exhibition
Dursley & District Community Centre, Dursley GL11 4BX
The Wings & Wheels Society’s third exhibition with 3 rooms of working model layouts in N, OO & O Gauge, plus trade, charity & society stands.
13 Jun 26	MMDMRC Summer Show
Knowl Hill Village Hall, Bath Road, Knowl Hill RG10 9XB
The Marlow, Maidenhead & District Model Railway Club’s summer show. No details yet.
13 Jun 26	7mm NGA Exhibition
Burton Town Hall, King Edward Place, Burton-upon-Trent DE14 2EB
The 7mm Narrow Gauge Association annual show (&AGM) will have 13 layouts, 7 traders, 3 society stands and 3 demonstrators.
13/14 Jun 26	Tony’s Trains Show
Mountsorrel & Rothley Community Heritage Centre, 240 Swithland Lane, Rothley, Leicester LE7 7UE
The railway museum at the heritage centre will have numerous layouts and traders.
19-21 Jun 26	Weston Park International Model Airshow
Weston Park, Telford TF11 8LE
Three day model RC aircraft, helicopters and hovercraft show, now in its 30th year.
20 Jun 26	Prestatyn Model Railway Show
Christ Church & Community Hall, High Street, Prestatyn LL19 9AR
The Rhyl & District Model Railway Club’s annual show will feature over a dozen layouts in a range of scales, plus traders.
04 Jul 26	East Coast Model Show
Newby & Scalby Hall, Scalby Road, Scarborough YO13 0RA
Over 10 layouts plus traders. Limited, poster-only info. No discoverable website.
04/05 Jul 26	LMA Sleap Airshow
Sleap Airfield, Harmer Hill, Shrewsbury SY4 3HE
The Large Model Association annual airshow. RC models on static display and flying
11/12 Jul 26	Exe Model Railway Exhibition
Matford Centre, Matford Park Rd, Exeter EX2 8FD
Exe Model Railway Society’s annual exhibition. No info yet. In previous years they’ve had 30+ layouts and 15 traders.
12 Jul 26	Model Rail Showcase
Cobhams Sports & Social Club, Merley Park Rd, Wimborne BH21 3DA
Cobhams S&SC is showing off 11 of their members layouts.
12 Jul 26	Astolat MRC Exhibition
Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex, Parkway, Guildford GU1 1UP
The Astolat Model Railway Club exhibition will feature over 50 layouts and trader stands. Layouts will be in a range of gauges including 009, OO,N and G – some featuring Continental rail systems.
18 Jul 26	Felixstowe Area Group – N Gauge Model Railway Show
The Memorial Hall, Trimley St Martin, Felixstowe IP11 0RJ
Usually around 9 layouts plus a handful of traders.
25 Jul – 9 Aug 26	Pete Waterman’s Making Tracks at the Beach
Vale of Rheidol Railway, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 1PG
The Vale of Rheidol Railway are hosting Peter Waterman’s 72ft Watford Junction model railway in their engine shed.
26 Jul 26	Telford Steam Railway Model Exhibition
Horsehay Village Hall, 3 Bridge Rd, Horsehay, Telford TF4 2NF
The 4nd edition of the Telford Steam Railway’s model railway show. They are expecting some 20 layouts plus traders.
01/02 Aug 26	Redcar Model Railway Show
Redcar & Cleveland College, Corporation Rd, Redcar TS10 1EZ
Not much info: “A variety of layouts in a range of scales and gauges as well as demonstrations and traders.”
01/02 Aug 26	Shewburyness MRC Show
The Seaglass Centre, Thorpe Hall School, Wakering Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 3RD
Over 15 layouts in various gauges, plus 10 traders.
08/09 Aug 26	Elvington Large Model Airshow
Elvington Airfield, Elvington, York YO41 4AU
Large RC model air show. (Next to the Yorkshire Air Museum – drop in!)
24/25 Aug 26	Mid Suffolk Light Railway Model Mania & Hornby Collectors Show
Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket IP14 5PW
Modellers event day at the “Middy” heritage railway.
29/30 Aug 26	Sedgemoor Rail 2025
King Alfred School, Burnham Road, Highbridge, Somerset TA9 3EE
The Burnham-On-Sea & District Model Railway Club’s annual Sedgemoor Exhibition usually has around 20+ layouts & 10 traders.
30 Aug 26	Broadland Model Railway Show
Hoveton Village Hall, Stalham Rd, Hoveton NR12 8DU
The Broadland Model Railway Club will feature at least three guest layouts and four of their own in various gauges.
30 Aug 26	Stoke-on-Trent Scale Model Show
Fenton Manor Sports Complex, City Road, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2RR
Not much detail. Model displays, competitions and traders.
31 Aug 26	Harrogate Model Railway Show
Constance Green Hall, St Aidan’s School, Harrogate HG2 8JR
The Harrogate Model Railway Group’s annual exhibition will have an unspecified number of layouts, trade stands, demonstrations & societies.
05 Sep 26	Llanfair Garden Railway Show
Caereinion Leisure Centre, Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool SY21 0HW
This is the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway’s second show. Last year’s show was a success, so they’re doing it again. No details yet on the number of steam and electric garden railway gauge layouts or traders yet. Check their website.
05 Sep 26	Bridlington Model Railway Show
Bridlington CYP Sports Centre, Gypsey Rd, Bridlington YO16 4AY
Trainshed Model Railway Group will show over a dozen layouts plus model boat and other model club displays.
05/06 Sep 26	Much Markle Large Model Airshow
Garage, Much Markle, Ledbury HR8 2LX
Annual large model air show
05/06 Sep 26	ELMRC 75th Anniversary Show
George Watson’s College, 69 Colinton Rd, Edinburgh EH10 5EG
Edinburgh & Lothians Miniature Railway Club will be celebrating their 75th anniversary with the largest railway modelling event ever held in Edinburgh, to be officially opened by the Lord Provost. There will be 20 layouts, together with traders and several modelling and railway heritage organisations from around Scotland and the UK.
05/06 Sep 26	Gauge O Guild – Guildex 2026
Bingley Hall, Stafford Showground, Stafford ST18 0BD
“7mm” or Gauge O railway modelling show. This is the 70th anniversary of the Guild and they have four railway modelling exhibitions lined up this year. This is the third.
12 Sep 26	Stow Maries Large Model Airshow
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Hackmans Lane, Purleigh, Chelmsford CM3 6RJ
Large scale model RC aircraft on display, plus static displays and traders.
12 Sep 26	RailEx East 2026
Cambridge Regional College, Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge CB4 2QT
The 31A (Cambridge) Model Railway Club’s annual show will have layouts in gauges “N” to “O”, plus trade stands.
12/13 Sep 26	South West Model Show
The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset BH20 6JG
Two days of modelling madness, and not just tanks, there’ll be planes, ships, trains on display… plus traders, modelling demonstrations, and competitions.
12/13 Sep 26	Faversham Model Railway Exhibition
The Abbey School, London Road (A2), Faversham ME13 8RZ
The Faversham Model Railway Club’s largest exhibition so far; 25 layouts, 14 trade stands and 4 societies in four halls.
12/13 Sep 26	International N-Gauge Show
Warwickshire Event Centre, Southam Road, Leamington Spa CV31 1FE
Over 25 modern, steam, continental and American N-gauge layouts from across the UK and Europe, plus society displays and specialist suppliers.
19 Sep 26	Mid Essex Model Railway Exhibition
Brentwood County High School, Seven Arches Road, Brentwood CM14 4JF
Mid Essex MRC’s 47th annual model railway exhibition is expected to have around 19 layouts and a dozen traders.
19 Sep 26	Willand Model Railway Exhibition
Willand Village Hall, Gables Rd, Willand, Cullompton EX15 2PL
The Culm Valley Model Railway Club will have 14 layouts on display, including a Thomas the Tank Engine layout for youngsters
19 Sep 26	Lichfield Model Railway Show
Life Church, Netherstowe, Lichfield WS13 6TS
The Trent Valley Model Railway Society’s annual Lichfield show. No details on layouts but it’s a small show.
19 Sep 26	Wilton Railex
The Michael Herbert Hall, South Street, Wilton, Salisbury SP2 OJS
Salisbury & South Wilts Railway Society’s annual one-day open day will feature 12+ layouts and demonstrations in various gauges plus traders.
19 Sep 26	IPMS Farnborough Modelfest
Hart Leisure Centre, Emerald Avenue, Fleet GU51 5HS
Plastic scale model show of aircraft, cars/trucks, ships, tanks/military vehicles, sci-fi & figures, plus plenty of trade stands.
19/20 Sep 26	Swansea Model Railway Exhibition
Swansea Leisure Centre, Oystermouth Rd, Swansea SA1 3ST
The Swansea Railway Modellers Group’s 14th annual show. Layouts, demos, societies & traders but no details.
19/20 Sep 26	Ayr Model Rail Show
Walker Hall, South Beach, Troon KA10 6EF
Annual show. Typically around 12 layouts, plus trade stands.
19/20 Sep 26	Spa Valley Autumn Model Railway Show
Tunbridge Wells West Railway Station, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5QL
This will be Spa Valley’s 6th annual model railway show featuring around 30 layouts in a variety of scales, including N, OO, O, OO9, S, and other gauges, and around 10 trade stands.
20 Sep 26	Oxrail 2026
Edward Feild School, Bicester Rd, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 2LG
Oxford & District Model Railway Club’s annual show. Each year they typically have around 9+ layouts, plus traders and local organisations.
26/27 Sep 26	Folkestone Hythe & District Model Railway Exhibition
Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone CT20 2DZ.
The Folkestone Hythe & District MRC’s annual exhibition will feature 18+ layouts, 20+ traders and other exhibits.
26/27 Sep 26	Stafford Model Railway show
Bingley Hall, Stafford County Showground, Stafford ST18 0BD
Running for almost 60 years, the Stafford show claims to be the ‘largest established independent model railway show in the country’. With usually over 50 layouts it is certainly one of the biggest.
03/04 Oct 26	RailEx Fareham
Fareham Leisure Centre, Park Ln, Fareham PO16 7JU
The Fareham and District Model Railway Club’s 60th anniversary show will feature more than 30 layouts
03/04 Oct 26	SMRC Autumn Exhibition
Locomotion, 1 Dale Rd, Shildon DL4 2RE
Shildon Model Railway Club spring show with approx 20+ layouts on display, and 20+ traders.
10/11 Oct 26	Aldershot Model Railway Exhibition
Alderwood Leisure Centre, Aldershot GU12 4AS
Farnham & District Model Railway Club usually show 23+ layouts, plus demos and traders. No details yet and venue not confirmed.
10/11 Oct 26	Great Electric Train Show
Arena MK, Stadium Way W, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1ST
Over 30 model railway layouts in gauges from N to O, including Pete Waterman’s giant 64ft layout, and 50+ traders.
11 Oct 26	Gaydon Indoor Static Model Show
British Motor Museum, Lighthorne Heath, Warwick CV35 0BJ
The Large Model Association’s annual indoor event (as opposed to airshows).
15-18 Oct 26	Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition
Warwickshire Event Centre, Southam Road, Leamington Spa CV31 1FE
A 4-day show with over 30 clubs and societies displaying hundreds of exhibits in a wide range of scales, including locomotives & rolling stock, aircraft and marine models, stationary engines, and machine tools. Plus around 40 specialist trade suppliers.
17 Oct 26	SELMEC Meccano Show 2026
Falconwood Community Centre, 31–39 Falconwood Parade, London DA16 2PG
In its 47th show, South East London Meccano Club is displaying working models of cars, cranes, trains, funfair rides and more, all built from Meccano, the famous construction toy invented by Frank Hornby in 1901, plus non-Meccano exhibits and activities.
17/18 Oct 26	Wakefield RMS Show
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Northgate, Wakefield WF1 3QX
The Wakefield Railway Modellers Society will have 14 layouts on display in a range of gauges, plus 17 traders.
17/18 Oct 26	Poole Model Railway Show
Poole Grammar School, Poole Hill, Poole BH17 9JU
Poole and District Model Railway Society’s annual show will have an emphasis on “finescale” layouts, though their moribund website doesn’t have any details. Last year they fielded around 15 layouts, 3 society stands and 10 traders.
24 Oct 26	Exeter Garden Railway Show
The Matford Centre, Marsh Barton Ind Estate, Exeter EX2 8FD
The South Devon Garden Railway Group’s annual autumn show highlighting layouts and exhibits in promote railways from O gauge to Scale 3.
24/25 Oct 26	Cheltenham Model Railway Exhibition
St. Margaret’s Hall, Coniston Road, Hatherley, Cheltenham GL51 3NU
Six layouts listed so far, plus displays and trade stands.
24/25 Oct 26	Rail-Ex Taunton 2025
Taunton School, Staplegrove Road, Taunton TA2 6AD
The Somerset Railway Modellers Club usually display around 40 layouts in N gauge, OO9, HO, OO and O gauge, plus traders, associations & demos.
31 Oct 26	Newbury Model Railway Exhibition
St Bartholomew’s School, Newbury RG14 6JP
No details yet but usually around 16 club layouts, plus demos and traders.
31 Oct 26	West Wiltshire Gauge O Group Show
The Paragon Hall, High Street, Westbury BA13 3HA
No details yet, not even the venue. All we know is the date. I’m guessing that, as before, it’ll be at the Paragon Hall again and they’ll have around half a dozen O gauge, OO and HO gauge layouts on display.
31 Oct/01 Nov 26	WMRA Annual Exhibition
Coastal College Weymouth, Cranford Avenue, Weymouth DT4 7LQ
The Weymouth Model Railway Association will be displaying some 30+ layouts and exhibits, plus traders.
31 Oct/01 Nov 26	Spalding Model Railway Exhibition
Springfield Events Centre, Spalding PE12 6ET
Spalding MRC’s annual show. Last year they had around 30 layouts and attracted over 2,500 visitors.
31 Oct/01 Nov 26	LOMEX
East Coast College, Lowestoft NR32 2NB
The annual Lowestoft Model Engineering and Model Making Exhibition has a mixture of scale models, steam traction engines & locomotives, RC aircraft and boats.
07 Nov 26	Wycrail Exhibition 2026
Historic Brunel Railway Shed, Station Approach, High Wycombe HP13 6NE
The High Wycombe & District Model Railway Society’s autumn show will have 22+ layouts in a variety of scales and gauges including N, TT, H0, 00, 7mm, and 00-9 narrow gauges, plus 10 traders and five society stands.
07/08 Nov 26	IPMS Scale ModelWord
Telford International Centre, St Quentin Gate, Telford TF3 4JH
International Plastic Modellers’ Society (IPMS) annual show. Last year they had over 190 displays featuring thousands of models, plus 120 traders.
21/22 Nov 26	National Festival of Railway Modelling
National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1NT
No details yet, but usually there are around 60+ of the country’s best layouts, and 70+ manufacturers, retailers, specialist suppliers and clubs/societies.
21/22 Nov 26	Solrail Model Railway Exhibition
ENERGUS, Blackwood Road, Lillyhall, Workington CA14 4JW
At least 15 layouts, plus demo, society & trade stands.
12 Dec 26	Gauge 0 Guild Winter Show
Kempton Racecourse, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 5AQ
“7mm” or Gauge O railway modelling show. This is the 70th anniversary of the Guild and they have four railway modelling exhibitions lined up this year. This is the fourth.
12/13 Dec 26	Manchester Model Railway Show
The Sugden Centre, 114 Grosvenor St, Manchester M1 7HB
No details yet. Last year was the Manchester Model Railway Society’s 100th anniversary so they had a larger than normal show with 26 layouts and around 27 traders & other exhibitors.

 

NB. This page is being continually updated, but things change: sometimes events get postponed, cancelled or there’s a change of venue. It’s worth double-checking on the organiser’s website before visiting.