UK Scale Model Shows in 2024

Everybody, especially grown-up and young kids, loves scale models. That’s everything from large radio-controlled model aircraft and ships – through detailed model cars, trucks, Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV), 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 events I’m aware of this year.

NMRC – Model Railway Exhibition 06 Apr 24 Hellesdon High School, Norwich NR6 5SB Norwich Model Railway Club exhibition.
Welling Model Club Show 06 Apr 24 Falconwood Community Centre, Welling DA16 2PG Model aircraft, Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV), figures, Sci-Fi, cars, etc.
East Midlands Model Show 07 Apr 24 Hinkley Leisure Centre, Hinkley LE10 1BZ Wide range of scale plastic models
Yeovil Model Show 07 Apr 24 Westfield Academy, Yeovil BA21 3EJ Plastic scale model show
NewGOG – South Wales O Gauge Show 13 Apr 24 Lysaght Institute, Newport NP19 0RA “7mm” or Gauge O railway modelling show.
Sword & Lance Show 13 Apr 24 Northern Echo Arena, Darlington DL2 1DL Figurines, military figures and plastic scale models
Poole Vikings Show 13 Apr 24 Parkstone Grammar School, Poole BH17 7EP Scale plastic model show
Royston Model Railway Exhibition 13 Apr 24 Bassingbourn Village College, Royston SG8 5NJ Royston & District Model Railway Club exhibition featuring around 18 layouts.
Calne Model Railway Show 13/14 Apr 24 Calne Leisure Centre, Calne SN11 0SP Local show with six layouts
Statfold Model Railway Exhibition 13/14 Apr 24 Statfold Country Park, Tamworth B79 0BU Multiple layouts and exhibitors
Macclesfield Model Railway Exhibition 20/21 Apr 24 Tytherington School, Macclesfield SK10 2EE Local railway modeller group exhibition
National Garden Railway Show 27 Apr 24 NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth CV8 2LH The 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers show featuring 17 layouts in a variety of garden scales, and 70+ trade stands & exhibitors
Model World Live 27/28 Apr 24 Hall 12, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1NT A new national scale model and model railway engineering show.
Scottish National Scale Model Show 27/28 Apr 24 Live Active Dewars Centre, Perth TH2 0PH Plastic scale model exhibition
Bristol Model Railway Exhibition 03-05 May 24 Thornbury Leisure Centre, Bristol BS35 3JB 30+ layouts from around the UK.
South Downs Model Show 04 May 24 Bohunt High School, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 8AH Plastic scale model club show
expoEM Spring Show 11/12 May 24 Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bracknell RG12 9SE EM Gauge (4mm/ft) spring show with 4 railway layouts
Mildenhall Model Fair 18 May 24 The Jubilee Centre, Mildenhall IP28 7HG Military vehicles, aircraft, cars and figures.
Colne Valley Railway Miniature Steam Up 18 May 24 Yeldham Road, Colne CO9 3DZ An all steam event on CVR’s miniature 7¼” track with a number of visiting locomotives
Jarrow MRC Exhibition 18/19 May 24 Primrose Community Association, Jarrow NE32 6QY Jarrow Model Railway Club annual exhibition showing around 18 layouts.
de Havilland Aircraft Museum Model Show 19 May 24 de Havilland Aircraft Museum, London Colney AL2 1BU Plastic scale model show with the real thing in the background
Railex 2024 25/26 May 24 Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Aylesbury HP21 9PP Risborough and District Model Railway Club show with 13+ layouts
Cam & Dursley Model Railway Exhibition 26 May 24 Dursley & District Community Centre, Dursley GL11 4BX The first exhibition by the Wings & Wheels Society, Dursley and the Gloucester O Gauge Guild, with around a dozen layouts.
Exmoor Rail Model Railway Show 01 Jun 24 West Somerset College, Bircham Road, Minehead TA24 6AY Model railway exhibition with 18 layouts and trade stands
Gauge O Guild – Summer Show 01 Jun 24 Kempton Park Racecourse, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 5AQ “7mm” or Gauge O railway modelling show.
IPMS Salisbury Scale Model Show 01 Jun 24 Wyvern St Edmund’s Sports Hall, Laverstock, Salisbury SP1 1RE Plastic model show
Teesside Model Flying Club Airshow 01/02 Jun 24 TMFC, Stockton-on-Tees TS21 1EW Large RC models on static display and flying
Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition 01/02 Jun 24 OakLeaf Sports Complex, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6QZ Model railway exhibition with 15+ layouts and trade stands
Milton Keynes Model Railway Society Annual Show 08 Jun 24 The Ridgeway Centre, Wolverton Mill, Milton Keynes MK12 5TH 22 layouts including the club’s new O gauge layout ‘Frimingham’, and trade stands.
Mid Suffolk Light Railway Big ‘0’ Show 09 Jun 24 Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket IP14 5PW Event day at the “Middy” heritage railway with 10+ ‘0’ gauge layouts.
Norwich Model Boat Club – Military Day 09 Jun 24 Model Boat Club, Eaton Park, Norwich NR4 7AU The NMBC has a busy programme of events between Apr – Oct for RC yachts, warships, tugs, steamships and submarines on its large pond in Eaton park. This event will feature RC Boats, Trucks, 4×4’s and Tanks
Weston Park Air Show International 14 – 16 Jun 24 Weston Park, Telford TF11 8LE Model RC aircraft, helicopters and hovercraft
St Neots Model Railway Club – Exhibition 15 Jun 24 The Priory Centre, St Neots, Cambs PE19 2BH Displaying the club’s layouts
Exe Model Railway Exhibition 22/23 Jun 24 Matford Centre, Matford Park Rd, Exeter EX2 8FD Exe Model Railway Society’s Diamond Jubilee exhibition. 30+ layouts and 15 traders.
Rhyl & District Model Railway Club Exhibition 29 Jun 24 Christ Church and Community Hall, High Street, Prestatyn Wales 12+ working layouts in “N” to “O” gauges. (Not much info on their dormant website)
Axminster Model Railway Exhibition 30 Jun 24 The Railway Kitchen, Station Yard, Axminster EX13 5PF Fund-raising event for ‘The Love of a Railway’ model railway project. Up to nine layouts on show, plus the ‘Love of a Railway’ layout, a work in progress recreating the old Axminster – Lyme Regis line.
Romsey & District Rail Modellers Society – open day 06 Jul 24 Scout HQ, Braishfield Road, Romsey SO51 0PB An open day with around 10 layouts.
Felixstowe Area Group – N Gauge Model Railway Show 13 Jul 24 The Memorial Hall, Trimley St Martin, Felixstowe IP11 0RJ Small N-gauge show with 9+ layouts
East Dorset N-Gauge Group Anniversary Show 20 Jul 24 Kinson community centre, Pelhams Park, Bournemouth BH10 7LH A celebration event marking the group’s 30th Anniversary with 11 N-gauge layouts.
Bridport and District Model Railway Club Annual Show 27 Jul 24 Sir John Colfox Academy, Ridgeway, Bridport DT6 3DT 40 layouts, demonstrations and trade stands
Sleap Large Model Airshow 27/28 Jul 24 Shropshire Aero Club, Harmer Hill, Shrewsbury SY4 3HE Large RC model aircraft show
Cleveland Model Railway Club Show 3/4 Aug 24 Redcar and Cleveland College, Redcar, Cleveland TS10 1EZ 12+ layouts in various themes, scales and gauges, plus stands for displays, demonstrations, and traders.
Isle of Purbeck Model Railway Exhibition 10/11 Aug 24 Harmon’s Cross Village Hall, Haycrafts Ln, Swanage BH19 3EB A mix of railway layouts ranging from 4 to 20 ft in length and from tiny N gauge to G gauge.
Elvington Large Model Airshow 10/11 Aug 24 Elvington Airfield, Elvington, York YO41 4AU Large RC model air show. (Next to the Yorkshire Air Museum – drop in!)
expoEM Summer Show 17/18 Aug 24 Kettlethorpe High School, Wakefield WF2 7EL Eight fine scale EM Gauge (4mm/ft) railway layouts.
Burnham & District Model Railway Club Show 24/25 Aug 24 King Alfred School, Highbridge, Somerset TA9 3EE 17 layouts in various scales and 10 traders/associations
Jersey Model Railway Club annual exhibition 24-26 Aug 24 St Peter’s Youth and Community Centre, Jersey JE3 7AH 41st annual exhibition with 15 layouts in a range of scales
MSLR Model Mania & Hornby Collectors Day 25/26 Aug 24 Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket IP14 5PW Event day at the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway (aka “the Middy”) heritage railway. A celebration of models of all sorts; model boats, planes, trains and vehicles.
Bridlington Model Railway Show 7 Sep 24 Emmanuel Church, Cardigan Road Bridlington YO15 3JT Trainshed – the Bridlington Model Railway Group will display layouts in a range of scales from the very small Z gauge up to the much larger O gauge.
Gauge O Guild – Guildex 7/8 Sep 24 Bingley Hall, Stafford Showground, Stafford ST18 0BD “7mm” or Gauge O railway modelling show.
Medway Model Show 7/8 Sep 24 Royal Engineers Museum, Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME7 1UR Sellers and exhibitors covering every aspect of modelling from military planes, trains and automobiles, through to book-nooks, sci-fi dioramas and more.
Much Markle Large Model Airshow 7/8 Sep 24 Much Markle Steam Show Site, Ledbury HR8 2LX Large model air show
Oxrail 2024 08 Sep 24 Edward Feild School, Bicester Rd, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 2LG Oxford & District Model Railway Club’s annual show with 9+ layouts, traders and local organisation
IPMS Farnborough Modelfest 08 Sep 24 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.
Swansea Model Railway Exhibition 14/15 Sep 24 Swansea Leisure Centre, Swansea SA1 3ST Model railway show
International N-Gauge Show 14/15 Sep 24 Warwickshire Event Centre, Southam Road, Leamington Spa CV31 1FE A range of modern image, steam, continental and American N-gauge layouts, plus society displays and over 30 specialist suppliers.
Swindon Railway Festival 14/15 Sep 24 Steam Museum, Swindon SN2 2EY 20+ model railway layouts displayed alongside the real thing; Swindon-built locomotives.
Culm Valley Model Railway Club Show 21 Sep 24 Willand Village Hall, Willand, Nr Cullumpton, Devon EX15 2PL 16 layouts, most of which have never been seen in Mid Devon, covering different gauges, styles, eras and continents, including German and a tram layout.
Ayr Model Rail Show 21/22 Sep 24 Walker Hall, South Beach, Troon KA10 6EF 12 layouts, plus trade stands.
Bressingham Model Railway Show 22 Sep 24 Bressingham Steam Museum & Gardens, Low Road, Diss IP22 2AA A number of layouts of varying gauges and types, plus trade stands. The steam museum will also be operating its 3 Narrow Gauge Lines and its Standard Gauge line.
Bury St Edmunds Model Railway Club 28 Sep 24 St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St. Edmunds IP33 1LS The show will bring together over 20 layouts to mark the club’s 75th anniversary.
Stafford Model Railway show 28/29 Sep 24 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 over 50 layouts it is certainly one of the biggest.
Shildon Model Railway Club Autumn Exhibition 05/06 Oct 24 Locomotion, 1 Dale Rd, Shildon DL4 4RE Model railway exhibition with 20+ layouts and trade stands
G1MRA Autumn Show 12 Oct 24 STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon SN2 2EY The Gauge One Model Railway Association (G1MRA) which focuses on large scale steam locomotives and garden railways, will have a large track layout and Gauge One exhibits.
Aldershot Model Railway Exhibition 12/13 Oct 24 Alderwood Leisure Centre, Aldershot GU12 4AS Farnham & District Model Railway Club layouts
Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition 17-20 Oct 24 Warwickshire Event Centre, Southam Road, Leamington Spa, CV31 1FE A major 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 over 40 traders.
WSNG Club Show 19 Oct 24 Shoreham Baptist Church, Western Road, Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 5WD The West Sussex N-Gauge club will be showing over 10 of their N-gauge layouts.
Blackpool Model Show 19/20 Oct 24 Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool FY2 9AA Large show focused on RC and static model boats, ships, trucks, and tanks. See a video from last year.
Greenock MRC annual show 19/20 Oct 24 Lyle Kirk, Union St, Greenock PA16 8DD Greenock & District Model Railway Club will have 16 in total, some of which will be unveiled for the first time, plus layouts from other clubs and trade stands.
Felixstowe Model Railway Exhibition 20 Oct 24 Felixstowe Leisure Centre, 75 Undercliff Rd, Felixstowe IP11 2AE Organised by Felixstowe Lions, this year’s exhibition will have various model attractions, railways, robotics and radio-controlled trucks
Poole Model Railway Exhibition 20 Oct 24 Poole Grammar School, Poole Hill, Poole BH17 9JU The Poole & District Model Railway Society will be displaying some 15 layouts, plus traders
Exeter Garden Railway Show 26 Oct 24 The Matford Centre, Marsh Barton Ind Estate, Exeter EX2 8FD The South Devon Garden Railway Group’s 20th annual autumn show highlighting layouts and exhibits in promote railways from O gauge to Scale 3.
Spa Valley Railway Model Brick Show 26/27 Oct 24 Tunbridge Wells West Railway Station, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5QL They’re calling it the Model brick Show for copyright reasons – they mean LEGO! There’ll be a number of layouts and locomotives on display, as well as models of aeroplanes and other things.
Cheltenham Model Railway Show 26/27 Oct 24 St. Margaret’s Hall, Coniston Road, Hatherley, Cheltenham GL51 3NU Ten layouts plus displays and trade stands.
Newbury Model Railway Exhibition 02 Nov 24 St Bartholomew’s School, Newbury RG14 6JP Around 15 club layouts
SELMEC Meccano Show 2024 02 Nov 24 Falconwood Community Centre, 31–39 Falconwood Parade, London DA16 2PG 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 inc: 2 x N-gauge model rail layouts, a clockwork train layout, a Hornby DUBLO layout and The Electronics Club Circuits Workshop — Build working circuits such as traffic lights using real electronic components and microchips.
Spalding Model Railway Exhibition 02/03 Nov 24 Springfield Events Centre, Spalding PE12 6ET Club show with around 20 layouts
LOMEX 02/03 Nov 24 East Coast College, Lowestoft NR32 2NB The Lowestoft Model Engineering and Model Making Exhibition has a mixture of scale models, steam traction engines & locomotives, RC aircraft and boats.
WMRA Annual Exhibition 02/03 Nov 24 Weymouth College, Cranford Avenue, Weymouth DT4 7LQ The Weymouth Model Railway Association will be displaying some 30+ layouts and exhibits, plus traders.
High Wycombe & District Model Railway Society – MRX24 9 Nov 24 Cressex Community Centre & Social Club, 203 Cressex Road, High Wycombe HP12 4PZ. Eleven model railway layouts in a variety of scales and gauges including N, TT, H0, 00, 7mm, and 00-9 narrow gauges, plus traders.
Falkirk Model Railway Exhibition 16/17 Nov 24 Grangemouth Athletic Stadium, Grangemouth FK3 0EE Annual club show with around a dozen layouts
Workington Model Railway Exhibition 16/17 Nov 24 ENERGUS
Blackwood Road
Lillyhall
Workington CA14 4JW
15+ Layouts, demonstrations and trade stands.
National Festival of Railway Modelling 23/24 Nov 24 Hall 5, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1NT Billed as the UKs largest railway modelling exhibition with over 60 of the country’s best model railways, and 70+ manufacturers, retailers, specialist suppliers and clubs/societies.
Gauge O Guild – Winter Show 07 Dec 24 Robin Park Leisure Centre, Newtown, Wigan WN5 0UL “7mm” or Gauge O railway modelling show.

 

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