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 left in 2026 that I’m aware of.

 

07 Nov 26	West Sussex N Gauge MRC show
Horsham Youth Centre, Hurst Road, Horsham RH12 2ET
West Sussex N Gauge Model Railway Club’s 40th Anniversary show will feature 11 N gauge layouts, 5 layouts in other gauges, and 4 traders.
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	Modelfair 2026
Moray Sports Centre, Linkwood Rd, Elgin IV30 8AR
The Elgin Model Railway Club’s annual Modelfair is not just model railways but also plastic and other models including cars & trucks, military vehicles, dioramas and Meccano, plus, of course a number of traders.
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.
14 Nov 26	Newton Abbot Model Railway Show
Newton Abbot Library, Passmore Edwards Centre, Market St, Newton Abbot TQ12 2RJ
The fourth annual event organised by the Railway Collection with layouts in different gauges, including HO, OO, Narrow and Electric Garden Gauge.
14/15 Nov 26	Colne Model Rail Show
Park High School, Venables Ave, Colne BB8 7DP
The Pendle Forest Model Railway Society’s annual show will feature over 15 layouts plus 12 traders.
15 Nov 26	Woody Bay Model Railway Show
Woody Bay Station, Martinhoe Cross, Parracombe, Barnstable EX31 4RA
The Lynton & Barnstaple steam heritage railway is hosting a model railway show for the first time at its Woody Bay station, featuring layouts in a range of gauges inc H0m, 009, OO, O and Japanese HO.
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.
29 Nov 26	Sedgemoor MBC Navy Day
Apex Park Lake, Marine Drive, Burnham-on=Sea TA8 1LT
Sedgemoor Model Boat Club are holding their ‘Navy Day’ on the lake. Open to all military RC craft: battleships, destroyers, patrol boats, minesweepers, aircraft carriers, landing craft, submarines, naval support vessels/tugs.
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.