Birchington is getting ready to warmly welcome this year’s celebration of model trains to be held at The Centre in Alpha Road, on Saturday 9 May.
Some 15 layouts, featuring model railways in a variety of sizes and scales, with 11 reputable specialist traders, feature at the exhibition being organised by the Whitstable based East Kent Model Railway Society, in aid of its funds.
The event is designed to appeal to families as well as enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. The exhibits range in size from a couple of feet wide to others up to 20 feet long depicting busy junctions and swathes of landscape.
A distinctive travel style poster featuring Minnis Bay is being used to help promote the occasion. It was originally drawn for a village holiday brochure 70 years ago by David Burley, a retired railway artist and resident of Birchington for many years.
EKMRS Chairman Nick Evans said: “I found the brochure by chance in my collection and was able to transform it into the exhibition poster. It makes for a lovely homage.
“The club held its first exhibition in Birchington back in 2013 and it has since become a firm fixture on the village’s event calendar. We get a warm welcome in Birchington and in the past few years our show has become the largest event of its kind in Thanet.
“We expect to fill all the ground floor rooms and stage with exhibits and trade stands at The Centre so there will be lots to enjoy whether or not yours is a passing interest or you are a fully invested enthusiast.
“Our traders will be offering a wide selection of pre-loved model railway rolling stock and accessories – this is a great opportunity to track down that elusive component you may have been looking for!”
Model railways have an enduring appeal across the age range and this will be reflected in the exhibits on display – some will feature traditional steam outlines while others are just as likely to include more modern diesel and electric styles of rolling stock.
Sophisticated electronics enable them to be controlled by tablet or smartphone while also offering a higher level of detail. Exhibits are coming from across the county and belong either to clubs or individual enthusiasts.
The exhibition will be open between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 9 May 2026. Adult admission is £6, children under five are free, children aged 5-16 £1 and families (2+3) £12.
Light refreshments will be on sale throughout the day. There is a pay and display car park across the road from The Centre. The railway station is only a five minutes walk away. Local buses stop nearby too.
ooh, how lovely ❤️
I wish them all well, goods really exciting. Unfortunately, I can’t attend. On another note, I was interested in the statement “the past few years our show has become the largest event of its kind in Thanet”. My first thought to that is, what’s Hornby doing, they are missing a trick. An international manufacturer of railway items and are out gunned by a local Thanet railway society!
I wish them all well, looks really exciting. Unfortunately, I can’t attend. On another note, I was interested in the statement “the past few years our show has become the largest event of its kind in Thanet”. My first thought to that is, what’s Hornby doing, they are missing a trick. An international manufacturer of railway items and are out gunned by a local Thanet railway society!