Manchester exhibition is cancelled over Covid fears

THE Manchester Model Railway Society has cancelled its annual exhibition in December amid coronavirus safety fears.

The Christmas Model Railway Show was scheduled for the weekend of December 11/12, and the society had been exploring possible ways to stage it, including postponement until the spring of next year.

However, the society stated that, “after thorough deliberation, they have reluctantly come to the conclusion that it would not be financially viable to stage the event in a way which ensured the safety of everyone attending, while maintaining the variety and quality which is the society's objective, and which their visitors have come to expect. With great regret we have taken the decision to cancel this year's show.

“As the only model railway society to stage an exhibition in the centre of a major UK city, we are very dependent on public transport, with more than 70% of our visitors arriving by train, tram and bus. At present, public confidence in using these modes of transport is reduced. The continuing uncertainty about how Covid infection rates will change during the autumn means that the society cannot guarantee that visitor income will be enough to cover the cost of staging the exhibition.”

However, plans are being made for the society's next four exhibitions, leading up to its centenary in 2025.

The 83rd exhibition is now planned to take place on December 10/11, 2022, at the new venue of the Sugden Centre in central Manchester, with approximately 30 layouts expected to be on show.

More information can be found at the society's website, www.mmrs. co.uk