CHRISTMAS
Woodhead line in the early 1970s.
Almost as long is the Kings Park model which shows part of the West Coast Main Line in London - complete with the Bakerloo underground and Watford overground trains from the late 1980s.
Some of the smaller but beautifully observed cameo layouts booked to attend this year’s exhibition include Moorton Bottom Yard set in industrial Yorkshire and Chelfham in rural Devon, which both show narrow gauge railways.
The exhibition also boasts a great range of high quality traders, demonstrations, and other interesting displays from heritage railway groups and other model shows.
Most of the layouts have been featured in the national modelling press and some are appearing in Manchester for the very first time.
With a central venue, The Christmas Model Railway Show is extremely convenient to visit with excellent transport links and cheap nearby parking.
If you’re feeling peckish, this year boasts some of the best catering facilities seen at the exhibition.
The Common Room Cafe will serve a variety of sandwiches, wraps, light snacks and cakes whilst the Mumford Restaurant serves hot meals and a splendid afternoon tea.
FOR THE KIDS
Having catered for the experienced finescale modeller and the general public, let’s not forget how to keep the children entertained.
In room eight you will find three layouts designed for younger visitors with the chance for children to drive the trains themselves.
The first is made from Lego bricks, so if the children crash the trains, they can re-build them as well.
Moormead Sidings is a large shunting yard on the Isle of Sodor where Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends need help to arrange the goods trains in the right order.
Finally, brand new for the exhibition is Thomas’ Christmas Surprise where Thomas and his friends have had brand new DCC systems fitted and the layout has also got lots of special effects for all the visitors to operate.
There are several other demonstrations held throughout the exhibition which show scenery making, plastic kit construction and 3D printing, suitable for both adults and children.
Every child who visits the exhibition can enter the free prize treasure hunt to win a complete train set worth £79.99.
To enter, children have to answer questions about things they’ve seen during the exhibition. The best 20 answer sheets will go into a draw at 3pm on Sunday and the lucky winner will go home with an early Christmas present.
Finally, when the parents want a sit down and a cup of tea, there are two areas in the cafe and restaurant with a supply of toys and drawing materials for kids to enjoy.
The event runs Saturday, December 7 from 10am to 5.30pm and Sunday, December 8 from 10am to 4.30pm.
Adult tickets are £10 on the door or £8.50 if bought in advance.
Tickets are free for accompanied children under 16 with maximum of three children per adult Find full details of this year’s exhibition and buy advance tickets at a discounted price at http://www.mmrs.co.uk/ exhibition/