Forest of Dean Model Railway Club hosts its 24th show

The Forest of Dean Model Railway Club held its 24th annual exhibition over the weekend.

The show on Saturday and Sunday at The Dean Academy in Lydney brought together modellers from across the west of England and south Wales.

There were around 25 layouts featuring scenes from around Britain at various time periods, Europe and the United States.

Among the exhibits were a group of locomotives made of Lego and a layout in a trombone case.

A Thomas the Tank Engine layout had several hundred children take the controls.

It was linked to a stall that was promoting the charity WateAid.

Model railway club chairman Jon Beales said: “I think we've got a very good reputation for being a friendly show, you can bring the whole family. “There are three layouts, at least, where the kids can have a go, but there are some really good, fine scale models as well.

“We have some excellent transport modelling, including some specialist stuff for Gloucestershire, which will be great local interest.

“We've got some very, very good lifelike Lego models as well.

“We've got a father and son who have got a layout next to each other.

“We've got a grandfather working on the same layout with his grandson and we've got a teenager who's doing his first, exhibition with a layout in a trombone case.

“We’ve also got very good trade stands for people who want to spend a bit of money.”

Attention will now turn to next year’s show and the 25th anniversary.

Mr Beales added: “We’d like put on something good for the Forest.

“It will be the same sort of mix with really good layouts of all sizes with stuff to encourage youngsters and stuff to please old modellers.

The club meets at Drybrook United Reformed Church on Mondays from 7.30pm.