Est. 2026 · United Kingdom

The Model Railway Directory

Shops · Clubs · Events · Repair services across the UK

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News & Tips

Model railway news, layout inspiration and hobby guides

OO Gauge — Getting Started 1:76 scale · 16.5mm track gauge Beginner Guide

Getting Started with OO Gauge

Everything you need to know to build your first layout — track, controllers, rolling stock and scenery.

May 2026  ·  8 min read
ANALOGUE VS DCC DIGITAL LOCO: 47 SPD: 45% FWD SND LGT Control one train · Control many trains DCC

DCC vs Analogue: Which is Right for You?

Digital Command Control lets you run multiple trains independently. We explain the pros, cons and costs.

May 2026  ·  6 min read
MODEL RAILWAY SHOW 2026 Layouts · Trade stands · Demonstrations Events

The Best Model Railway Shows in 2026

We round up the must-visit UK exhibitions this year — with dates, venues and what to expect.

May 2026  ·  5 min read
PVA Realistic Scenery on a Budget Scenery

Realistic Scenery on a Budget

Kitchen sponges, tea leaves and craft paint can transform any baseboard. Step-by-step guide inside.

Apr 2026  ·  7 min read
DCC tip! Nice layout! MODEL RAILWAY CLUB Knowledge · Community · Friendship Clubs

Why Joining a Club Will Transform Your Hobby

Model railway clubs offer far more than just a place to run trains. Here is why you should join one.

Apr 2026  ·  5 min read
HORNBY Est. 1901 · Margate, Kent VS BACHMANN Branchline · UK models Price · Quality · Range · Availability Manufacturers

Hornby vs Bachmann: A Buyer's Guide

The two giants of UK OO gauge go head to head on price, quality, range and availability.

Mar 2026  ·  6 min read

Best Of Guides

Hand-picked recommendations for UK model railway enthusiasts

OO Gauge

Best OO Gauge Shops in the UK

OO gauge is Britain's most popular scale at 1:76. These retailers stock the widest ranges of locomotives, rolling stock and accessories.

  1. Kernow Model Rail Centre — Redruth, Cornwall. Renowned for exclusive commission models.
  2. Rails of Sheffield — Sheffield. One of the UK's largest independents.
  3. Hattons Model Railways — Liverpool. Huge online range with own-brand Originals.
  4. Gaugemaster — West Sussex. Best for controllers, DCC and electrics.
  5. Model Railways Direct — Bristol. At least 30% off all items.
Clubs

Best Model Railway Clubs for Beginners

Joining a club is the fastest way to improve your modelling. These clubs are especially welcoming to newcomers.

  1. The Model Railway Club — London. Est. 1910, Young MRC for ages 8–14.
  2. Manchester Model Railway Society — Sale. Free taster sessions every Monday.
  3. Leeds Model Railway Society — Leeds. Regular beginner workshops.
  4. Leamington & Warwick MRS — 6,500 sq ft clubrooms, all gauges.
  5. Bristol Model Railway Club — Active club with annual exhibition.
Events 2026

Must-Visit UK Model Railway Shows in 2026

From spring to winter, the UK's exhibition calendar is packed. Here are the shows no enthusiast should miss this year.

  1. RAILEX 2026 — Aylesbury, 23–24 May. 22 layouts, 30+ trade stands.
  2. Hull Model Railway Show — Hull, 30–31 May. Family friendly, 40 stands.
  3. Great Electric Train Show — Stoneleigh, 10–11 Oct. Premier O gauge event.
  4. Clydeside Exhibition — Glasgow, 24–25 Oct. Best show in Scotland.
  5. National Festival of Railway Modelling — NEC, 21–22 Nov. The big one.
Repairs

Best Model Railway Repair Services in the UK

Got a locomotive that won't run? These specialist repair services cover everything from vintage Hornby Dublo to modern DCC sound fitting.

  1. Norfolk Loco Clinic — Norwich. DCC specialists, same-week turnaround.
  2. Precision Loco Works — York. Vintage and heritage loco experts.
  3. The Loco Hospital — Swindon. Bachmann & Hornby specialists.
  4. DCC Supplies & Repairs — Milton Keynes. Digitrax & Lenz authorised.
  5. Glasgow Model Engineering — Glasgow. Scotland's go-to service.
N Gauge

Best N Gauge Resources in the UK

Top N gauge shops

  • Kernow Model Rail Centre — exclusive N gauge commissions
  • Hattons — widest N gauge range online
  • Gaugemaster — N gauge controllers & track
  • Smiths Model Railways — Graham Farish specialists

Why choose N gauge?

N gauge (1:148 in the UK) lets you build much larger layouts in the same space as OO. Perfect for small rooms, loft conversions and anyone wanting to model long mainline runs. Graham Farish is the dominant UK N gauge brand.

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Photo of the Month

Share your best layout or scenic detail — win great prizes

JUNE 2026 COMPETITION Closes 30 June 2026

This Month's Theme

Best Scenic Detail

Show us your most realistic scenic detail — a village street, a goods yard, a country station, a canal, an allotment. Any scale, any era. The more atmosphere the better.

🎁 Prizes

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1st Place

TBC

Prize to be announced

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2nd Place

TBC

Prize to be announced

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3rd Place

TBC

Prize to be announced

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Every entry gets featured

All entries will be showcased in the newsletter and on this page — whatever your skill level, your work deserves to be seen.

📸 Enter the Competition

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📋 Rules

  • Open to all UK-based modellers of any age and skill level
  • One entry per person per month
  • The photo must be your own work — AI-generated images are not eligible
  • Any scale is welcome — OO, N, O, HO, G, TT:120 and others
  • By entering you give The Model Railway Directory permission to publish your photo in the newsletter and on this website, with credit to you
  • The judge's decision is final
  • Winners will be contacted by email — please ensure your entry email is correct

🗳️ This Month's Entries

Signed-in members can vote for their two favourites. The photos with the most votes win!

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The inaugural competition closes on 30 June 2026. Winners will be announced here on 1 July.

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About the directory

A free, community-built resource for the UK model railway hobby

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Who's behind it?

My name is Dragos. I'm a UK-based railway modelling enthusiast, an active member of the RMweb community, and I sell model railway items on eBay. Like most people in this hobby, I spent years bookmarking dozens of separate websites just to keep track of shops, clubs and shows — and I got frustrated by the lack of one proper place to find it all.

So I built The Model Railway Directory — a free, searchable resource for the whole UK community. No adverts, no fees, no agenda. Just a genuinely useful tool made by an enthusiast, for enthusiasts.

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