IT is their star exhibition of the year and at the weekend 1,300 enthusiasts of all ages flocked to Alton Model Railway Group Febex 2018, where the theme was “There is always room for a model railway”.

It was held at Eggar’s School, Holybourne, and the huge exhibition filled two halls and the foyer with a spectacular selection of model railways which brought compliments on the high standard of the exhibits from Steve Flint, editor of Railway Modeller magazine, when he opened it on Saturday morning.

Organised by James Taylor with help from the group’s committee, this year’s exhibition is one of the best they have held, with both large and small displays and some that really caught the imagination, such as the tiny engine and carriages running round a track on a lavatory seat.

Or the radio-controlled steam trains, demonstrated by a modeller from Henley in Berkshire on a 34-long track – just one example of the enthusiasts who had travelled from all over the country to exhibit or attend this year’s Febex event.

There was so much variety of rail layouts to choose from that it was hard to judge which were the best, but the overall winner of the PELO Publication Shield was Peter Beckley with his Harlyn Pier layout, which he based on a fictional railway in Cornwall.

With food and drink served during the two days by Four Marks Scouts, as always the exhibition proved a highlight for rail model enthusiasts, small children and those who just like to see the wonder of small railways on imaginative layouts.

“You could say it was one of our best exhibitions ever,” said committee member Alan Rose. “A lot of hard work and effort goes into organising the event, but it is worth it as it is our big fundraiser for the group and helps us cover our expenses.”

Alton Model Railway Group is holding an open day at the 8th Alton Scouts headquarters at Anstey Park on Saturday, February 25, from 10.30am-4pm, when folk are invited to go along to view the models on display and chat to members about the activities of the club.

* The group meets every Monday, expect bank holidays, at the Scout headquarters from 8pm-10.30pm and new members are always welcome.