Model railways aren’t running out of steam

Concerns were raised recently about an apparent lack of interest in model railways in the younger generations, leading to a lack of staffing at key enthusiast events.

The Warley National Model Railway Exhibition was suspended, and Hatton’s Model Railways shop announced it would cease trading. Both begged the question: is the hobby running out of steam?

“Absolutely not,” says Peter Davies, chairman of Market Deeping Model Railway Club. 

“In the last five years we’ve seen our membership increase 150 per cent, with 11 per cent of those under the age of 18.”

Celeb fans such as rocker Rod Stewart, who has himself a 124ft long model railway, have raised the hobby’s profile too, and its benefits go further than mere fun. 

“It’s a brilliant creative outlet, an excellent stress release and a great way to learn a whole variety of new skills. It can also be extremely sociable and fun. And, as the hobby goes digital, phone and tablet control is possible too, making it even more relevant to our new IT-savvy youngsters,” says Peter. 

Here three unlikely fans reveal why their hobby is still making tracks.  

Enthusiasts come in all ages – my 14-year-old son is proof

Becky Sheldon, 39, a cost manager, lives in Lincolnshire with her husband, Andi, 43, and children Bailey, 14, and Betsy, seven

Becky says: “Model railways aren’t mine or Andi’s thing but our son, Bailey, has been a fan since birth. As a tot he loved Thomas The Tank Engine and as he got older we started taking him to model railway exhibitions.

Then in 2019 I saw on Facebook that a lady called Aileen was setting up a model railway enthusiast club for children in and around Stamford. Bailey started going along. 

Someone donated a working layout for them to work on and he loved being able to set up and run the trains, lay track and learn how to make scenery for the backdrops.

After lockdown, Market Deeping Model Railway Club then invited youngsters to join, which was fantastic as they have a great level of skill and expertise to share. 

Bailey is normally a very shy boy and has had terrible anxiety in the past. He finds social situations difficult. But if you talk to him about model railways he will talk and talk, so being able to go somewhere with like-minded people is giving him confidence and bringing him out of his shell – as well as learning skills for life.”

Bailey says: “I enjoy going to the club because everyone is friendly and they give me good advice. A couple of the members are teaching me to make models – skills I will use forever. I have made friends there and it’s nice to share my interest with like-minded people.”

My hobby was inspired by a trip on the Glacier Express

Gilly North, 84, a retired technical assistant, lives in West Sussex with her husband, Peter, 91

Gilly says: “Retired and looking for a hobby, my husband Peter suggested joining our local model railway club.

‘You can do it but I’m not,’ I replied, not thinking for one minute it was something for a 70-year-old woman like me.

But then in 2020 we celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary with a trip on the Glacier Express across Switzerland from St Moritz to Zermatt.

My breath was taken away by the grandeur and precision of the locomotive, and views of the Alps, many viaducts and beautiful snow covered scenery were absolutely stunning.

It ignited an interest in trains. On our return I started going along to West Sussex N Gauge Model Railway Club with Peter.

It didn’t matter that I was the only female exhibitor, everyone was incredibly friendly.

Whilst I loved learning about the trains, I soon realised my passion lay in creating the scenery for the layouts. I started creating them in our spare room. 

My first modular layout was ‘Gilly’s Alps’, inspired by our holiday, which won me the Club Cup and encouraged me to continue. The next was based on the coal mines in Mountain Ash, Wales, where I was evacuated during the war with my mother and sister, to my grandmother’s house.

I enjoy taking my layouts to shows and at the last one, in Milton Keynes, I was awarded Best in Show out of 34 others.

I became a model railway enthusiast late in life and I’ve learnt on the job. I’ve made a huge circle of friends and at 84 I’m proof that it really is a hobby for everyone.”

The future of model railways lays with women

Dawn Quest, 54, a TV producer and journalist, lives in Tonbridge, South East

Dawn says: “I have always loved art. So about two years ago when a friend asked me to help paint the figures of his model railway, I really enjoyed it.

And, as I looked at his layout I thought: ‘I could create these trees and houses.’

So I started dabbling with my own models and soon I was hooked.

My children are 18 and 22 so I had time on my hands. I set myself the challenge of creating an exhibition layout.

I sought advice then worked from the ground up, creating the baseboard then the track, wiring, foundations and scenery.

I based it on the film Brief Encounter and thought it would be particularly effective in monochrome.

There were endless trips backwards and forwards to B&Q getting different shades of grey paint. It took me about six months in total and when I exhibited it at the Woolwich Show in London in December 2023 I had a fantastic response.

I’ve done more shows since and I’m taking it to Belgium in April this year.

Keen to share my passion with others, last October I started a YouTube Channel called Model Railway Quest, which has now got more than 7000 followers. I’ve also started a Facebook group called The Women Railway Modellers Group.

I’ve met a lot of women model railway enthusiasts. Many have come to it later in life when they have more time as their children grow up.

The model railway hobby isn’t dying, it’s just changing. 

Although I’ve only been in the model railway world for two years, I’ve made so many friends through it, male and female.

Some prefer the locomotives and trains, whereas others prefer the modelling and artistry, so it really does offer something for everyone.”