A brand new show for 2023 showcases the beauty and wonder of model railways
Stonham Barns Park will be hosting its first ever Model Railway Show on Sunday 19 March (10.00am – 4.00pm). The show will demonstrate the amazing skill of a range of model railway enthusiasts who recreate the beauty and wonder of rail transport systems in perfect detail.
Visitors can expect to see some of the best model railways from around the UK covering all major scales/gauges and meet members of a variety of clubs and societies. There will be a range of model railway layouts on show from manufacturers including Hornby, Bachmann and Dapol.
Said organiser Richard Ward, ‘Model trains and railway settings have always been popular in the UK and the hobby is still very big news today.’
‘It is an infinitely creative hobby and new technology has brought a new dimension to the pastime. Who doesn’t like to see and hear historic trains in small scale settings. It is the hobby that keeps giving. It’s not only building the layouts, but also enhancing them by adding landscaping and weathering. Model railways offer infinite layout possibilities and that’s what makes the subject so interesting.’
‘Our debut show will bring together all the enthusiasts to discuss their latest projects and some people who are just keen to fire their imaginations with a spectacular model railway show.’
YouTuber Lawrie Rose of Lawrie’s Mechanical Marvels (LMM) is bringing a layout to the show based on Scole Railway near Diss built by William Betts in the 1860s. Lawrie has a collection of around 20 vintage vehicles including trains, steam engines, tractors, fire engines and cars. Based in East Anglia, he reviews a range of rare and interesting vehicles with a team who work on restorations at their site, The Shed.
There will be food and drink on site as well as many traders alongside the model railway layouts. Children can ride on Stonham Barns Park very own mini train round the site, and there will be other attractions around the site on the day.
Tickets are £5 per adult, with under 12s entering for free! Exhibitors and traders will also be offered free entry and pitches.
Visitors can also stay on Stonham Barns Park campsite by bringing their own tent, caravan, or motorhome. Weekend stays are also available in the luxury bell tents and holiday homes (that sleep from 4-6 people).
A recent multi-million-pound improvement programme at the site is set for roll out during the Spring/Summer with brand new leisure facilities including a leisure lake for SUP and other non-motorised sports, and an Adventure Footgolf Course. The mid-Suffolk visitor attraction is best-known for its award-winning Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, Teapot Pottery, holiday park and campsite. It also features a café restaurant, golf centre, sports bar, fishing lakes, 40-outlet retail village including antique centre, garden centre and events showground.
It has been serving the community of Suffolk since it first opened in 1987 and is still as much a family destination as it was when it first opened, and it is now becoming a more prominent part of Suffolk tourism which is growing exponentially year on year. Stonham Barns Park itself welcomes many visitors from all over the UK – particularly from London, the South-East and from as far away as The North and Scotland.
Dogs are welcome at Stonham Barns Park including show days but must be kept on leads at all times. Please be aware that some shows may have spontaneous loud bangs.
For further information contact the Events Team at [email protected] or 01449 711111
