Second event showcases awesome model railways alongside RC fighter jets and cars

Stonham Barns Park will be hosting its second ever model railway show in a few weeks time and – according to the organisers – The Model Railway and Remote-Control Show on Sunday 24 March will be bigger and better than the first.

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 around 16 of the best model railways layouts 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.

Added to this will be remote-control exhibits of all shapes and sizes with the largest being some fighter jets, a Jet Provost and a Lancaster Bomber from the Bury Model Flying Club.

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.  As with most things, the hobby boomed during the time we were all confined to our homes during the pandemic.’

‘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 ignited the imagination of both exhibitors and visitors and this year we are broadening the appeal of the show with the addition of static displays from the Bury Model Flying Club along with other remote-control exhibits including Scaletric sets.’

James Ladell and his son Alexander from the Bury Model Flying Club will be attending the show with a number of their scale models.  Both participate in world events flying – most recently representing England in Italy – and the pair are looking to do the same in Qatar 2025.

Said James Ladell, ‘What a fantastic opportunity to show the public what a great hobby building and flying radio-controlled model aircraft can be. We wanted to support this event as a club as it brings together people who are passionate about models and how they can work together to achieve remarkable things.  It’s a hobby that can lead young people to STEM sciences to help with their future careers and so very useful too. We have every type of model aeroplane ranging from a WW1 Fokker Fighter to a hugely impressive WW2 Lancaster bomber that is awesome to watch.  However, we will be keeping our models firmly on the ground for this show – while running one or two of them up for fun!’

‘We are looking forward to meeting other enthusiasts from the modelling fraternity – to talk tactics – and hopefully to make it a day to remember.’

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 models and 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 £7.50 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).

Stonham Barns Park 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.

For further information contact the Events Team at [email protected] or 01449 711111