It was full steam ahead at Axminster’s first Model Railway Exhibition on Sunday at Axminster Station. 

The event was formally opened by Axminster’s Mayor Jill Farrow releasing the leaver at 10:00am on Sunday June 30. 

Exhibitionist from Axminster, Bridport and Sidmouth all had a fantastic day showcasing their layouts. The work in progress layout from community group “for the love of a Railway” engaged with the community about their new venture which will be opening in Axminster in the next few months which will see the layout in the former River Cottage shop move to its brand new home. 

Jack Price, from Axminster Railway Kitchen said: "We are looking forward to hosting another Model Railway Exhibition in 2025."

Working alongside Jack is the team of enthusiasts who have over recent months initiated the ‘For the Love of a Railway’ model of the Axminster to Lyme Regis line and displayed it in an empty restaurant in the town centre.

They are currently, in the process of turning that model into a town centre experience for the community and visitors alike.

In display was a 00-gauge model of Axminster Station and the wider town, that they are currently revamping for long-term display at the Community Waffle House in Axminster.

The exhibition also raised funds for their new centre in Chard Street, Axminster.

Other layouts at the exhibition included:

  • Crossways Wagon Works by John Cavell - a large scale 0-gauge layout that operates without curves or points and uses two different rail sizes. The manoeuvring of wagons in a tight space is intriguing.
  • Happy Shunting 2 by Geoff Trenholme - another amazing 0-gauge that operates as a shunting puzzle. The user picks a random card and is then challenged to shunt wagons to a given final order.
  • Backbrook by Richard Ball - a cameo layout based around a small goods warehouse adjacent to a town in the south of England. Another layout with a built-in puzzle that demonstrates that you don’t need much space to create something special.
  • Quarry by Craig Harwood - the layout began quite simply with a box of a given size into which Craig planned his quarrying scene to fit.

Two layouts contributed by Axminster station employees featured Thomas the Tank Engine. 

There will also be a stand where enthusiasts can buy model railway merchandise, while local model railway experts PECO will be bringing display material.