Fareham club confirm 2026 model railway exhibition
By Simon Key
FAREHAM MODEL RAILWAY CLUB will mark their upcoming sixtieth anniversary by hosting their largest RailEx Fareham event to date; which will feature more than thirty model railway models in comparison to twenty-one last year and an additional room will be used for the two day event.
The occasion will take place from October 3 to October 4 (Saturday and Sunday) at Fareham Leisure Centre with organisers hoping to top their 2025 edition; where approximately 1,500 visitors came to explore the models and ask questions of creators. Club Chairman Lyndon Ford spoke about the upcoming landmark as he stated in a press release:
“This is a landmark year for the club. We are celebrating our 60th anniversary by staging the largest RailEx Fareham to date, with more than 30 layouts and an additional exhibition room. We are proud of how the event has grown and look forward to welcoming enthusiasts, families and first-time visitors.”
Among the headline exhibits will be Chris Cleveland’s Ropley, which is a detailed OO-gauge model of the station and engineering centre on Hampshire’s Watercress Line. It was featured as Railway of the Month in the May 2024 edition of Railway Modeller. There will also be something for families and enthusiasts throughout the celebratory showcase.
For example, on the interactive OO-gauge Children’s Corner layout, children will be able to drive trains themselves. Separate activities will include a colouring competition divided into three age groups and a QR-code treasure hunt around the exhibition.
Visiting organisations will include MERG, Friends of the National Railway Museum, the Gauge O Guild,the Railway Correspondence & Travel Society and Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust. The latter will operate a free heritage bus between Fareham railway station and the exhibition.
The Fareham & District Model Railway Club began in summer 1966 after Fareham schoolboy Paul Stevenson placed an advert in hobby magazines asking local enthusiasts to form a club. Early ambitions included a55-foot OO-gauge model of Fareham Station, while the nearly 30-foot N-gauge layout Overslo was taken to exhibitions by train.
After several changes of home, the club moved into its present Portchester premises in 2006. It now has nearly 50 members, sharing skills including electronics, engineering, art, research and scenic modelling. A club stand at RailEx will explore this 60-year story.
The club’s Chairman of Trustees said: “For 60 years, our members have supported one another, shared knowledge and helped people discover the many skills involved in railway modelling. I am proud that, after missing only one exhibition because of Covid, we came back successfully and can now expand RailEx into another room. By embracing new technology, we are also organising the event more effectively and giving visitors an even better experience.
Income from RailEx supports the club’s charitable work, facilities and sharing of practical skills. The club is also developing workshop days where children can run their own trains and learn introductory modelling skills.
Doors will be upon from 10am to 5pm on October 3 (Saturday) and 10am to 4pm on October 4 (Sunday) with adults able to buy advance tickets for £10, or £12 on both days. Children go free and every visitor will receive a free exhibition guide, whilst visitors are invited to book ahead to save 17% and further using the dedicated FastTrack queue via www.fareham-mrc.org.uk.
Free visitor parking will be available throughout the event with the venue’s postcode being: Fareham Leisure Centre, Park Lane, Fareham, PO16 7JU. Refreshments are available from the leisure centre café whilst all exhibition areas are wheelchair accessible.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM MODEL RAILWAY CLUB: Visitors enjoy the exhibition of model railways in Fareham Leisure Centre in 2025 as organisers announce details of this year’s celebration event.
