The National Festival of Railway Modelling

The National Festival of Railway Modelling is back at the NEC Campus, Hall 5 on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November, the UK's biggest model railway exhibition. It's a huge one, and it's sponsored this year by Rapido Trains UK.

The main draw is the layouts. There are over 65 of them, all curated by the British Railway Modelling editorial team, so you're seeing a selected range rather than just whatever happened to be available. Then there's the World of Railways Stage, which works as a hub for inspiration and practical advice throughout the weekend: leading modellers and industry experts take turns sharing tips, techniques and insights, so it's a good place to pick up something you can actually use on your own bench. Beside that is a trade hall with more than 120 manufacturers, retailers, clubs and societies, meaning you can get your hands on new kit and chat with the people who make it.

It's not all for the serious modellers, though. There are family-friendly bits too, like the Marble Express Train Game and a free ride-on train, and a few specific demos to keep an eye out for: a MIG Ammo demo, a True to Scale demo, and the Make a Scene 2026 Grand Final. If you're going with kids, the ride-on train is a nice easy way to get them involved without needing to know a thing about gauges or eras.

It runs Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm, with doors opening at 9:30am for pre-booked ticket holders. Adults are £25 in advance and £30 on the day; a weekend ticket is £45; children are £8; and a family ticket is £58. Pre-booked parking is £10 if you sort it by 23:59 on 20 November. The venue is NEC Campus, Hall 5, NEC Birmingham, B40 1NT.