CALNE’S annual Model Railway Show chugged along nicely at the weekend as crowds gathered at the exhibition which was celebrating its 25th year.

About 1,500 visitors turned up at Calne Leisure Centre to see a variety of train models at the annual event put on by the Bentley Model Rail Group.

The family-friendly show saw different generations admiring a wide range of working layouts representing railways on Saturday and Sunday.

Exhibition manager Geoff Endacott was pleased with the turnout this year.

He said: “Numbers were up from last year. I think it was one of those weekends where the weather helped as people were looking for things to do indoors.

“It went very well. We get generations, grandparents and grandkids who both enjoy the show, which is nice.

“It is a popular, it is one of the most popular hobbies in the country.”

There were 16 different working layouts which represented railways from across the country and throughout the years which enthusiasts queued to see up close.

Among those on display were steam trains of the last century, and diesel and electric train models of the present day.

And knowledgeable rail enthusiasts were on hand to act as a constant stream of information for anyone wanting to find out more about the models on display.

For those who were inspired by the models, there were 14 trade stands selling rail and model-related goodies.

The Bentley Model Rail Group started life at the John Bentley School in 1974 as the school’s model railway club.

In 1994, they regrouped and have gone from strength to strength ever since.

They meet meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7pm in Unit 15 of the Porte Marsh Industrial estate on Harris Road in Calne and new members and visitors are welcome.