PEOPLE flocked to the annual Calne Model Railway Show at the weekend to see layouts representing tracks from the UK, Germany, Switzerland and even JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth.

An estimated 1,400 people visited the 18 layouts and multiple trade stands that were on show.

The annual event, which is in its 22nd year, included layouts ranging significantly in date with models of trains from the 1920s all the way to the present day.

Exhibition manager Geoff Endacott said: “It went really well. We had about 1,400 visit, which is similar to last year so I’m reasonably pleased with that.

“It’s hard to pick out a highlight. People like different things and we like to have something for everyone.

"The fact is that people keep coming back year in and year out, which is great.

“We get lots of families down and some children were crying because they wanted to stay longer.”

The popularity of model railway exhibitions is refusing to wane, with Mr Endacott confirming that bookings have already been completed for the 2016 show to ensure that the best layouts are secured.

Next year’s show will be on January 23 and 24, 2016.

For enthusiasts unable to wait that long, the next Bentley Model Railway Group show will be the 2015 Trainwest exhibition at the Christie Miller Sports Centre in Melksham on April 11-12.

The big attraction in Melksham is expected to be the Gresley Beat layout of 1920s and 1930s Kings Cross in London, which measures 40ft by 20ft. It is only seen at a limited number of shows because of its size.

For details on Trainwest, visit www.bmrg.org.uk