Model railway exhibition

Maximus Goodwin, seven, with his dad's layout. D14201412a

The Sompting and District Model Railway Club welcomed 11 exhibitors and 276 visitors and two traders to Sompting Village Hall in West Street, Sompting, for its annual exhibition.

Model railway fans from as far away as Hastings and Eastbourne came to have a look at the trains, tracks and tunnels and trees on display.

Club president Alan Peacock exhibited a German-based layout, the Banhoff Hofen, for the first time at the event, which was a particular highlight.

The club’s publicity member, Len Crocker, said the word was spreading about the event, which had been an improvement on last year’s.

“We are getting known a bit wider and we are pleased about that,” he said.

“It was good to know that we had increased our footfall and we look forward to next year and hope it’s as successful.”

Len said children, and some of the adults, very much enjoyed making their own layouts and running their own trains at a stand especially for the younger railway enthusiasts.

He added that the standard of exhibitions was particularly high this year.