Model Railway Weekend

“For 2026 we are pleased to announce that the event will be bigger, broader, and more exciting than ever before.”

Hi all, my name is Stepney and this year is my 150^th year!

I am a small Terrier locomotive. I live and work at the Bluebell Railway. I have had all sorts of fun and adventures here at the railway and now it’s my big birthday.

Some of you will know when the Rev W Awdry visited the Bluebell Railway many years ago and then wrote a story about me and the preservation work of a Heritage Railway. That was very exciting! In his book he wrote about me visiting the Island of Sodor and making lots of new friends.

Please come and visit me during our model railway weekend, meet some of my friends, some very old and some not so old. For more information sign up to our newsletter and social media channels – there are exciting things to tell you about later in the year!

The Ffarquhar Branch is a model railway of outstanding historical importance, created by the Rev. W. Awdry, author of The Railway Series. First built in 1955, it was designed from the outset as an exhibition layout, reflecting Awdry’s lifelong passion for realistic railway operation and accurate modelling.

In 1968, the layout was comprehensively rebuilt into the form we see today. This redesign allowed it to fit more easily within Awdry’s new home and, famously, into the boot of his new car, ensuring it could continue travelling to exhibitions. By this point, most of The Railway Series had already been written, so the layout was not created to develop the stories themselves. However, it continued to influence Awdry’s work, later inspiring characters and events that appeared in his final book, Tramway Engines.

Although the layout dates from the mid-1950s, much of the rolling stock predates it. The model of Percy, for example, was built in 1948 to show the illustrator how this new character should appear during the preparation of Troublesome Engines. Similarly, the origins of Awdry’s Stepney models lie in 1963, when they were constructed to demonstrate the locomotive’s complex livery in three dimensions for illustration purposes.

The layout represents the terminus at Ffarquhar and its surrounding branch line, capturing the character of a lightly-built rural railway. It showcases Awdry’s belief that model railways should operate as real railways do, combining visual charm with credible, engaging operation.

Today, the Ffarquhar Branch is carefully preserved by the Talyllyn Railway, and its appearance at the Bluebell Railway Model Railway Weekend offers a rare opportunity to see a layout with direct links to both railway and literary history.

We are very grateful to everyone at the Talyllyn Railway for their support in making this special appearance possible.

The Ffarquhar Branch will be on display alongside a wide range of other layouts, traders, and attractions, all set within the unique living heritage environment of the Bluebell Railway.

For 2026, the Model Railway Weekend will take place across two of the Bluebell Railway’s principal stations — Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes. By spreading the event across both sites, visitors will be able to enjoy a significantly expanded programme featuring a wide variety of model railway layouts, displays, and demonstrations, all set within the unique heritage surroundings of the railway. Each station will offer its own selection of attractions, encouraging visitors to explore more of the line and experience the event in full.

The Bluebell Railway’s Model Railway Weekend offers far more than an outstanding collection of model layouts. It is a chance to enjoy the full Bluebell experience, combining the fascination of model railways with the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of one of Britain’s leading heritage railways.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy heritage train rides along the line, travelling through the Sussex countryside behind beautifully restored locomotives. These services allow you to experience real steam and diesel traction alongside the model displays, making the event ideal for both enthusiasts and families.

The railway’s Museum will be open, providing an opportunity to explore the history of the Bluebell Railway and the wider story of Britain’s railways through carefully curated exhibits and artefacts. For those interested in restoration and engineering, the Carriage & Wagon Works will also be accessible, offering a fascinating insight into the skilled craftsmanship required to maintain and restore historic rolling stock.

A range of catering facilities will be available across the railway, including the Bessemer Arms at Sheffield Park, which will serve hot meals, light snacks, and refreshments throughout the day. Whether you’re stopping for lunch or simply taking a break between layouts and train rides, there are plenty of options to suit all tastes.

Alongside the celebration of Stepney, the Model Railway Weekend will once again bring together an exciting mix of high-quality model railway layouts, specialist traders, and displays. From detailed scale models and innovative modelling techniques to inspiration for both newcomers and experienced modellers, the weekend aims to showcase the very best of the hobby. Further details about attending layouts, traders, and special features will be announced in due course.

The Model Railway Weekend is designed to appeal to a wide audience — from dedicated railway modellers and enthusiasts to families looking for an engaging and enjoyable day out. With activities and displays spread across two stations, combined with the opportunity to travel on the railway itself, the event offers a full and varied experience for visitors of all ages.