Ashford Festival of Railway Modelling 2025
Back in 2025
Following the great success of 2024's Festival, AIMREC is delighted to once again to bring an inspiring and diverse selection of model railways to Ashford's town centre.
Ashford Festival of Railway Modelling April 6-7 2024
What is it?
A weekend event in Ashford Town Centre featuring a model railway exhibition, a photographic exhibition, museum open days, children's activities and a beer festival
Where are the events taking place?
Ashford College, The Elwick Club, Ashford Gateway Plus, The Parish Hall, Ashford Museum, The Craftship, The Coachworks
What will I see?
40+ model railway layouts in different scales from G to N, model railway traders and heritage societies. A photographic exhibition celebrating 140 years of the Maidstone East to Ashford West Railway. A special exhibition called Tracks Across the Spectrum by and for people with autism.
How do I get tickets?
Entrance to the venues will be by wristband which can be ordered in advance on this website for collection, purchased in in advance from Made in Ashford, or purchased at the main venues on the day. Wristband sales will commence in early 2024.
How much will it Cost?
Wristbands are £10.00 for adults. Under 16s and Carers are free.
Is there a map of the venues showing parking?
See the next section!
What will I see at the Ashford Festival of Railway Modelling
Confirmed Model Railways (at January 2024)
Melton Mowbray North - N (John Spence, Steve Weston, AIMREC)
Eastgate Harbour - OO (Robin Brogden)
Wegburg & Arsbeck - N (Eastbourne MRS)
Solden - HOe (John Morgan, AIMREC)
Brief Encounter - OO (Dawn Quest)
Lenham - N (Andrew Town, AIMREC)
Warner's Oak - OO (David Warner)
Wishton - N (John Wylie, AIMREC)
Joganji River - N (John Garner)
Cement Works - OO9 (Chris O Donoghue)
Teapot Railway & Oaklands - N (Brian and Yvonne Chapman)
Somewhere in France - OO9 (Peter Capon)
Travelling to Wedded Bliss - OO (Jeff Harmer)
Mossdale Road - N (David Churchill)
Dublingham Goods - OO (Tony Harris)
Ballyconnell Road - 3mm (Stephen Moor)
St Petrock Quay - O16.5 (Angus Bentley)
Clerely End - O16.5 (Peter Jackson)
Trix Twin - OO (Brian McClilland, AIMREC)
Hornby Dublo 3 rail - OO (Brian McClilland, AIMREC)
Tri-ang - OO (David Johnson, AIMREC)
Trodinnick & Wagon Repair - OO (George Ansell, Ivanhoe MRS)
Hither Green PAD - OO (Carl White, Ivanhoe MRS)
New Dalby - N (Andrew Porter, Ivanhoe MRS)
Snow White's Mine - 009 (Tanya Alvis, AIMREC)
Milton Junction - OO (Chris Alvis, AIMREC)
Lego Railway - 9v system (Phil Waller)
Millfield - OO (Ashford MRC)
Horsmonden - OO (Chris Cooper, Ashford MRC)
Quiet City - N (Martin Temlett, Ashford MRC)
Volks Festival and Round Trees - OO (Roland Crisp, Ashford MRC)
Kineley Halt - OO9 (Nicholas Garner, Bachmann Collectors Club)
Kingsnorth - N (Phil Lambkin)
Bob & Nigels Cardboard World
G Scale Test Track - Kent G Scale Society
G Scale shunting layout - David Groves
Mike Turner GRA - Railway Art
Tales from the Tracks
Traders
Bachmann Collectors Club
Invicta Model Railways
David Wills
Dakota Dibben
Maxitrak
The Wagon Yard
On the Rails
Southern Scale Models
Ron Connor Totems
Peters Railway
Societies
Network Southeast Society
4-Sub Association
EPB Preservation Group
Lynton & Barnstaple Suppporters
140 Years of Maidstone East to Ashford West
The story of a country railway in words and pictures
Working with Ashford Museum, Charingand District Local Historical Society and Hothfield History Society we have curated a display that describes the origins of the line in the late Victorian era through to its use today as a route for charter trains pulled by a variety of classic steam locomotives.
Lost stations, a country manor house, refugees, village life
There's more than meets the eye to this 19 mile route between Maidstone and Ashford along the foot of the North Downs
Buy the Book!
Steve Beck of Charing and District Local History Society will be launching his new book about the history of the line at the opening event of the exhibition. Copies will be on sale over the weekend of 6/7 April and at AIMREC's studio in Bethersden.
Tracks Across the Spectrum
Connecting Railways and Autism
A mix of model railways and Lego displays to be enjoyed by everyone, with features that we hope will be especially entertaining for people on the autistic spectrum.
Holding an Autism Friendly Event
We are consulting best practice guides from the National Autistic Society to make our event autism friendly. We will publish details here in advance when they are ready. If you have experience you can contribute to our aim please get in touch via friends@aimrec.co.uk