MORE than 700 people recently flocked to Troon Concert Hall for the annual exhibition organised by Irvine-based Kyle Model Railway Club. This was up 25 per cent on the year before.

Feedback from visitors was very positive and they took great advantage of the catering which was provided for the first time.

The clubs invited were largely local with the furthest coming from Dundee. Models on show covered the principal smaller scales with N gauge and the most popular, OO gauge, featuring alongside HO gauge bringing a continental flavour and OO9 representing narrow gauge railways.

The show featured modelling demonstrations and association promotions as well as being attended by four traders who reported brisk sales.

“Best in Show” award went to “Barnsford Bridge” presented by Renfrewshire Model Railway Club. This OO scale layout is set against a modern Scottish railway industry background set broadly in Glasgow and held the attention of the youngsters in particular because of the many working features with which they could identify. It was a worthy winner, taking nearly half of the whole visitor vote based on a greatly increased participation compared with previous years.