Dozens turn out for hugely'¨popular rail model exhibit

ENTHUSIASTS young and old turned out for a major rail model exhibition.
Fareham Rotary Club's Rotrail 2016 - a display of Brighton EastFareham Rotary Club's Rotrail 2016 - a display of Brighton East
Fareham Rotary Club's Rotrail 2016 - a display of Brighton East

The fourth annual Rotarail Model Railway Exhibition was held at Fareham College on Saturday.

And more than 20 different railway layouts were on display for experts and newbies to enjoy alike.

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The brainchild of Chris Thomas, the event was put on with the help of the Rotary Club of Fareham.

From left, exhibition manager Chris Thomas,  Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham Councillor Mike Ford and his wife Anne and the President of the Rotary Club of Fareham Bob MussellwhiteFrom left, exhibition manager Chris Thomas,  Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham Councillor Mike Ford and his wife Anne and the President of the Rotary Club of Fareham Bob Mussellwhite
From left, exhibition manager Chris Thomas, Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham Councillor Mike Ford and his wife Anne and the President of the Rotary Club of Fareham Bob Mussellwhite

Chris said: ‘It went extremely well, we had 21 layouts and some of them really are excellent quality.

‘Being an exhibitor myself I’ve got two of my own layouts.

‘I know most of the people and that helps to persuade them to come to our show.

‘The nicest thing is we’ve had people ask to come back.’

From left, exhibition manager Chris Thomas,  Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham Councillor Mike Ford and his wife Anne and the President of the Rotary Club of Fareham Bob MussellwhiteFrom left, exhibition manager Chris Thomas,  Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham Councillor Mike Ford and his wife Anne and the President of the Rotary Club of Fareham Bob Mussellwhite
From left, exhibition manager Chris Thomas, Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham Councillor Mike Ford and his wife Anne and the President of the Rotary Club of Fareham Bob Mussellwhite

Pam Marsden, from the Rotary Club, said: ‘There were the most amazing layouts.

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‘These people come from all over the country and at about 6.30am they started setting up.

‘If you just get down at that level you’d think you were on the railway watching them.’

Along with the different exhibits stalls were selling secondhand pieces for enthusiasts.

And the event received a major boost after being listed as the second-best exhibition to attend over the weekend in a national model railway magazine.

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Pam added: ‘It was absolutely brilliant, we had a gorgeous day and an awful lot of people, and a lot of repeat visitors.

‘For anyone just learning we had all the people in the know.

‘We’ve got the experts who really want to talk about it and share their hobby.’

The event ran yesterday between 10.30am and 5pm.

Adults paid £6 on the door and under-12s paid £2 – with cash going to support charity.

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Naomi House and Jacksplace Hospice are set to benefit from the event.

The Mayor of Fareham Councillor Mike Ford also visited the exhibit on Saturday.

For more information about the Rotarail event and for contact details for next year see rotarail2016.webs.com