Trains sets are a great start to the hobby, and we are keen to encourage people to get more adventurous and turn the train set into a model layout. We welcome visitors to our Thursday evening meetings where we have members at all levels of the hobby who are happy to talk - although booking is required through the What's On page as space is limited due to Covid. And we normally have one of our layouts operating (check out the calendar) where you can see how we've done it. There are model railway exhibitions around the UK almost every weekend of the year and these are great places to learn more. One of the biggest and best is at Alexandra Palace every March, with 40 layouts plus modelling demonstrations to inspire and around 100 traders selling a huge range of products. If you've got a youngster in the house aged between 8 and 14, then please see our Young MRC page.

Almost certainly there will be many photographs of the station, buildings locos and stock for the period you are interested in. Unfortunately we cannot do the research for you. You will need to visit the library to browse through our collection. The first three visits are free. After that, you will need to join our club.

We don't offer specific valuations or buy collections. You will probably find most value from selling the individual components - the locos and stock, perhaps the buildings and also the books. Listing them on ebay will realise their true value - but this is a time consuming job - not only the listing and identification, but also the packing and posting - most will need to be sent recorded delivery. As a guide to value:- an average condition loco will realise £40, carriages £10 and wagons £3. For a low hassle solution, we recommend that you buy a copy of a railway model magazine and consult the small ads at the back. There are many people / companies who want to buy models in bulk. They may also be interested in the books. However, if you would like to donate your locos and books to the Model Railway Club we can certainly ensure that they find a good home.

Our club nights are every Thursday evening from 7pm, when visitors are welcome. Sometimes we have guest Speakers (see the What's On page of this website). Our exhibition layouts are not normally erected in working order as they are often being worked on in sections. However, members often run their trains around the test tracks that we have in the club room. Visitors are more than welcome to come and have a chat, a drink and watch the trains!

Yes - gift memberships are available and make a great present you can renew each year. Please click on the 'Join Us' page for more details of rates, and in the checkout you get the choice to select "gift membership."

The Club is continuing to run, and meetings are taking place under revised COVID safe rules. Details of meetings and how to book are on the What's On page. We are updating our blog more regularly, and sending more frequent email updates to members. So it's still a vibrant club, with lots of chat and modelling activity. Find out more on the Join Us page

Like many model railway clubs, we have a second hand stall at exhibitions, where we sell preowned items that have either been give to us, or on behalf of our members on a commission. The online shop therefore mostly consists of the sort of items you would find on such a stall. Therefore what we have depends on what we are given, and when its gone its gone. Our descriptions are in good faith and on what we can see. Our listings are simple - a photo or two and a basic description of what it is and anything obviously noteworthy. All items are therefore assumed to be preowned and used unless obviously sealed in their original packaging. Whilst locos etc should be runners, as they have been in store they will needs gentle running in and may not work perfectly when delivered. If something is brand new, we will say so clearly.

Weighing and measuring each item to calculate P&P would be too time consuming. so we have set up 'flat rates'. There is an option to collect at no cost - but that requires you to come to Keen House on a Thursday night. For UK deliveries, we have three flat rates based on Royal Mail large letter, small parcel and medium parcel sizes, and the system calculates postage on the highest of the three applicable to the items you have bought. We sell to key international locations too, postage is set at a flat rate as a 'deposit' - the size and weight is more specific to the combined order. You have the right to cancel the order with a full refund if the international P&P price is more than you expect, and we will refund any overpayment on P7P when it it is shipped.