A FAMOUS model railway exhibition celebrated its 60th anniversary with 'exceptional' success.

The Kendal Model Railway Club celebrated its six decades of railway modelling at the Lakes Leisure Centre.

Chairman of the Club Dave Grime said the event 'went very well' with 1800 people attending.

Mr Grime said they had people coming from "quite a long distance to see the show."

He added: "There was quite a few Scottish accents around so I assume they came down from Southern Scotland."

The Westmorland Gazette: The cake was shared out between their members, traders and exhibitors.The cake was shared out between their members, traders and exhibitors. (Image: Dave Grime)

To celebrate their 60th anniversary they prepared two cakes to thank those who were involved in the project, including members, traders and exhibitors.

"We had a bit of a get together before the show opened on Sunday with everybody, including with the three long serving members cutting the cake", said Mr Grime. 

Kendal Model Railway Club has 26 members from places such as Kendal, Penrith, Kirby Stephen, Lancaster, Ulverston and Kirkby Lonsdale.

The event is already booked for next year at Kendal Leisure Centre during the last weekend of January.

The chairman said that they are "hoping for the same results" for next year.

The 2023 edition had 12 layouts from different parts of the country, including their own.

The Westmorland Gazette: Layout built by one of their members Dave Atkinson to keep himself occupied through the lockdown.Layout built by one of their members Dave Atkinson to keep himself occupied through the lockdown. (Image: Submitted)

They had fifteen traders, many of which were local, and one particularly from Bognor Regis.

Four railway groups and societies, including the Lakes Line Rail User Group, Eden Valley Railway, Stephenson Locomotive Association and Cumbria Railways Association, also attended.

"The aim is to provide a high-quality exhibition with something for all tastes", said Mr Grime.

Starting in 1963 the club has had a number of homes over the years, including someone's cellar and a room in the Friends Meeting House.

A number of layouts have been constructed over the years, some of which have visited exhibitions up and down the country including their own. This continues today, based at their current home, the Bryce Institute in Burneside.

For more information and exhibition updates please visit their website at www.kendalmrc.org