Press Releases

Full Steam Ahead for museum’s popular Model Railway Show

Big, small, real or model, there’s something for everyone at the National Slate Museum’s annual Model Railway extravaganza coming up this half term, between 22-24 February 2017.

The show, which attracts thousands of visitors and enthusiasts every year, is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy railway displays - including substantial layouts by well known local railway clubs such as Colwyn Bay and South Caernarfonshire as well as by enthusiastic individuals!

As well as shed-loads of model railway layouts of all shapes and sizes – from ‘00’ gauge to the ever popular ‘32’mm gauge engines - there will be numerous activities to enjoy including free rides for children on miniature steam engines, daily demonstrations and talks and family activities.  Historically, narrow gauge railways were fundamental to slate quarrying operations and the museum’s own collections include the quarry steam engine UNA which will be in steam again this year up and down the museum yard. Other engines on show include Dorothea, a ‘coffee pot’ scale model of a type of engine built by De Winton at Caernarfon towards the end of the nineteenth century, as well as a battery powered engine built in the First World War.

The popular ‘train table’ or ‘test track’ will be back as well - giving children a chance to bring in their own ‘00’ engines to run on a large layout track and new for this year – and to celebrate the fact that 2017 is the year of legends – local author Tony Roberts will be holding storytelling sessions from his popular new book ALFIE AND THE DRAGON on Thursday and Friday 23 and 24 February.

“The Model Railway Show has grown to become a really popular part of the north Wales events calendar and we look forward to it every year.’ explained Marketing Officer Julie Williams. “It’s a jam-packed 3 days of family fun for the half term and with Free admission, it’s an opportunity not to miss!

Why not make a day of it and visit nearby Llanberis Lake Railway which is open for business too between 19th – 26th February, with train rides along the beautiful Llyn Padarn.

The Model Railway Show runs from February  22 - 24  February 2017  between 10am and 4pm. Entry is FREE.

 

This activity has been made possible thanks to the generous support from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and we’re very grateful for their support.

For more information contact the Museum on 02920 573700. @amgueddfalechi #modrailshow17

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For further press information and photographs please contact Julie Williams on 02920 573707  julie.williams@museumwales.ac.uk.