Press Releases

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 14 – 17 February 2008.

The show, which attracts thousands of visitors and enthusiasts every year, is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy numerous working and static displays, including substantial layouts by well known local railway clubs such as Colwyn Bay, South Caernarfonshire, Wrexham and much further afield!

As usual there are numerous activities to enjoy including free rides for children on miniature steam engines and trains, daily demonstrations and talks as well as shed-loads of engines and layouts of all shapes and sizes – from 00 gauge to the collections owned by Mr Paul Perryman and his colleagues, who bring their unique and popular collection of 32mm gauge engines.

“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 museum Keeper Dr Dafydd Roberts.

The National Slate Museum has a lively interest in rail heritage, after all, narrow gauge railways were fundamental to slate quarrying operations and our own collections include the quarry steam engine UNA.”

Once again the children’s train table or ‘test track’ will feature in the events, as Marketing Officer Julie Williams explained:

“Obviously many of the layouts we have here at the Museum are very precious to their owners therefore we only encourage children to look and not touch them. The children’s train track however is different and just for kids – small and big! They can have a go at driving the engines themselves or they can even bring their own 00 gauge engines to go along the track.

And throughout the Half Term week (10 -21 February 2008 ) the Llanberis Lake Railway will be open for train rides along the beautiful Llyn Padarn (for an additional charge) making a visit to the event a complete rail lover’s dream and a great day out for all the family!

The Model Railway Show runs from February 14 - 17 2008 between 10am and 4pm.

Entry is FREE . For more information contact the Museum on 01286 870630.

Entry to all Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales sites is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales is the new name for the National Museums & Galleries of Wales, which operates seven museums across Wales - National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

For more press information and photographs please contact Julie Williams on 01286 873707 or e-mail: julie.williams@amgueddfacymru.ac.uk

Photographs are available from the National Slate Museum.