Model Railway Club members meet weekly at Keen House in King’s Cross to share ideas and skills

THREE years ago, headlines across the capital were declaring model railways as a dying hobby.

The pastime of building miniature recreations of real railway systems, complete with scaled down trains, tracks and scenery, was said to be losing relevance in a digital age of staring at screens.

But at Keen House, in King’s Cross, home to the world’s oldest Model Railway Club, members say enthusiasm for the meticulous craft is anything but in decline.

“I can honestly say model railway is thriving,” said Carole Bevis-Smith, chair of the Model Railway Club.

“It’s become more mainstream now, and far more diverse in terms of age and gender. In the past people may have thought it was quite nerdy but now people are not shy to say they enjoy it. People say they find their tribe here.”

Founded in 1910, the Model Railway Club has around 300 members, including 50 under the age of 18 through its Young Model Railway Club.

Ms Bevis-Smith, who has been a member of the club for 47 years, said: “It’s lovely seeing young children do something they enjoy and being away from the screens for a change, actually working and learning how to do something with their hands.

“They are learning so much, using their maths and art skills and if they are really interested in the railways they will be thinking about geography and history too.”

She added: “They have a wonderful time but also we find that mum, dad or grandparents that come with them will be sitting there and get involved too.”

The club’s purpose-built premises in Calshot Street, constructed in 1960, includes a workshop where models are built from scratch, an extensive library with more than 5,000 specialist railway books, test tracks, layout building spaces and a bar where members can enjoy a pint while running their engines.

Hugh Smith

On Thursday club nights, adult members gather to meet fellow modellers and swap hints and tips.

Ms Bevis-Smith said: “I’ve always been interested in making and building things. When I was a child there was a really good toy and model shop round the corner so that was where all my money went.

“Otherwise I’d be flicking through model catalogues thinking how lucky I’d be to have a railway.

Paul Chapman holding a model Class A4 Sir Ralph Wedgwood LNER

“Modelling can be a very solitary hobby, so we go against that here meeting face to face.

“There used to be some divisions in what scales you model, or whether you model Great Western or steam trains, but now everyone mucks in.”

In its early days, model railways were largely the preserve of the wealthy. Ms Bevis-Smith said this was one of the reasons the club was able to build its own premises, thanks to generous investments.

Yami Ali, left, with Carole Bevis-Smith

The King’s Cross location was also convenient for early members who worked in the City and could travel there easily after work.

John Jesson, who became a member of MRC in 1965, added: “The club was very autocratically run in those days like a lot of other clubs at the time. The people that tended to be at the top tended to have a lot of money and were rather autocratic with the way it was run.

“Now everyone tends to use their skills to do what they can to help out the club. It’s a typical family. There can be arguments about different models – but we all get along and have this very common interest.”

High profile enthusiasts of the hobby include musicians Jools Holland, Neil Young, Sir Elton John and Sir Rod Stewart, who is said to take a table on tour to set up his layouts so he can model before going on stage to calm his nerves.

“Mindfulness has been a buzzword for the past 10 years but we’re doing it here all the time,” said Ms Bevis-Smith, adding that the hobby demands perseverance.

Some of the club’s layouts, such as Copenhagen Fields, a highly detailed model of the King’s Cross area set in the early 1930s, have been under construction for more than 40 years and take up to five hours to set up.

Ms Bevis-Smith added: “People seem to give up quite quickly these days. They haven’t got that patience or resilience to be able to keep on going. Model railway is a test of determination.”

The Model Railway Club offers rooms for hire, and those interested in becoming a member can find more information on its website. www.themodelrailwayclub.org/