All aboard! Hastings Model Railway Club show delights all ages

A model train show delighted hundreds of spectators in Hastings at the weekend.

The Hastings Model Railway Club hosted the show at St Andrew's Hall on Saturday and yesterday.

More than 600 people ventured into the hall to see a variety of displays from the club's members as well as visiting clubs from Wellington, Taupo and Manawatu.

Hastings Model Railway Club life member and hall manager David Smith said the club first held a show to celebrate its 60th birthday two years ago and because of its popularity decided to host another.

People of all ages had come to see the exhibits and it was especially popular with families.

Errol Hantz having a chat about the display. Photo / Warren Buckland

Many of the children had an interest in trains and seeing railways like they used to be, he said.

"It's been absolutely brilliant."

This year's show had also been popular with many people asking if the club would hold another in the future, which was a possibility.

Six Hastings club members had displays and the rest were exhibits from other clubs.

Manawatu had a large railway exhibit which was a big drawcard, Smith said.

Members spent all Friday setting up but taking the displays down only took a few hours yesterday afternoon.

The Hastings club has 29 members who meet each month at each other's houses because they don't have clubrooms.

Money raised from the event will go towards travel expenses to other shows.

There were railways from England, Europe and the United States of a variety of scales. There was even a set made from Meccano.