Directory
HO clubs, societies and exhibitions in the UK
Places to meet other HO modellers in Britain: clubs, societies and shows we found with HO (continental or North American outline) — with where and when, as each one publishes it.
Clubs and societies 6
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Continental Railway Circle
Society or association- Where
- London (and Stafford)
- Models
- Real (prototype) railways outside the British Isles; talks in London
A prototype enthusiasts' group rather than a modelling club; useful for research. Site updated July 2026; the https version showed a certificate warning.
Website: Continental Railway Circle Checked 18 October 2026 · Source: continentalrailwaycircle.org.uk, railwayclubdirectory.com/continental-railway-circle
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Austrian Railway Group
Society or association- Where
- UK
- Models
- Austrian railways, from main line to narrow gauge, with a modelling aspect
Website: Austrian Railway Group Checked 18 October 2026 · Source: austrianrailwaygroup.co.uk, railwayclubdirectory.com/austrian-railway-group
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German Railway Society
Society or association- Where
- UK
- Models
- German railways, real and model; quarterly magazine Merkur; publications for Epoch I–IV modellers
Founded 1981. Its Globalrail show is not currently running (per its site).
Website: German Railway Society Checked 18 October 2026 · Source: grs-uk.org, grs-uk.org/shows, railwayclubdirectory.com/german-railway-society
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The British 1:87 Scale Society
Society or association- Where
- UK
- Models
- British-outline models in HO (1:87)
Formed 1994. Listed as active at Companies House (04104470). Its old website (british-ho.com) showed a certificate error on 18 Oct 2026, so no website is given.
Checked 18 October 2026 · Source: find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04104470, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HO_scale
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NMRA British Region
Society or association- Where
- UK and Ireland (local groups)
- Models
- North American (US-outline) modelling; NMRA standards and Achievement Program; members model UK, US and continental
Region of the US-based National Model Railroad Association. Convention 23–25 October 2026 (per its site).
Website: NMRA British Region Checked 18 October 2026 · Source: nmrabr.org.uk
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Swiss Railways Society
Society or association- Where
- UK regional branches
- Models
- Swiss railways and transport, including modelling; quarterly Swiss Express
Formed 1980.
Website: Swiss Railways Society Checked 18 October 2026 · Source: swissrailsoc.org.uk
Exhibitions and shows 3
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London Festival of Railway Modelling
Exhibition or show- Where
- Alexandra Palace, London
- Models
- 40+ layouts across gauges, 90+ trade stands
2026 show was 21–22 March 2026; check for 2027 dates. Clubs and societies exhibit.
Website: London Festival of Railway Modelling Checked 18 October 2026 · Source: world-of-railways.co.uk/information/the-londo…of-railway-modelling
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National Festival of Railway Modelling
Exhibition or show- Where
- NEC Birmingham
- Models
- UK's largest model railway show (organiser's description); 65+ layouts, 120+ exhibitors
21–22 November 2026.
Website: National Festival of Railway Modelling Checked 18 October 2026 · Source: world-of-railways.co.uk/news/national-festiva…kets-are-now-on-sale
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Model Rail Scotland
Exhibition or show- Where
- SEC Hall 3, Glasgow
- Models
- Large independent show run by AMRSS Ltd
26–28 February 2027.
Website: Model Rail Scotland Checked 18 October 2026 · Source: modelrail-scotland.co.uk
Sources
Checked 18 October 2026.
- world-of-railways.co.uk/information/the-londo…of-railway-modelling (world-of-railways.co.uk)
- world-of-railways.co.uk/news/national-festiva…kets-are-now-on-sale (world-of-railways.co.uk)
- modelrail-scotland.co.uk (modelrail-scotland.co.uk)
- continentalrailwaycircle.org.uk (continentalrailwaycircle.org.uk)
- railwayclubdirectory.com/continental-railway-circle (railwayclubdirectory.com)
- austrianrailwaygroup.co.uk (austrianrailwaygroup.co.uk)
- railwayclubdirectory.com/austrian-railway-group (railwayclubdirectory.com)
- grs-uk.org (grs-uk.org)
- grs-uk.org/shows (grs-uk.org)
- railwayclubdirectory.com/german-railway-society (railwayclubdirectory.com)
- find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04104470 (find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk)
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HO_scale (en.wikipedia.org)
- nmrabr.org.uk (nmrabr.org.uk)
- swissrailsoc.org.uk (swissrailsoc.org.uk)