The popular image of model railway enthusiasts may be granddads and grandsons building a layout in the loft. But one of the country’s most popular train shops is run by two sisters, Anne Martin and He

Northern engineering endeavour, tinged with 1980s teenage memories, inspired Alistair Stripp to model a Scottish Highland railway, ‘Beachdale’.

George Dent pays a visit to Merseyside Model Railway Society’s Birkenhead clubrooms, discovers some great layouts, enjoys a convivial atmosphere… and parks himself on some very special seats!

All of the layouts featured in Model Rail ...

Ben Ando is the founder of Revolution Trains and a regular contributor to Model Rail .

GARY ESSEX looks at the railways that have successfully diversified their income streams, from contract work for main line operators to reinventing themselves as invaluable training sites.