The National Festival of Railway Modelling

The National Festival of Railway Modelling returns to the NEC Birmingham on 21–22 November 2026, bringing together thousands of enthusiasts for the UK's biggest model railway exhibition.

Sponsored by Rapido Trains UK, this spectacular two-day event showcases the very best in railway modelling, with 65+ expertly curated layouts selected by the British Railway Modelling editorial team. Gain inspiration and practical advice at the World of Railways Stage, where leading modellers and industry experts share tips, techniques and insights.

Explore 120+ manufacturers, retailers, clubs and societies, offering everything from the latest releases to specialist tools, scenery and accessories. Enjoy family-friendly attractions including the Marble Express Train Game and a FREE ride-on train. Whether you're a lifelong modeller or just discovering the hobby, this is an unmissable weekend of inspiration, shopping and entertainment.

The National Festival of Railway Modelling takes place at NEC Birmingham, 21–22 Nov 2026. If you are exhibiting, we design, build and install custom exhibition stands here. Over a show of this length, the stands that perform are the ones where the layout was decided before the visuals.

The NEC is the UK's largest exhibition venue, and the scale changes what works. Halls are vast with long sightlines, so height, lighting and branding readable from the aisle do more work than detail at eye level. Build and breakdown run to allocated slots, and vehicle access to the loading bays is booked in advance.

A full build covers design, manufacture, transport, installation, on-site management and dismantle, along with the RAMS, structural sign-off and contractor coordination the venue requires. You do not need to wait for a callback to find out what it costs — enter your stand dimensions in our online builder for an instant estimate.