The 2025 NDMRS Show

This year's show was held, as usual, in Bangor Grammar School. On this occasion it happened in April over the weekend before Easter. There were around 80 layouts, displays and tables for model railways, figures, cars, trucks, aircraft, boats, farms, dolls houses, building kits, paints etc. There was a flying show with planes, helicopters and drones plus lots of places where visitors could get their hands dirty building, painting and using their imagination! Trade stands were selling everything needed for your modelling hobby and specialists were there showing how they did it. It was a fun weekend for all the family.

Here are some photos from the biggest model show on the island:

The team from North Down Model Railway Society getting ready to welcome visitors to our 2025 show.

Some famous personalities arrive at our show.

The team from the Model Electronic Railway Group (MERG) were there to demonstrate how electronics can be incorporated into model railways to automate such features as level crossings, points and shuttles.

Every year we have visitors from all over Ireland. The South Dublin club, based in Knocklyon, celebrated their 50th anniversary this year. Here they are with their Flachsberg layout.

We always like to emphasise that this is a model show, not just a model railway show. Exploding Dice is a gaming club and centre that was first established in 2019. It is a not for profit organisation, run by volunteers. They aim to provide a place for the local community of tabletop game enthusiasts to meet and collectively enjoy their hobby.

Visitors to our show get the chance to purchase items for their hobby. The guys from Marks Models, based in Dublin, have a wide range of model railway items including a number specifically for Irish Railways.

There are always lots of second-hand items for sale at the show. Here Mark Kernohan, NDMRS secretary, encourages prospective buyers to open their wallets and purses.

It's not just model trains. Here, members of the Seahorse Model Boat Club display model ships and boats built by their members. There always has to be a Titanic doesn't there?

3D printing has become one of the big things of this century now that the price of printers has dropped to within reach of the average person. Here, members of the Outlaws Hobby and Craft workshop display some of the items they have been able to produce with reels of plastic 'string.'

The beautiful 'European Tramway' by Michael Smith. This layout features all four seasons in a European setting. Moving trams, and moving bicycles, battle for your attention with the gorgeous houses.

In February, NDMRS members Mark Kernohan and Haydn Milligan took a layout to the inaugural Donegal Model Railway Show at the Donegal Railway Museum in Donegal town. The Donegal club was, of course, invited to our show. In addition to literature about their museum they also brought a couple of layouts.

For the duration of the show, the school's gym become an airport. Every couple of hours there was an indoor flying display. Visitors can have a seat and watch planes, helicopters and drones soar and dive around the room.