IT was full steam ahead at a legendary model railway exhibition in Thornbury this weekend.

The 46th Bristol Model Railway Exhibition returned to the Thornbury Leisure Centre from Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 4.

Collectors, exhibitors and the curious poured into the centre to admire the intricate displays brought from across the country.

There were over 80 different stands this year, ranging from displays from clubs across the country, through to stalls from museums, model firms and demonstrators.

These stands offered demonstrations on the fine details of model-making, such as how to model narrow-gage railways, through to explaining the history of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s pioneering railway network, the Great Western Railway.

Geoff Weatherall brought his Teeside Steel layout down from Scotland, while other displays came from East Sussex.

Closer to home, the Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Model Railway Club displayed their elaborate layout Severn Mill.

This is based on what might have been if the Midland Railway’s line into Thornbury been extended to the river. The model envisages this as a light railway going to a timber yard with a small station close by.

The club said it was close to finishing its major work depicting the once bustling station of New Sodbury.

Next year’s exhibition date has been set for the weekend of Friday, May 1 2015 – although there will be plenty more model railway exhibits held before then, including the Bristol Model Engineering and Hobbies Exhibition this August and Thornbury club event in November.