THOUSANDS of model train enthusiasts steamed into Thornbury over the weekend as the leisure centre was taken over for an exhibition.

The Bristol Model Engineering and Model Making Exhibition, which took place between Friday and Sunday, saw more than 3,500 visitors coming from across the country, with some even coming from as far afield as Norway.

In total, four halls were filled with a wide range of trade stands for tools and materials together with displays from clubs, societies and individual model engineers and model makers.

Attractions even extended to outside the centre, where there was an exhibition of real life steamers – miniature traction engines, agricultural engines and fairground organs.

The exhibition also featured a large display of models of Swindon-made locos to celebrate Great Western Rail’s 175th anniversary of Swindon Works, and working model hot air balloons provided by the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust to showcase Bristol’s historic aeronautical engineering heritage.

Steve Birch, exhibition manager for the Bristol Society of Model and Experimental Engineers, said: “It is fantastic to see how the event was received, with lots of people able to come and enjoy themselves.

“The majority of comments we received were very positive and have given us plenty of ideas for next year.

“There were plenty of things for the younger visitors to do, with flying model aeroplanes, model hot air balloons and drones being one of the particular favourites.

“We are very pleased with how the exhibition turned out this year, and take great pride in it being one of the best, if not the best, exhibition of its kind in the country.”

Mr Birch confirmed that work had already begun to organise next year’s exhibition, which would again take place in the middle of August.