HUNDREDS of people headed to Monmouth Leisure Centre on Sunday (February 12) for the annual model railway show organised by the town’s Rotary Club.

The sixth annual show featured 36 layouts created by modelling clubs from across south Wales, the west of England and the Midlands.

They featured steam, diesel and electric locomotives in scenes inspired by British, European and North American railways.

Among the local clubs were the Forest of Dean Model Railway Club and the Tintern-baed Wye Valley Railway Society.

The best in show award went to the Bristol-based Barnhill Model Railway Club’s layout

Monmouth-based model makers Rowland and Colin Markey displayed their intricate miniatures of buildings and machines which were constructed with matchsticks.

The father and son team have spent the last 27 winters constructing anything from Stephenson’s locomotive Rocket to a cottage, and a showman’s engine with working fairground organ.

Mr Rowland Markey said: “The showman’s engine was the first one we made and it was done as a Christmas present.

“We have been doing it for 27 years and each winter we try and get one or two made every winter.

“Everything we have made is on display – the cottage, for example, has around 10,000 matches.”

The money raised by the show will go to support local organisations through Monmouth Rotary Club.

Peter Pearce, who organises the show with Terry Ing and David Forbes, said: “It is growing every year and it is very popular.

“We started six years ago with 10 layouts and this year we have 36 – clubs and visitors come from a long way to see the show.

“We had people queuing outside the centre before we opened at 10am.

“Last year we raised £2,000 and it would be nice if we could raise a similar amount this year – it will go to good causes.”

The show also depends on volunteer stewards from the Rotary Club, some of whom spent their time directing traffic in the cold and rain.

•See the Review for more photographs.