The club was formed in 1963 and regularly shows off their displays at exhibitionsUlster Model Railway Club
Meet the model rail enthusiasts creating impressive displays and building friendships from their new hub. The Ulster Model Railway Club was founded in 1963 by a group of like-minded individuals, to promote the interest of railway modelling in its various forms.
The club currently has around 40 members from a wide age range who all share a passion for learning about railway modelling and the history of transport. Over the years, the club’s members have travelled far and wide to show off their displays, including a working replica of Lisburn Station.
Their latest layout, named Millbrook, is based on the Grand Central Railway from the 1960s era industrial setting, and runs a selection of trains from various eras with motorised vehicles. The layout features a quintessential village town, complete with cars and buildings from the era, and an impressive landscape to add to the immersive experience.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, Armstrong Hewitt from the Ulster Model Railway Club opened up on what he loves about being a member of the club.
He said: “It’s an interest that’s associated with everyone, it brings us all together. There’s a tremendous camaraderie between the members when we meet here in the evenings.
“We build on that by going on trips across to England each year to see heritage railways and once a month around Northern Ireland and down to Dublin, and everyone works together.”
Members of the Ulster Model Railway Club at their hub in Dundonald.(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
Members of the club meet on Monday and Thursday evenings, as well as during the day on a Tuesday. Many bring their own rolling stock to run on the tracks, while others gather to watch the trains running, or to talk about their latest projects.
They travel around the UK and Ireland, attending exhibitions where they can show off their displays, explain their inner workings to the crowds, and share a love for the railway.
As for some of their most popular displays, Armstrong added: “We have two layouts which are local layouts. One is a track layout of Lisburn, which is a replica of Lisburn Station and we’ve been showing that for the past ten years or so.
“Recently, one of our members produced a model of Donaghadee. It impressed people so much in Scotland and Birmingham that we’ve been invited over to show it off.”
Ulster Model Railway Club’s new Millbrook layout(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
The Ulster Model Railway Club are hosting an open day at 12pm on April 25 at their new hub in Inspire Business Park in Dundonald and are encouraging anyone interested in model railways to get in touch.
Members are welcomed over the age of 18, no matter their experience. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved in running, building, and learning skills to build their own railway.
Armstrong added: “If anyone would like to join the club, you can come along and have the opportunity to learn, and there’s plenty of experience here to help you develop in your hobby.”
You can find out more about the Ulster Model Railway Club by clicking here.
Video by Belfast Live videographer Justin Kernoghan.
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