{"id":873997,"date":"2026-04-05T16:07:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T16:07:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/873997\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T16:07:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T16:07:42","slug":"the-northern-ireland-model-railway-enthusiasts-creating-impressive-displays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/873997\/","title":{"rendered":"The Northern Ireland model railway enthusiasts creating impressive displays"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The club was formed in 1963 and regularly shows off their displays at exhibitionsUlster Model Railway Club<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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 <a aria-label=\"railway modellingLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfastlive.co.uk\/all-about\/travel\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">railway modelling<\/a> in its various forms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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&#8217;s members have travelled far and wide to show off their displays, including a working replica of <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfastlive.co.uk\/all-about\/lisburn\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Lisburn<\/a> Station.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33197597\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfastlive.co.uk\/news\/explore-uks-cleanest-walking-trail-33197597\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Explore the UK&#8217;s &#8216;cleanest&#8217; walking trail in Co Antrim<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33167268\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfastlive.co.uk\/whats-on\/town-colourful-cottages-stunning-coastal-33167268\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Town with colourful cottages and \u2018stunning\u2019 coastal walks 30 mins from major airport<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Speaking to <a aria-label=\"Belfast LiveLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfastlive.co.uk\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Belfast Live<\/a>, Armstrong Hewitt from the Ulster Model Railway Club opened up on what he loves about being a member of the club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: &#8220;It&#8217;s an interest that&#8217;s associated with everyone, it brings us all together. There&#8217;s a tremendous camaraderie between the members when we meet here in the evenings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;We build on that by going on trips across to England each year to see heritage railways and once a month around <a aria-label=\"Northern IrelandLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfastlive.co.uk\/all-about\/northern-ireland\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Northern Ireland<\/a> and down to <a aria-label=\"DublinLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfastlive.co.uk\/all-about\/dublin\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin<\/a>, and everyone works together.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Members of the Ulster Model Railway Club at their hub in Dundonald.\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_Model-Railway-Club-_JK-01.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Members of the Ulster Model Railway Club at their hub in Dundonald.\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Members of the Ulster Model Railway Club at their hub in Dundonald.(Image: Justin Kernoghan\/Belfast Live)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">As for some of their most popular displays, Armstrong added: &#8220;We have two layouts which are local layouts. One is a track layout of Lisburn, which is a replica of Lisburn Station and we&#8217;ve been showing that for the past ten years or so.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Recently, one of our members produced a model of <a aria-label=\"DonaghadeeLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfastlive.co.uk\/all-about\/donaghadee\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Donaghadee<\/a>. It impressed people so much in Scotland and Birmingham that we&#8217;ve been invited over to show it off.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ulster Model Railway Club's new Millbrook layout\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_Model-Railway-Club-_JK-07.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Ulster Model Railway Club's new Millbrook layout\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Ulster Model Railway Club&#8217;s new Millbrook layout(Image: Justin Kernoghan\/Belfast Live)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Ulster Model Railway Club are hosting an open day at 12pm on April 25 at their new hub in Inspire Business Park in <a aria-label=\"DundonaldLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.belfastlive.co.uk\/all-about\/dundonald\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Dundonald<\/a> and are encouraging anyone interested in model railways to get in touch.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Armstrong added: &#8220;If anyone would like to join the club, you can come along and have the opportunity to learn, and there&#8217;s plenty of experience here to help you develop in your hobby.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">You can find out more about the Ulster Model Railway Club by <a aria-label=\"clicking here.Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/UMRCbelfast\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Video by Belfast Live videographer Justin Kernoghan.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a aria-label=\"Making us your preferred source on GoogleLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=belfastlive.co.uk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Making us your preferred source on Google<\/a> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">means you\u2019ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a aria-label=\"click hereLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=belfastlive.co.uk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">click here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The club was formed in 1963 and regularly shows off their displays at exhibitionsUlster Model Railway Club Meet&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":873998,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5011],"tags":[88580,64468,9315,1144,183,16,15],"class_list":["post-873997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-northern-ireland","tag-co-down","tag-dundonald","tag-fun-stuff","tag-northern-ireland","tag-travel","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116352965782731136","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=873997"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873997\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/873998"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=873997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=873997"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=873997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}