Key Publishing’s brand-new modelling exhibition is expanding to a bigger hall at the NEC as we reveal the first sponsor for the 2024 show – model manufacturer Accurascale.
THE POPULARITY of Model World LIVE at the NEC in Birmingham on April 27/28 has seen the event move to the larger Hall 12 at the venue to offer more than 10,000 square metres of space to the joint railway and scale modelling show.
Above: John Gay’s Halland revives the final years of branch line steam on the Midland Region in ‘OO’ gauge, as featured in HM188.
Model World LIVE’s guest list is growing rapidly with new layouts, displays, demonstrators and traders joining the line up - plus this month, Accurascale has been confirmed as a sponsor for the show.
Key Publishing’s Publisher, Modelling, Mike Wild said: “We are delighted to have Accurascale onboard as a sponsor of Model World LIVE in our first year and we are all eagerly looking forward to opening the doors to the show on April 27/28. Model World LIVE and Accurascale have exciting additions to the show to reveal next month.”
Above: Accurascale is the first sponsor to be announced for Model World LIVE and will be bringing its show stand and the latest product samples to the show.
Accurascale Sales & Marketing Director Fran Burke added: “We are absolutely delighted to be supporting Model World LIVE and we’re very excited by the concept of this show. After the sad loss of the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition, it is wonderful to see that there will be a large modelling show at the NEC, showing that there still is a bright and positive future for the hobby.
“Having personally attended multi-disciplined modelling shows such as Dortmund, we feel that the UK will greatly benefit a show of various modelling disciplines, showcasing inspirational modelling techniques and ideas. We personally cannot wait to meet the public at the show, show off our latest models and of course, see the biggest iteration of Pete Waterman’s Making Tracks to date, another project we are proud to support. We might even bring something extra special with us too for the weekend which could catch the attention of many attendees. Watch this space and see you there!”
Above: Large scale modellers will be delighted to see Melin Llechi in 16mm scale at Model World LIVE.
Above: Burn Thorn and Sons is a busy 'O' gauge shunting scene displayed by Joshua Haworth at Model World LIVE.
The latest layouts to be revealed for the show offer a cross-section of British and overseas prototypes across the scales. The latest additions are Melin Llechi in 16mm scale by the Melin Llechi Group, Andy Miller’s busy vintage model railway I’Ad That in ‘OO’ gauge, John Gay’s branch line terminus Halland (HM188), the Gauge 1 Model Railway Association’s Dobson Bridge layout, Joshua Haworth’s Bury Thorn and Sons in ‘O’ gauge and Malcolm Rochford’s recreation of Austrian narrow gauge railways in ‘HOe’ scale.
These latest additions bring the layout tally revealed so far to 21 – view all the layouts announced so far online. These are being joined by an extensive list of scale modelling displays including aviation, military, figure, sci-fi, maritime and automotive subjects from the likes of the IPMS London Branch, Caen Model Club, the Airfix Model World magazine team and more.
Above: Andy Miller’s I’Ad That will bring nostalgia to the show with its impressive display of original and customised Hornby Dublo, Tri-ang and Lima models amongst others in ‘OO’. Andy Miller.
Above: Narrow gauge railway operations in Austria will be represented by our latest overseas layout to join the Model World LIVE line up – Malcolm Rochford’s ‘HOe’ scale Gresten. Malcolm Rochford/Continental Modeller.
The event is also attracting a large range of trade stands with more than 60 already confirmed including event sponsor Accurascale together with Squires Model and Craft Tools, Heljan, Revolution Trains, West Hill Wagon Works, TMC, Gaugemaster and many more.
Advance tickets are on sale now offering reduced price entry to the show. Discounted advance ticket prices are £16 for adults (£14 for subscribers) and £9 for children (Saturday) while a VIP ticket is available for £50 offering two-day entry to the show, £25 of Key Publishing publications and more. On the day prices are £19 for adults and £10 for children. On Sunday, up to two children will be admitted free with each paying adult.
NEC parking prices are £18.95 on the day, but parking can be paid for in advance of the show offering a £5 discount for exhibition visitors.
Book advance tickets for Model World LIVE today and SAVE!
MAKING TRACKS: THE FINAL FRONTIER
The centrepiece of Model World LIVE is Pete Waterman and the Railnuts’ expanded Making Tracks layout which is aiming for a new record by delivering a ‘OO’ gauge model railway 208ft long and 14ft wide featuring more than 240ft of scenery.
The expanded layout will build on the Grand Challenge from the 2023 Great Electric Train Show by using Making Tracks 1, 2 and 3 while adding brand new scenes modelling Blisworth, Watford Junction station, Bushey viaduct and Bushey station – all in time for Model World LIVE on April 27/28.
Pete and the team are working on the new extensions and we will be bringing you progress updates in future issues and online. Here is a taster of progress so far…
Above: The Railnuts are working on creation of lower end boards which will take the scenery around one end of the Making Tracks layout to model Bushey Viaduct on the approach to the station.
Above: Track through Watford Junction station is now complete with work continuing on the scenery around the tunnel portals.
Above: Pete Waterman and John Riley set out the track through Watford Junction in December.
Above: The platforms at Watford Junction are 13ft long – this is one of three stations which will make up Making Tracks: The Final Frontier for Model World LIVE.
THE DETAILS
When: April 27/28 2024
Where: Hall 12, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1NT
Times: Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm, Sunday 10.00am-4.00pm
(advance ticket holders enter from 9.30am)
Website: www.keymodelworld.com/modelworldlive
Contact: 01780 480404
Tickets: Adult advance £16, child advance £9 (Saturday only), adult subscriber £14, VIP £50. Adult on the day £19, child on the day £10 (Saturday only). Up to two children under 16 admitted free with each paying adult on Sunday only.
