THE FIRST MODEL WORLD LIVE!
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the first Model World LIVE at the NEC in Birmingham on April 27/28 2024. We've had an amazing response to the launch for the new National Modelling Exhibition. Save the date for 2025, when we plan to be back at the NEC on April 26/27 for our second show - full details will be published right here once they are confirmed.
Highlights of the 2024 event included:
- Pete Waterman and the Railnuts achieved an official Guinness World Record for the Largest Portable Model Railway - look out for the full story in HM205, on sale June 6 2024.
- Class 37 37108 was transported to the show as a centrepiece locomotive sponsored by Accurascale, Reid Freight Services and Key Model World.
- Midland Military Vehicles brought two stunning restorations to the show - an FV107 Scimitar and FV434.
- More than 35 model railways and over 35 scale modelling displays took part alongside more than 70 traders plus demonstrations.
- Radio controlled trucks and aircraft displays lined up for the first year showcasing their models.
We would love to see your images from the show. Use #modelworldlive on Facebook, X and Instagram so our team can find them.
Once again, thank you for joining us for Model World LIVE and we look forward to welcoming you back on April 26/27 2025.
Mike Wild
Publisher, Modelling
MODEL WORLD LIVE 2024 IS SPONSORED BY
Model World LIVE latest news
Bachmann Europe and MCC sponsor Model World LIVE
Bachmann and MCC are sponsoring Model World LIVE on April 27/28 at the NEC in Birmingham with stands for Bachmann Europe, Pocketbond and a Make and Take interactive stand for visitors.
Model World LIVE expands to Hall 12 at the NEC
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.
Model World LIVE line up expands
The layout and display list for the first Model World LIVE event at the NEC in Birmingham on April 27/28 2024 is shaping up with five new layouts being revealed alongside the first scale modelling displays
VIDEO: Making Tracks: The Final Frontier
Pete Waterman and the Railnuts are planning a massive expansion of Making Tracks for the brand-new Key Publishing Model World LIVE event on April 27/28 2024. We meet with Pete to find out more about this bold plan.
TEN layouts revealed for Model World LIVE 2024
The first ten model railways for Key Publishing’s brand-new Model World LIVE event at the NEC on April 27/28 2024 have been revealed.
Model World LIVE layouts 2024
Stodmarsh by the Gauge O Guild
Stodmarsh combines railway modelling with a military theme by recreating the East Kent Railway in southern England during the Second World War. Find out more about this exhibit from the Gauge O Guild here and see it at Model World LIVE on April 27/28 2024.
Dobson Bridge by the Gauge 1 Model Railway Association
The Gauge 1 Model Railway Association will be exhibiting at Model World LIVE on April 27/28 2024 with its Dobson Bridge layout which will feature electric and live steam locomotives in action from association members.
Beijiao - China in the 21st century in HO scale
THIS 'HO' gauge layout was inspired by my many trips to China to photograph the last of Chinese steam and the layout is set in 2001 when steam traction was still in daily use.
Norman Colliery - an O gauge colliery layout
Norman Colliery was born out of a need to have somewhere to shunt wagons about with my growing collection of early design diesel shunters and presents the end of the colliery era Britain.
Halland - a OO gauge Northern England branchline
Halland is a branchline terminus set in Northern England and modelled by John Gay. See it at Model World LIVE on April 27/28 2024.
Click here to view all the layouts for Model World LIVE 2024.
Model World LIVE scale modelling displays 2024
Models for Heroes Model Making Charity
The Models for Heroes Model Making Charity will be displaying its latest builds and raising awareness of its activities to support armed forces, veterans and emergency services personnel with the modelling hobby. Find out more at Model World LIVE on April 27/28 2024.
IPMS Great War Special Interest Group
The Great War Special Interest Group displays include models of all aspects of the Great War, including aircraft, tanks, artillery, dioramas and vignettes. See the latest models from the SIG at Model World LIVE on April 27/28 2024.
Tamiya Trucking radio controlled road vehicles
Tamiya Truckin is a Special Interest Group (SIG) where like-minded Tamiya enthusiasts get together at shows across the UK to display their 1/14 scale radio controlled creations. See the latest display layout at Model World LIVE on April 27/28 2024 at the NEC in Birmingham.
West Midlands Police Scale Model Club
The West Midlands Police Scale Model Club will be exhibiting at Model World LIVE on April 27/28 at the NEC in Birmingham.
RAF Brize Norton Scale Modelling Club
RAF Brize Norton Scale Modelling Club will be attending Model World LIVE 2024 with its latest model builds.
Click here to view all the scale modelling displays for Model World LIVE 2024.
Model World LIVE special features 2024
Model World LIVE demonstrations 2024
Click here to view all the demonstrations for Model World LIVE 2024
Visitor Information
Venue
Hall 12, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1NT
When
April 27/28 2024, Doors open at 10am (9.30am for advance ticket holders) until 5pm on Saturday and until 4pm on Sunday.
Tickets
Advance ticket holders receive entry 30 minutes earlier than the normal opening times.
On-the-door tickets will be available on each day the show is open from the Ticket Desk at the Main Entrance.
A child ticket is valid for children between 5-16 years of age.
Persons over 16 years of age will be charged an Adult ticket price and there are no concession tickets for persons over 60 years of age.
| TICKET TYPE | ADVANCE PRICE | ON THE DOOR PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Adult VIP (advance only) | £50 | - |
| Adult | £16 | £19 |
| Adult Subscriber | £14 | £19 |
| Child (Saturday) | £9 | £10 |
| Child (Sunday) | FREE* | FREE* |
* 2 children max per paying adult
Model World LIVE – Disabled Visitor Policy
Model World LIVE does not offer a special rate to disabled visitors, but does offer free admission for carers who are accompanying disabled visitors.
A maximum of one carer for each disabled visitor is permitted access to the Show free of charge to accompany and enable the disabled person to visit the exhibition.
Carer admission tickets are not available online and can only be collected from the Model World LIVE Ticket Desk situated inside the Main Entrance.
Visitors who have the following documentation are entitled to one free carer ticket, however, the visitor with the disability and any further members of their party will pay full price.
Visitors can use the following documentation as proof of disability:
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Attendance Allowance (AA)
Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
Blind Persons Registration
Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
Visitors must show the relevant paperwork at the Ticket Desk when they buy or collect their ticket.
Getting to the Event
BY ROAD: The National Exhibition Centre is signposted from all motorways and major routes including the M42, M40 and M6 - just pop B40 1NT in your sat nav to get to the NEC Site. Once on site please stop using your Sat Nav and follow the digital screens to direct you to the car park. The postcode will not take you to the car park for your event, so please ignore your Sat Nav and follow signage instead.
Parking is available on site managed by the NEC. Parking prices have been updated by the NEC as of January 25 2024. On the day parking costs £18.95 per day. Pay for your parking in advance for Model World LIVE and save £5. Advance parking can be bought in advance of the event direct from the NEC now helping to spread the cost of admission.
Visit the NEC website to book your advance parking and SAVE!
BY RAIL: The National Exhibition Centre is connected directly to the main line railway network at Birmingham International station. Direct services run all day through the station with connecting trains available from Birmingham New Street for those travelling from further afield. New Street station is less than 15-minutes by rail and the location of Model World LIVE will be signposted through the venue to get you to the right hall.For more information, visit National Rail or call them on 08457 484950.
BY AIR: The National Exhibition Centre is located adjacent to Birmingham International Airport with regular flights arriving from across Europe and beyond. On arrival use the fast and free air-rail link to reach Birmingham International station from the upper level of Terminal 1 and you can then follow the signs to walk to Hall 12. The train runs every two minutes and only takes 90 seconds.
National Exhibition Catering Outlets.
Indoor catering will be available inside Hall 12 during the event. Opening times to be confirmed.
Exhibitor Information
Risk Assessment Form for Exhibitors and Traders
Event Rules & Regulations - coming soon.
Covid Regulations
Model World LIVE will adhere to Government regulations that may be in place in respect of COVID-19 at the time of the show. For updates on this please refer to www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Email communications
All marketing emails about Model World LIVE will be sent by Key Publishing or Key Model World. Please be aware that emails selling data related to modelling events are not from Key Publishing and are false offers.
Event Contact Details
General Enquiries
Julie Hawes
Email: julie.hawes@keypublishing.com
Model Railway and Scale Display Enquiries
Mike Wild
Email: mike.wild@keypublishing.com
Trader Bookings
Matt Sinclair
Tel: 01780 755131