If you’ve got even a passing interest in model railways, ABRAIL 2026 is one to put in the diary. Held across two full days at Abingdon & Witney College, this is a big, busy show with 45 quality layouts, plenty of traders and society stands, and a proper exhibition atmosphere.
Quick details
- Event: ABRAIL 2026 (The Abingdon Model Railway Show)
- Dates: Saturday 7 March 2026 and Sunday 8 March 2026
- Times: Saturday 10:30–17:00, Sunday 10:30–16:30
- Venue: Abingdon & Witney College, Wootton Road, Abingdon, OX14 1GG
- What’s on: 45 quality layouts, traders, societies, and demonstrations
- Attendance: More than 4,000 visitors across the weekend
Official show info: abrail.org.uk
Why ABRAIL is worth the trip
ABRAIL is one of those exhibitions where you can make a whole day of it, whether you’re there to study realistic scenic work, see a favourite scale in action, or just wander and get inspired. With layouts across a wide range of gauges and eras, plus traders and societies on hand for advice and supplies, it’s a great event for beginners and seasoned modellers alike.
Trainsporters will be attending
Trainsporters will be at ABRAIL 2026 too, so if you’re coming along, do stop by and say hello. It’s always good to chat with fellow modellers, talk through what you’re working on, and pick up a few ideas while you’re enjoying the show.
Confirmed layouts for ABRAIL 2026
Here’s the current confirmed list of layouts:
- Artist’s Valley (OO)
- Ashfield (N)
- Atherley Narrows (HO)
- Barnard Castle (EM)
- Blackfriars Bridge (P4)
- Bottom of the Barrel (OO)
- Bridge Street (N)
- Brinklow (N)
- Buxton (2mm FS)
- Corrieshalloch (2mm FS)
- Cowley Yard (O)
- Dawlish Warren (N)
- Dorehill St Stevens (OO)
- Duxbury (OO)
- Eardley Mor Halt (OO)
- Eastgate Harbour (OO)
- Fredstone Lane (N)
- Funville (OO)
- Golden Mile (2mm FS)
- Hatch End (N)
- Helston? (OO)
- Hergest (OO and OO9)
- Heybridge Wharf (3mm)
- Holgate (N)
- Horsebridge Wharf (EM)
- Incyhra Paper Mill (OO)
- Kinmundy (EM)
- Lambourne (2mm FS)
- Les Caves du Roy (HO)
- Live Steam Roadshow (OO)
- Manston Airport (OO)
- Market Bosworth (P4)
- Midford (N)
- Moor Boxes (N)
- Newchapel Junction (O)
- North Cornwall Brewery (OO)
- Pine Bluff’s Freight Yard (HO)
- Rainbow Rock (Gn15)
- Rye Sands (OO)
- Sandsifters (P4)
- Sheepcroft (EM)
- Silverbury (OO)
- Sodor Island (OO)
- Stanhope Brewery (OO)
- Tan-y-Bwlch (OO9)
- Wantage Tramway (P4)
- Wendover (OO)
- Wheal Imogen (OO)
- Wickwar (N)
- Wolfstatt (HO)
- Woodhead (N)
Layout lists can change as the show approaches, so it’s worth checking the official site for any updates: ABRAIL 2026 updates.
Societies attending
- Great Western Society / Didcot Railway Centre
- Pendon Museum
- Oxfordshire Railway Society
- Great Western Study Group
Traders attending
- TTC Diecast
- Neil Cresswell
- Videoscene
- Don Bishop Photography
- Aspire Gifts
- Vintage Traction
- Sunningwell Command Control
- Book Law Publications
- Model Railway Bits
- Saddletank Books
- Starlight Models
Tickets and more info
For full details (and any updates as the weekend approaches), the best place to start is the official ABRAIL site: abrail.org.uk. If you’re planning ahead, you can also use the site’s ticket link to grab entry in advance.