Christmas Carol Service 13th December on board the Medway Queen 4-6pm
2025-12-13 16:00 - 18:00 UTC | Medway Queen, Medway Queen, Gillingham Pier Pier Approach Rd Gillingham, Kent, ME7 1RX
December 13th Carol Service – Season extended. Medway Queen will be open to visitors during the day.
​We will be holding a Carol Service, with mince pies and mulled wine to follow. Then we will close the ship for the winter. Starting again in the middle of February. No charge, but please book your places.
pambathurst@sky.com

Location: The Medway Queen is berthed at Gillingham Pier, Gillingham ME7 1RX.
Time: The ship will be open to visitors during the day (11am to 4pm, last admission 3pm), followed by the carol service.
Admission: Entry by donation, booking is required for catering purposes (mince pies and mulled wine will be available).
Booking Information: To book your place, please get in touch with Pam Bathurst via email at pambathurst@sky.com or by phone at 07790 179760.

If you wish to attend their carol service, please call, message, or email Pam Bathurst, as numbers are required for catering purposes.
Notes for Visitors:
​Disabled access is limited, and access to the ship depends on the tides. It may also occasionally be necessary to close the ship to visitors because of the restoration work.
​

Maidstone & Mid Kent Model Railway Exhibtion 2025
2025-12-29 10:00 - 2025-12-30 16:00 | Lockmeadow Market Hall, Barker Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8LW, United Kingdom

Saturday 3rd January 2026 - New Year Travelcard Day
2026-01-03 09:00 - 17:00
🚆 Travelcard Day Out – Itinerary
Outbound Journey
Depart Chatham: 09:10 – SoutheasternDepart Strood: 09:17 – SoutheasternDepart Higham: 09:22 – SoutheasternDepart Gravesend: 09:30 – SoutheasternArrive Abbey Wood: 09:57 – Southeastern
📍 Meeting point:Top level at Abbey Wood station, at ground level by the ticket barriers.

London Travel
Depart Abbey Wood: 10:09 – Elizabeth line / SoutheasternArrive Woolwich Arsenal: 10:22
Depart Woolwich Arsenal: 10:32 – DLRArrive Stratford: 11:19
Depart Stratford: 11:41 – Mildmay line (formerly London Overground)Arrive Willesden Junction: 12:20
Depart Willesden Junction: 12:41 – Bakerloo lineArrive Paddington: 13:03
🍴 Lunch break at Paddington

🎟️ What Ticket to Buy
To cover this whole trip, the best option is:
✅ Off-Peak Day Travelcard (Zones 1–6)
You will also need a return rail ticket from your local station to the London Zones boundary.
Best ticket combinations:
If travelling from:

Chatham / Strood / Higham / Gravesend

Buy:

A return ticket to “London Terminals” (or “Abbey Wood”), plus

An Off-Peak Day Travelcard (Zones 1–6)

This gives you:
✔ Travel to Abbey Wood✔ Unlimited use of Underground, DLR, Elizabeth line and Overground in Zones 1–6✔ Travel back home in the evening

💳 Using Contactless or Oyster
You can use contactless or Oyster instead of a paper Travelcard, but check:

Your bank doesn’t charge transaction fees

You always use the same card/device all day

For simplicity on a group trip, a paper Day Travelcard is usually easiest.

🛒 How to Buy Tickets
You can buy tickets:
At the station:

Ticket office (where available)

Ticket machines (choose: “Off-Peak Day Travelcard – Zones 1–6”)

Online (in advance):
From:

Southeastern website

National Rail website

Collect tickets from station ticket machines using the payment card.

🚆 Options for the Return Journey
Option 1 – Go straight home
From Paddington, take the Elizabeth line directly back towards:

Abbey Wood → Gravesend → Medway Towns

Fast and step-free.
Option 2 – Extra railway bonus for enthusiasts 😉
From Paddington:

Take the Hammersmith & City line to Whitechapel

Change to the Elizabeth line for eastbound services

This gives an extra Underground section for those who want more variety.

🧭 Extra Points of Interest
On this route you’ll experience:

The Elizabeth line core tunnel

DLR elevated sections

The new Mildmay Line branded Overground

Classic Bakerloo deep-level tube

Brunel-era Paddington station

Thursday 22 Jan 2026- Social evening and Quiz (not at the Emmanuel Church)
2026-01-22 19:30 - 21:30
Club Talk – Thursday 22 Jan 2026- Social evening and Quiz (venue tbc – not Emmanuel Church)

Regular meetings are usually held on the first Tuesday and the second to last Thursday of each month. Meetings start at 7.45pm at: Emmanuel Baptist Church Hall, Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BB

DEAL Model Railway Exhibition, Saturday 7 March 2026 EKMRS
2026-03-07 10:00 - 16:00 | The Landmark Centre, 129 High Street, Deal, Kent CT14 6BB, The Landmark Centre,, 129 High Street, Deal, Kent, CT14 6BB, United Kingdom
DEAL Model Railway Exhibition, Saturday 7 March 2026
The Landmark Centre, 129 High Street, Deal, Kent CT14 6BB

GRES open day 18th April 2026
2026-04-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Higham Memorial Hall, Rochester, School Lane Higham, Rochester, Kent, ME3 7JL, United Kingdom

BIRCHINGTON Model Railway Exhibition, Saturday 9 May 2026 EKMRS
2026-05-09 10:00 - 16:00 | The Centre Birchington Alpha Road Birchington CT7 9EG, The Centre Birchington, Alpha Road Birchington, Kent, CT7 9EG, United Kingdom
BIRCHINGTON Model Railway Exhibition, Saturday 9 May 2026
The Centre, Alpha Road, Birchington, Kent CT7 9EG

GRES Family day 21st June 2026
2026-06-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Higham Memorial Hall, Rochester, School Lane Higham, Rochester, Kent, ME3 7JL, United Kingdom
For the second year, we are proud to announce Family Day 2026, on 21st June, 2026.
The Gravesend Railway Enthusiasts Society is proud to host our 2nd annual Family Day – a fun-filled event for all ages!
🚂 What’s on:

Model Train Layouts, Demonstrations & Displays
Model Train Sales
Train-Themed Events & Party Hosts
Play Activities for Children
Loco DCC Chip Fitting & Onsite Repairs
Windmill Hill Family-Friendly 00 Gauge Layout

…and much more!
🍩 Snacks, hot & cold drinks available to purchase🅿️ Free parking on site
If you are interested in displaying a layout, running an activity, or hosting a stall, please complete the form below.
GRES Family Day – Exhibitor / Stallholder FormPlease complete this form if you are interested in displaying a layout, running an activity, or hosting a stall.

A £10 pitch fee applies for stallholders if you are not displaying a layout.

Layouts are free to exhibit. and you may sell items if you wish.
Please note we are unable to cover any expenses.Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Full Name *Organisation / Club (if applicable) *Email Address *Phone Number *About Your Display / Stall - What are you planning to bring? *Model Railway LayoutDemonstration / ActivitySales Stall (e.g. models, books, memorabilia)Name / Title of Your Layout, Stall or Activity *Brief Description (for event programme and publicity) *Include Scale / Gauge (if bringing a model railway layout)Approximate Space Required (in ft) *for example, 6ft x 4ft with an addtional 2 ft operating space)How many tables will you require? *Please bring your own if you can as there are limited tables available. tables are 6ft x 2.5ft.
or for Club

Power Requirements *NoneStandard 13A SocketPlease bring your own PAT tested RCD and extension leadsDo you require assistance with setup or unloading *YesNoDo you have any special requirements?Please list any special requirementsWould you like your details included in our public programme / website? *YesNoI confirm I will attend the event on 21st June 2026, accept the £10 fee for stall holders and will be responsible for my own equipment. *AgreeDo not AgreeSubmit
Photos from Family day 2025
A Successful GRES Family Day: A Celebration of Community, Railways, and Fun – Welcome to GRES

Chatham 2026
2026-07-18 10:00 - 2026-07-19 16:00 | The Historic Dockyard Chatham, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, ME4 4TZ, United Kingdom
The Chatham Show 18th and 19th July 2026
Chatham & District Model Railway Club Layouts

HERNE BAY Model Railway Exhibition, Saturday 24 October 2026 EKMRS
2026-10-24 10:00 - 16:00 | Herne Centre, School Lane, Herne CT6 7AP, Herne Centre, School Lane,, Herne, CT6 7AP, United Kingdom
HERNE BAY Model Railway Exhibition, Saturday 24 October 2026
Herne Centre, School Lane, Herne CT6 7AP
