Welcome to GRES

Club Talk – Tuesday 7th July 2026- Memories of Britain's railways - James Willis and Jeremy Washington
2026-07-07 19:30 - 21:30 UTC | Emmanuel Baptist Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church Hall, Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BB
Tuesday 7th July – Memories of Britain’s railways – James Willis and Jeremy Washington
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

Modelling Group Evening 16th July 2026
2026-07-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Essex
GRES also has a dedicated sub-section for members who are passionate about model railways. Our focus is primarily on 00 Gauge, and we work on both personal layouts and two club layouts that we maintain collectively.
We hold meetings twice a month at our venue in Longfield, Kent, providing an opportunity for members to collaborate, share ideas, and work on layouts together. The specific meeting dates can be found here.
To become a part of the GRES Model Railway Club, you will need to have an active GRES membership as well as a subscription to the Model Railway Club.

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

Modelling Group Evening 29th July 2026
2026-07-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Essex

Club Talk – Tuesday 4th August 2026 - Preserving the Ruston & Hornsby 88DS' - Graeme Gleaves
2026-08-04 19:30 - 21:30 | Emmanuel Baptist Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church Hall, Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BB
Preserving the Ruston & Hornsby 88DS’ – Graeme Gleaves
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

Modelling Group Evening 13th August 2026
2026-08-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Essex

Southwark and District MRC Exhibition and Summer Fete 2026
2026-08-22 10:00 - 17:00 | St Peter’s Church, Walworth Liverpool Grove, Walworth Road London SE17 2HH, St Peter’s Church,, Walworth Liverpool Grove, Walworth Road, London, SE17 2HH, United Kingdom
📅 Date & Time
Saturday 22nd August 2026 Open: 10:00 – 17:00
📍 Venue
St Peter’s Church, Walworth Liverpool Grove, Walworth Road London SE17 2HH
🎟️ Admission

£5 Adults
£2 Children & Concessions

🚉 Access & Transport

Event held over three levels within the church
Wheelchair access available to the ground floor Church and lower‑level Crypt Hall
Excellent public transport links via Elephant & Castle Rail & Tube
Multiple bus routes along Walworth Road
Some refreshments available on site

⭐ What You’ll Find

Lots of amazing model railway layouts across different scales
Summer Fête stalls with activities, games, and community stands
Friendly club members on hand to chat, demonstrate, and guide
A welcoming atmosphere for families, newcomers, and seasoned modellers

Modelling Group Evening 26th August 2026
2026-08-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Essex

Club Talk – Tuesday 1st September 2026 - 'Preserving The Medway Queen' - Mark Bathurst
2026-09-01 19:30 - 21:30 | Emmanuel Baptist Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church Hall, Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BB
‘Preserving The Medway Queen’ – Mark Bathurst

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

GRES Annual Outing – Mid‑Hants Railway (Watercress Line)
2026-09-05 08:00 - 19:30 | Essex
Saturday 5th September
Overview
Thank you to all members who have already booked to attend the GRES (Tom Fletcher) Annual Outing to the Mid‑Hants Railway, also known as the Watercress Line. Based on the responses received, the arrangements for the day have now been confirmed.

Travel Arrangements
Coach Travel
The vast majority of members expressed a preference to meet at our usual meeting point and travel together by coach. As a result:

We will depart from St Paul’s Church, Singlewell. DA11 7RE
A luxury 53‑seat coach (with toilet) has been booked.
Due to this arrangement, rail travel will not be offered.

Timings

07:45 – Arrival at St Paul’s Church, Singlewell DA11 7RE
08:00 – Prompt departure
Comfort stop en route
10:30 – Arrival at Alresford Station (Watercress Line)

Return journey:

16:30–17:00 – Departure from Alresford Station
Comfort stop en route
19:15–19:30 – Arrival back at St Paul’s Church, Singlewell DA11 7RE

Food Arrangements
Most members indicated they did not require a main meal. Attendees are therefore welcome to make their own arrangements for food during the visit.

Costs
GRES is pleased to cover much of the cost of hiring the coach. Attendees will pay a special group rate to GRES:

£30 for adults
£14 for under‑16s

This includes:

Entry to the Watercress Line
A contribution towards the coach hire

Booking Information
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Children requirements, Number

Your Email AddressContact Phone NumberNumber of Adults012345678910Number of Children012345678910Booking Notes (dietary requirements, accessibility needs, or anything else)Submit Booking
Bookings are now open. Members are welcome to bring friends and family, including children under 16.
Payment
Payments should be made to GRES:

Bank transfer: Ask for details
Reference: GRES Outing 2026
Cash or cheque: Accepted at any GRES meeting.

We Look Forward to Seeing You
This promises to be an enjoyable day out on one of the country’s most charming heritage railways. We hope you can join us for a relaxed and sociable outing.

Modelling Group Evening 10th September 2025
2026-09-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Essex

2026 AGM (members only)
2026-09-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Emmanuel Baptist Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church Hall, Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BB
Thursday 17 Sept – AGM (members only)
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

Spa Valley 2026
2026-09-19 10:00 - 2026-09-20 16:00 | Essex
Spa Valley Railway model railway weekend
19/20 September 2026
Tunbridge Wells West Station
Message from Spa valley:

We’re hosting our big and popular Model Railway Show in September (a smaller show is taking place in March 2026), featuring a gathering of model railways in a variety of scales, including N, OO, O, OO9, S, and other gauges. Come along to see layouts at Tunbridge Wells West, Groombridge & Eridge with trade stands, too! This event is fun for the whole family; with so much to do, it is a must-attend show in the area. Families can take part in our model railway hunt with a chance to win a prize!
Our engine shed at Tunbridge Wells West will be filled with layouts, with additional selections available at Groombridge, Eridge, and, on board the trains too!
The show is open from 10:00 to 17:00 on Saturday, 19th September, and Sunday, 20th September 2026.
Entry tickets can be purchased on the day of the event or online. Prices are shown below.
We expect at least 30 layouts and 10 trade stands to be in attendance at the 2026 show, plus a great two-train service to match using Bulleid Pacific 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ as one of the locomotives in service!

Modelling Group Evening 23rd September 2026
2026-09-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Essex

Modelling Group Evening 15th October 2026
2026-10-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Essex

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

GRES Exhibition 24th October 2026
2026-10-24 10:00 - 16:30 | St George’s Church Hall, Church Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0DJ, St George's Church Hall, Church Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0DJ
GRES Exhibition 2026 – Saturday 24th October 2026
We’re excited to welcome you to the GRES Exhibition 2026, taking place on Saturday 24th October 2026. After a period of uncertainty, we’re delighted to confirm that the event now has a venue secured and planning is well underway.
This year’s exhibition will be a one‑day show, offering a compact but high‑quality selection of model railway layouts, traders, and demonstrations.

Location and opening times
Saturday 24th October 2026: 10:00 to 16:30.
Please note the change of venue from previous exhibtions:
📍 St George’s Church Hall, Church Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0DJ
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A More Intimate Exhibition for 2026
For this year only, the exhibition will be held in a smaller hall than our traditional venue, giving us the opportunity to curate a focused and varied display of layouts. We’re particularly keen to feature:

Small and medium‑sized layouts
Portable or modular layouts
Creative or unusual modelling projects

Demonstrations and hands‑on activities

Whether you’re a regular visitor or new to GRES, you can expect a friendly, welcoming show with plenty to enjoy.

Outdoor Courtyard Displays
Alongside the main hall, we also have access to a courtyard area, ideal for:

Garden railway exhibits
Outdoor‑friendly layouts
Live demonstrations
Interactive displays

This additional space allows us to broaden the range of layouts on show and offer something a little different for visitors.

Exhibitors Wanted – Indoor & Outdoor
We are actively seeking smaller layouts to help us make the most of the available space. If you have a layout that would suit either the indoor hall or the outdoor courtyard, we’d love to hear from you.
📧 Contact our Exhibition Manager: exhibition.manager@gres.org.uk

Join Us in October
More details — including layout lists, traders, and visitor information — will be added as the event approaches. We look forward to welcoming you to a great one‑day show this October.

Modelling Group Evening 28th October 2026
2026-10-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Essex

Modelling Group Evening 12th November 2026
2026-11-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Essex

Modelling Group Evening 25th November 2026
2026-11-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Essex

Modelling Group Evening 10th December 2026
2026-12-10 18:00 | Essex

Hove Model Railway Exhibition 2027
2027-02-28 10:00 - 16:00 | The British Engineerium The Droveway Hove BN3 7QA, The British Engineerium, The Droveway Hove, Hove, BN3 7QA, United Kingdom
Event Overview
Join us for a brand‑new model railway exhibition at the iconic British Engineerium in Hove. Enjoy layouts, displays, demonstrations and a family‑friendly day out in a unique heritage venue.
This is the début show at this location, making it a great opportunity to explore something fresh on the South Coast’s modelling calendar.
Date & Time

Sunday 28 February 2027
10:00 – 16:00

Venue
The British Engineerium The Droveway Hove BN3 7QA

Admission

Adults: £8
Kids (5–16): £2
Families (2 adults + 3 children): £18
Under‑5s: Free

“Adults £8, Kids £2 (5–16), Families £18 (2+3), u‑5s free.”

👤 Organiser Contact
For further information, contact Promoter Dakota Dibben:

Email: info@dakotadibben.co.uk

WHITSTABLE Model Railway Exhibition 2027
2027-03-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Swalecliffe & Chestfield Community Centre 19 St John’s Road, Swalecliffe, Whitstable CT5 2QU, Swalecliffe & Chestfield Community Centre, 19 St John’s Road, Swalecliffe, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2QU
WHITSTABLE Model Railway Exhibition 2027
Saturday 6 March 2027
Swalecliffe Community Centre, 19 St John’s Rd, Swalecliffe CT5

SHOREHAM Model Railway Exhibition 2027
2027-04-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Shoreham Centre, 2 Pond Road, Shoreham BN43 5WU, Shoreham Centre, 2 Pond Road, Shoreham, BN43 5WU, United Kingdom
Enjoy a day of layouts, demonstrations and family‑friendly railway modelling at The Shoreham Centre. This exhibition brings together enthusiasts, families and newcomers for a relaxed and engaging day out.
The event features a striking illustration of Shoreham Airport, reflecting the local heritage connection.

📅 Date & Time

Saturday 17 April 2027
10:00 – 16:00

📍 Venue
The Shoreham Centre 2 Pond Road Shoreham‑by‑Sea BN43 5WU See over for map (as noted on the poster).
“The Shoreham Centre, 2 Pond Road, Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 5WU. See over for map.”

🎟️ Admission

Adults: £8
Children (5–16): £2
Families (2 adults + 3 children): £18
Under‑5s: Free

“Adults £8, Children £2 (5–16), Families £18 (2+3), u‑5s free.”

👤 Organiser Contact
For further information, contact Promoter Dakota Dibben:

Email: info@dakotadibben.co.uk
Phone: 07595 255150

Artwork Credit
Shoreham Airport image © Amalia Sanchez de la Blanca, Linescapes. Handbill designed by Nick Evans.

BIRCHINGTON Model Railway Exhibition 2027
2027-05-08 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 2027
Saturday 8 May 2027
The Centre, Alpha Road, Birchington, Kent CT7 9EG

DEAL Model Railway Exhibition 2027
2027-10-23 10:00 - 17:00 | 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 2027
Saturday 23 October 2027
The Landmark Centre, 129 High Street, Deal, Kent CT14 6BB
