Ashford 180th Anniversary of railway

Ashford International Model Railway Education Centre invite you to join the celebrations to mark the 180th anniversary of the first train to arrive in Ashford in November 1842.

When 19th - 20th November 2022

The venues and events take place between the Town Centre and Newtown over a distance of 1.4 miles, as follows:

Ashford Museum - Open Days, displays of local railway history and related exhibits.

Ashford Gateway - Photographic Exhibition from 1st - 30th November featuring exhibits by the Railway Photographic Society from the NRM Shildon "Rail Cameramen" Exhibition alongside Railway Scenes of Ashford from the 1940s to the present day captured by local photographers.

The Elwick Club* - Two floors of model railways curated and mostly built by AIMREC's volunteer team including first time layouts built by our Saturday morning group of younger modelers, new layouts celebrating the classic years of Tri-ang and Hornby Dublo as well as a wonderful recreation of Lenham Station. Special guests are bringing layouts to inspire and entertain, including the classic narrow gauge "Dovey Valley" by Dick Wyatt enjoying only its second outing in eight years, a charming Emett themed railway from the amazing talent of Chris O'Donoghue and for the very first time at exhibition together a collection of scratch- built layouts by Nik Wilson from the Railmen of Kent featuring his totally unique China Station waterfront tramway - not to be missed

Ashford College* - Heritage railway and preservation society stands, model railways, model engineering and displays over two floors including Mike Turner GRA premiering his specially commissioned Ashford180 artwork, Bob Pryor's superb large-scale models of famous locomotives and legendary Ashford film-maker Sonny Hanson's record of a visit to the Railway Works in 1947. Confirmed attendees: 4Sub 4732 Association, 4253 Preservation Group with Kent and East Sussex Railway, Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway, Southern Electric Traction Group, EPB Preservation Society, NSE Railway Society & East Kent Railway, Permanent Way Institution, Romney Marsh Model Engineering Society and Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway; Wellum Hill model railway.

The Coachworks - Beer festival featuring a range of railway-themed real ales, music and perhaps live steam action from a visiting Traction Engine.

The Alfred Arms - displays on the history of Newtown, Ashford's own model village for workers, compiled by the dedicated work of Ann Austin of tales from the Tracks, who will also be giving guided walks of the Newtown area.

The SWAN Centre* - Ashford Model Railway Club present a model railway exhibition with support from well-stocked trade stands.

Callum Laing will be using his Volvo B10M PS coach* normally based at the East Kent Railway to provide a regular service linking the venues and helping people who might otherwise have difficulty covering the 1.4-mile distance.

Venues marked * require a wristband for entry and are available at the venues. Wristband prices are Adults and over 14 - £10, under 14 - free.

For more details visit the AIMREC website