Ashford International Model Railway Education Centre
Ashford Model Railway Museum is a charity that runs AIMREC- Ashford International Model Railway Education Centre – a project that is “bringing model railways to the community for learning, wellbeing and fun”. AIMREC is based in Bethersden, a village on the A28 between Ashford and Tenterden, in a 1400sq ft studio and workshop housing a wide range of model railways and railway artefacts which are enjoyed by adults and children of all ages and backgrounds. Particular exhibits include the winning layouts from the second series of the Great Model Railway Challenge and a layout built for Channel 4 in 2023 that features in their “ident” video shown between programmes. We are open on Saturdays throughout the year and on selected weekdays in the school holidays. Our visitors enjoy the fact that as well as up to ten operating layouts we have a traditional model shop selling new and second-hand items along with home-made cakes and refreshments. We take model railways to local events to support other Charities and organisations and to major exhibitions such as the London Festival of Model Railways at Alexandra Palace. We organised a major exhibition in Ashford in November 2022 to celebrate 180 years of railways in Ashford and are planning a Festival of Model Railways in central Ashford in April 2024 which will also celebrate 140 year of the Maidstone East to Ashford West line.
Historic Periods
Post-War (1945+)Opening Times
Open Saturdays throughout the year, 10.30am to 4.00pm
Additional weekdays in school holidays.
Check website or Facebook page for latest information on opening times.
Cost
Free, donations welcome.
Facilities
Toilets onsite, Shop, Café, Parking, Disabled Parking, Wheelchair accessibleMore Information
01233 333877
https://www.facebook.com/AshfordInternationalModelRailwayEducationCentre/
Step free access into the building.
E-Badge
Not an e-badge participating venue
Children’s University
Not a Children’s University destination.
Address
Unit 2, Mill Farm Business Units, Fridd Lane, Bethersden, TN26 3DB