2012 Railwells Show

The West Country's quality Model Railway Exhibition "RAILWELLS"

Please note that all details of Exhibitors and traders are tentative and should be confirmed prior to the date.

For further details contact Chris Challis
phone 01749 938 362 or by email here

Railwells 2012 includes Scalefour Southwest and a special EM Gauge section.

Wells Town Hall, Market Place, Wells, Somerset BA5 2RB

Saturday 11 August 2012 open 10:30 to 17:30
Sunday 12 August 2012 open 10:30 to 17:00

Admission Adults £5.00
Seniors and unaccompanied children £4.00
Accompanied Children under 15 Free


Worcester Road Diesel Depot is Gauge 1 1/32nd scale by Steve Harrod

2012 Railwells

Railwells has become a very special show in the railway modelling calendar. Railwells 2012 is once again held in the historic setting of Wells Town Hall. Scalefour Southwest is an annual part of the exhibition, and this year is joined by a special section for EM Gauge complemented by demonstrators showing how to convert to and model in EM.

The exhibition has two layouts under construction to show you how, Black Lion Crossing by Geoff Kent and Bristol Barrow Road by Robin Whittle.

There will be at least 50 exhibits this year including 14 layouts, 17 traders, as well as how-to demonstrations and other displays with emphasis on layout and stock construction. Whether you are considering constructing a layout or not it is always interesting to see what someone else has done. All this will make the show well worth a visit.

Please note; for free show parking follow the Railwells Parking signs. Should you not like crowds then Sunday is the better day to attend.

Scalefour Southwest 2012 P4 Layout Challenge

This layout building challenge follows the format of the18.83 Challenge and DEMU Challenge but without the restraint of the 18.83 foot size foot print, the only restriction is that the layout has to fit in the owner's vehicle with no more than 2 operators. At the time of writing this, the end of May, there are 5 layouts that have got to a stage where they should be finished ready for their début at Railwells. All the layouts are different and give a good range of interesting subjects and locations.

This layout building challenge came about because several people said they wished they had entered the original 18.83 event; as a challenge to build a layout in a set time would ensure they got on with it. There were 9 layouts on the final list four of these have dropped out as constraints on time have taken there toll; however these four have been started and will no doubt get finished in the next few years, when no doubt they will appear at Scalefour Southwest. Details of the 18.83 Layout Challenge on www.Scalefour.org

For partners not so interested in the show, Wells offers a wide range of retail outlets as well as the Cathedral, Bishops Palace; and a short distance away Wookey Hole Mill and Caves; Clarks Village Outlet Shopping centre is a 15 minute drive away at Street. A Free car park will be available for those attending, just follow the Railwells Parking signs. Do not forget to pick up your free programme on entry.


Horsley Bank in P4 by Steve Howe

About Wells, Somerset

Wells the smallest city in England, nestling at the foot of the Mendip Hills is a conservation miracle, its historic core preserved almost intact from the Middle Ages. The magnificent cathedral of St. Andrew and green are jewels in a crown of ancient streets, glorious buildings and characterful shops.

There is much to see and do; Saturday is one of two market days each week. From the Market Place you go through Penniless Porch to the Cathedral, Vicar’s Close, the oldest complete continuously inhabited street in Europe, and the museum. The Bishops Place, again accessed from the Market Place, is protected by walls and a moat fed by the springs that give Wells its name. At the end of the Market Place is the Conduit feeding water from the springs down the High Street.

There are many places to visit nearby, Wookey Hole Caves and Mill, Cheddar George, The East Somerset Railway, Glastonbury Abbey, the Lake Village at Meare and Clarks Village outlet shopping centre at Street. Parking in Wells on a Saturday can be a problem, you are advised if you visit on this day to find a parking space and walk, nothing is very far. Sunday is a quieter day both in the city and the exhibition.

There is a good range of places to eat in Wells from fish and chips to top class hotels. The refreshment room within Railwells serves reasonably priced home made food all day, starting with breakfast baps in the morning.

updated 25.04.2012