PEOPLE are invited to come and make tracks as the first ever model railway show will steam into Maldon this weekend.

The event, the first of its kind for the Maldon district, will be taking place at The Plume Academy on Saturday.

It is set to feature more than 20 models of railway layouts, along with a number of trade stands and other creations, stretched across 1000 square feet of space in the Plume hall.

The scale of the models will also be vast, ranging from the minute Z gauge (as small as 6.5 millimeters) to the O gauge (30 millimeters).

The exhibition – tipped as the largest of its kind in the East of England – is being supported by a number of clubs and modellers from around the South East.

Layouts of the models will include the local settings of Market Hill, as well as Cato Pass, a science fiction layout, American shunting yard Phoenix Junction, and a1940s era Midsummer End.

Alongside demonstrations and model displays, many traders will also be in attendance, such as those selling new and second hand models, tools, laser cut pieces, scenic environments and figurines.

Throughout the day, demonstrations will be held on figure painting, weathering the locomotives and scene construction.

Maldon and Heybridge have history with rail networks, with the Maldon East and Heybridge railway station being opened in 1848, going through several redevelopments.

The station was closed to passenger services in 1964 as part of the nationwide Beeching Axe carried out due to increasing competition with road transport links.

The exhibition will showcase the local locations used in the old days of Maldon’s railways as well as many other locations across the world.

The exhibition will be held on Saturday at the Plume’s Fambridge Road campus in Maldon from 10am until 4.30pm.

Entry will be £5 for adults and concessions, £2 for children with family tickets £12. Call 07595 255150.