HUNDREDS of exquisitely detailed models and miniatures were on display at a popular annual exhibition in Keighley.

Keighley Model Railway Club held its annual event over the weekend (March 10/11) at University Academy Keighley (UAK), in Utley.

The two-day event, now in its 43rd year, attracted 2,000 visitors alone through its doors on Saturday with hundreds more arriving on the Sunday.

The show featured 17 railway layouts and 16 trade stands.

Steve Ward, exhibition manager, said: “It’s been a great weekend. It was one of the best years we have had.

“This is the second year we’ve been at UAK. There is more space for us here, a bigger car park and it’s just a very customer friendly venue.

“We’d like to thank the school for making us so welcome again, and we also thank the catering staff for putting on some superb food.

“For the first time this year we’ve had miniature steam engines, and also a steam fired pump.

“We’ve also had the return of the computerised train driving simulator, as well as displays of Meccano and old dinky toys. We’ve tried to cater for every taste.”

Over the two days visitors had a chance to see a variety of exhibits, including realistic large railway track layouts showing off British – and some European – transport and industrial heritage.

Stands sold not only model trains and carriages, but model trams ,buses, buildings, pieces of scenery, modelling paint and many other advanced accessories.

Children were treated to face painting, old fashioned sweets and a layout featuring Thomas the Tank Engine and friends.

Separate sections of the show were manned by volunteers from Keighley and District Model Engineering Society and by Keighley Plastic Model Club.

The latter group mounted an impressive display of military themed models, including models of two of the oldest ironclad warships from the American Civil War.

Among the hundreds of visitors on the Sunday was modelling enthusiast Roy Corby, from Baildon.

Mr Corby, 49, said: “I’ve been coming to this for years, it’s one of the best shows of its kind in Northern England.

“The time and effort they put into it is brilliant, and even though the trains take pride of place of course there’s more to it than that.”