The Manchester Model Railway Society (MMRS) is one of the oldest model railway clubs in the United Kingdom, being founded in 1925 by J. A. Dean.

Since 1969 we have owned our own clubroom (Dean Hall) which is only 5 miles south of Manchester city centre. This is home to layouts in most of the popular scales, some of which are largely complete, others which are in the early stages of construction and one which is in the planning stage. Among the former is the award winning Dewsbury Midland in 00.

Dean Hall also has a library with reference copies of all of the main monthly model railway magazines as well as books, videos and dvds which can be borrowed.

Our well-equipped workshop is available for use by those with the requisite skills. Our more expert members are always willing to pass on their knowledge with classes on using the lathe, building construction, and beginners' and advanced soldering techniques.

We have a worldwide membership and presently have vacancies for new members aged 16+ of all levels of modelling ability.

Please browse our website and see the great facilities which we have in our clubroom. We look forward to meeting you.

Forthcoming monthly meetings in 2008

Friday 11th July
East German narrow gauge and open cast coal railways, John Owen

Friday 8th August
Running session

Forthcoming courses for members

Modelling in plasticard, painting, lining, resin castings

Latest changes to the site

July Link [Members' area]

2008 Exhibition details, two more layouts added [Exhibition]

Video tapes [For Sale/wanted]

Painting and lining [Technical articles] photographs now added

Dewsbury Midland

Dewsbury Midland is our award winning OO finescale layout which has frequently appeared in the model press. It features an urban scene with superb model buildings and it even has a working model roadway with cars, lorries and buses all going up and down the hill.

Look out for the working signal gantry which has just been installed on the viaduct.

The period can be changed so you may see either steam or diesel appearing.

The next place to see this great layout is:

Manchester MRS, 3-5th October (diesel)

MASON DIXON - NEW NARROW GAUGE LAYOUT

A 7mm scale 16.5mm gauge layout proposal has been accepted by the Committee. With just 6' by 3' available it will need all of Nigel Tansley's expertise to squeeze a quart into a pint pot......... and - he tells me that one half will probably model a Welsh slate quarry and the other half will be based in the USA!

PEAK FOREST - NEW 00 LAYOUT

This is aimed both at beginners and those with some experience of railway modelling and will be led by experienced modellers who will show how to build a layout from scratch. The project will progress by means of informal teaching modules covering the many aspects of railway modelling.

Baseboard construction started on 31st March 2008, to be followed by track laying, wiring and scenery. Later modules will include kit building/bashing, painting, weathering, building construction, improving and maintaining ready-to-run locos and rolling stock.

It will be a contemporary 00 gauge layout using DCC control with provision for non-DCC locos. We hope that the layout will be ready for exhibiting in about two years, but this will depend on the teaching needs of those involved.

Meetings take place on alternate Monday evenings at Dean Hall, with other days as appropriate. You need to be a member of the MMRS to participate, but non-members are welcome to come see what it’s all about before committing themselves.

For more details contact: exhibition.manager<at>mmrs.co.uk