Abrail 2024 is the 50th anniversary exhibition of the Abingdon and District Model Railway Club (ADMRC). It takes place over two days, on Saturday, March 2nd and Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, at Abingdon and Witney College in Abingdon.

There were two layouts of the Abingdon Branch in the sports hall, one at O Gauge

and one at OO gauge.

The Chair of ADMRC, Bill Marnan, showed round the Mayor of Abingdon, Councellor Gwyneth Lewis. She remembered going on the Abingdon Branch line to school in Oxford.

Over 40 model railway layouts were on display, showcasing various scales, styles and places, most real, some fictitious. They were sited in the main college building on two floors, the Advanced Skills Centre, and the Sports Hall. On the second floor were some fun layouts, more for young families, including Lego City, Abingdon.

Railways were important in World War Two, and the Overlord layout depicted the railways at the dockyards in the days surrounding the invasion of Normandy. It has been under construction for thirty years.

The event was very popular and there was a wait to get to look at some of the layouts in the main building. There wasn’t even elbow room at Elbow Lane!!!

There were traders selling model railway products. The event also included talks, and demonstrations.

The Abingdon and District Model Railway Club website has more information.