MEMBERS of Helensburgh and District Model Railway Club (HDMRC) won a prize for ‘best layout’ at a top exhibition in England recently.

The local group’s ‘Trenches’ layout was voted the best by visitors to the Tolworth Showtrain event in Surrey.

It depicts a generic railway supply line which formed part of the logistics chain serving British troops on the Western Front during the First World War.

During the two-day visit to the show, the public were asked to make a donation to the Erskine veterans’ hospital in exchange for a free HDMRC model wagon.

The layout, which also featured in the November issue of Continental Modeller magazine, was first exhibited at Model Rail Scotland at the SECC in February, where the warm response from the public and organisers alike prompted the Tolworth show organisers to invite the group to the Surrey event.

The Helensburgh club, which celebrates its 30th birthday next year, also picked up the Wilson Kerr Trophy for their display at the recent Falkirk Model Railway Show at Forth Valley College, again voted for by visitors.

The club, which was originally formed in 1989, meets at 7pm on Mondays and Wednesdays in East Princes Street and new members are warmly welcomed. If interested in coming along, please contact the club at enquiries@helensburghdmrc.co.uk.