First layouts revealed for the 2026 Great Electric Train Show
The 2026 Great Electric Train Show takes place on October 10/11 at the Arena MK in Milton Keynes – we reveal the first layouts for the event.
Above: Phoenix Lane is travelling to Milton Keynes from the West of Scotland to take part in the 2026 Great Electric Train Show. Jonathan Newton.
The weekend of October 10/11 2026 sees the Great Electric Train Show return to the Arena MK in Milton Keynes with a feature packed line-up of model railways, trade stands and demonstrations.
Layouts from Hornby Magazine past, present and future will feature across scales from ‘N’ to ‘O’ gauge as well as a range of eras from pre-nationalisation to the present day.
Above: Penhelig by Will Plant models the Cambrian route in the steam era in ‘OO’ gauge. Jonathan Newton.
The first to be revealed are Phoenix Lane in ‘OO’ by Glasgow and West of Scotland MRC (HM213) modelling the railways of Fife in the 1960s, Penhelig in ‘OO’ gauge by Will Plant (HM223) recreating the Cambrian Coast in the 1960s, Five Mile House in ‘OO’ by Lincoln and District MRC (HM210) which models an LNER diversionary route through rural Lincolnshire in the 1930s, Providence Colliery in ‘OO’ by Theo Thomas set in the 1960s in the Forest of Dean, Portcreek in ‘OO’ by Sam Beecher Jones set on the Southern Region in the Network SouthEast era and Lizworth Bay in ‘N’ gauge by John Spence which recreates a Southern Region seaside terminus in the steam era.
Above: Modelling the LNER in the 1930s, Five Mile House is exhibited by Lincoln and District Model Railway Club. Jonathan Newton.
In addition, a brand-new 43ft x 15ft ‘O’ gauge layout by Ron Bailes modelling East London in the 1960s is joining the show line-up, making only its second public appearance following construction over five years. More layout exhibits will be revealed next month.
The Key Model World and Hornby Magazine team is reviving ‘O’ gauge diesel depot Seven Mill Depot for the show. The layout was originally built in 2019 and attended only one event. It was originally conceived to show the potential of ‘O’ gauge modelling in a limited space and is now being brought out of storage for a full overhaul which will see it debut at the Great Electric Train Show with a new late 1990s/early 2000s theme. Look out for full features and video series on the rebuild of Seven Mill Depot in Hornby Magazine and on Key Model World.
Above: Sam Beecher-Jones’ new ‘OO’ gauge model of Portcreek is coming to the 2026 Great Electric Train Show. Sam Beecher-Jones.
The trade stand roster for the show is already shaping up with manufacturers Cavalex Models, Hornby and Revolution Trains already confirmed alongside retail stands from Key Model World/Hornby Magazine, Cheltenham Model Centre, Kernow Model Rail Centre, Squires Tools, Bunters Yard, Ellis Clark Trains, TMC, Trainsporters and many more. The full list of trade stands confirmed is available on the Great Electric Train Show website.
Discount advance tickets for the 2026 Great Electric Train Show are on sale now, offering a reduced price over on-the-day tickets as well as early entry to the show from 9.30am each day. General admission advance tickets are priced at £18 for adults and £9 for children on Saturday October 10. On Sunday October 11, up to two children will be admitted free with each paying adult.
There are also options for a Weekend Ticket combining two-day entry to the show with a £10 voucher to spend on the Key Model World stand for £36, while the popular limited VIP ticket price has been held at £55 for the 2026 Great Electric Train Show.
• Visit keymodelworld.com/greatelectrictrainshow for more information and advance tickets
THE DETAILS
When: October 11/12 2025
Where: Arena MK, Stadium Way, Milton Keynes MK1 1ST
Times: Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm (advance ticket holders enter from 9.30am)
Ticket sales: Key Model World Event Tickets
Contact: 01780 480404
Tickets: Adult advance £18, child advance £9 (Saturday only), adult subscriber £17, Weekend £36, VIP £55. Adult on the day £23, child on the day £11.50 (Saturday only). Up to two children admitted free with each paying adult on Sunday only.