MODEL railways will be running alongside the real thing at an upcoming Somerset event.

Visitors to the West Somerset Railway’s Autumn Steam Weekend will be able to take in some award-winning modelling at Bishops Lydeard station.

On October 17, 18 and 19, the Taunton Model Railway Group will welcome visitors to their club house, on platform 1 of the station.

They will be showing two large exhibition Layouts, Tamerig New and another representing the former Bath Green Park station, once a joint terminus station for the Midland Railway and the Somerset and Dorset.

Two more layouts represent a locomotive shed in the days of steam and Bishops Lydeard station.

Next door to the TMRG clubhouse is the Gauge Museum, housed in the former goods shed, maintained and staffed by members of the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust.

The mezzanine floor is home to another large model railway layout, often operated by younger WSR volunteers.

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The largest exhibit in the Museum is an Edwardian-era sleeping car, originally used by the Great Western Railway on services between London Paddington and Fishguard Harbour in West Wales, from where ferries conveyed passengers to and from Southern Ireland.

Restored over many years by Heritage Trust volunteers, it shows off what wealthier passengers could enjoy on their travels a century ago.

The sleeping car is part of the Historic Carriages Project, which aims to restore one-time GWR coaches to their former splendour and to work on special occasions.

Number 6705 was built in 1938, a decade before the Great Western lost its independence and became part of British Railways.

It made its debut in service on the West Somerset during May’s Spring Steam Spectacular and appeared again during the 1940’s Weekend event. Other Heritage Carriages are being worked on or are in store at Washford station and the volunteer workforce welcomes more hands, particularly those skilled in wood and metal work, or at wielding a paintbrush.

For anyone wanting to take a closer look at the works in progress, the Washford shed team will welcome visitors during the three days.

The Heritage Trust has another, smaller museum at Blue Anchor, as well as selling second-hand model railway equipment at Watchet station to aid station funds.

New model railway locomotives in 4mm scale can be purchased in the station shops at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead station.

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