Cowes Model Train Show Jan 17-18 Hosted by Phillip Island Modellers

Local modellers filled the Cowes Senior Citizens Hall for a two-day Model Train Show hosted by the Phillip Island & District Railway Modellers on Jan 17-18, 2026. The event presented multiple club layouts and vendor tables across the hall at 6 Lions Court, Cowes, Victoria, offering a hands-on look at layouts, pointwork, scenery techniques and a chance to pick up parts and secondhand rolling stock.

Doors opened 10:00-17:00 on Saturday and 10:00-16:00 on Sunday. Admission was A$10 for adults, A$5 for children and A$25 for families, making the show accessible to local families and new modellers looking to get stuck into the hobby. The layout variety and vendor presence gave visitors practical opportunities to compare control systems, check coupler compatibility and source small items that are hard to find online.

The show brought together club members acting as operators and layout owners, providing informal running sessions and demonstrations useful for anyone working on track alignment, wiring or scenic finishing. Vendor tables offered parts, tools and secondhand items that are often the quickest way to fill gaps in a parts box or test a new modelling technique without a large investment.

Beyond the trains and trade, the event served as a community meet-up. Local clubs use shows like this to recruit volunteers, trade tips and keep local knowledge circulating—useful if you are setting up a new layout or organising a running day. Families found a friendly, low-pressure environment to introduce kids to model railways and to talk to experienced modellers about getting started.

For more details, the event page included contact details for the organisers and links to the Phillip Island & District Railway Modellers’ website and Facebook page. Check those channels for photo galleries, operator contacts and follow-up posts from the show if you missed it or want to reach the layout owners.

If you left with parts to sort and a layout plan forming in your head, the local club is the best next stop. Expect to see show reports and photos on the club’s social channels, and use those posts to plan attendance or to contact members about workshops, running sessions and upcoming swap meets.