About AMRSS Ltd
A Short History of Model Rail Scotland and AMRSS Ltd
Model Rail Scotland is one of the UK’s premier model railway exhibitions, held annually in Glasgow since 1967. It began as “Model Rail,” an event organised by local model railway clubs keen to showcase their work to the public. The first exhibitions were held at the historic McLellan Galleries in Glasgow, but as the event grew, it moved to larger venues—the Anderson Centre in the 1980s and later the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC).
The exhibition’s development was significantly influenced by Allan Trotter, Show Manager for over 20 years, who championed its move to the SECC, helping it gain national recognition. In 1997, the show was renamed Model Rail Scotland to reflect its growing stature. That same year, it became the first—and still the only—UK model railway exhibition to have a mainline train named after it: Class 320306 “Model Rail Scotland.”
Behind the exhibition is AMRSS Ltd (Association of Model Railway Societies in Scotland), formed in the late 1960s to coordinate the planning and operation of the show. AMRSS remains a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting model railways across Scotland.
Today, Model Rail Scotland continues to thrive, supported by major industry names like Hornby, Peco, Bachmann, Accurascale, Irish Railway Models, Heljan & Kato and is proudly known as the “other National Show” in the UK’s model railway calendar.
If you wish more information on AMRSS Ltd or are interested in joining any of its associated clubs/groups, please click on Contact Us at top of page.
AFFILIATED CLUBS
