New partnership secures future of the National Garden Railway Show

The 2026 show will once again be held at Stoneleigh, in Warwickshire on Saturday 25th April.

Alan Finch, Chairman of the Association, said that “he was delighted to enter in to a new era of partnership with Warners Group Publications to continue to develop the National Garden Railway Show as Europe’s premier event of its kind”

For several years the Association has been exploring the opportunities to obtain support for the show, something that many of the small scale exhibitions have benefitted from for some time. Warners Group Publications who produce titles such as Garden Rail and Narrow Gauge World as well as hosting RMweb and other online resources, and running their own shows, will bring financial support as well as a wealth of experience in marketing and the ability to support the show with, for example, entry scanning of electronic tickets, and staff dedicated to trade space sales and developing the visitor experience, which have been beyond the Association’s resources.

The National Garden Railway Show has been described as “the largest event of its kind in Europe” and attracts specialist garden railway traders to announce their new products, as well as a wide range of layouts in garden scales, many running live steam models throughout the day. Visitors already come from across the UK, Europe and from as far away as the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan to attend the show and with the addition of Warners expertise in online marketing the Association expects the audience to grow significantly as well as broadening the show’s appeal to families and the wider railway modelling community.

Phil Parker, Editor of Garden Rail magazine, said "We've been exhibiting at the NGRS for many years, building a real garden railway for the day. Personally, the show is a highlight of my year, and everyone at Warners is looking forward to being more involved."

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