John Gaze from Wolverhampton with his Great Western Loco

It was full steam ahead for model-mania as more than 1,000 mini railway enthusiasts queued up for an exhibition showcasing the dream hobby for lads and dads.

Pop producer Pete Waterman was at Birmingham’s NEC to signal the start of the exhibition by the Warley National Model Railway club – its 41st annual show.

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The TV personality and producer is a keen railway enthusiast and congratulated the organisers of the show, which has become one of the most high-profile model railway events in the country. More than 1,000 people were queuing to get in from 8am today, even thought the doors did not open until 9.30am and they are expecting 20,000 visitors over the weekend.

David Moorhouse, from the Warley National Model Railway club, said: “It’s going fantastically well, and it’s a show for everyone. Not only is it a day for railway enthusiasts, but it’s also good for the kids.

“There’s a modelling area where people are teaching how to make models and model train simulation which people can ride.” He added that he was particularly excited to look around the stall by Hornby, the most famous producer of model railways.

The exhibition includes more than 65 working model railways, preservation societies’ demonstrations by modelling experts and more than 150 specialist suppliers, with a total of 220 stalls. The locomotive Thomas Edmondson will be the centrepiece of this year’s exhibition. The engine was built in Germany in 1918. A one-day ticket costs £10, with a two-day ticket costing £18.

The event runs until tomorrow.

By Lucy Townsend