IT WAS all aboard for rail enthusiasts at the weekend as a model railway club celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Matthew Arnold School in Botley was transformed by yards of train track and a variety of engines as the Oxford and District Model Railway Club held a golden anniversary exhibition.

Specialist traders were on hand to engage visitors throughout the day and give modelling demonstrations.

The club was founded by Nigel Adams, who put an article in the Oxford Mail proposing a new model railway club be formed.

Eighteen people turned up for the inaugural meeting on the June 6 1966 at Cowley Parish Hall.

Chris Goodwin, chairman of the club, said: "The aims of the club have always been to share and combine the skills and knowledge of the members to produce exhibition standard layouts for showing, as well as having a friendly social gathering to discuss all things railway and whatever else.

"An important part has been the organisation and running of an annual club exhibition, something that continues to this day.

"What I have noted in going through the club archives is the recurrence of some names over the last 50 years and especially that of Ron Alcock.

"He was one of the founding members back in 1966, he was still active in the club up to his untimely death earlier this year and as a result he just missed our anniversary celebrations, which he would have enjoyed."

For more information visit: oxfordmrc.org.uk