Thistle Modelmakers
Model Railway Club
Welcome to Thistle Modelmakers Model Railway Club
Based in Edinburgh, we are a passionate community of railway modellers with interests spanning the UK, USA, and Europe. Our members work across a wide range of scales—2mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, and 7mm—and model in gauges including N, HO, OO, EM, P4, O, Z and S7. Whether it’s Standard Gauge or Narrow Gauge, our layouts reflect a rich diversity of railway heritage.
We’ve proudly built exhibition layouts representing:
- Scotland in OO gauge
- America in HO and On30
- Germany in HO and HOe
Our website offers detailed information about our layouts available for exhibitions, an events calendar, useful links to other modelling resources, and contact details if you’d like to get in touch or join us.
Our Origins and Clubrooms
Thistle Modelmakers was born from the merger of two passionate groups: the Model Railway enthusiasts from the Edinburgh branch of the SSEB, and the Freeman transplant group. United by a shared love of railway modelling and a commitment to charitable causes, the club built layouts to help raise donations for the Freeman Cancer Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Over the years, we’ve called several places home; an office block in Leith (now demolished), the switch-room at SSEB Portobello, the top floor of a printing house in central Edinburgh and our current base in an industrial unit in Dalkeith.
Each location has played a part in shaping our club’s journey and community spirit.
Exhibitions and Layouts
For over 15 years, Thistle Modelmakers proudly organised the only major model railway exhibition in the Edinburgh area, hosting events at Meadowbank Stadium, Brunton Hall in Musselburgh, and later at Portobello Town Hall.
Today, we continue to showcase our layouts at exhibitions across the UK and Europe—from Falkirk to Frankfurt, Hartlepool to Utrecht. Check out our Exhibition Calendar to see where we’re headed next!
Our layouts span a wide range of themes and eras, including:
- Modern-day Germany in HO and HOe
- 1950s Britain in OO gauge
- 1930s backwoods America
- Contemporary industrial America
Most of our layouts are DCC-controlled, with several featuring DMX theatrical lighting effects to enhance the viewing experience. Our Walker Falls layout even includes a fully synchronised soundtrack for added immersion.
If you’re interested in having one of our layouts at your exhibition, please contact our Secretary via the Contacts page.
Thinking of joining Thistle Modelmakers Model Railway Club or curious about our current projects? Visit the Contacts page to learn more—we’d love to hear from you!