Modelling groups and suppliers from Melbourne, country Victoria and Canberra took part in the two-day show at Mirambeena Community Centre.

Lots of locals popped in to check out all the hobby had to offer to men and boys of all ages.

And the girls came, too to watch train sets smoothly running around in circles and loops.

Thurgoona’s Lee Weissel brought his three daughters, aged six, eight and 10.

They were impressed with the Chewton Railway Modelling Group’s huge Cockroach Valley exhibit.

The group of about six enthusiasts had travelled from near Castlemaine to take part in the show, said group member Kevin Bush.

Though they had been working on the model for about three years, Mr Bush said it was still not finished.

“How long’s a piece of string?” he laughed when asked when they could safely say it was done.

“I really don’t know, you just keep developing these things and they keep growing,” he said.

Mr Bush’s father also had model trains and he passed the hobby on to his son when he was about 10.

“I think it’s the most family oriented hobby you can get,” he said.