Cupar & District Model Railway Club

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Earlier on this year, we published our Community Directory – some 85 groups, clubs, societies and associations supporting our town and district with all manner of activities. We were delighted to see 25 of them take part in Cupar’s first Gathering of Societies in the Haugh Park at the end of September. We caught up with Ryan Gray of the Cupar & District Model Railway Club which has been entertaining its members and supporters for more than thirty years …

Ryan describes Cupar & District Model Railway Club as “a small but very friendly club, with members from varied backgrounds and ages“. They all have one thing in common – an interest in railways and model making.

Throughout the year, members work away on their models. Ryan says: “We have a number award winning exhibition layouts in OO, HO, ON30 and O scale operating in DC and DCC.” He adds: “A new OO DC Layout “Glen Tay” is currently under construction in the club room by one of our members.”

A snapshot of their work is shown below. Click on the images to view more via their Facebook gallery …

As well as attending many local shows – including those in Glenrothes, Perth, St Andrews and Dundee – the Club has a focus on their annual show. Ryan explains: “We organise the annual Cupar Model Rail that is normally held in the Corn Exchange every July.”

CuparNow has attended previous shows and they are a fabulous showcase for the Club and their members’ creativity. Plans for their show in 2022 are well under way … and they will also be running an event before Christmas this year. More details will be published soon!

Just click on the images (above or below) for their Facebook events’ page …

Ryan says the Club are always happy to welcome new members: “​If you would like to know more about our club, why not come along to our club room and have a chat with us?” The Club meets Monday and Thursday nights 6.30pm – 9.30pm.

Ryan adds: “We have our own permanent club room, in the very heart of Cupar, located on the first floor of the theatre block of the Castlehill Community Centre on Castlehill.”

Access to the building is via a door at the rear. The Club room is located on the first floor. Currently, they are unable to accommodate those who are unable to climb the stairs.
Cupar and District Model Railway Club, The Old Theatre Block, Castlehill Centre, Cupar, KY15 4HA.

 

The Club is active on social media and share regular content: check out the videos they create and publish by clicking on the image below …

Looking to join?

​Membership is open to anyone over 14, with an interest in railways. You can get involved “as much or as little as you like“. Ryan explains that members have a variety of skill sets and are always happy to give help and give advice … all with a goal of fostering an interest in railway modelling.

Currently, they offer three types of membership:

  • Adult: £65.00 per annum
  • Junior 14-17*: £35.00 per annum
  • Country (open to those living 35 miles + from club rooms): £25.00 per annum

Junior members under 16 must always be under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Children under 14 years of age may, at the club’s discretion, accompany a parent or guardian who is a member of the club. Membership fees are reviewed each year at the Club’s AGM and voted on by all eligible members attending.

The Club is a member of AMRSS Ltd, the organisers of Model Rail Scotland. As a club, they do not purchase model railway collections but can put members in touch with traders who buy and sell model railway stock and collections.

Finally, we ask all featuring on our Blog what they would recommend to someone visiting Cupar for the first time, or for the first time in a long time: Ryan’s advice? “Visit Cupar Model Rail in July … then grab some lunch and sit in one of the parks and take in the beautiful town.”

 

Need more?

Visit their website via this link. Follow them on Facebook or drop them an email via this link.

Cupar and District Model Railway Club, The Old Theatre Block, Castlehill Centre, Cupar, KY15 4HA.

 

Community minded?

If you’d like to get involved in any of the town’s community groups, please feel free use our Directory and share with friends, family or colleagues who might be interested too. You will find Churches, Clubs, College activities, Culture & Tourism organisations, Dance, Dementia Care, Education and Training providers, environmental groups and projects as well as health and wellbeing initiatives, music, photography, sport and leisure. Just follow our link below …

 

Thanks for reading!