A railway modelling society that has entertained hobbyists for 60 years is opening its doors free of charge to mark the diamond jubilee in Oxford.

The Oxford & District Model Railway Club, established in 1966 with 40 initial members, will commemorate the occasion with a public event on Saturday, September 12, between 10.30am and 4pm at the United Reformed Church hall in Collingwood Road, Risinghurst.

Attendees can view various displays covering scales from Z gauge through to O gauge, with both youngsters and grown-ups invited to control some of the exhibits directly.

Kev Brett, speaking for the organisation, stated that achieving this milestone reflects the devotion shown by members throughout the decades.

He described it as a remarkable accomplishment that demonstrates the passion and loyalty of the members.

The event will feature two setups exceeding 60 years of age that continue to appear at exhibitions.

One, Bossingdon, now held by Mr Brett, was constructed by the late founder Les Eden. It depicts how the village might have appeared had the Great Western Railway served it.

Mr Brett noted that the setup remains popular at events, with guests frequently recalling it from visits they made years previously.

The second, Oldstead Gate, is a circular double-track arrangement now employed to enable children to operate trains during exhibitions and demonstrations.

The organisation has changed considerably since its inception, adopting contemporary construction methods, computerised systems and online platforms.

Mr Brett explained that railway modelling persists successfully as it has kept pace with technological advances, enabling operations via smartphone alongside authentic sounds, illumination and electronic systems.