What is Rapido Railex?
We’re putting on a show! Over 2 days in September we are taking over the Market Hall in Maidstone with an exhibition of high-quality model railways.
This is also a chance for you to come and meet the Rapido Trains UK team in person to discuss projects past, present and future, see new samples as well as getting the scoop on some new and exciting announcements we will be making shortly beforehand!
In addition to this, we’ll have trade stands for you to invest in your model railway including the chance to get 3D-scanned by Modelu for your own personalised 3D-printed figures, grab some rolling stock from some of our Official Retailers, beautify your layout with products from some of our partners and much more.
What can I see at the show?
An exciting selection of high-quality layouts are planning to attend
| LAYOUTS | TRADERS |
Overlord (OO) Based on Southampton and Portsmouth dockyards, the layout attempts to depict the hectic activities to be found throughout the Southern ports of England preparing for the Normandy invasion. Tanks await loading, mechanised infantry columns search for their embarkation point. There are specialist vehicles such as bridge layers, rocket launchers, mine clearers and amphibious tanks. Landing ships, and escorting vessels prepare to put to sea. Overhead, gliders make their way south, watched over by anti-aircraft guns and barrage balloons. And finally, the NAAFI, provide a continuous supply of drinks to the nervous troops.  |  Custom laser scanning, figure and detailing parts in a range of scales. |
| Bury Thorn and Sons (O) Bury, Thorn & Sons is a 7mm scale layout representing a small portion of a fictitious tar distillery set somewhere in the West Riding of Yorkshire in the late 1950’s to early 1960’s, with the rest of the works and the British Rail exchange sidings being located ‘off scene’. The layout is home to an eclectic range of industrial locomotives, with representatives from most of the major Yorkshire based manufacturers along with a number from the rest of the country. The tank wagons are equally eccentric in their form!  |  Specialists in British and Continental wagons, rolling stock, parts and accessories. Stockists of Hornby, Rapido, Dapol, Accurascale, Heljan, Gaugemaster and more. The Wagon Yard regularly commission exclusive wagons from a variety of manufacturers along with undertaking commission work for modellers, shops and preservation societies. |
| Bryn Stwffwl (009) A twin-level 009 Welsh slate layout. Featuring vast slate walls and an otherwise barren landscape that dwarfs the tiny locomotives and their trains showing that less is sometimes more when it comes to modelling.  | Tony’s Trains of Rugby Established shop in Hillmorton near Rugby everything you need for your model railway. The shop has been shortlisted for Retailer of The Year in multiple magazines and prides itself on great customer service. |
| Leysdown (P4) Of the standard-gauge light railways of Kent, one of the most successful was the Sheppey Light Railway, conceived by the islanders in the 1890s and engineered by the well-known Holman F. Stephens. Leysdown, the terminus, was the largest station on the line and served the embryonic seaside resort offering very limited facilities including cattle pens along with a horse and carriage dock. After being absorbed into the South Eastern & Chatham Railway the line was improved, enlarged and partly standardized. With ownership passing to the Southern Railway and then British Railways (SR), closure took place in 1950 with the last train on Saturday 2nd December.  | Kernow Model Rail Centre |
Redbridge Wharf (00) Redbridge Wharf depicts a layout based on the area of Redbridge, Hampshire. The station was opened in 1847 by the Southampton and Dorchester Railway and became a junction in 1865 when the “Sprat and Winkle” line opened to Romsey and Andover. The large area of drained marshland between the wharf and the station was used as a material holding area. This then became the sleeper works including the manufacture of sleepers, bridge timbers and cast track components. In the final years of operation, the site was used to assemble long welded rail sections and set out large point work complexes. The focus of the layout is the wharf, with the works behind, and Redbridge station and junction to the rear.  | Primo Handcraft Primo Models specializes in realistic model scenery. Our offer includes a broad range of high-quality, hand-made trees of different types and sizes as well as, bushes, grass clumps, and flowers.  |
| | Rails of Sheffield Meet the team from Rails of Sheffield, one of the UK’s leading and most popular retailers! They will be on hand to showcase their latest exclusive samples and hand out some free merchandise.  |
| Do you have a layout you would like to exhibit? Please get in touch via: rapidorailex@rapidotrains.co.uk | Coastal DCC Suppliers of DCC Equipment from a variety of different Manufacturers. With help and advice always given.  |
When and Where?
WHEN: Friday 19th and Saturday 20th September 2025, 10am – 4:30pm
WHERE: The Market Hall, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8LW
5 minutes walk from Maidstone West Railway Station.
Ample parking is available at the nearby (pay at machine or via RingGo app).
The Market Hall is a wheelchair-friendly venue.
Tickets
Early bird tickets for RAPIDO RAILEX are just £7.50 per adult. Kids are FREE when accompanied by a paying adult. On the door tickets cost £10.
Each ticket covers 1 day of attendance at the show, you are free to come and go during the day.
