Railway Models UK

PECO, one of the oldest manufacturers of track and accessories in the railway modelling world, has unveiled a collection of Christmas gifts that are perfect for hobbyists. The appeal lies in a selection of tours to the company’s 57,000‑sq‑ft factory in Beer, Devon.

The factory tours give visitors an exclusive chance to see the paperwork, machinery and production line that makes PECO’s model trains a reality. There are two levels of access: a two‑hour “Silver Experience” that shows a complete tour of the premises; and a full‑day “Gold Experience” that adds a visit to Pecorama Gardens & Trains, a lunch on the 1950s Pullman carriage Orion, a Q&A session with a PECO Head of Department, a workshop to construct a souvenir wagon and a goodie bag to take home.

For those who prefer to stay away from the factory floor, PECO offers four beginner‑friendly training courses covering everything from the fundamentals of layout design to advanced Digital Command Control (DCC). These are:

Getting started with a model railway – teaching the basics of planning, scale selection, choosing a historical era for the layout and creating a baseboard.
Making the trains run – a live demonstration of track laying, electrical wiring and practical advice on installing and operating tracks and points.
Bringing the layout to life – illustrating landscape and scenery construction, ballasting the track, shaping scenery and adding grass, trees and other vegetation to enhance realism.
Going digital with DCC – explaining the benefits of digital over analogue control, installing decoders, and using DCC with accessories.

The Rail 200 celebration saw PECO run a competition for a globe‑shining model railway layout, while last year the company commemorated its 50th anniversary with a limited‑edition OO‑9 gauge wagon featuring a golden theme.

For those who want to get behind the wheel (or, more precisely, the steam), PECO offers a Locomotive Driver Experience on the Beer Heights Light Railway. Guests can choose between:

Steam Driver Experience – learning how to prepare, fire and drive a miniature steam locomotive, followed by an opportunity to run it under expert supervision.
Advanced Steam Driver Experience – designed for participants who have completed the day‑long driver course, allowing them to handle a freight train with multiple types of motive power, as well as shunt trains at sidings and stations along the route.

Model railway factory tours could be ideal Christmas gifts for modellers

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