About Us

Welcome to the Chatham & District Model Railway Club. We have existed over 60 years, in that time, moving premises around the Medway Towns. Since the late 1980s, we have met in a large cellar in the Historic Dockyard, Chatham. Situated between the Ropery and the Fitted Rigging House, our entrance steps are just off-scene from many TV sets, including the current BBC ‘Meet the Midwife’ series.

The Clubroom is approximately 12m x 9m [40’ x 30’]. On entering, on the left is our library, with comfortable seating. Immediately beyond that is the Club’s extensive 00 layout, offering a multi-track, scenic oval, junction station and large terminus. It is wired to enable both DCC and analogue models to be run.

In the middle of the room is an open area with removable seating, which is used for our monthly illustrated talks, on a variety of modelling and prototypical subjects. The far side of the room sees our new N gauge project ‘Elliott’s Bluff’ taking shape, which is on an American theme. Beyond that, against the far wall, we have a run of workbenches and machine tools, including pillar drill, lathe and scrolling saw. Finally, to the right of the entrance is our new 0 gauge project. Currently a 4m diameter, double track circle [again switchable for DCC or analogue], it will eventually expand to a large oval, based on the concept of a London avoiding line, effectively enabling trains from all of the ‘Big 4’ and BR steam diesel days, to be run.

Clubnights are Tuesdays and Fridays, when we are open from around 7pm to after 10pm.

Current membership is around 60, with a regular attendance of between 20 and 30 on Tuesday nights, fewer on Fridays – though this is often when more modelling is done. Our interests are very broad and in addition to the layouts above include EM, P4, LGB and live steam. We also have an American S gauge layout, though this is currently in store. Visitors are always welcome.