The official web site of the A19 Model Railway Club(formerly the South Shields Model Railway Club).

Founded in the mid 50's, we are one of the oldest model railway clubs in the North East.

The club originally occupied the basement of Laygate Model shop (long since demolished).

When Laygate was renovated we had to find new premises and moved to a room in the YMCA.

After a short spell there the club moved to the upper floors of the Old Customs House at Mill Dam.

In the late 60's the club moved again to the Staiths Office above the BRSA Railway Club at Tyne Dock.

These were great premises, but we had to leave when the BRSA closed. For over a year we had no permanent Home.

Finally the Council offered us accommodation in Bolingbroke Hall, South Shields.

This was our home for over 10 years. Unfortunately we had to leave Bolingbroke in 2000 as it was to be demolished.

It took us until 2002 to find another suitable location.

Our Secretary Jim Thomson found our present home through one of his work contacts. We are now located above a car repair business in Back of Whickham Street, North of the River Wear in Sunderland.

See Find Us page for location. Our present site is large enough to allow us space to have several layouts up and available for work or running at one time. We currently have a "OO", "HO" and "G" scale layouts running, and "On30" and "N" scale layouts under construction.

Prospective members and visitors are always welcome on our club nights of Monday and Thursday from 19:15 onwards.