The Model Centre

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The Model Centre is a family-run North Yorkshire retailer combining a large online catalogue and Beck Hole showroom with professional weathering, DCC, sound and bespoke finishing services.

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About this shop

The Model Centre is one of the UK’s largest specialist model retailers while retaining the character of a family-run business. Founded in 1998 as Trafford Model Centre, TMC is now based at Hill Farm in Beck Hole, within the North Yorkshire Moors and close to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

The range spans locomotives, rolling stock and layout essentials across N, TT:120, OO, O, narrow gauge and other scales. Customers can also browse scenery, buildings, electrical products, tools, plastic kits, diecast models and figures from major manufacturers. TMC is primarily a mail-order operation, but its weekday showroom and workshop are open to visitors.

A defining feature is the in-house customisation service. The workshop offers light through deluxe weathering, customer-reference finishes, renumbering and renaming, DCC and DCC sound installation, crew and detail fitting, graffiti effects and other finishing work intended to retain a professional factory-quality appearance.

TMC also operates a substantial pre-owned department, buying, selling and exchanging models and collections. Pre-owned stock is checked and described before sale, with new additions appearing regularly online. Customers wishing to sell can submit a list and photographs or discuss a collection with the team.

Online services include pre-orders, wishlists, standard and express UK delivery, international delivery and showroom collection. Customised items require additional workshop lead time, so buyers should check the current service estimate when ordering.

Specialisms

Books and collectiblesModel railwaysPlastic kitsRadio controlScenery and materialsTools and electronics

Gauges and services

✓ N gauge✓ TT gauge✓ OO gauge✓ O gauge✓ Narrow gauge✓ DCC and electronics✓ Scenery and buildings✓ Pre-owned models✓ Repairs✓ DCC fitting✓ UK mail order✓ Click and collect✓ Customer parking✓ Layout advice✓ Special orders

Brands stocked

Accurascale
Bachmann
Dapol
Graham Farish
Gaugemaster
Heljan
Hornby
Peco
Scenecraft
Woodland Scenics
Corgi
Oxford Diecast

Stock and service highlights

New and pre-owned models; all major railway gauges; professional weathering; renumbering and renaming; DCC and DCC sound fitting; detailing and finishing; limited editions; collection buying and exchange; pre-orders; showroom collection; worldwide delivery.