About Us
A world in miniature, since 1982
Emerald Lakeside Model Railway began in 1982, when Ed Featherstone and his wife Christine built the first layout on the site where it still stands today. After Ed’s passing, Christine carried on his work, running the exhibition with her husband Max for two decades.
In the years since, a number of custodians have looked after the railway. In July 2026, Dan and Sue took over, proud to be the latest to keep it running.
Discover the little details
Today, the layout measures 30 metres by 6 metres and is believed to be the largest HO scale model railway on public display in the southern hemisphere.
Inspired by the landscapes and villages of Europe and the UK, it’s full of tiny details to discover, from village streets and pubs to buses, cars and steam trains winding through the countryside.
What you’ll see
- Over 2.6 kilometres of track across eight separate lines
- Up to eight trains and a tram running at once
- Push-button animations hidden in the scenes, so you can bring the layout to life
- An “I spy” game to help you discover the tiny details
- A 30-metre by 6-metre miniature world to explore
Come and see it for yourself, beside Puffing Billy’s Lakeside Station at Emerald Lake Park.