Bentley Model Railway Group are optimistic it will be full steam ahead for Chippenham’s Model Railway Show after a successful exhibition on Saturday.

The organisers were worried that rising costs and poor attendances would signal the end of the line for the event which was in its fifth year at Sheldon School Sports Hall.

In total, 647 people visited the exhibition, down from 689 last year, but it is still considered enough for the event to continue.

Exhibition manager Tim Williams said: “We had a very successful show. There’s a growing decline across all shows but we thought it was a good turnout.

“Most people thoroughly enjoyed it because we had a good range of quality layouts.

“I cannot believe that, based on the numbers I have seen, we will not do it again.”

There were 14 working layouts on display at the exhibition with an additional 14 trade, society and demo stands.

The exhibition featured layouts based on Sydney Gardens, on the route into Bath, British military railways from 1950-1969 and the present day east coast of Norway.

The event’s turnout, of fewer than 650, is a stark contrast to that in Calne, which had more than 1,400 visitors this year.

The group runs three shows, in Chippenham, Calne and Melksham, at a cost of £20,000, and with the ongoing financial difficulties, dropping a show had become a very real possibility.

Mr Williams said: “We are fighting a global negative trend in the hobby, hence my enjoyment at seeing children at the event.

“There were lots of families which was pleasing; Chippenham’s show is aimed more at families. I think overall it was very successful from the club’s point of view.”

Organisers were relieved to see numbers above 600 despite the decision not to print any of the 18,000 door-to-door leaflets which they used last year.

The cut in costs, as well as the greater than expected numbers, should be enough to see the Chippenham exhibition back in 2015.