Alsager Railway Association (ARA) was formed in 1979 to represent model railway enthusiasts in Alsager and the surrounding area. Our objectives are to promote modelling, photography, preservation and historical research on railway related subjects.

It was not until 1985 that a clubhouse was purchased and ground leased from Congleton Borough Council (now Cheshire East Council) off Moorhouse Avenue, Alsager. Since that date the facilities have been enhanced by extensions to allow for expanding railway layouts, central heating, and a toilet. The building is entirely on the ground floor and offers full disabled access using an entrance ramp from the car park.

At present our facilities within the clubhouse comprise of:

Operating space for our O, 00, beginner 00, N and Z Gauge layouts.

A kitchen which includes a small meeting area.

A meeting room / library.

Association layouts include:

Hassell Harbour Bridge (O Gauge)

Hassell Colliery (O Gauge),

Lawton Hey (00 Gauge)

Moorcroft (Beginners' 00 Gauge)

Fredstone Lane (N Gauge)

Newcastle by the Water (N Gauge)

These layouts owned by the club, on which members run their own stock; they are capable of analogue and DCC operation. The layouts are also taken around the country to exhibit at other railway club’s shows: the club’s layouts are very popular and have been the subject in various national and local magazines and journals.

Further layouts are under construction, including modular 00 Gauge, and DCC-only N Gauge.

Club Layouts

The ARA meets every Friday night around 19:00pm to around 22:00pm. Members meet at other times by agreement: Monday and Friday (all day), and Thursday afternoon and evening, are popular.

The Alsager Railway Association is run by a committee according to the rules laid down in our constitution. The committee members must stand for re-election every year. They are elected at our annual AGM, which is normally held around March; the AGM also agrees any changes to our constitution and our financial plans for the coming year.

The Association holds an annual exhibition to raise funds which are used to enhance our facilities and support layout construction. After interruptions due to Covid, our next exhibition will be held at the Legends Conference and Leisure Centre, Bentley Motors Crewe in November. 

ARA Exhibition

The Association has been successful in promoting junior membership and has agreed a 'Young Children and Young Persons' Policy to demonstrate that it takes its responsibilities, towards this category of membership, very seriously.