August 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the popular model railway and visitor attraction, Pecorama, at Beer in East Devon.

The model railway exhibition was established by local businessman Sydney Pritchard and his wife, Claudine in August 1974.

Since then, the exhibition has been a cornerstone of the model railway community, as it showcases the different environments and options available with the company’s products..

To commemorate the half-century, Pecorama and its model railway owner, PECO, is releasing a special commemorative limited-edition OO-9 gauge wagon with a golden theme. Only fifty of the special wagons will be available, with each uniquely numbered to make it a coveted item for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The special edition wagon pays tribute to PECO’s 50 years of passion, craftsmanship, and dedication to the world of model railways and can only be purchased at the Pecorama Model Railway Shop or from its website.

As an added incentive, under the removable top of one of the fifty wagons will be a special surprise – a golden ticket, giving the lucky recipient a unique VIP experience, including a personal tour of the PECO Model Railways factory.

This tour will take the winner on a behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous process of model railway engineering and manufacture.

The lucky ticket winner will also exclusively collaborate with the PECO design team in creating their own one-of-a-kind wagon, and receive a £50 voucher to spend in The Model Railway Shop at PECO’s headquarters in Beer.

This summer, visitors to the Pecorama exhibition will have the chance to take part in a golden trail competition, with the chance to win a £300 voucher by finding small golden objects on each of the model railway layouts.

Since its establishment in 1974, the Pecorama exhibition in Beer has grown significantly and now attracts visitors from around the globe.

The Pritchard family’s vision was to foster a love for model railways and inspire future generations of modellers.

Over the past 50 years, the exhibition has expanded to feature an extensive collection of layouts, historical displays, and interactive exhibits, and has now firmly cemented its reputation as a must-visit destination for model railway aficionados.

Railway modelling is still a thriving hobby in the UK, with a steady stream of products from other manufacturers such as Bachmann and Rapido.

Michael Pritchard, Pecorama Chairman commented:

We are incredibly proud to celebrate 50 years of our model railway exhibition. This limited edition gold wagon and the golden ticket experience are our way of saying thank you to our loyal visitors, and customers, who have supported us over the years.

Andrew Beard, Pecorama Exhibition Manager added:

“Having joined the company nearly 50 years ago myself and building the exhibition from scratch, I am proud to be part of a legacy that I hope will continue to inspire and delight visitors of all ages, for many more years to come.”