About 800 people attended the Dunedin Model Train Show on its first day on Saturday, Trevor Buchanan said.
In total, up to 1700 people were expected through the doors at the Taieri Bowling Club, in Mosgiel, at the weekend.
By midafternoon yesterday, the people’s choice voting had Rod and Lisa Read, of Temuka, out in front with their "Parklands County" layout receiving the most votes.
There were 19 layouts by enthusiasts from Invercargill to Christchurch on display this year.
When children first entered the bowling club, often wearing their Thomas the Tank Engine kit, they would head straight for the layouts, leaving their parents behind, Mr Buchanan said.
And when it came time to leave, there were often protests.
However, the model train show appealed to all ages, Mr Buchanan said.
"We’re doing something right, I tell you," he said.
"We’ve had from kids in bassinets to people from retirement homes coming in.
"There’s something about trains."
