About Us
We’re a friendly, family run business nestled in the glorious North Yorkshire Moors, within walking distance of the North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway. Our customers are modellers, collectors and enthusiasts who are fans of model railways, vehicles (military and civilian), and diecast models and figures. They are also keen kit builders and diorama creators. Our knowledgeable team includes railway modellers and dedicated railway enthusiasts, RC experts and plastic kit enthusiasts. We’re ready to provide you with a premium experience and first-class service. We’re essentially mail order, but we do have an onsite showroom and workshop for visitors to enjoy.
What We Do
We stock all major brands of model railway locos and rolling stock across all gauges at competitive discounted prices, usually around a 15% reduction on the recommended retail price. It’s not just locos - we supply everything you need to compliment your layout from scenery, figures, buildings and electrics to modelling tools, paints and effects. We also sell an extensive range of plastic kits, slot cars, diecast models and aviation models.
UK mainland shipping starts from as little as £4 per order and if you’re based overseas - just place your order and we’ll come back to you with a shipping quote.
As well as brand new models, we offer an increasing range of carefully selected pre-owned models - all checked, tested, serviced and sold with our own warranty for your peace of mind. So if you’re looking for a hot and rare pre-owned model, or if you’re thinking of selling your collection - do get in touch!
Our speciality - customisation
We’ve been hand-customising models since 1998 and offer a huge range of custom options.
From making the loco look realistically weathered, or renaming and renumbering locomotives and rolling stock, our skilled artists can transform your models for you. We offer an array of additional customisation options, from fitting your locos with high quality sound decoders, to adding crew, fitting parts and other finishing touches - you won’t be disappointed with the result. And that’s not all…we also provide bespoke customisations to your specifications that can even include urban, edgy graffiti effects. We pride ourselves on the consistent professional finish achieved on every model.
Our History
TMC was founded in 1998 as the Trafford Model Centre, operating from the Festival Village store in The Trafford Centre, Manchester. TMC grew rapidly with a head office established in Tockwith, while more shops were opened in Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Dudley, and Liverpool. In 2004 TMC, was acquired by ModelZone.
Wanting to get back to our roots, the TMC brand was later separated from ModelZone, and is now a fully established mail order company and professional custom finish service.
In 2024, with the sad closure of Hattons, a long standing and established retailer in our industry, we were delighted to take on a number of its staff - keen not to lose the decades of combined experience these people have to offer the hobby. With our new members settled within the rest of the team, we’re focussed on delivering the best products at the best prices all underpinned with a friendly and knowledgeable customer service that’s second to none. Our aim is always 100% customer satisfaction.
In June 2024 TMC opened a large office space in Golbourne just a stones throw from where Hattons was based. This space is mostly used to house TMC's expanding pre owned department, and is run primarily by ex Hattons employees!
TMC Guarantee of Quality
We will not compromise on quality...
We are very proud of the superb finish we are able to achieve and want you to be completely happy with your models. Our aim is to attain factory finish on every occasion.
If for any reason you should be dissatisfied with any of our products or services please get in contact with our team who are happy to help.
