Ballarat Antique, Collectables and Vintage Bazaar has taken over the Ballarat Mining Exchange, with more than 26 stallholders showcasing jewelry, homewares and art. 

A miniature marvel was showcased in the annual Ballarat and District Model Railway Club’s exhibition at Ballarat Specialist School.

The bazaar was launched by Malcolm Roberts four years ago, to bring some brightness to a usually quiet and dreary Queen’s Birthday weekend. 

“We’ve had really strong numbers of people through, and lots of visitors to Ballarat, which is nice to see,” Mr Roberts said. “Right from the outset, we always wanted to have a range of things … and vintage is kind of big now too, there’s more collectables and vintage fashion.”

According to Mr Roberts, the bazaar also caters for those driven by nostalgia. 

“People like to just come in to have a look, and they’ll say, “oh I remember Mum had one those, Nanna had one of those”, and that’s sort of nice too.”

Ballarat and District Model Railway Club president Bill Powell says the members have any number of reasons for their fascination for the small rail world.

Some are ex-railway employees, capable of explaining the obscure details of signalling, shunting and the differences between engines.

Others simple love the age of steam. The idea of a massive locomotive hurtling across the landscape belching smoke, steam and fire is an indelible image imprinted on the collective memory even though the iron monsters have long vanished.

Both old world events open Monday from 10am.