-Article & photos by Kim Parnell-
Karin and Malcolm (Mal) have shared a great relationship that’s truly stood the test of time, a partnership built on hard work, dedication, and a shared passion that has delighted thousands of visitors over the years.
In April 2025, they celebrated 40 years in business with M&K Wide Bay Electronics and, a couple of years later, opened M&K Model Railways. With their Golden Wedding Anniversary on the horizon, there’s even more to celebrate in the year ahead.
Their story begins quite literally next door.
“Malcolm’s brother was a photographer,” Karin recalls with a smile. “At my Auntie’s wedding, he took all the photos, which were later displayed at Mal’s house. I was only twelve at the time, but that’s how he got to know my family. We moved from Victoria and ended up living right next door to him. We became good friends.”
Mal laughs, adding cheekily, “You could say I’ve got an eye for these things.”
When they married, the couple settled in Maryborough, where Mal worked as a technician for the Electricity Board. But it wasn’t long before they realised they wanted more control over their lives. “There was so much outside work, everyone was calling Malcolm for jobs,” Karin explains. “So, we decided to start our own business.”
Their first venture was Tandy Electronics, a local shop that kept Mal’s technical skills sharp. Around the same time, they began developing what would become M & K Model Railways — a business born from Mal’s lifelong fascination with trains.
“We used to take our railway displays to shopping centres,” Mal says. “The public’s enthusiasm was incredible. That’s when we realised there was a real interest — not just from kids, but from adults, too.”
Karin, a keen gardener, began incorporating outdoor elements into their displays. “We even built a garden railway outside,” she says. “Buses used to come past here because there was a popular store called Polymetric Products at the end of the street. People would stop and look at our trains in the yard!”
Before long, the business became a local attraction — thanks in part to a little encouragement from tourism leaders. “John Craig-Gardiner, who was head of the Tourism Board at the time, really wanted businesses like ours to open to the public,” Mal remembers. “This was before all the housing sprang up around here.”
While M & K Model Railways grew inside, their other business, M & K Wide Bay Electronics, thrived outside. “We did a lot of work for the council,” Mal says. “We built their electrical systems right up until they got their own team. We also worked for local and state government departments, fire brigades, and ambulances — installing and maintaining their two-way radio systems.”
At one point, they had twelve staff. Today, it’s just the two of them again, “We’ve come full circle,” Karin says.
Mal’s love of trains started long before all this. “Dad was a guard on the railway for 47 years,” he says. “We lived across from the railway yards in Maryborough, so trains were part of my life from the start.”
When he was seven, his brother gave him his first train set — a Triang Britannia Locomotive that still works today. “I had to get up at 4:30 in the morning to open it on Christmas Day,” he laughs. “I had it all set up before breakfast. It still smokes — it’s 65 years old now and comes out every Christmas.”
Although Mal’s father hoped he’d follow in his footsteps and join the railway, Mal’s fascination with the electrics behind the trains led him down a different track — becoming an electrician. “It started as a boyhood hobby,” he says, “but over time it evolved into what it is today.”
What it is today is something truly special — a miniature world that captures imaginations across generations. Visitors travel from near and far to see the meticulously detailed layouts that fill the couple’s property. “It’s frightening sometimes,” Karin admits. “We’re now seeing second-generation visitors — people who came as kids, bringing their own children. It’s really touching.”
The displays are by appointment only, with viewing sessions that include a guided show, morning tea, and a chance for the kids to enjoy a train ride — weather permitting. Bookings are advertised on their website and Facebook page.
Mal also opens the doors on Friday mornings from 9am to 12pm for anyone who wants to bring in their trains or chat about layouts. “It’s free,” he says. “We even provide morning tea. We get everyone — truck drivers, engine drivers, even a doctor who’s mad about trains. It’s just about sharing the hobby.”
The on-site retail shop, open Tuesday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm and Friday mornings, is a treasure trove for enthusiasts — stocked with everything from engines and tracks to miniature scenery. The couple even take their entire range to expos, with their next big trip planned for Bundaberg in March.
Keeping everything running smoothly is no small feat. “It’s a full-time job just maintaining it all,” Karin says. “There’s so much cleaning involved — the trains, the tracks, the sets. It all needs constant care.”
Each display is powered by an intricate web of electronics. “We’ve got about 20 miles of underground cables,” Mal says proudly. “It took ten years to build it all. Everything is permanently wired in.”
At Christmas time, the magic steps up a notch. On Friday and Saturday nights (6:30 pm – 7:30 pm) during the school holidays, both the indoor and outdoor layouts are lit up for the festive season — weather permitting, of course. “Unfortunately, last year the weather turned bad,” Karin says, “but when it’s clear, it’s absolutely beautiful.”
Visitors come from all walks of life — and all over the world. “We’ve had everyone from politicians to movie stars,” Karin says. “Even the grandson of the Von Trapp family visited! But the one that really stuck with me was a little boy who went home and spent the night in his sleep going ‘choo choo!’ after seeing our show. Moments like that are the most rewarding.”
Mal agrees. “It’s the smiles that make it worthwhile. We even get visits from nursing homes and seeing the joy on people’s faces — that’s what keeps us going.”
As for his prized possession? “That old Britannia locomotive,” he says, eyes lighting up. “It’s more than just a train — it’s a memory. It’s where it all began.”
Now, as they approach 50 years of marriage, it’s clear that Karin and Mal’s journey has been more than just about trains. It’s been about connection — to each other, to their community, and to the countless people who have found joy in their miniature world.
“We’ve seen so many changes over the years,” Karin reflects. “It was easier being in business back then. But the passion — that’s never changed.”
Thousands have visited M&K Model Railways over the decades, many returning again and again. For them, it’s more than a display — it’s a place where memories are made.
And for Karin and Mal, it’s the legacy of a life beautifully lived — side by side, on and off the tracks.
M&K Model Railways
📍 50 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
🕘 Retail shop: Tuesday–Thursday, 9 am–4 pm | Friday, 9 am–12 pm (with morning tea)
🚂 Trains: Viewing by appointment only — bookings essential – 4124 1979
🌐 Visit www.mkmodelrailways.com.au or find them on Facebook.
