Rails of Sheffield
{{Short description|British model railway retailer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Rails of Sheffield
| logo =
| type = Private Limited Company
| industry = Retail
| founded = {{Start date and age|1970|}} in Sheffield, England
| founder = Hedley Barber
| hq_location = {{nowrap|Sheffield, England}}
| key_people = John Hedley Barber {{small|(Managing Director)}}
| website = {{URL|https://railsofsheffield.com/|railsofsheffield.com}}
}}
Rails of Sheffield is a British retailer and manufacturer of model railway paraphernalia founded in Sheffield, England, in 1970 by Hedley Francis Barber (1929–2015).{{Cite web |title=Family-run model train shop Rails of Sheffield, launched in 1970 by Hedley Barber, has moved to new premises with support from HSBC UK-min {{!}} TheBusinessDesk.com |url=https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/_files/images/may_22/Family-run-model-train-shop-Rails-of-Sheffield-launched-in-1970-by-Hedley-Barber-has-moved-to-new-premises-with-support-from-HSBC-UK-min-scaled-e1653997503957.jpg |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=Yorkshire |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-11 |title=15 of Sheffield's oldest businesses still running today - including Atkinsons and Henderson's Relish |url=https://uk.style.yahoo.com/15-sheffields-oldest-businesses-still-044500430.html |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=uk.style.yahoo.com |language=en-GB}}
The shop, which is located on Chesterfield Road, which has seen numerous expansions over the decades, has become the largest stockist of model railway products in the United Kingdom.{{Cite web |last=Keighley |first=Tom |date=2022-04-19 |title=Model railway retailer Rails of Sheffield to expand creating 20 jobs |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/model-railway-retailer-rails-sheffield-23702072 |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=Business Live |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2024 |title=Model railway retailer Rails of Sheffield to create 20 new jobs |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/model-railway-retailer-rails-of-sheffield-to-create-20-new-jobs-3642594 }} A number of notable customers have visited the store whilst visiting the city including Jools Holland and Rod Stewart.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-23 |title=Rails of Sheffield: How UK's 'biggest' model railway shop with famous fans began life at back of grocery store |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/rails-sheffield-uks-biggest-model-050000336.html |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-GB}}
The shop carries various brands including Hornby, Corgi, Airfix amongst others.{{Cite news |date=2016-10-24 |title=Model train prices are rising because of pound's devaluation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-37755137 |access-date=2024-03-16 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
On 4 February 2024 Hattons Model Railways ceased operations and many of its toolings were sold to Rails of Sheffield.{{Cite web |title=Hattons Originals Range Update - Hattons Model Railways |url=https://www.hattons.co.uk/newsdetail?id=1504 |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=www.hattons.co.uk}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-16 |title=Hattons legacy to live on under Rails of Sheffield |url=https://www.trains.com/mrr/news-reviews/news/hattons-legacy-to-live-on-under-rails-of-sheffield/ |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=Trains |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-12 |title=Hattons Model Railway brand bought by Sheffield company |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/03/hattons-model-railway-brand-bought-by-sheffield-company.html |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=RailAdvent |language=en-GB}}