CSMEE caters for all forms of model engineering including steam operated equipment, locomotives, clock building, workshop equipment etc. It holds its monthly meetings on the 3rd Thursday each month at the Canberra Railway Museum, Geijera Place, Kingston (off Cunninghams Street) at 8.00 pm.
Its model railway is open to the public on the last Sunday of each month at the end of Geijera Place. They began building the railway in 1983 and opened it to the public in 1993. The Society has both 7¼” and 5” gauge rails but most models run on the larger gauge.
The set up is authentic as to detail and scale, with electric and manual switching points, sidings for attaching and detaching passenger cars, a turntable for reversing engines and carriages, a water and coal refueling siding for the steam engines, and lots of other nice touches. When the line was opened to the public, intercom/radio headsets were introduced for drivers to assist in safety and smooth running. The usual turnout is 6-10 model engines carrying passengers around the kilometre of track.
The centre of the track provides a picnic area which is very popular for birthday parties and BBQs (you can hire a BBQ, plus a picnic table and chairs from CSMEE). A great day out for all the family, with picnicers able to buy an ‘all-day’ ticket, or pay by the ride. T shirts, postcards and other promotional items are also available.
Once a year CSMEE make their track available to the Malkara Special School, with all profits from a regular open day going to the School. In September each year, a special Invitation meet is held on Saturday for modellers from all over Australia to compete for prizes, with the option of staying and running their engines for the public on the Sunday. Not to be missed!
Contact : Former President - John Nicolson e-mail. President: David Proctor (also Editor of Australian Model Engineering magazine - link here) - e-mail: editor@ameng.com.au