Membership
- Details
- Category: CMES
- Published on Tuesday, 10 January 2012 14:49
- Written by Super User
- Hits: 3418
Located on the southern edge of Cambridge, we enjoy a beautiful park location where miniature trains of varying scales and methods of propulsion meander between trees and through grassy areas with a welcome stop for tea and cakes in the club house.
Yes, it really is as idyllic as it sounds. Some members particularly enjoy the pleasant surroundings as one way to switch off from the stress of their working lives. (No, we didn't say 'and to get away from their families'! In fact family members of all ages join in with the work or just enjoy the atmosphere.)
Activities include:
- Public running days
- Talking and drinking tea
- Club running (public running)
- Drinking tea and talking
- Special days and weekends where other clubs visit to run, chat and relax
- Drinking coffee and talking
- Model steam running days
- Working days (yes, there are always maintenance and improvements to do)
- Winter weekly meetings (in Cambridge)
- Weekday evening work sessions
- Visits (informal and by invitation) to other societies and clubs for special events, running (trains not a marathon!) etc.
- Special running for Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year
Why join?
Somewhere to
- unwind
- switch off from work
- recharge the batteries
- enjoy the fresh air of outdoor activities (rain and shine)
- do some practical work different to the daily round
- learn new skills such as driving a real steam locomotive, passenger guard, ticket office, track maintenance
- use and share your current skills and experience in a new environment
- share knowledge and experience
- relax
- chat
- rekindle your enthusiasm for past hobbies
- give younger family members an alternative to computer games
- meet the public as a driver, guard, refreshments and more
But I'm not an engineer...
Who is today?
Most members do not have a professional engineering background and in many cases do not not pursue 'engineering' as a hobby. What they do have is a shared interest (sometimes a passion) for all things in miniature.
Membership
- We run a ground level continuous multi-gauge track for 7¼in, 5in and 3½in locomotives
- The main station has an adjoining steam up area with turntable, pit and loading ramp
- There is also a raised steaming area with turntable and electrical supply for steam raising fans
- The main circuit is fully signalled with track circuiting, allowing several trains to run together (but apart of course)
- An end-to-end raised track for 5in and 3½in locomotives runs along one side of the site
- Other member interests include horology (clock making but you knew that), buses, traction engines, windmills, canals, boats and planes
- We have a well established 16mm scale garden railway for 32mm gauge (and possibly 45mm gauge) locomotives which after years of good service is being rebuilt, can you help?
- Most Sundays see running or other activities (particularly in the summer)
- Special running days are arranged
- A newsletter keeps members in touch with the latest work and improvements to the club site
- Articles on engineering, hobbies and places to visit allow knowledge and experience to be shared
There is lots to do so why not join the Society. Please contact us via the Contact Us page.