© 2007 SWDSME
As well as the Club meetings and and projects at the track, visits are arranged to other Club sites, Model Engineering Exhibitions and places of interest to model engineers.
Every January a group of Club members visit the Indoor Steam Exhibition at Sinsheim in Germany, probably the largest event of its type in Europe. This is a unique experience with so many locos driving around the extensive tracks in the exhibition halls.
As can be seen there are a wide range of activities for Club members to get involved. Many talents are needed to keep the Club vibrant and give Club members an opportunity to contribute in their own way.
We try to be a friendly and informal Club and to cope with an increasing amount of legislation. Safety of our operations has the highest priority and we try to present ourselves in a professional manner.
SWDSME was formed in 1982 and like so many embryo Club started with a portable track before building a fixed track in Saffron Walden. In 1989 the Club moved to the present site, initially with a raised track then later, adding a ground level track.
The Club today has the 720ft raised track for 3½”, 5” and 7¼” gauge operations together with 1600ft of 5” and 7¼” ground level track. There is a very active ‘Wednesday gang’ who are constantly improving the facilities whilst also maintaining our site to a high standard.
Recent Club projects have included building a 7¼” battery electric loco for public running operations and constructing a fleet of passenger carrying carriages. Another group are working on a new signalling system with power control for the points in the station area.
Additional locos are usually to be seen on Open Days. Several steam locos are regular visitors together with electric and petrol/diesel models.
Club nights are held on the second Monday each month. Over the winter period the meetings usually have a guest speaker, the subjects are wide ranging but of interest to model engineers. Over the summer period the meetings are held at the track, often with a barbeque.
Club members often bring along their latest project for advice on how to solve an intractable problem. Offers of help with machining, loan of special tools, supply of bits of material, are often discussed.
The Club is affiliated to the Southern Federation of Model Engineering Societies and the Northern Association of Model Engineers and has a group of experienced boiler testers who can certificate Club member’s boilers. Advice is on hand for a wide range of Club member’s model projects.
