June 2024 - A very busy month for the SWDSME which included attending fetes at Little Chesterford and Elsenham. We offered train rides using a temporary track as well as behind two road steam models (a Foden steam lorry and a Fowler ploughing engine) and had a display of member's work.
Construction of our miniature railway continues, with a tunnel now completed and the station taking shape. The club electric Warship loco' has undergone some maintenance and this and member's steam locos will hopefully be offering train rides to the public later this summer.
Construction of our miniature railway continues, with a tunnel now completed and the station taking shape. The club electric Warship loco' has undergone some maintenance and this and member's steam locos will hopefully be offering train rides to the public later this summer.
October 2023: The general track work complete, emphasis has moved on to landscaping. This includes the banks built up for the sidings and areas along the track seeded with grass. In addition, the wooded area has been cleared of nettles, spoil from track work and dead wood.
Woodland
September 2023: A steaming day was held on Saturday 30th, attended by 50 members and invited guests. This marked the completion of the first phase of the ground level track, giving both members and guests the opportunity to run their locomotives.
Meanwhile, a scale Foden steam lorry and Fowler ploughing engine ran around the field. A member's Merryweather steam fire pump with a newly restored boiler also showed off its pumping power.
An excellent barbecue was supplemented by home made cakes, together with endless tea and coffee.
See photo below and more in the Gallery.
Meanwhile, a scale Foden steam lorry and Fowler ploughing engine ran around the field. A member's Merryweather steam fire pump with a newly restored boiler also showed off its pumping power.
An excellent barbecue was supplemented by home made cakes, together with endless tea and coffee.
See photo below and more in the Gallery.
Steam Up
August 2023: Work has progressed on ballasting the track and the raised steaming bays are under construction. A traverser has been built and installed to provide access between the steaming bays and the ground level circuit.
(Thanks to Nick Webb for the photo).
(Thanks to Nick Webb for the photo).
July 2023: We have completed the initial loop of ground level track (7 1/4" and 5" gauge) although it still requires ballasting and bedding in. A test run has been made and a video of the very first train is on our Facebook page. Work is now focused on the sidings and steaming bays.
June 2023: SWDSME attended the Elsenham Fete with a stand showing off members’ projects. We also offered train rides using a temporary track as well as behind two road steam models (a Foden steam lorry and a Fowler ploughing engine).
May 2023: The AGM has set the individual membership fee at £50, that's under £1 a week.
We also offer discounts for juniors and more than one adult at the same address. See our membership page for more details and to contact the membership secretary.
We also offer discounts for juniors and more than one adult at the same address. See our membership page for more details and to contact the membership secretary.
December2022: Access to our site had been improved, just in time for delivery of a container for more secure storage.
Access Road
Delivery of container
October 2022: We celebrated our 40th Anniversary with a steam up at the club site. A number of traction engines and other miniature road steam vehicles were running. A temporary railway track was in operation as the club's own track is still under construction.
September 2022: Our landlord has donated an old shed, which members are repairing for use as a storage shed. Meanwhile, work continues on the track bed for our ground-level railway.
June 2022: The club has held its first event at our new site. "Raising Steam" was an opportunity for miniature traction engines and other road steam vehicles to take a run around the club area and access road. Photos have been added to the gallery.
May 2022: Great progress is being made with the clubhouse.
It will soon be ready for painting and fitting out.
It will soon be ready for painting and fitting out.
April 2022: members have made a start assembling the new clubhouse.
A short video is available below (unfortunately it is not possible to embed the video in the website).
A short video is available below (unfortunately it is not possible to embed the video in the website).
| Construction of the new clubhouse |
April 2022: The parts of the new club house are on site and prepared for assembly now that we look forward to drier weather and drier ground.
January 2022: This marks the start of the club's 40th anniversary. We are planning to celebrate later in the year, hopefully including the running of the first trains at our new site.
October 2021: The club has a new home on the outskirts of Stanstead, Essex. This will allow the club to re-establish its own clubhouse and railway with occasional public open days.
Much of the track and rolling stock is already in temporary storage on site. The new clubhouse building will be delivered shortly, ready for assembly.
Much of the track and rolling stock is already in temporary storage on site. The new clubhouse building will be delivered shortly, ready for assembly.
