Tonbridge Model Engineering Society

Background to the Society.

The Society was formed in 1944 following a chance meeting of a number of fellow travellers commuting to London, and seven members attended its first meeting held in the Technical Institute and Library, Tonbridge. Further meetings were held and, as membership expanded, a Chairman, Officers and Committee were elected. A start was made on a multi-gauge track in the grounds of E.D.C. Ltd (now Wallace & Tiernan) but this was abandoned when the Tonbridge Urban District Council offered us our present site.

The first track at our present site was built in 1951 in the form of an oval. This provided 480ft of 3 1/2in. and 5in. track and its outline is still discernible. Subsequent extensions have resulted in the track we have today - about one third of a mile long complete with signalling and safety rail and containing some 2,000 sleepers and over 200 rail joints. Membership has risen to well over 100 with about 40 locomotives.

The Society's facilities now include a steaming bay and turntable, passenger trollies, refreshment facilities and meeting room, store, and a well appointed workshop. The carriage, which is used as a refreshment area and meeting room, is an ex-BR General Delivery Van dating back to 1939 and is in the process of being restored. The carriage is situated on 60ft of full size track and is equipped with both water and electricity. These facilities, together with the increasing age of the track, present a considerable maintenance problem. A programme of winter maintenance takes place most years and all members are expected to do their part.

Regular meetings are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons throughout the summer for running on the track and the close season allows for evening meetings, usually on a monthly basis, for film shows, talks etc. Occasional club outings take place most years to sites of mutual interest, and barbeques and competitions are arranged for most years.

The Society is now registered as a non profit-making co-operative under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965. A member’s liability is limited by Section 57(d) of this Act to his shareholding which, under the Society’s rules, is limited to a maximum of £1 share per member.

The Society operates in a public park and takes safety very seriously. It has a well developed Health and Safety strategy and, in view of the popularity of its track amongst the young, is very aware of its obligations under the Child Protection Act.