Manx Steam and

Model Engineering Club

The MS & MEC was founded in 1985 with the object of bringing together residents of the Isle of Man who are interested in model engineering. It has a membership of about 45 which includes a number of country members resident in England. The Club meets on the first Monday of each month and has a quarterly magazine, The Peveril. .

Members are interested in making various types of models: boats, traction engines etc. and, in particular, locomotives. The principle activity of the Club has been the building and running of a miniature railway. It has three gauges, 3.5", 5" and 7.25" and has recently been extended to a length of about 1000 meters

The club site is situated in the north of the Island.

"Caledonia" 0-6-0 Tank Engine built by the late Joe Millwood.

Restored and owned by club member Jack Dibnah a fine railway engineer in the making now an apprentice with Manx Railways and yet another Dibnah, Roger, is a steam enthusiast and wanting to become an engineer in the future. Now I wonder where they got that idea?

MS&MEC is fortunate to have quite a few young helpers who hopefully, one day, will continue the clubs existence.

General Site Layout

The MS&MEC track covers a total journey 1/2 mile in length. The main track is in 5" and 7-1/4" gauges whilst the short inner circuit is in 3-1/2" gauge as well. This inner circuit can be isolated from the main via various points settings, if required. The full journey starts from the station and then proceeds to circle the Noah's Ark feature (middle red circuit) and includes a gentle 1 in 60 climb. On reaching the station inner passing loop the journey then crosses over a roadway and bridge to the wooded swamp area (orange - top). This track doubles back on itself passing through a tunnel to exit via another adjacent bridge to rejoin the outer part of the centre circuit (red). When multiple trains are running it is a special moment when two trains pass side by side. It then continues, by way of a diamond crossing to a field known as Close Beg (Manx for Children's Farm). This includes a short but steep climb to a bridge crossing a small pond and then under a wooden foot bridge and across a pathway leading to another long gentle climb up to the Goat Hut (bottom right of sketch). From there it is an easy coast downhill and back to the station for the next load of passengers.

Station

The small station hut (this hut has now been replaced along with two new signal boxes. All of these have been built by Maurice Shaw over the winter. Updated photo to follow) houses the ticket office and the station control which selects one of the two loading tracks and controls the station approach and exit signals. To the right of the fence is the inner passing line (just out of view). Just ahead of the platform area is a pedestrian crossing which has automated flashing and audible warnings if a train is about to cross. The flashing lights have recently been modernised from car lights to multi-LEDs. This has significantly improved the 12v battery drain.

Ahead of the pedestrian crossing is the recently renovated steaming bay which enables loading of engines in all gauges from vehicles and from there via a gentle slope reversing into either of the station tracks.

Happy Customers

Ben Healey, a visiting country member, driving a fully loaded train pulled by "Jo" a Stuart Wren 7-1/4" gauge steam locomotive. The 7-1/4" gauge steam locomotives can easily manage a 3 or 4 trucked train which when fully loaded with adults represents well over a ton! To ensure adequate stopping each passenger truck is fitted with vacuum brakes operated by the locomotive driver or rear seated train guard in emergencies. The club boasts a wide variety of steam locomotives and a petrol powered locomotive which are usually available for running and inspection. Before each public running event the track is inspected to ensure customer safety and the first train of the day completes a circuit without passengers for the driver to be completely sure there is no track alignment or ride problems.

Wagstaffs Station Control Panel

The control panel, named after the late Ron Wagstaff, is used to operate the station approach, exit, and steaming bay with full interlocking signals. A group of LED's flash to show the active road chosen giving visual confirmation to the Station Master.

New members are always welcome at any time

More pictures can be seen here

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