CLUB HISTORY

The Staines Society of Model Engineers was first convened during the latter period of 1945. Many men, returning from the war service, sought a way of utilising their newly found skills along with a way of socialising with other men in a social environment . Many men found it difficult to adjust socially after the previous six or so years, so this sort of group was a place where they could get together with ‘like minded’ men and pool their thoughts and skills.
During their early meetings a plan of action was formed, with one major requirement being a track to allow the members to run their newly built locomotives. Over time a question of design was raised and various samples produced. A total run of about 100 feet of portable track was manufactured and this was set up in a secluded part of a small park, in the town of Staines, for use during the summer months to give children rides.
Years passed and with the popularity of television, support for the society waned and it was around the early 1950’s that the few that were left decided to formally close the group down, with just a couple or so meeting randomly to keep the title alive. But by the early 1970’s, when everyone was becoming bored with the repeats of shows on TV, a notice was placed in a local paper asking if anyone was prepared to join the re-opened group and start again.
This notice brought a good many new faces onto the scene, in 1973 the Society was formally restarted. From that point onwards a search for a permanent home for a track was made until around 1975 or 1976 a small part of another park in the town was offered. Work commenced and during 1978 the track was opened amidst much cheering and flag waving.
Since then of course there have been additions and improvements in several areas, many aimed at cutting down the effort required to prepare the track and rolling stock for use when needed. Some additions are the extra storage space, a permanent ticket office at the station, complete fencing around the track to satisfy Insurance and Health & Safety requirements, and a permanent water supply to both the steaming bays and station.
Unfortunately the licence the Society holds does not allow for any major expansion to the track, which remains much the same as when first built, approximately 980 feet in length, running three gauges 2½” / 3½” and 5”, all on aluminium rails on wooden sleepers.
Members are gradually falling by the wayside, like many other groups we would like to encourage any new comers to the hobby to join us, contact details are available at the Contact Us

Following many visits to Canada for family and friends holidays a bond was developed with a club in Ontario known as the Richmond Hill Live Steamers and a couple of our own members. This group is located on their own piece of land about 45 minutes drive north of Toronto city. The location is quiet and relaxing and visitors are welcome to come and sit at their picnic tables among the trees and watch the trains. Always made very welcome, the members from the Staines Society suggested both clubs were ‘twinned’. This was accomplished during the summer of 2004, when signed pledges were exchanged between the two groups. The bond remains a strong as ever and occasional visits are still made. More information may be obtained by clicking on their web link on our ‘Links Page’.