Anyone Remember Meccano?
The Society was originally founded in 1929 as a Meccano club by our founder Mr. Wicks for his two sons who were interested in the construction sets at that time. Other members joined and the interest spread to railway modelling. Meccano was a system of metal strips, plates, wheels and gears that could be used to make models of just about anything. With Lego not even on the horizon it was incredibly popular.
After the Second World War, some of the previous members in the area got together and decided to continue the Society. It was at this time that the name was changed to The Maidstone Model Engineering Society to reflect the wider interest of the members in other forms of modelling.
Regular meetings were held at members home workshops as well as meeting at the Maidstone Technical School workshop. At this time a portable track was constructed and this was used at various local events in order to raise funds for the construction of a permanent track.
The Site At Mote Park
The track in Mote Park was originally constructed by the members in 1949 and opened to the public in 1950. At that time the track was just an oval shape and had rails for 5", 3½" and 2½" gauge locomotives.
In 1961 the members extended the track to the present shape and length of 1826 feet. At that time the 21/2" gauge rail was removed.
Since the track extension there have been many improvements to our facilities, all provided by members of the Society with revenue raised from giving rides to the public on the railway. These include rebuilding the steaming bays and traverser to provide electricity to each bay and compressed air to every other bay, the building of the clubhouse, workshop and storage facilities, the station buildings and better access for unloading models.
