Model railway enthusiasts offer miniature railway rides to the public

Scores of visitors enjoyed rides on miniature trains during the second open day of the year organised by the West Wiltshire Society of Model Engineers.

The society held the open day on Saturday, May 4 at its club premises on the White Horse Country Park in Westbury, from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Visitors were able to see nine five-inch steam engines and three electric battery locomotives.

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Rob Atkins takes the GWR miniature diesel rail car out on the track at the West Wiltshire Society of Model Engineers public open day at Westbury. Image: Trevor Porter 77032-6 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Society spokesperson, Tony Lowe, said: “We had at least 150 people turn up and gave 180 rides on Saturday. It was another great success.

“We have almost 100 members. They don’t need to have experience in engineering, just enthusiasm.

“Our youngest member is eight years old and was taking visitors on rides around the track and our oldest is in his 90s.

“We are trying to do something different each month so that visitors will return and there will always be something else for them to do.”

Tim Osborne debuted his third-scale working steam model of a Burrell Scenic Showman’s road locomotive at the West Wiltshire Society of Model Engineers public open day at Westbury. Image: Trevor Porter 77032-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

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One of the members debuting a new model was Tim Osborne, 63, from Bromham, who has just completed a ten-year build on a third scale working steam model of a Burrell Scenic Showman’s Road Locomotive, weighing a tonne.

“It’s really powerful and can easily pull ten tonnes,” said Osborne, a former mechanical engineer who retired in 2017 and took up his childhood hobby again.

David Allan with the 16mm model railway at the West Wiltshire Society of Model Engineers public open day at Westbury. Image: Trevor Porter 77032-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The society said: “We are delighted that after a lot of hard work catching up on maintenance we are able to offer running days to the public again.

“We have also completed the build of our new ground-level five-inch line around the site as a new attraction.

“We run several events during the year that are open to the public to showcase some of our activities and to provide a good day out, especially for families.”

Busman’s holiday for former British Rail employee Mike Pepper at the West Wiltshire Society of Model Engineers public open day at Westbury. Image: Trevor Porter 77032-4 (Image: Trevor Porter)

It is planning further public open days on the first Saturday of every month, including June 1, July 6, August 3 and September 2.

Tickets are available at £1.50 each for one ride, or £10 for eight rides.

Members are also planning a 'Santa Special' on Sunday, December 1, with rides from 2pm to 5pm.

You can book tickets from Saturday, August 3 onwards.