A History of the Doncaster & District Model Engineering Society

By Paul Tattersall

Born in the late 1970’s out of an idea to form a society to further the aims of those with an

interest of model engineering the then Doncaster Model Engineering Society was formed.

 The first meeting was held at The Sun Inn in Doncaster, this came about by a Mr. Harry

Coupland placing a ad. in the then Doncaster Evening Post.

 The society first constructed a 900ft. 5” & 71/4” ground level track at the rear of the Doncaster

 Plant Works at the works social club Eden Grove. Many famous locomotives were built at the

 Doncaster Plant Works. Mallard, Flying Scotsman and many more. After five years the society

 was told that under the top soil where the track was laid was the dumping ground for old boiler

lagging BLUE ASBESTOS.

 At the end of 1984 after the finish of the running season it was decided to move but the track

 had been moved by someone unknown to the members.

 Members started to meet at a local factory whose owner was a member. Then another member

 who had a very large garden offered to allow the society to put a track down, but sadly after his

 death we were on the move again. This time a the rear of a pub in a local village called

 Sykehouse, but this was short lived so it was on the move again.

 In 1996 the society approached Thorne Parish Council to see if it was possible to put a track in

 the local park and was greeted by the Council. Plans were submitted and pasted. The council

 offered a brick building as a workshop and loco shed which the members accepted with open

 arms. A opening at one end was made with double steel doors fitted to get rolling stock in and

 out. The first length of track was laid in 1998 about 150ft ready for the towns Summer Festival

at end of July, this takes place every year on the last weekend in July.

 By 1999 a continues loop of 5” and 71/4” ground level track was installed. Next came a inner

 loop with new flat bottomed rail also plastic sleepers. The winter of 2012 a crossover and new

points were made and fitted.