Miniature Railway at Mote Park

Maidstone Model Engineering Society have been at Mote Park since 1949 when the members began construction of a new track. The finished layout was opened to the public in 1950.

The Society was originally founded in 1929 as a Meccano club by the Society's 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.

We've been going to this railway for getting on for 30 years with both of our sons and it is a superb attraction to have in Mote Park. I like this shot as it manages to show the scale and magnificence of the engine as well as the driver.

This engine is a model of the new build A1 Class locomotive Tornado, 60163, the first new build loco since Evening Star was completed in 1960. The real Tornado was conceived in 1990 and it took enthusiasts 18 years and £3 million to build the new locomotive.

We were saddened to read that earlier in the week some 120 feet of track from the layout had been ripped up overnight and stolen. No idea whether it was vandalism or theft of valuable metal. But what an act to carry out, you despair, you really do, at the mentality of some people. It will cost several £100's to repair and replace and meanwhile the Society is running a shuttle service to and from the damage, with an engine at each end of the carriages.

Find out more about MMES by clicking here.