EXHIBITION BY MODEL ENGINEERING SOCIETY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29435, 10 February 1961, Page 15

EXHIBITION BY MODEL ENGINEERING SOCIETY

One of the finest and most varied collection of model locomotives in New Zealand will delight hundreds of children who will enjoy rides on a 400 ft long model railway when the Canterbury Society of Model and Experimental Engineers opens its annual exhibition at Andrews crescent this evening. More than 4000 persons visited the society’s exhibition last year. With extensive additions to their exhibition rooms the society expects that a still larger number will be attracted to the exhibition this year.

This year more than 24 locomotives will be on display with a number from other districts including Dunedin, Timaru and Blenheim. The exhibition will also have some magnificent examples of model traction engines, notably that of Mr H. Powell, who is a foundation member of the society and has a particularly fine group of entries. Last evening a strong team

of society members was arranging row upon row of beautifully finished authentic scale models. One of the finest of the new exhibits is one made by Mr W. Jackson It is a sft 10-ton 4-8-4 mountain type coal-fired locomotive, which weighs nearly two-hundredweight. It took four men to carry it tenderly to its place of honour among an array of brightly burnished and authentic locomotives.

Although the display of locomotives is outstanding there is also a large range of stationary engines (both steam and petrol),aero engines, boats of various types, marine engines, clocks and a comprehensive range of workshop equipment and machine tools. It is 27 years since the society was founded at a meeting in Cashel street in May, 1933. The first president was the late Mr L. E.. Wood. Since then members have devoted many thousands of hours to the construction of some fine engineering models. This year the society has installed a fine new signal system on the double track railway with a full range of coloured control lights. The floodlit outdoor track has a new loading dock for passengers with full provision for watering and coaling the locomotives beside the track. The exhibition will open this evening and will be open throughout Saturday and Sunday.