This year will no doubt be remembered nationally for a number of reasons.  Among them may be that it has been 60 years since 'British Railways' was formed, or the NHS was created.  Both started out with optimism, a new outlook and an investment program following the war years.

But in the same year a small band of like minded individuals formed the Newton Abbot & District Model Engineering Society - 'our' Club - perhaps not so surprising when considering that at the time it was a major railway town.
So that makes this year OUR 60th Anniversary too !

And while the blink of 40 years ago saw the wasteful end of mainline steam on British Railways - the hatchet job of Mr Beeching - steam is definitely not dead here in Newton Abbot, at least not in the smaller scales.

Although we've had a 60th Anniversary Dinner and dance, we have an extra element to celebrate.  With the support of our healthy membership numbers we've been developing a Club track at a new site, the longest and most interesting yet - and it's now ready for use !

The Sandringham Park track has been dismanted and the site vacated, awaiting redevelopement by the Council.

Spring brought some new public speakers and topics; but while we have longer evenings the summer club-nights are being held at our new track site.

Several recent joiners said they had found out about the Club from this web-site, so I've got my mandate to carry on producing the site !  If you've just found us this way and you're in the area, don't be shy, please come along and meet us.

Most members have projects of one sort or another under construction; and often two or three part-built models turn up at meetings; always a source of conversation and new ideas.

Over the last year, following on from lots of ground works and building a club-house, a new raised track has been constructed and is now operational.

Besides the normal mid-week team, many members have enjoyed weekend working parties at the site, and more will be organinsed to cover various jobs.  Your support is welcome.

A few more jobs to do before we hold an 'official opening' probably in 2009, but we have now have a brilliant track, and our 60th anniversary really has been a celebration.

So if you've been watching with interest, definitely now IS a good time to embark on that new locomotive or traction engine, or to join the Society . . .