Steam into spring with big little trains

INVERMAY Recreation Reserve will come alive with excited children – and kids at heart – this Sunday as the Ballarat Society of Model Engineers run its first open day of the season.

Established in 1985, the society’s 30 strong membership comes from all walks of life but have one thing in common, a love of small engines.

Some members focus on trains, whether they be steam, diesel electric, or battery powered, while other have an interest in static engines and even boats.

“Most of what we do at the moment is locos,” said Paul Bennett, BSME President. “Some people build their own locos, others buy and drive, so you get a whole swag of people. We do it for fun.”

The public events are a relatively new thing for the organisation, having opened their doors to everyone about four years ago, with success rolling on like a big diesel engine.

“We got one taker the first year,” Mr Bennett said. “Then last year we had about 300 people through. It’s gradually built up.”

The society runs the public open days four times a year, with subsequent events set for late-November, New Year’s Eve and the Labour Day long weekend.

They days are major fundraisers for the organisation, which also runs corporate events and kids’ parties to keep the engines stoked and the tracks straight.

“A lot of the club members donate time, but also some money as well as equipment,” Mr Bennett said. “Unless we can get grants from either the council or off the government, or the Bendigo Bank – like we did, we have to raise the money somehow.”

Ultimately the BSME is not just for the members as the group is building links with other community organisations.

“We did an event for Ballarat Health Service for some of their clients,” Mr Bennett said. “We’re also going to organise more regular events for disadvantaged kids.”

The BSME is offering train rides for $2 a trip on Sunday, 6 October from 11am to 3pm at Invermay Recreation Reserve.