The end of an era...
As reported in the recent Peterborough Evening Telegraph article, the Peterborough Society of Model Engineers has left its popular venue in the walled garden at Thorpe Hall. The society would like to use this opportunity to thank all our friends and supporters who contributed so much to the pleasure we have had in running our public trains on Sunday afternoons over the last 27 years. We believe that all our customers, whatever their ages, have also had a good time with us and have enjoyed the pleasant environment and an inexpensive afternoon out riding the trains.
At present we are searching for a suitable site to rebuild our track, ideally a couple of acres of reasonably flat land within the Peterborough area. The whole area would not necessarily need to be for our exclusive use but we do need to have parking for our visitors and an area for our station and other facilities - if anyone can help our contact details are shown on our web site.
Until the right place is found we will occasionally be travelling to various venues in and around Peterborough with our portable track supporting local events and we look forward to seeing our friends again.
Even when we find a new site for our regular activities, it will be some time before we can return to our normal Sunday running with a new track to be designed and built. Many of our customers who turned out for our farewell running day have left us contact details and we will keep them informed of our progress once we have anything definite to report. We hope that it will also be possible for interested parties to access up to date information via our web site.
Were you at our Family Fun Day?
The Club held a ‘Gala’ day on Saturday 20th August from 10 am till late afternoon. Our aim was to give something back to all our supporters with free rides for all to commemorate all the good days we have had together at the track.
Fine clear weather ensured the day got off to a great start. We had a great turnout from the public and from our members with an impressive collection of loco’s and other superbly well made items running and on display.
Our annual fund raising draw was made by Club Chairman Jim Hogg in the afternoon. Overall we raised just over £1000 for our new track fund. Thanks to all who organised and participated in the draw.
Fresh food and the normal supply of tea also made another welcome boost in the region of £250 for the fund. Thanks to all the team of ladies involved in this marathon effort.
A cracking day’s fun for all one we shall repeat when we get a new track up and running.
Calling all Photographers...
The first picture shows PSME chairman Jim Hogg enjoying a ride on the Thorpe Hall Orchard track in 1992. Since retiring he has built his own electric locomotive and the second picture shows him running it on the track in 2011. The last picture was taken at our fun day on 20th August.
Do you have any pictures showing you, your family and friends having fun at the track over the last two decades? We would be very pleased to have copies of these photos to exhibit at our special running day on Saturday August 20th, 2011. Please email them to info@peterboroughsme.co.uk. Many thanks in advance!
