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© 2004 Queensland
Society of Model and Experimental Engineers Inc. |
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What is Model Engineering?
Because of the wide range
of activities covered by Model Engineering, no one definition
can cover them all. Essentially it is the construction of
larger scale model locomotives, traction engines and stationary
engines in home workshops. Most of the construction is in
metal; consequently metal-working machinery such as lathes
are required. Locomotives can be powered by steam (most in
Australia using coal), petrol or battery and are usually
able to carry people on miniature railway track.
Model Engineers don't limit
themselves to that; they can be found constructing clocks,
model aircraft engines and workshop tools to name a few.
If you want to know more about Model Engineering, ask your
local newsagent for a copy of Australian Model Engineering magazine
and browse their website: www.ameng.com.au
The Queensland Society
of Model and Experimental
Engineers Inc.
(QSMEE) is a society of members
who have a common interest in Model Engineering. There is
an evening club meeting once a month where members discuss
progress with their models; videos and slides pertinent to
the hobby are shown and guest speakers talk about related
subjects. The second Sunday of the month is set aside for
members to run their locos on the Society railway track and
the first Sunday is occupied building and maintaining that
track. Although the track is not open to the general public,
organised community and charitable groups are welcome - see A
Day at the Track below. A quarterly newsletter, The Oilcan, provides information on Society activities to members.
Copies can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat reader format (.PDF
files) from the newsletter page of this website.
A Day at the Track
The miniature railway track
is set in a wooded property to the north of Brisbane, Queensland.
There is plenty of room for relaxing picnics on the grass
while the children go for rides on the trains, which run
from about 11am to 4pm. Wood-fired barbecues are provided
for use by visiting groups, and light refreshments (tea,
coffee, cold drinks, ice cream etc) can be purchased from
the canteen. The modern toilet block has wheelchair access.
To attend a track day at
our grounds on the second Sunday of a month, December excepted,
e-mail us or apply in writing to the Secretary, QSMEE, P.O.
Box 322, Everton Park, Queensland 4053 stating the name of
the group, approximate number of persons to attend, and proposed
date. Ground capacity is limited so early booking is advisable.
Although no charge is made
by the Society for the use of its facilities, this is a non-profit
society so all donations are gratefully received and go towards
ground maintenance and improvements.
Membership
The Society welcomes prospective
new members who are either existing model engineers or have
a strong interest and wish to take up the hobby. Contact
the Secretary at the address below for a copy of the Application
for Membership, or make yourself known at a club meeting.
These are held at 7.30pm on the 4th Monday of each month
except December in the East Brisbane State School Hall, Wellington
Road, East Brisbane (entry between Stanley and Vulture Streets)
Affiliations
The Society is affiliated
with the Australian Association of Live Steamers (AALS) and
complies with its standards. The AALS represents the hobby
at government level and establishes standards of construction,
especially technical safety standards. Every year the AALS
holds a national convention hosted by one of its affiliated
societies. QSMEE last hosted the convention in 2000. The
upcoming 2003 Convention will be at Penfield, South Australia.
Copyright
Any text and images found
on these web pages including The Oilcan newsletters
are copyright © Queensland Society of Model and Experimental
Engineers Incorporated, 1998 - 2001.
All rights reserved. Use by bona fide Model Engineering clubs
and allied bodies for non-commercial non-profit reasons is
permitted providing acknowledgment of source is given.
Contacting the Society
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