Llanelli & District Model Engineers
ABOUT US
Llanelli & District Model Engineers (LDME) exists to operate the miniature railway based in the Country Park and to promote the Model Engineering hobby, to provide support and encourage people interested in the construction and operation of models of an engineering nature.
The club in it’s present form dates from the early eighties but there has been an active model engineering club in Llanelli since the thirties. There are now some 65 members derived from all walks of life. Most of the members have no formal engineering training, many are self taught but in a club or society there is always knowledge, help and support freely available.
The LDME is fortunate in being based in Pembrey Country Park, approximately twenty to thirty minutes drive from Llanelli or Carmarthen. The club is currently in discussion with the local authority to lease the site where we have developed the elevated 3 1/2 and 5 inch miniature railway track, approximately 1600 feet in length. At present the elevated track is run jointly with the local authority during the summer to provide a passenger service to the public. The club now runs the service on Sundays throughout the summer.
The constructing of a ground level 5″ and 7 1/4″ gauge railway track of about 2000 feet has been achieved, but some remedial work is being carried out on the points. The signalbox, now named Richard Sourbutts Junction, has the signalling system in place, and the carriage sheds have new rooves but we will still have to build steaming bays, etc., before we can say we have finished all the ancillary structures.
The club meets on the third Wednesday of every month, at The Loughor Boat Club to discuss administrative or technical matters involved in the running of the club.
The Annual General Meeting is held in November.
The membership term runs from 1st January to 31 December, for convenience, members’ subscriptions can be taken at the Autumn Rally and the AGM.
LDME has six Directors and is managed by an executive committee who are elected annually by members at the Annual General Meeting.
In order to protect the liability of the members LDME is now a registered Limited Company (Company No 03562223)
LDME has been working for some time towards becoming a Charity, hopefully during 2012 this will be achieved.