About the Club
Whangarei Model Engineering Club Inc.
The Whangarei Model Engineering Club is a non profit volunteer run club, based at Heritage Park, Maunu, Whangarei.
The club runs two popular live steam ride-on gauges, the large 7 1/4″ (184mm), and the medium 5″ (127mm), allowing Whangarei club members and members visiting from other clubs to run their own locomotives.
The club owns a collection of locomotives and rolling stock used for public running days (3rd Sunday of each month, and school holiday Wednesdays), Club Members days, and Working days (most Wednesdays).
Club Membership
Club membership is is set at $15.00 per year.
We encourage new members, please come and discuss with us during a running day or on a Wednesday working day. If you think you could enjoy driving a miniature locomotive, join us, we have driver training, lots of encouragement and fun.
And while this is a hobby and not a job, we are governed by the rules and regulations of MEANZ – the Model Engineering Association of NZ, and Work Safe NZ.
Safety always comes first.
The Track
About 900m of public running track, maximum speed of 12km/h (from the station to the tunnel).
The track runs from the station heading south for two loops around the southern hill (8kms/h), then back past the station, down to and through the tunnel, returning back up to the station.
Add to this the steaming bays, turn table, marshaling yards, sidings, three southbound tracks through the station, the track is large and very comprehensive.
Whangarei Model Engineering Club – History
Beginnings
The Whangarei Model Engineering Club is based at Heritage Park, Maunu, Whangarei. Its early years were at Tarewa Park, Whangarei.
The club’s beginnings were from a meeting arranged by the Whangarei South Rotary Club. The meeting was held in the Whangarei Intermediate School Library on Thursday 26 April 1979 at 7:30pm. John Bonetti outlined Rotary’s involvement in a project to install a Miniature Steam Railway in Tarewa Park. Rotary had raised $1500 for the project.
Following this meeting the Whangarei Model Engineering Club was set up and gained its Incorporation in December 1980.
The plan for the track was tabled and approval was received from the Whangarei City Council. Track work had started by November 1979. Rotary was involved in building the first loop and a small station/storage building and the club then took over to complete the track work.
Building tracks
By April 1980 the tunnel was completed and a third of the track had been laid. The station only needed the roof and doors to be fitted. The track and facilities where officially opened on 23rd November 1980 by then Councillor Joyce Ryan. Joyce became the mayor for Whangarei and she was asked to become the club’s patron.
Work continued to complete the second loop and a larger station/club-rooms was built.
In 1997 the club had outlived the Tarewa Park site, and with all the problems from vandals it was decided to uplift the track and move to Heritage Park, Maunu.
The club had many options of where to lay a new track at Heritage Park, and the present layout was decided on after many long discussions.
Using the track uplifted from Tarewa Park, the track was laid around the mountain and the steam-up bays were built with a rise and fall turntable.
The club was soon back in business giving rides to children of all ages.
In 2001 we were able to get funding from the ASB Trusts and extended the track by 700 meters. This included a 25-metre tunnel, a 23-metre viaduct and a small bridge.
In 2004 we again received funding from the ASB, Pub Charities and Southern Trust to help with the building of the Station/Clubhouse. This building was officially opened in January 2005.
The Committee
President Chris
Vice President Terry
Secretary Tony
Treasurer Bruno
Editor Tony
Committee Members
Rankin, Brian, Lloyd, Bob
MEANZ representative Chris
Boiler Inspector Brian
Safety Officers All members
Heritage Park,
500 State Highway 14,
Whangarei,
Northland,
New Zealand
027 334 8543
On running and work days only
Wed 10am – 2pm and every 3rd Sunday 10am – 2pm
Check our timetable for coming events
Train rides are available 10am – 2pm third Sunday of each month
(weather permitting)
Also Auckland anniversary weekend, Museum live days and Wednesdays of the school holidays.
