Community
The Great Little Train Show will be celebrating 40 years this Labour weekend.
Starting back in 1985 by the Southland Society of Model Engineers Inc, the club has been going a lot longer than that - forming before WW2 in 1937 and recommencing for those members who returned.
President Greg Fordyce said they first started meeting in members homes, sheds and garages, until they were able to lease grounds in Surrey Park, and build its own clubroom and workshop.
“We have held many public running events since those early days in halls and parks around the city and province, and as our club has grown through those years to incorporate the model yacht club along with the model train club, we have been able to become a modelling hub for the city.”
The first official 'Great Little Train Show' started with an outside train track that was ground-based, with the Gore Model Engineers coming down to assist and guide them to build a raised track - a year later.
“So this year we are celebrating 40 years of sharing our hobbies with the Southland and Invercargill community and we are hugely grateful to still be able to do this,” he said.
The club’s major fundraiser for each year attracted up to 5000 people, and helped pay for most of its three big bills (power, insurance and council lease), “so we are always happy to see the crowds of Southland families and fellow modellers visit us over the two day event.”
Last year there were trains, boats and RC buggies, but most families came for the ride on outdoor train.
There’s diesels and steam engines and a selection of indoor train layouts that will keep all ages entertained.
Greg said there were grateful to the support from the ILT who covered some of the hall hire, Peter and Mark from Raine & Horne who were huge community supporters and supplied lunch on 'set-up Friday', and to the Southland retailers involved with the show each year.
The 40th celebration will have the full show experience for visitors, and on Saturday evening there would be an exhibitor and club member meal, with speeches and a cake.
Over the summer months the local kindergartens and early childhood centres were also invited to come along to the club and experience the ride on trains.
