The Northampton Society of Model Engineers Ltd.

A Brief History of the Society

The Northampton College of Technology Society of Experimental and Model Engineers was founded under the auspices of the Northampton College of Technology in November 1933. The first lecture meeting in March 1934 heard a talk on models and model making given by W.J.Bassett-Lowke, the well known entrepreneur and local councillor, in which he traced the progress of commercial model making in the town by several firms including his own.

 After the Second World War the Society was re-formed as the Northampton Society of Model Engineers in October 1945 and met every Tuesday at various venues in and around the Town until in due course some rooms at a Community Centre in Thornton Park in Northampton were found and used. At that time the Society did not have a permanent track.

In 1965 the present site at Delapre Park was acquired and work began on the construction of the first 3½” and 5" elevated track which was completed in 1967. The Club members then used both Thornton Park and Delapre Park until 1984 when the Clubhouse was built at Delapre Park. Once the Clubhouse was complete the facilities at Thornton Park were dispensed with and all activities moved to Delapre Park, the membership at that time totalled approximately 30 people. In November 1976 we became a Registered Company, Northampton Society of Model Engineers Limited.

In the late 1980's it was decided that the elevated track needed to be rebuilt and it was completed in 1990. In 1993 an Extraordinary General Meeting was called and the decision was taken to extend the Clubhouse and to build a ground level 7¼" and 5" track which is approximately 1700 feet long. The Clubhouse has now been extended , a workshop built, a hydraulic unloader built for large locomotives and the unloading area and traction engine steaming bay has been concreted

The membership has now risen to over 70 but more new members are needed so if you live locally and are interested why not come and join this exciting Society and help us to improve still more the facilities we have to offer. Members meet every Tuesday evening and on Sunday mornings when the majority of the necessary work on the site is carried out.

In 1994 we hosted our first National Rally, the Don Young Rally. Unfortunately Don died the week before the Rally which cast a black cloud over the day although those who did attend thoroughly enjoyed themselves. In 1995 we hosted the Midland Federation Rally and the Martin Evans Rally. The 28th and 31st IMLECs were held at Northampton in 1996 and 1999. We also hosted the Southern Federation Spring Rally in 1997, the Northern Association Rally in 2002 and Lionsmeet in August 2004. In July  2005 we hosted IMLEC for the third time, visit the IMLEC 2005 web site for results and pictures.

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