Bedford model engineering society was formed in 1948 to promote interest in model engineering of all kinds, be it on rail road or water. 

For many, model engineering is about building and driving steam locomotives, however  interests in the society range from clock making to building half size steam lorries.  Many of the members have no training in engineering, they are just a bunch of like minded people who love to build things, usually out of metal.  One of the best things about the society is the amount of knowledge that many of the members have and their enthusiasm for sharing it.  So if your starting out on something small or want to get a 5" gauge Black Five up and running you can be assured of lots of help and advice.  

Originally the Society met in a cafe in the town, and had no permanent premises. Early members constructed a portable railway track for 5 and 3.1/2” gauges, and this was used along with member's locomotives at fetes, etc in order to raise some much-needed cash.

Eventually a site was found in Wilstead, on land at the rear of what was then The Rose public house. On this site an extensive track was built, elevated for 3.1/2 and 5” gauges, and latterly feasibility studies were carried out for the construction of a ground level 7.1/4” gauge line.

Major events on this site included the hosting of the prestigious IMLEC competition in 1980. Other important events included an annual exhibition of members'  work and the annual traction engine rally.  During their stay on this site members built a superb brick built clubhouse/workshop/library.

Sadly, the public house became an unviable proposition for the landlords and a decision was taken to close it. As we shared access to the land at the rear, there was no way in which the tenancy could continue unless alternative access could be found. Unfortunately the landowners on either side felt unable to grant us any small strip of land to make our own access, so the decision was regretfully taken to vacate the site. This involved members in considerable work, as a term of the lease was that it be restored to the virgin field that we had taken over.

Meanwhile the hunt was on for a new site, eventually this was found about a mile further up the A600 Bedford – Shefford road, in what was then a “pick your own” fruit farm.

Originally it was planned that the railway would open during the picking season, to take passengers to the top of the fields, and for a few seasons this strategy prevailed until falling revenue forced the return of the farmland to normal arable growing.

However our landlords were extremely sympathetic to our plight and invited us to remain, even including an extra field at the top for use as eventual development of the railway.

Part of a disused barn was pressed into service as a clubroom/workshop/library. After fairly extensive refurbishment to make it habitable we were able to move in with some degree of comfort.

Meanwhile development of the railway continued apace, to meet the needs of enthusiasts for the smaller traditional model engineering gauges an elevated track made from the remains of the track removed from Wilstead was established on the vacant field and named Winterfield.

The ground level line was initially laid for dual gauge 5 and 71/4” gauges, but after several years of use it was found that even the largest 5” gauge engines were not suited to the extreme gradient, and a decision was taken to removed the 5” gauge rail, and use the rail section thus recovered to build a new ground level dual gauge track surrounding and connected to the main line at the top of the site. This new line runs around the outside of the elevated track. 

A chance jest at a club meeting resulted in this new line being named Springfield.

Over the years several developments have taken place, we were among the first to install computer controlled signaling on the main line, sadly the designer of this system passed away before it was perfected, and another computer controlled system was devised. This proved less than reliable, and latterly it was decided to run fully interlocked signals and points in the main station area, with the other points outside the control of the box being operated by train crews or being trailing points which operated by the passage of a train, returning to the ready position once the train had passed.

The railway is the public face of the hobby, and operates several times a year, in fine weather to the immense satisfaction of lots of children, (and say it not to a lot of dads and grandfathers who cant resist taking a ride).

Over the years a series of semi portable buildings have been acquired, refurbished and pressed into service as station buffets on running days and clubrooms for many of our evening meetings.

Due to popular demand some years ago we built a BBQ hut, and from these buildings a small but dedicated team of members’ wives and families dispense good cheer and refreshments on our running days.

In brief that tells the story of the railways, much has been left out, but what you see on the site is largely the work of a band of members who as well as their main interest in model engineering seem to enjoy small scale civil engineering challenges as well.

We still run a miniature traction engine rally each year, and this is normally well attended by members and visitors alike.

Another feature of our open days is the chance of a ride on a half size Foden steam bus, built and owned by a member, it is popular with visitors as it runs up and down the roadway beside the main line.

Meanwhile others in the Society are proud to keep the traditions of model engineering alive.

The hobby embraces more than the steam locomotives and traction engines so often seen, if it can be modeled you can be sure that a model engineer somewhere is beavering away in his home workshop, doing just that.  Of course to progress many models one requires special tools in order to carry out some particular operation, and to many making this tooling is as satisfying as making the model.

As well as this we have a regular series of meetings a more formal meeting on the second Monday evening each month when speakers and demonstrations are arranged, and a more informal meeting on the fourth Monday which often take the form of a discussion on a particular topic of interest, or a help session when all sorts of advice is offered to get round a problem.

We are still in a state of flux, our landlord has recently intimated that he would like us to vacate the barn, so plans are in train for the erection of another building to house our ever growing “in house” machining shop facility, together with our library and an institution unique to our Society “Wainwright’s Emporium” where all sorts of engineering products are stocked and sold to members and on occasion visitors.

If any of the above is of interest, and you feel that you may like to join in some of our activities contact details are given elsewhere on this site, please get in touch and see what we can offer each other.