Miniature railway in Whissendine, Rutland, opens for New Year’s Day rides

A group of engineering buffs are inviting the public to forget the sales and blow away the New Year’s Day cobwebs with a miniature railway ride.

The Melton Mowbray and District Model Engineering Society will open the doors to its base at Whissendine Sports Club, in Rutland, for its annual New Year’s Day Frostbite Steam Up on Wednesday.

Rides will be available on its miniature railway tracks from 11am to 2pm, and light refreshments and hot drinks will also be available from the volunteer-run cafe. Entry is free.

There is a 1,150ft-long ground level circuit for five and seven-and-a-quarter-inch gauges, as well as a 300ft raised track for five, three-and-a-half, and smaller gauge locos.

Members will run their own locos at the event at £1 per ride.

The society was set up in 1978 and has around 50 members who build and operate various types of models, including traction engines, railway locomotives, rollers, stationary engines and boats.

They hold monthly meetings, which include talks and demonstrations and also ‘members’ steam up’ events, both of which are open to the public.

The biggest date in the society calendar is the Whissendine Steam Weekend, which will next year take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8, and features many visiting model engineers and their exhibits.

The group is also looking for new members.

To find out more, visit www.facebook.com/mmdmes or https://mmdmes.wixsite.com