Who We Are
A friendly and informal gathering of model railway builders and hobbyists. The Waveney Valley Model Railway club is keen to welcome newcomers of all ages and abilities to its membership.
Background
Initially formed by 5 founders in 1983 as the Halesworth and District Railway Circle, the Waveney Valley Model Railway Club was formally established in 1992, and is situated in the village of Barsham, Suffolk between the nearby towns of Beccles and Bungay.
Historically, the club has organised and hosted the popular Southwold Model Railway Exhibition, and continues to periodically exhibit layouts at shows across the country. There are currently 7 layouts of a wide variety owned by the club, which are maintained and operated by its members.
Historically, the club has organised and hosted the popular Southwold Model Railway Exhibition, and continues to periodically exhibit layouts at shows across the country. There are currently 7 layouts of a wide variety owned by the club, which are maintained and operated by its members.
Today, the club has in the region of 40 members, whose continued aim is to share, promote and support the relaxing and educational hobby of railway modelling, while furthering their own model-making through the sharing of knowledge, skills and specialist parts or tools.
The club caters for a wide variety of interest in railways both real and model, with members actively modelling in most of the popular scales / gauges, including modern image and steam-era, and British and overseas prototypes.
The club caters for a wide variety of interest in railways both real and model, with members actively modelling in most of the popular scales / gauges, including modern image and steam-era, and British and overseas prototypes.
The Club's multi-guage test circuit
Facilities
Members of the club enjoy the use of a dedicated premises in the form of a 36ft Long Nissen Hut, with gas heaters for those less comfortable winter months!
Currently available at these premises are:
Currently available at these premises are:
- Permanently installed 3-track test circuits in '00' and '0' gauge with compatibility for 3-rail for vintage models and both analogue and DCC controllers
- Permanently installed dual-track 'N' Gauge and Gauge '1' test circuits
- Extensive reference Library of books, magazines and DVDs of railway modelling interest
- Large, well-lit workbenches equipped with Soldering Iron, Vices, drill press etc.
- Access to specialist Model-makers tools such as metal rollers, chassis jigs, rivet embossing tool, resistance soldering Iron etc.
- Access to general workshop tools such as Dremel, drills, files, saws etc.
- Members trade and exchange of surplus models, tools, books etc.
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
A small selection of the club's reference library
When We Meet
Wednesday Group - From 7.30pm Onwards
The Wednesday group tend to be primarily interested in 0 scale modelling, with members typical using the facilities to kit or scratchbuild locomotives and rolling stock for their own collection.
The Wednesday group tend to be primarily interested in 0 scale modelling, with members typical using the facilities to kit or scratchbuild locomotives and rolling stock for their own collection.
Solder assembly of a Great Eastern Crane Tank, scratchbuilt in brass
Thursday Group - From 7.30pm Onwards
The Thursday group are more a general interest group, with members often bringing their own models in 00 and N scale to run, service or repair. This is also the group where work on the clubs layouts tend to take place
The Thursday group are more a general interest group, with members often bringing their own models in 00 and N scale to run, service or repair. This is also the group where work on the clubs layouts tend to take place
Thursday Group - 1:30pm - 3.30pm
Their is also a Thursday group that meet earlier in the day for the benefit our members who are not comfortable driving at night.
Their is also a Thursday group that meet earlier in the day for the benefit our members who are not comfortable driving at night.
All our members are welcome to attend as many of the meetings each week as they wish.
The club facilities are also available for members to use at any time that suits them.
The club facilities are also available for members to use at any time that suits them.
Join Us!
Prospective new members can apply to the Club secretary for further details by clicking the button below
Information on this page last updated: 1st October 2024