Keighley and District Model Engineering Society

Train Rides

Our trains are hauled by electric or real steam locomotives. The engines are capable of hauling adult passengers as well as......

Public dates

Miniature train rides for all the family at the KDMES railway track at Marley Activity and Coaching Centre, Keighley. Public running days......

Birthday Parties

Are you looking to give your child a birthday party that is just that little bit different? Well, here at KDMES we have the ideal solution......

Who we are

Established 1950

Keighley and District Model Engineering Society (KDMES) has members from all walks of life. The common interest is in mechanical and nautical models, with our main interests being steam trains and yachts. We sail yachts at Weecher reservoir most Thursdays and Sundays, whilst the trains run for the public on certain advertised days between April and October at Marley Activity and Coaching Centre, originally known as King George V playing fields. The track was opened in 1971 and was extended in 1979 to its current size of about 350m.

The yachts have a new website under construction and can be contacted at Weecher.secretary@gmail.com

We are affiliated to the Federation of Model Engineering Societies (FMES) and The Model Yachting Association (MYA).

Turn off roundabout on A650.

Not easy, but.....

How to find us

You will find the trains at Marley Activity and Coaching Centre, Keighley(BD21 4DB). Turn off the roundabout on the A650. Be warned, some sat navs think there is an entrance off the dual carriageway. There isn't! If you don't know the area then these coordinates are taken in the road outside the gate to the Activity Centre - N53° 52.304' W001° 53.263').

Link to Google Maps of Marley

For those of you who use what3words this is the link for the club house https://w3w.co/become.stand.full

Enter Marley Activity Centre through the gate then turn immediate right and follow the unmade roadway round the lower playing field. Ignore any council signs about needing permission to drive past that point.

For those who haven't been before, the Youtube video will guide you round the playing fields. It was taken in January when we had just had all the rain. It's much drier than this in the summer!

Printable route map to Marley (1.2MB).

Printable map of Marley Activity Centre (2.0MB)

Link to Google Maps of Marley

From our drivers

Locos you might see

We run real steam powered locos and locos powered by elctric motors. Some of these are actually diesel powered in real life

Type 20 Diesel

Although the full sized version is a diesel this model is powered by electric batteries and owned by the club for members to use.

0-6-0 5" steam Loco

This is a 5" gauge steam loco to the Simplex design. It is now owned by the club for younger members to use.

London Underground Electric

This is a model of a Metropolitan-Vickers locomotive built to work on the London Underground. It weighed 60 tons and was driven by four 300hp electric motors. There are two original locos still in existence.

1 1/2" scale Traction Engine

This steam engine was built to work on farms and be driven down roads. If available, you will find it on the oval roadway in the middle of our field.

L & B Yeo

3 1/2" gauge model of one of 4 locos built for the Lynton and Barnstable Railway in Devon. No originals remain but a replica runs on the Ffestiniog Railway in Wales.

Type 50 Diesel

Although the full sized version is a diesel this model is powered by electric batteries and owned by the club for members to use.

Charles Main Line Hunslet

The full size worked in the slate quarries in Wales before moving to the Ffestiniog Railway. Here is a link to a Youtube video

of this loco being run at Marley.

5" gauge 5F

Designed for freight use this 5" 0-6-0 is a very powerful steam loco.

Why not

Come and join us

We're all very normal!

Although you are welcome to come and watch, and ride the trains on public running days, if you would like to take part in our activities then you will need to become a member. Annual membership is £40. Junior members under 16 years of age are welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult. For more information contact trains@kdmes.org.uk.

We have a diverse group of members who are happy to share their knowledge and experience and help everyone enjoy this rewarding hobby.

Some of the benefits and activities include:

Access to our track.
Driving the club locos.
Access to special insurance for your models.
Boiler testing facilities .
Regular cub running days.
Numerious events during the year centered around the railway.

If that's not enough to keep you busy there's always plenty of jobs that need doing to keep the railway running, not to mention manning the railway when we're open.

To find out more, come and visit us one Saturday morning when members are usually carrying out maintenance, or Sunday afternoon during a public running session, and meet members and ask any questions you may have.

Visit us with your loco

Here's a few things you need to know if you want to bring a loco to run on our track.

Picture of insurance and steam test certificates

The Paperwork

For those who wish to bring a locomotive to run it is mandatory to bring with them a certificate......

Available Facilities

To unload there's a hydraulic lifting table with 500 kg capacity. 153cm in length, 35cm width and a minimum loading height......

Track and Signalling

The track is a 3½" and 5" dual gauge track. It's approx 350m in an oval with 60m minimum radius......

Trains at KDMES