Photo: Maikha Ly

GIPPSLAND MODEL ENGINEERING SOCIETY

Correspondence to: Secretary PO Box 569 Morwell 3840
Group Bookings, Portable Track Hire etc. contact (03) 5174 0035 
 

Founded in 1978, the GMES operates the Newman Park Miniature Railway, located via Peterkin St, Traralgon for the enjoyment of the Latrobe Valley residents and visitors. The Railway has 200 metres of 3½" Gauge track, and 1,100 metres of parkland 5" and 7¼" Gauge track crossing three small bridges. Connecting tracks, sidings & steaming bays add another 500 metres of track. The facilities are improved as time and resources permit. The Society operates an extensive 7¼" Gauge portable track which is available for separate hire, please contact our Co-ordinator for details on (03) 51740035. Additional run days may be scheduled by booking at least 6 months in advance & provided our volunteers are available.

Local building contractors had constructed the Newman Central Railway Station, the focal point for all Railway passengers, with materials being generously donated by local industries. Society members have restored the historic ex-Victorian Railway’s Signal Box, relocated from the East end of the Traralgon Railway Station and containing a 70-lever frame. During 2001 and 2002 additional Station Platform Roofing, protecting passenger waiting and disembarking areas, has been constructed by the Morwell based Gippsland Group Training Apprentices and installed by Society volunteers with funds from both the Society and a Latrobe City Council Community Minor Capital Grant.


Photo: Maikha Ly

The miniature railway locomotives are typical of mainline and narrow gauge railways found in many parts of the world. Both steam and diesel outlines can be seen hauling our public passenger trains. The locomotives being individually styled to the owners requirements.

For further information on membership or hire of the Newman Park miniature railway facility, please contact our Secretary, PO Box 569, MORWELL, VIC 3840, or see us on a public run day 4th Sunday, February to November, 12:00pm to 4:00pm, weather permitting. Additional run days are scheduled during November and December.
Members can also be found at the track on Wednesdays and on the 5th Saturday of any month that happens to have more than four Saturdays. :)

Photo: Maikha Ly

The Latrobe City Council Community Minor Capital Grant funded additional BBQ tables & park benches, steelwork being constructed by Gippsland Group Training Apprentices and installation by Society volunteers. The Traralgon Lions Club has provided the free BBQ and toilet facilities and has installed several access-for-all adventure playgrounds that are attracting wide popularity with the community and visitors. The Victorian State Government, the Variety Club of Victoria and the Latrobe City Council have funded these playgrounds.

Photo: Maikha Ly

The 1100 metres track includes 3 circuits of dual gauge (5”and 7¼”) track. The inner circuit also incorporates 3½" gauge. All running tracks are at ground level.
The track is usually set up to form one continuous circuit, however, if circumstances require, it can be configured as 2 or 3 separate circuits.

Club meetings are held the Saturday before the fourth Sunday run day at the club rooms, starting at 10am and are followed by a working bee.

The club is located in scenic garden surroundings in Newman Park ,Traralgon.

To access the railway, turn off Princes Hwy at Peterkin Street (next to the Traralgon Creek bridge).
See map below.

Generally from 10am onwards members are in attendance . 

The club currently has around 40 members.

Photo: Maihka Ly

Please note. No vehicle access from Whittakers Rd. Use Peterkin St only.

This page last updated Saturday, 05 October 2013
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