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Our History
Here you will find a brief overview of both North Wilts Model Engineering Society and Coate Water Miniature Railway
The Early Years
The NWMES was founded in the early 1960s by a small band of enthusiasts interested in the building and running of miniature steam locomotives. The land was leased and a small loop of track, with a steaming bay, was constructed on the present site at Coate Water Country Park, Swindon, Wiltshire in 1965. In the early days there was nothing else on the site and everything, including water had to be brought to the track for each running session.
The original oval track of approximately 200 feet in length was raised and included both 3.5" and 5" gauge rail. In the late 1960s a larger track was laid at ground level on a gravel base; this was later laid onto concrete and securely fixed.
Changing Tracks
In 1980 the 3.5" track was removed and 7.25" rail added. Two tracks were added to the station area, with a motorised point to direct the trains into either platform. The clubhouse was started in 1983 and officially opened by the mayor in 1984, with water and electricity in situ rather than as previously hauled to the site, along with coal, for every running day. To complete the funding for the clubhouse a club locomotive, Nigel Gresley, was sold to one of the members.
Major track extensions between 1990 and 1993, in two stages, were undertaken with considerable help and support from Thamesdown Council. The final layout, including the bridge, is more or less the current running configuration. A second steaming bay, carriage shed and brick built signal box were constructed about the same time and are still in use today, although have been supplemented by the extended 12 road original steaming bay and new carriage shed.
Extensions
The clubhouse was extended during 2008-2009 and now includes a larger kitchen area, toilets (one with disabled access), and new store and enlarged meeting room. The second, smaller, steaming bay was refurbished during 2011 ahead of the society hosting the 7.25" gauge society AGM (a major event with over 40 visiting locomotives and hundred of visitors).
During the Spring of 2012 the station area was completely revamped to allow better passenger flow and safer access to the trains. An enlarged buggy parking area and three picnic tables completed the new area. New slabs were professionally laid during the summer to afford one of the best station surfaces for a miniature railway in the UK.
Tracks & Tunnels
In November 2012 planning permission was granted for a new track extension, enabling the long term plan always envisaged by the society to be realised. Work started in the first quarter of 2013 for the 650m long extension through the muddy field towards the Richard Jefferies museum, with over 600 tons of hardcore being used to build up the embankments.
In November 2015 the concrete and track had been finished on the extension, a new platform at Richard Jefferies museum had been laid, and the first trial trains were hauled on the 27th December 2015. The first public trains were hauled on Good Friday 25th March 2016, followed by the official opening of the Richard Jefferies halt by MP Robert Buckland on the 31st July. The extension was officially opened during the 17th September gala by chairman Ken Parker, with several visiting locos in attendance.
During 2018 we completed fully automatic signalling on the extension, and completed a new junction near the club car park to allow the signalman to direct the trains in different ways. In addition we erected three tunnels on the extension and during the next few years, as funds and resources permit, these will be completed by building brick portals and back-filling to make them look like the real thing.
1960s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
Today
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