An Introduction & History

The Kent Model Engineering Society began during 1931/2, when a group of enthusiastic model engineers from South East London got together for regular meetings to discuss the construction of model locomotives. They elected to call the society by the grand name of The Kent Live Steam Brotherhood and Model Engineering Society.

At a meeting in July 1933, the name was simplified to The Kent Model Engineering Society and thus began a society that has been in continual existence for nearly seventy years. In those early days, the Society rapidly attained a reputation for being a leader in the field of model engineering and was visited by many famous celebrities of the model engineering world such as Henry Greenly and Edgar Westbury to name just two.

Among the Society’s notable members were Ted Vanner of model boat fame and Alan Sherwood with his “0” & “00” gauge live steam locomotives. Meetings were held at the Sportsbank Hall in Catford and a track at the RAF Sports Ground in Eltham allowed locomotives from 2½” to 5” gauge to be run.

The Society managed to survive throughout the Second World War even though the premises were damaged severely by bombing on several occasions. After the war, meetings were held in a disused sports pavilion in Crantock Road, Catford, where the members built a multi gauge track for steam locomotives.

The premises were later sold forcing the Society to dismantle the track and look for alternative accommodation. Due to the shortage of a suitable location, meetings were held in member’s houses and workshops and this was soon found to be very inconvenient for both members and house owners.

The Lewisham Borough local education authority were approached and permission given to combine meetings of the Society with an evening class thus giving members access to a fully equipped workshop. The first meetings and evening classes took place at Holbeach Road School, Catford.

Thus began an association with Local Authorities in South East London that has survived up to the present day. There are many model engineers that originally joined the evening classes to gain basic workshop skills who now are members of model engineering societies including KMES.

Changes in the education system over the ensuing years have meant that the classes changed schools a number of times including moving from Borough to Borough. Evening classes are now available at The Bromley College for Further and Higher Education in Rookery Lane where there are superb workshop facilities available together with a full time tutor and technician.

For some years now Society members interested in model boats have met at the Orpington Pond on Wednesday afternoons to sail their vessels. This allows members to operate radio controlled and sailing boats in a secure environment. Bromley Council makes a charge for the facility, which members contribute to.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s the Society maintained a steady membership with an average of 30 members, however this has steadily grown to today’s 45 members. In the early 90’s it was decided that in addition to the evening classes separate meetings of the Society would be held to include those who did not require the use of workshop facilities.

Monthly meetings of the Society were established and have continued ever since. These are held at Lionel Road Community Centre, Lionel Road, Eltham, London SE9. A portable ground level track was fabricated for 3½” and 5” gauge locomotives for use at exhibitions and meetings. 

Today, the Society has a full calendar of meetings held throughout the year on the second Friday of each month at Lionel Road with speakers drawn from society members and outside who give presentations on a wide variety of model engineering and other topics.

A model engineering exhibition is planned for May 2003 to celebrate the 70^th Anniversary of the Society

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