The North London Society of Model Engineers (NLSME) was originally founded in
1944, the aim through which the Society was originally founded still remains
today, and that is to promote and encourage model engineering and its related
pastimes.
The NLSME has an active membership that has steadily grown over the 60 years
that the Society has been in existence and we are always pleased to welcome new
members to the Society and hobby.
Within our society we have different sections, which include:-
To find out more about a particular section just click
the title.
We maintain a permanent Headquarters in Finchley (North London) England. This
site houses the Society’s library, meeting room as well as housing the OO gauge,
North American HO and Slot Cars sections permanent layouts. The Cine, Marine
& Loco sections also regularly meet here. Meetings are held on a regular
basis by each section, and cover operational activities, demonstrations,
discussion groups, and talks by members as well as guest speakers. In addition,
the Society also publishes a monthly newsletter providing comprehensive coverage
of members news, views, events and activities. This newsletter is now available
online.
Workshop Nights are held during the winter months at Headquarters. These
rather informal meetings allow members to discuss workshop and associated
matters with other model engineers, with frequent talks and demonstrations. To
obtain further details of this or any other activity please contact the Society
by using the link on the toolbar (please remember to include which section you
are interested in).
The NLSME also has facilities at Colney Heath. This site houses
the Society’s Boating Lake, Garden Railway, Raised & Ground Level Railways
and space for Traction Engines to run. It is also possible for Birthday Parties
to be held on Saturdays at Colney Heath (please contact us for further
details).
Please click here for a map.
Follow
Church Lane to the end (Park Corner) and continue along the dirt track to
the right of the Waterboard Pumping Station.
Parking is available
along the side of the fence or within the grounds.
Be
careful of the level crossing!!
The Loco section is currently the largest section within the Society. The section comprises of members whose interest lie in the construction and operation of miniature working steam or electric locomotives.
Our Colney Heath site is the main focal point of the Loco Section where we have our ‘Mainline’ raised track of approximately 1/2 mile in length for 3.1/4” and 5” engines, our ‘Cuckoo Line’ raised track for 2 1/2”, 3 1/2” and 5” engines and our Ground Level railway for 7 1/4” and 5” engines.
The track is open to the public on Sunday afternoons, 2.00pm to 5.00pm from Easter to October and as well as offering rides for visitors there are amenities such as refreshments and parking.
To obtain further details email us by using the link on the toolbar (please state which section you are interested in).
This long established section meet every Wednesday to operate or work on their permanent or portable railways. The latter are both Somerset & Dorset layouts, of Bath Green Park and Binegar stations and have been shown at numerous local exhibitions.
The section is currently constructing an extension to its permanent layout based at our Headquarters, this extension will also form the basis of the sections new portable layout. Work started on this extension in August 2004 and it is hoped that the layout will go on display for the first time as a running layout in April 2005.
To obtain further details email us by using the link on the toolbar (please state which section you are interested in).
The slot car section meet on Thursday at their recently refurbished track and clubroom at Headquarters in Finchley.
The track is made of M.D.F. with 4 lanes and 96ft. 6in. in length. There are various championships held throughout the year starting with 1/32nd production cars going through to top flight sports cars in both 1/32nd and 1/24th scales. Club cars are available for use by the newcomer and it is possible to purchase cars and spares from the club shop. To get started production cars can be bought for about £40.
The club have recently started a championship for Scalextric type cars on alternate Fridays and all are welcome.
This is a long established club with national and international champions who are always on hand to welcome newcomers and help in preparation of cars and to get the most out of the hobby.
Contacts:
Ian Fisher: 020 8866 8571
Mark Harwood: 01992 410627
Paul Harwood: 020 8245 4643
Steve Francis: 07931824339
Housed in an adjacent room to the OO section, the members also meet on Wednesday evenings. They are at present engaged in the building a new permanent HO scale layout. Like the OO section their members operate a very large and impressive portable American railroad layout called the Woodside Union Terminal.
To obtain further details email us by using the link on the toolbar (please state which section you are interested in).
The Marine Section is fortunate in having a lake on the Society’s Colney Heath Site. The lake is in a pleasant, position with excellent facilities which include a shelter, a launching pit and plenty of seating. The Colney Heath Site also provides boaters with adequate parking, catering and toilet facilities. Access is good for young and old and wheelchairs can be accommodated at the Lakeside.
In the year 2001 we ran our first Open Days with invitations to other Clubs and were pleased with the response. Certificates were issued to all who had a go on the steering course.
NLSME marine open days are for all, individuals and clubs. There is no entry fee. The boating lake is on our Colney Heath site.
The intention is for a friendly get together in a pleasant country setting. A steering course will be laid out and a competition or two run for those who wish to have a go, but there also will be plenty of time for free sailing.
The site has light refreshments and toilet facilities.
The Section meets at 2 p.m. on the first Sunday afternoon and at 7 p.m. on the third Friday evening in each month from Easter to Halloween when members make a special effort to attend and place as many boats on the water as possible.
During this Season the Lake is available to visitors for free sailing on all Sunday afternoons and on all Thursday afternoons from 2 p.m. onwards.
All types of visiting models are welcome but the lake is not suitable for fast I/C or fast electric craft. The minimum depth of water is 50cm. You are assured of a warm welcome if you visit us on any of the times specified above.
The section also meets at the Society's Headquarters during the winter months.
To obtain further details email us by using the link on the toolbar (please state which section you are interested in).
The Video section formerly the Hornsey Cine Society, and then the Cine Section within the NLSME. This very active section produces a range of video and film programmes for competitions. Every aspect of production is tackled and new members would be most welcome. Talks by professional film and television makers and visits to studios are also arranged.
To obtain further details email us by using the link on the toolbar (please state which section you are interested in).
This thriving section of the North London SME has only been in existence for four years and already boasts some fantastic new models which members have engineered since this section of the Society was formed.
Although predominantly a Gauge One layout it also includes a substantial Gauge O circuit. The layout is at our Colney Heath site and is in operation most Sundays or by prior arrangement.
The Section has just successfully completed what is hoped to be an annual visit by G1MRA (Gauge One Model Railway Association) with several engines in attendance, some of which can be seen in the picture gallery.
