ABOUT THE SOCIETY
Club History
The earliest mention of the Reading club is dated 1915. After the interruption of the war, the club in its present form was reformed in 1948 by a group including Jack Shayler who we sadly lost in 2004. The efforts of a few stalwarts during the fifties at fetes, steam fairs etc. with a portable track and a few locomotives resulted in the money being raised to enable the acquisition of the present site in Prospect Park, Reading. More hard work resulted in the construction of the raised track, clubhouse and other facilities.
The club now had a permanent base and with the advent of public running could raise much needed money for improvements. Various sections sprang up including "00" and "0" gauge and an active model boating section. Exhibitions were held at various locations in Reading to "spread the word" and the decision to build the new track was made about four years ago. The current situation is that we have the two tracks and a wide selection of steam locomotives in 7¼", 5", 3½" and 2½" gauges with active 0, 00 and N gauge indoor layouts.
The boating section is no longer active, mainly due to lack of local facilities.
There are currently some one hundred members and public running takes place on the first Sunday of every month plus many bank holiday Sundays from 1:30 pm.
A Society newsletter called 'The Prospectus' is
published each month. Edited by member Jim Brown it contains
various articles, reports from the President and Secretary as well as
letters from members. Events for the following two months are also
listed so that members are aware of what is happening within the
Society. If you have any articles that Jim may find of interest for
The Prospectus' then please call Jim on 0118 958 7247.
Thanks go to Malcolm Stride for supplying a copy of his report of the Ground Level Track Opening that is included in this 'site' together with most of the photo's.
2005/2006 SOCIETY OFFICERS
PRESIDENT - L. DAWSON
SECRETARY - B. JOSLYN
TREASURER - J. BROWN
COMMITTEE MEMBERS -
P. MARTIN, B. MURBY
M. SINCLAIR, G. PAYNE
C. BENHAM, A. THATCHER