The Hong Kong Society of Model & Experimental Engineers, 1984-1996, photographs

IDJ: In 1984 the Hong Kong Society of Model & Experimental Engineers (HKSMEE) was officially registered.

The following photographs feature locomotives constructed by HKSMEE members.

Miniature Railways b1 HKSMEE event-car battery powered electic locomotive

Car battery powered electic locomotive

Regular meetings evolved that were later based at the United Services Recreation Club (USRC) in Kowloon. Discussions centred around members current and future projects, home machining/manufacturing problems, and the sourcing of materials in Hong Kong. ‘Experts?’ on relevant subjects occasionally took to the floor for informal lectures, some visiting from overseas.

Miniature Railways b2 HKSMEE event-MOUNTAINER-coal fired steam locomotive-entirely built in HK

The coal fired steam locomotive Mountaineer, entirely built in HK

Miniature Railways b3 HKSMEE event-MOUNTAINER-conveying miniature passengers

The Mountaineer conveying miniature passengers

Plus there was the normal socialising with people having similar interests all making for enjoyable meetings. A few members were engineers by profession, but most were from all walks of life.

Miniature Railways b4 HKSMEE-American locomotive-at Shatin Marine Police Base

An American locomotive at Shatin Marine Police Base

The society thrived with its transient mainly expat membership until the middle of the 1990s. By then it was becoming apparent that many members were drifting away from Hong Kong due to job relocations, expiry of employment contracts and retirements etc. With no new members coming in, the HKSMEE was formally wound up by the remaining few in mid-1996.

 

Miniature Railways b6 HKSMEE-French Pacific steam locomotive-NT construction site

A French Pacific steam locomotive at a NT construction site

This article was first posted on 28th March 2016.

Related Indhhk articles:

  1. Hong Kong’s world of miniature engineering: The Hong Kong Society of Model & Experimental Engineers
  2. Hong Kong’s world of miniature engineering – further information about HKSMEE
  3. The Hong Kong Society of Model & Experimental Engineers – First Exhibition 1986

3 Comments

  • Peter Crush

    Some years ago, I uploaded a video clip featuring a TVB Pearl News report about one of the weekend meetings of this group. The year was 1985 and I had was just experimenting with my just imported 7.25 inch gauge model of an 0-6-0 tank locomotive.

    I went on to build a large portable oval-shaped track which was taken at weelends to carnivals and fairs.

    The first video link is the TVB News report about the model engineering group.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-3wa4xv16o

    The second link shows an annual fair at St. George’s (Army) School at Kowloon Tong in about 1989. I had two locomotives and trains operating on the same track.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX6Ky3QhNhI

    • Paul Redhead

      Hi Peter,

      Do you still live in Hong Kong? I am trying to find other individuals who are interested in 3″ /5″ / 7 1/4″ railroading. I am part of a club in South Africa and I live in Hong Kong.

      Paul

  • Peter Crush

    Yes Paul,…. still in Hong Kong.
    I suggest you contact me by email: petera.crush (at) yahoo (dot) com

    Peter Crush

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *