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.
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.
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.
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.
This article was first posted on 28th March 2016.
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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
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
Yes Paul,…. still in Hong Kong.
I suggest you contact me by email: petera.crush (at) yahoo (dot) com
Peter Crush