New members are always welcome.

The Hereford Society of Model Engineers (HSME) is dedicated to the pursuit of model engineering, in all its facets and welcomes all those with an interest in the subject, be they active modellers or simply those with an active interest in the hobby.

The HSME was inaugurated in 1962 establishing the current site in 1994.   Since then the membership had built and financed the extensive facilities which we now enjoy. These include four railways, in gauges from 00 to an extensive 5 and 7¼inch railway, a boating pond, club house and numerous workshops and other facilities.

Being a member of the HSME comes with certain obligations; the club has become what it is, almost exclusively, by the efforts of the members. Maintenance, running and financing the club is a continuing requirement and each member is expected to play their part.  Tuesdays throughout the year are our main working days. We gather from 9am to 2.30 pm and all who are able are strongly encouraged to come along and participate in the various activities, be they site maintenance, servicing and repairs to rolling stock, machinery, equipment etc or the various projects we undertake to improve and grow the club.  In return tea and soup is provided to be consumed in convivial surroundings.  We even have a sandwich van regularly visiting

We also meet on most Saturday mornings, mainly to mentor and encourage our group of younger (or not so young) members although other work is also carried out.  We are no longer taking on new young engineers, however, junior membership places may be available .  Please remember that any junior member (under 18) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian chaperone whilst on site.

Skills you may have which we may be able to utilise, be they technical or social, for example, mechanical, electrical, building etc., or event organisation etc are welcomed and appreciated.

The membership fees pay for day to day expenses, eg. electricity, water, insurance and the myriad other items which inevitably include the free tea we all enjoy (and soup for the Tuesday workers during the winter months).  It also pays for our magazine ‘Whistlestop’ which is issued three times a year.

During the summer months we run various events including a series of public running days.  It is these public days that make by far the largest part of our income and finances all our major projects.  It is therefore incumbent on those members who enjoy those benefits to assist in running those days.  Duties may include driving, being a train guard, staffing the station, signalman, or the various stewarding requirements around the site and car park.

We also attend other events around the Hereford area and the annual Midlands Model Engineering show at Leamington which require similar commitment.

During the open days your membership card entitles the holder to a seat on the trains during quiet periods when there are no paying public queuing for rides.  This should not be regarded as a family ticket.

During the winter we meet roughly every second and last Friday evening at the club house. These are social gatherings usually talks by members, occasionally by guests, slide and film shows and the occasional ‘bits and pieces’ evening where members display their latest works and talk about them to the rest of us.  A Christmas social party and the annual club dinner also fall into this category.

Prospective members are asked to attend the Broomy Hill site in order to be introduced to the Chair, Wanda Sykes and the membership secretary, Graham Richards, on any Tuesday, Saturday morning or one of the regular running days, where a short interview will take place to discuss your interests and what you can bring to the club, followed by a tour of the site. Membership applications forms will be available at this time.

Please note that all membership applications are subject to committee approval.

Important : please read the Privacy Notice for Members.

Contact the Membership Secretary Graham Richards using our Contact Us Form – Click Here.

Please note that Junior membership spaces are subject to availability.