SSME - The Model Park

The Model Park is open to the public on the last Sunday of every month (except December). Operating Hours: – 9:30AM – 4:00PM

OUR HISTORY

Sydney Society of Model Engineers Inc. (SSME) is the oldest model engineering club in Australia and the oldest continuously operating Model Engineering Club in the World. The aim of the society is to promote all forms of model engineering.

The S.S.M.E. began in 1906 at Summer Hill in Sydney where members met in a private home to discuss the engineering topics of the day. Originally known as the Summer Hill Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. In 1912 the name was changed to the Sydney Society of Model and Experimental Engineers and later shortened to the Sydney Society of Model Engineers.

In 1932 the club rented and then purchased a site on Parramatta Rd at Ashfield. The Society held its first exhibition in January 1933 and continued to operate on that site every Saturday until 1970. Changing technologies and model engineering interests necessitated larger premises. In October 1971 the Society opened it?s 10 hectare (25 acres) property at Luddenham.

The S.S.M.E. Model Park now supports 12 different sections catering for trains, boats, planes, cars ,slot cars , tether cars , Largescale Offroad and stationary steam models and more.

The SSME today is located on a rural property in Sydney's south western suburbs, approximately 50km from the city central business district. The “Model Park“opens to the public on the last Sunday of every month except December so the public can come out and see all the models in action. The kids young or old can also ride on the Passenger Steam Railway as well as try out the slot cars circuit. There are many members available in all sections for visitors to ask questions or to find out about becoming part of the “Model Park” family.

THE MODEL PARK AS A DESTINATION

The Model Park is a great destination for families, special interst groups - such as sporting groups, car clubs, scouts and for groups of people just wanting a great day out with free BBQ areas, Canteen and playgrounds. As well as all the attractions from the different sections at the Model Park. Disabled access to most parts of Model Park grounds.

The Model Park also has faciliaties for Childrens parties.

The Model Park is open to the public on the last Sunday of every month (except December)
Operating Hours: – 9:00AM – 5:00PM – (Weather Permitting)

GENERAL ADMISSION PRICES
CAR: $20.00
BIKE and ON FOOT: $10.00
MINI BUS: $35.00
COACH:POA

To find our more about the Model Park as a destination contact our information and publicity officer via the contact us form or directly via email - information@ssme.org.au

BBQ and PICNIC AREAS
SSME BBQ and picnic area is available to the public on all open days. There is BBQs available and plenty of picnic tables with many under cover.

MODEL PARK SITE MAP

MODEL PARK PLAYGROUNDS
SSME playground is available to the public on all open days. There is BBQs available and plenty of picnic tables with many under cover.

MODEL PARK CANTEEN
SSME Canteen is available to the public on all open days. There is BBQs available and plenty of picnic tables with many under cover.There is also indoor tables and chairs right next door to the canteen for public use. Canteen is open between 10.00am to 4.00pm on Open Days
Some Great Food We Sell
BBQ Sausage Sandwiches and Steak Sandwiches – with options of egg , bacon or onion.
BBQ Bacon And Egg Sandwiches
Pies & Sauage Rolls
Hot Dogs
Fresh Hot Tea And Coffee
Cold Drinks & Ice Creams
Confectionary of all sorts

PLANES

RADIO CONTROL MODEL AIRCRAFT
Model Park members fly all manner of aircraft. At any one time you could see fixed wing models powered by internal combustion engines both two and four stroke, almost silent but incredibly powerful electric motors or using nature’s force as graceful gliders fly in absolute silence and majestic control.
Beginners to the R/C (Radio Control) flying section are encouraged to start with a sedate fixed wing model or beginner type helicopter either home built or ARTF (Almost Ready To Fly) and there are several trained and qualified instructors available to get you up to that all important first solo flight.

As you progress you will find almost any member is more than willing to offer advice or help with any part of your modelling hobby. After you ‘gain your wings’ you can look into that favourite warbird or super scale project you have always wanted to build.

Our field is available every day of the year and your attendance to fly, ask for help or just join in the ‘pit talk’ is governed only by your needs and the weather. We even have members who come to do nothing more than watch and enjoy.

Come and join us – there’s no shortage of air space and age is no barrier.

CONTROL LINE AIRCRAFT
This section consists of fixed wing model aircraft that are flown in a circular pattern by using a strong but lightweight control line. The models comprise of three basic classes of aircraft, Vintage, Classic and 2B. They attain speeds in excess of 150 kph.

In general most flyers use a 20 metre long control line and the models are powered with a 2-stroke internal combustion engine with an average size of .25 – .35 cubic inches. Larger models are powered by 2 stroke or 4 stroke motors with a capacity ranging from .51 – .61 cubic inches.

The most common type of flying is sequence (in pattern) although on occasions some pilots may engage in 2 up flying, in which 2 people are flying in the circle at the same time performing mock combat manoeuvres.

TRAINS

PASSENGER RAILWAY
Model Park has an extensive miniature railway system on which children and adults alike may ride behind scale model steam, diesel/electric or electric powered locomotives.
There is an elevated track for the smaller gauge 2 1/2, 3 1/2 and 5 gauge models. This track is oval shaped and 170 metres in length.

The ground level railway is 5? and 7 1/4? gauge and is 1260 metres in length. A journey on the ground level railway will take passengers up and down hills, across bridges and trestles and through a tunnel.

Train Passengers are required to wear fully enclosed footwear, keep their feet on the footboards, sit up straight and follow directions given in the interest of safety whilst riding.

Intending passengers should consider the small gauge of the railway and not carry babies or pets in arms.

Be aware that steam engines are hot; emit smoke and steam and sometimes cinders. This is an integral part of the attraction of this type of motive power. It might be best not to wear your best white shirt!

Tickets to ride the trains may be purchased at the Station Ticket Office on the platform.
Passenger railway rides are available to the public on Open Days – Cost $3.00 per ride
Please NOTE: Closed in shoes must be worn.
Last train ride leaves the station at 3.00 pm.

HO RAILWAY
This railway has an extensive track layout encompassing all types of railway scenery. The track work is over 200 metres in length, which permits the operation of scale trains over the varied landscapes. Watch for a famous engine and friends that can often be seen running along the tracks.

GARDEN RAILWAY
The Garden Railway at Model Park and is situated in a tree lined garden setting. The railway consists of a Gauge 1 (45mm) track and is approximately 230 metres long permitting simultaneous steam and electric train operations.

The track is arranged in dual loops, the minimum radius is 4.5 metres and the general gradients are slight with the exception of an overpass that has a maximum gradient of 4%. The models are controlled remotely by the use of radio controllers.

Come and enjoy the spectacle of scale models representing trains from all parts of the world.

U-DRIVE INDOOR RAILWAY
Come along and try our new attraction the kids will really love it and maybe dad too. Our NEW U-Drive indoor railway runs G SCALE Trains and has a track length of 25mtrs..

You get to control the train with SPEED , FORWARD and REVERSE.
You can hire these trains for $2.00 for 5 minutes.

So come along and have a great day out .

CARS

LARGE SCALE OFF-ROAD
Welcome the Large-Scale Off-Road section of the SSME, we are the youngest section of the Model Park having established ourselves in early 2009. That year we created a purpose built 1/5th scale off road track that complies with all National and International rules.

Our track has undergone 4 rebuilds and design changes with the most current being for the 2019 Australian Titles, we are fully affiliated and compliant with RCRA (Remote Control Racing Australia) and are able to host fully sanctioned events. Our track has undergone 4 rebuilds and design changes with the most current being for the 2019 Australian Titles, we are fully affiliated and compliant with RCRA (Remote Control Racing Australia) and are able to host fully sanctioned events.

The track is 400 metres long, it caters for all skill levels with us having members as young as 9 racing to the most experienced seniors, we have also had international competitors from New Zealand, The Netherlands and Germany on many occasions and look forward to more in the future.

We’ve hosted the Australian Titles in 2013 & 2019 along with many interstate and intra club events, our members have travelled across Australia each year from 2012 to compete in State and National titles bring home many trophies and awards.

We encourage all large-scale off-road vehicles and race the 2wd Baja, 2wd Efra, 4wd Efra and 4wd Short course truck classes on a monthly basis on our regular open days. The section members have a lot of experience and are more than happy to answer questions from the visiting public.

As for the track its 400 metres in length with plenty of variety in its layout, tabletops, bridge, tight hairpins and a super-fast main straight, we are incredibly lucky to have a fully plumbed in watering system with over 35 sprinkler heads to wet the track and keep the dust down, along with this a full Audio system and computer controlled MyLaps timing system is in place.

A purpose-built drivers stand and race control and pit area adjacent to the track with the entire area being fully fenced for safety. The racing is a great spectacle, and we look forward to seeing you all at an open day.

QUARTER SCALE SPEEDWAY

The R/C 1/4 scale cars race around a specially built dirt speedway track.

Luddenham’s 1/4 scale speedway is home to the best Australian 1/4 scale sprintcars,1/4 scale sedans, 60’s style open cockpit vintage speedcars, midgets, buggy/dirt modified and the Amcas. These cars provide plenty of action just like the big ones!

You can visit the Luddenham Quarter Scale Speedways own site which has all the latest information to the Quarter racing section.

SLOT CAR RACEWAY

The track and facilities are for members use, and visitors are always welcome by arrangement. The track is located in its own Club House, and suitable for all 1/32 and 1/24 scale slot cars. Membership of the SSME entitles the member to full access to use the track at no cost, whenever it is available.

The track is available for group bookings at reasonable rates. Please make arrangements via the Contact Us page.

TETHER CARS

Since the first tether car raced at Exhibition Park Parramatta Road, Ashfield in 1940, the search for speed has continued. While the technology has changed, the goal remains to register the fastest time for the individual car over 8 laps of the track equal to 500 metres. Racers compete twice monthly at Model Park and attend interstate and international events.

So come along and have a great day out .

BOATS

RADIO CONTROL BOATS
The Boat Pond, actually a large dam, measures 128 metres long and 43 metres wide with a depth of 1.2 metres when full. The section encompasses most model boating types, including scale yachts, hydros, launches, hovercraft and airboats.

Many of the models are scratch built from plans and take many months to complete. All models are radio controlled. In times of drought, when the water level is low, members prefer to sail airboats, or similar models, with a shallow draught.

Should anyone have any enquiries regarding the hobby, please feel free to ask any member in attendance at the boat section, who will be only too happy to answer your questions on any facet of the hobby.

STATIONARY STEAM

Model Park has a Stationary Steam house with a large coal-fired fixed boiler feeding numerous steam outlets on a display table.

Working scale models of many types of steam engines can be seen operating, ranging from pumping engines, mill engines and vertical marine engines. There are also working models of heat engines on display.

MEMBERSHIP

At SSME we have a great range of modellers sections with great facilities and the members are friendly and extremely helpful to all newcomers so they can enjoy the fun too. Members can enjoy full use of the park 365 days of the year plus you’re not limited to one section as you can be involved in as many sections as you like.

Being a member of the Model Park, you also get free entry on all open days and to come and see any other event that is not open to the public. Members children can also enjoy free tickets on the Passenger/Steam railways, slot cars and U-Drive railway when operating.

To become a member of the Model Park you will need to first come along to the model park on an open day or contact the section leader via our contact us form for the section you are interested in. Once you meet the section leader, he will give you the run-down of the section and give you an overview of the rules of the section. The section leader can sign the form and you will also need to be nominated which can be arranged as well. You will need to submit your signed form and your payment to the section leader or membership officer, to be submitted to the next Board meeting for approval. Board meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month.

SCALE OF FEES

Senior Member - yearly membership $273 plus $50 application fee
Pensioner Member / Fulltime Student - yearly membership $194 plus $50 application fee
Junior Member (8 - 18 years old) - yearly membership $25 - no application fee
Family Membership - We now have a new simpler family membership fee to make it even greater value along with the fantastic value subscriptions. Price on Application.

Click HERE for a membership application form.

Note: Half Yearly memberships and discounts for MAAA members are available, contact the membership officer for details.

For any further information about membership use our contact us form or contact the membership officer directly via email - membership@ssme.org.au