Coleraine and District Society of Model Engineers

The Club was formed in 1975 as a result of an article in the local press inviting the public to a small exhibition in the premises of Northwest Tool and Gauge Company in Coleraine. It was at this exhibition that interested persons names were recorded and this lead to the initial meeting and the formation of the Coleraine and District Society of Model Engineers. Members at that time came from Coleraine, Bushmills, Portrush, Portstewart, Ballymena Limavady and Belfast. 

Since its formation, we as a club, had always aimed to obtain a site on which we could construct a miniature railway enabling us to operate our live steam locomotives (at that time was only 3/12” and 5”gauge locomotives) and other models which members had constructed, providing a site to be enjoyed by all members and give an atmospheric railway trip for both the young and adult visitors. Unfortunately after a number of years and two unsuccessful attempts to form a club base and lay down tracks the club fell into inactivity. After some time the group was reconvened to decide whether the club was going to close or reform. The assembled members on that occasion decided to re-vitalise the club and the hunt for a base site continued. Various sites were offered by the council but all had their downfalls but finally a suitable site was found at Damhead Road and work began to clear and set out a loop of track around existing buildings, which now included  7 ¼”, 5” and 3 ½” , in multi gauge using steel section welded to steel ties fixed to timber sleepers.

On Easter Monday 1990 that dream was realised with the opening of our club track at Damhead Road just outside Coleraine. The site was made available to us by the club president, the landowner, and was developed over a period of two years providing 500ft of welded steel track with cuttings, embankments, steaming bays and turntable all being constructed by the members prior to the opening on that Easter Monday. Since that Easter Day the club has strived to improve the experience, adding typical railway station fencing, water tower, coaling station and a footbridge.

Our next large step was the construction of the extension after permission was given to expand into neighbouring fields constructing two large loops with one inner loop. This extension linked to the original loop was completed with all necessary light signalling, bridges, embankments and air operated points opening on Easter Monday 2000 giving a trip of approximately 1/3 mile. The extension is of 7 1/4 inch gauge and is constructed with 4lb per yd. steel rail, which was shipped from the mainland in straight lengths to be formed into straight and curved rail panels by the club members, with required facing and trailing point sections forming our looping track layout.  We now have our station area with 2 tracks running through, a turntable which leads to steaming bays and the associated hydraulic lifting/loading ramp, a trestle bridge at the bottom of the site and a girder bridge as the route comes back onto the upper loop area. When coming into the station area the track passes under a footbridge used for visitors to access the toilet facilities and use our picnic tables. 

The site has been planted out with indigenous trees and shrubs which over the years since have matured giving ample landscaping to the total site. The site now also offers a Waiting Room, a multi gauge table top layout, grass areas with picnic tables, animal statues, a gnome village, a Ticket Office and a small shop.  

Originally the points system was operated by a signalman, who resided in the two storey signal cabin but due to the shortage of members attending on Open Days the system was converted to radio operation from a fob which each driver carries when out on the track. The three sets of points that are necessary for a run are operated by compressed air operated piston which is controlled by a 24v solenoid valve which in turn is controlled by the radio controlled switching.  All the cabling and compressed air lines are installed in a network of underground ducts throughout the site. The operation of the points in turn operate lights at each point position indicating the direction set and that the point has set correctly and is locked in the “Z” plate. 

Over the years Damhead Miniature Railway, operated voluntary by the members of the club, has become a well-known attraction for parents with younger aged children both visiting and living in the North of the Province, having approx. 2500 – 3000 visitors in a season. The Railway offers trips hauled by 1 of our resident 2 steam locomotives or 1 of our 2 resident diesel locomotives and opens to the public 15 times per year during the summer months from Easter Monday each year until the end of September(mostly 2nd and 4th Saturdays in the month with some Bank Holidays). All our scheduled days are always listed on our Facebook page, “Damhead Miniature Railway” Santa Specials being held on the first and second Saturdays in December. 

The Club has just finished the 2025 summer season of open days and this year have had the additional pleasure of celebrating the 35th anniversary of Damhead Minature Railway and the 50th anniversary of Coleraine and District Society of Model Engineers. 

Here’s to 50 more.