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On the 21st October 1969 a group of interested modelers from the Weapons Research Establishment Institute, met to discuss the formation of a Model club. The W.R.E.I. was a military establishment formed at the time of World War Two for experimentation and manufacture of weapons. Twelve people attended and a club was formed and named, W.R.E.I Model & Experimental Engineers' Society. The society was made up exclusively of personnel that worked at W.R.E.I. and was allocated the old Pistol Clubrooms on their grounds. One of the first projects to be planned and started was a temporary 100 ft long, three & half inch model train track. This track was set up under the shade of the big gum trees at the W.R.E.I. Children's Christmas party'. The President John Barkes steam locomotive "Princess" shunted back and forth to the children's delight. A static display of member's models, a steam tug boat, trains, navel guns, aircraft and machinery was also set up for people to see. It was a great occasion with 3000 children attending, and Father Christmas was kept very busy giving out presents.
1970 was a big year for the club when a above ground twin gauge model railway track was planned and built. By October the 900ft track with two bridges was completed thanks to the hard work of members. There was a lot of competition between members, to see who could be the first person to get something to run on the track. The railway guys were caught napping, when a model aircraft section member, made a contraption, powered by a small diesel aircraft engine ,that was able to complete a circuit of the new track. By December of this year at the W.R.E.I. Christmas party, three model trains were running on the new track catering for the large crowds. The model aircraft section put on an exiting display of aerobatics with their control line models.
1971 saw the planning and construction of a 21ft diameter boat pond, with the view of racing pylon electric boats. The first two scale model boats to run on the new pond were "Woonda" a tug boat and "Bismark" a German Battleship. The building of a 150ft concrete pond was in the planning stage. This pond was to cater for steam, sailing and internal combustion engine model boats. Further work was being done on the Airfield to facilitate the use of radio controlled model aircraft that were becoming popular at this stage.
1972 and 73 saw the new workshop completed and machines installed, the "HO" and "OO" gauge train layout with a station and a scenic village built in the clubrooms. The club catered for Model steam and diesel trains, aircraft, slot cars, a gunnery section, model making and boats.
1974 saw six steam, diesel and electric locomotives, a fire engine that was built as a club project, all running at the W.R.E.I children's Christmas party.
1975 was a busy year, with nine months of work to complete the boat pond. The official opening was on the 30th November with a power boat cutting a ribbon on the new pond.
1976 saw work underway on the 7 ¼ Gauge ground level railway track, which was a major undertaking. Sponsors were asked to contribute 50cents to purchase sleepers for the new track.
1978 In March of this year W.R.E.I sent word that they were changing their name to 'The Defence Research Centre 'so the club at that time changed to 'Defence Research Centre Model Engineering Club'
From the year 2000
In September 2000 news was received from the State Government that they required an easement through the club's property, to enable the building of Woomera road. To facilitate this the club was given 8 weeks to vacate the required parcel of land. This meant that the entire railway had to be pulled up, redesigned and rebuilt. Thanks to a group of dedicated members, the Club survived and ground level, 5" & 7 ¼ railway was completely rebuilt over the next 18 months.
On Sunday 27th January 2002 the club had a very successful reopening. The main line of 450 metres was built around the ¼ scale car track, clubrooms and boat pond. A second larger loop added a further 450 metres of track, complete with a flyover that allows trains to safely cross the outward track; via a bridge then gently rundown an embankment to rejoin the original loop was opened in April 2003.
New workshops, carriage and loco sheds were built along with elevated steaming bays, locomotive unloading ramps and a turntable. Another feature was the tunnel with brick portals that was incorporated on the main line and the new station complete with three rail tracks.
The pedestrian footbridge was built to give visitors direct access from the car park to the club's grounds and a ticket office erected and many pathways were paved between the bridge, station and clubrooms.
Major alterations have been carried out on the inside and outside of the clubrooms, including a verandah, ducted cooling, false ceiling and the total rebuild of the canteen.
The small scale model railway has its own room with large viewing window that allows visitors a good view of the trains from inside the clubrooms.
Another feature, commenced in 2006 is the Garden railway or Gauge 1 outdoor railway with a large circle, elevated double track, crossover, steaming up bays, with sidings, all set in garden scenery.
Considerable work was carried out to improve the boat pond, including the installation of a polythene liner to help to prevent leakage, a new podium and safety fencing.
The Quarter scale car track was rebuilt, with safety fencing and lights for running at night, now making it one of the best tracks in Australia. Grants were obtained from the Northern Adelaide and Barossa Catchments Water Management Board to plant native trees, shrubs and grasses. Plans are underway to build a 600 metre rail loop incorporating a large tunnel, with landscaping. Salisbury Council have connected bore water to the club grounds for the boat pond and watering the grounds, alleviating the use of mains water.