The Chelmsford Model Society of Model Engineers members are standing tall after a stand they exhibited at the London Model Engineer Exhibition at Alexandra Palace won Best in Show.

The Exhibition is the leading model making show in the South of England attracting over 50 clubs of all types and has many trade stands.

The stand they produced was awarded "Best in show" for which they were awarded a handsome shield by Exhibition.

Organiser Chris Deith said: "The stand they designed tried to demonstrate the many and varied skills that the members can turn their hand to and around 30 members offered exhibits and help to create an outstanding display.

"Some of the main exhibits included a replica French Hirondelle "Superbe" bicycle made by John Gray, a 4" Burrell 6 NHP Traction engine weighing over 1/2 a Ton built by Geoff Rudkin, a line up of four 5" gauge Single wheeler locomotives that were based on prototypes of the Victorian era was something never seen before at a Model Engineer Exhibition, also as it was the Supermarine Spitfires 80th anniversary they also showed Andy Fremont's 1/8 scale radio control model."

The Club started out as the "The Essex Loco Brotherhood" and was formed in 1930 in an attic in Chelmsford by eight men and one lady their daily vocations included a clergyman, a works manager, architect, inn keeper, draughtsman, railway man, a workman and a clerk, all were interested in steam locomotives.

The name was changed in November 1935 to the Chelmsford Society of Model Engineers the founder members being Mr Dan Crittall who ran a Window making firm in Braintree and built 10.25” gauge locos and Jack Clarke who lived in Hatfield Peverel and worked for the BBC at Alexandra Palace and in his spare time was a prolific builder of 5” gauge locos.

The Club has resided in Meteor way since 1958 and during this time the members have built an extensive miniature railway and have been giving steam train rides to the public every Sunday afternoon between 2 and 4-30 pm from the beginning of May to the end of September all this every year since 1960.

New members are always welcome. Contact the club at chelmsfordsocietyofmodelengineers.co.uk or Chelmsford City Miniature Railway on Facebook.