Auckland Society of Model Engineers
Want to see what it's like to take a trip around a track? Take a look here...
Train Running for the Public
The Railway is located at the Peterson Reserve, Peterson Road, Panmure and is open
to the public every Sunday afternoon from 1.00 - 4.00pm (weather permitting).
The only exception being the long weekends over Christmas and New Year.
The railway is operated on a voluntary basis by the members of the ASME.
club. On a normal Sunday the two club locomotives and usually members live steam
locomotives pull trains made up of passenger carriages around the extensively
landscaped and interesting track. The journey starts and finishes at the station
building "Waipuna Junction" and during the ride the train travels the cleverly
designed track that gives the illusion of going on a long journey. Along the way
the train will pass through tunnels and cross bridges and negotiate an elevated
trestle section. Something to look out for is the large boat pond operated by
the Scale Marine Modelers club.
Generations of Aucklanders have brought their children to the track for a ride
on the trains and indeed today it is not unusual for family groups of
Grandparents, Parents and Children to come and visit on a Sunday afternoon. The
ASME railway experience is indeed one of Auckland's best kept secrets.
Train Rides cost $2 per ride or a concession ticket giving 6 rides can be
purchased for $10. Concession tickets are not dated and if not used up can be
used at a future visit to the railway.
Find out more here.
Birthday Parties
The club receives many enquiries regarding running the trains for birthday parties
for young train enthusiasts, we openly encourage parents wanting to hold
birthday parties at the track for their young ones at no charge for the venue.
As the trains and track are run entirely on a voluntary basis by the members of
the ASME club we regret that we cannot cater for private parties. The track
is only open on Sunday afternoons from 1.00 - 4.00pm (weather permitting). The
Reserve is an Auckland City Council park and as such is fully open to the
public. There is quite a large amount of grassed area suitable for picnics and
family or birthday gatherings. There are a few picnic tables / seat fixtures
within the track area.
What many parents do for a party is to purchase concession tickets to cover
train rides for the young and not so young ones and have a picnic with friends
and a cake etc. While we have many trees in the reserve bringing some portable
shade is a good idea in summer.
A good idea for parents planning a birthday party would be to visit the track
one Sunday in advance.
Keeping in mind Auckland's changeable weather it would be advisable to always
have a plan B in mind just in case to avoid disappointment should the weather be
nasty on your chosen date.
Mission Statement - Our Aim
The aim of the ‘Auckland Society of Model Engineers’ is to provide a friendly, sociable environment,
where like-minded members have the opportunity to learn new skills, and gain the
support of other members when undertaking the art of ‘Model Engineering’.
Our club is a cross section of society, with members of all occupations, age
groups and levels of experience – you do not have to be a professional engineer
to be a member! We meet once a month in the clubrooms to discuss their latest
creations, get advice from other members, or share that little nugget of wisdom
or advice.
We also operate the only raised 3½” & 5” gauge track in the top half of the
North Island, incorporating tunnels and
bridges, looping twice around the park. Members are free to use the track,
and are encouraged to learn to drive one of the electric club locomotives, and
provide the public with the universal pleasure of model rail.
To find out more about model engineering, please click
here.
If you want to find out more about our club, please click here.