The Chesterfield and District Model Engineering Society (CDMES) is a British model engineering organization located in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. Formed in the 1930s, the society operates a multi-gauge miniature railway facility on its private grounds at Hady Hill, where members construct, maintain, and run scale live steam, diesel-outline, electric locomotives, and traction engines.

In addition to its home site in Chesterfield, CDMES members also manage and operate the miniature railway at Papplewick Pumping Station in Nottinghamshire during public steaming events.

History

The society was originally established in the 1930s by local model makers, mechanical engineers, and railway enthusiasts in the Chesterfield area. In 1965, the society secured a permanent location by leasing land at Hady Hill, adjacent to St Peter & St Paul Catholic Voluntary Academy.

After decades of developing the site's tracks and workshop facilities, the society officially purchased the freehold land in 1997. To support long-term management and property ownership, the organization incorporated as a private limited company (Chesterfield & District Model Engineering Society Limited) in the mid-1990s.

Site and Tracks

The society's grounds at Hady Hill host two primary railway layouts designed to accommodate various scales and gauge standards:

Raised Track

The elevated track layout caters primarily to smaller scale equipment, dual-gauge supporting both (89 mm) and (127 mm) gauge models. The raised structure allows drivers and passengers to ride straddling the track with footrests positioned alongside the track bed.

Ground-Level Track

The ground-level dual-gauge layout caters to (127 mm) and (184 mm) gauge locomotives. Designed for higher passenger-hauling capacity, this track features extensive engineering infrastructure:

  • A double-track main station and a secondary upper station.
  • A circuit through woodland areas incorporating a track spiral, an elevated overbridge, and a tunnel section.
  • Fully equipped steaming bays fitted with 12V electrical blowers, air lines, and water supplies for prepping coal-fired locomotives.
  • An electromechanical signaling network featuring miniature color-light and semaphore signals.

Public Running and Charity Events

CDMES hosts public running days throughout the summer months, offering passenger rides to local families and visitors. The society also runs seasonal events, such as charity benefit days and annual "Santa Special" train runs in December.

Member Operations

  • General Meetings: Held on the third Tuesday of each month in the Hady Hill Clubhouse.
  • Member Running Days: Scheduled on the first Wednesday afternoon and the Saturday following the monthly general meeting.
  • Invitational Rallies: Two open weekends per year are reserved for visiting model engineering societies across Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and the East Midlands to bring and run their own locomotives.

External Operations

The society maintains an official partnership with the historic Papplewick Pumping Station in Nottinghamshire. CDMES members provide the rolling STOCK and operational crew for the pumping station's miniature railway during its public steaming weekends.

See also

  • Model engineering
  • Live steam
  • Miniature railway
  • List of 7¼ inch gauge railways
  • Papplewick Pumping Station