Visitors to The Almondell Model Engineering Centre, Broxburn are set to get a new Ride-on Railway Bridge to complete the track circuits thanks to a £17,892.18 grant from FCC Communities Foundation. The money, will be used to manufacture and erect a steel bridge spanning a pond at the Almondell Model Engineering Centre on Drumshoreland Road, Broxburn
Mark Coupe, Chairman of The Edinburgh Society of Model Engineers believes the facility will make a huge difference to the lives of people living in the area. He says: “This project will provide a real boost to the people of Broxburn. It’s fantastic that FCC Communities Foundation has awarded us this money and we’re really looking forward to our Ride-on Railway track taking shape over the next four months.”
FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund. FCC Communities Foundation Grant Manager, Sophie Cade says: “We are delighted to be able to support this unique project, which will help bring complete the ride-on railway and bring the Almondell Model Engineering Centre to life for visitors and enthusiasts.”
Mark Coupe hopes the Ride On Railway Bridge will be ready to use by November 2019.
The Edinburgh Society of Model Engineers has embarked on an extremely exciting project, based in West Lothian that will provide the facilities to engage the mass community in engineering through the art of model engineering. This is the creation of the Almondell Model Engineering Centre (AMEC).
The Centre will provide a facility that can be used for both educational and leisure activities. It will cater for a wide variety of interests within model engineering including railways, traction engines, model automobiles and model boats. There will be over 2 km of narrow-gauge track with bridges and tunnels, all built by volunteers and enthusiasts. AMEC is a legacy project. It will be constructed over a period of decades and in line with what we do, it will be remodeled many times. As new and younger engineers and volunteers get involved the site will evolve. New track features will appear to accommodate new railway designs, all in a miniature form.
Press Release dated July 2019