Accidents

In the event of an accident of any description occurring to any society member, visitor or member of the public, the Accident Book must be filled in immediately and the Secretary informed as soon as possible. There must be no admission of liability under any circumstance.

Construction & Certification

1 – Prior to raising steam, all steam boilers must have valid certification. In the case of traction engines, steam wagons etc. valid 3rd party insurance is also required, irrespective of scale.

2 – Visitors running a locomotive must be a member of another Society with associated Public Liability Insurance.

3 – All boilers belonging to TSMEE members will be tested in accordance with the Southern Federation of Model Engineering Societies document “The Examination & Testing of Miniature Steam Boilers”, a copy of which is displayed in the clubhouse. All boilers will undergo an annual steam accumulation test. Gas tanks built by the owner will require a hydraulic test repeated every 4 years. Commercially built tanks are supplied with a certificate that satisfies this test for the first four years. In addition, gas tanks will need to undergo a gas test on an annual basis

4 -All internal combustion engine locomotives shall be fitted with an effective silencer.

5 – All locomotives should be fitted with a working audible warning device. As an alternative, the driver may carry a portable warning device.

6 – Trains operating during the hours of darkness must display a red tail light

7 – All Trains must be fitted with a braking system capable of stopping the train with its load within a safe distance in the event of an emergency.

8 – All trains must have couplings of a type and construction capable of safely drawing and stopping stock and loads carried on the railway. They should ideally be fitted with a secondary coupling independent of the first. Both systems shall be capable independently of holding the un-braked weight of the carriages pulled. These couplings should have a type of locking device, to prevent accidental disconnection.

Safe Operating Proceedures

It is the responsibility of EVERY member to be familiar with ALL aspects of these Procedures and ensure that they are observed at all times.

Each member should also make themselves familiar with the location of First Aid Kits, Fire Extinguishers and all Log Books.

Reference to Locomotives is deemed to include miniature Road Vehicles & Traction Engines.

General Rules

1 – The Committee shall comprise of a minimum of six full members and will be the three Executive Officers together with the Programme Manager, Site Manager & up to 7 members.

2 – All cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer & either the Secretary or Chairman

3 – Classes of membership shall be: Life, Honorary, Full (over eighteen) and Family. A Junior Associate (age 14-18) is not a share holder of the company and has no voting rights.

4 – All applications for membership shall be made on the appropriate form, which shall be signed by two members as proposer & seconder both of whom shall have been members for at least six months.

5- Applications for membership will only be considered if the applicant can demonstrate a practical interest in model engineering

6 – All applications will be reviewed after a 6 month probation period, when the committee can terminate membership if the applicant is thought not to be an asset to the club and its aims

7 – The annual subscription shall be payable on the first day of January and if it is not paid by 1st March the member will be deemed to have resigned. The committee may extend this time limit in extenuating circumstances.

8 – Members joining after 30th June & before 1st October shall pay a half annual subscription for that year. Members joining after 30th September shall pay a full annual subscription, which shall cover the remaining period of that year & the whole of the following year.

9 – Members shall notify the Secretary of any change of address or contact details immediately it occurs.

10 – For safety reasons, no children will be allowed in the steaming bay area unless under instruction with one to one supervision.

11 – Members must observe the 10mph speed limit when driving through the park.

12 – Smoking is not permitted in any TSMEE building including temporary structures.

13 – No locomotive or traction engine etc. may be operated unless two adults are present.

14 – On arrival all members, member’s guests & visiting members of other societies must sign the attendance register in the clubhouse. Details of all visiting locomotives to be run must also be entered in the register.

15 – When the railway is in operation, the Responsible Officer will oversee all railway operations including vehicle access to and from the site.

Duty of Care

The Committee recognises its duty of care in respect of the safety of all persons using our facilities. Adherence to these rules will ensure that everyone can have an enjoyable and safe experience of Model Engineering at its best.

If you have any queries about any part of this document then please speak immediately to a member of the Committee.

The Responsible Officer shall have overall general responsibility for safe operation at all operating sessions. The Responsible Officer will be a member of the committee. Any instructions or guidance issued by the Responsible Officer must be obeyed, as must all rules displayed at the track and the Responsible Officer has a duty to ensure they are carried out.