Strathaven Model Society

04/02/2026

Black 5 update.
On Monday 26th January we took a massive step forward with the work on the Black 5.
On that morning we commenced the first steam test on the locomotive. She raised steam and performed well for the first time.
All major components worked as they should with one or two niggles to be sorted out once she was cold. All major valves and piping handled the steam pressure with no visible leaks.
A proud day for Mike and Tom who have led this project through the ups and downs of getting it ready for this test.
We will now complete the minor work required and strip the cladding of the engine ready for painting.
Thank you to all involved Mike, Tom, Gordon, Eric and many others within the club. See pictures attached.

19/10/2025

22/12/2024

Strathaven Model Society is proud to have played a small part in this amazing total.

05/12/2024

During the summer we were asked by the BBC children's section if we could assist with close up shots of a steam loco as they were making a new film (called the Primrose Railway Children).

We assisted with this at several locations in Glasgow studios and at St Fillans outdoor shoot.
The programme has now been released and is available on the IPlayer and will also be shown on BBC1 during the holidays.

If you know what you are looking for you will see Cairnhill dressed up as the BoNess for close up work. All Cairnhills brass work was blackened to make it look more like the real loco used.

Link to the BBC site: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m00263zv/the-primrose-railway-children

09/10/2024

Work continues in the workshop on our Black 5 locomotive.
After several reversals due to having to remake some of the fittings due to changes in the configuration of some of the pipe work. The running boards have now been fitted at some of the back head has also been installed. New ash pan made from stainless steel was also fitted last week.
Progress takes time to get it right. Looking forward to seeing more progress over the next few months.

12/08/2024

Work progresses with our Black 5 with a new ash pan being made to fit our frames.
Pictures taken today before the running boards go on and the boiler re-installed in the next week or two.
We were checking how many oiling points are on the new loco .
Have a guess ?
At present after checking the loco over several times I have identified 46 oiling points. 18 on the left side of loco outside frames , 16 on the right side out with the frames, 8 on the running boards and 4 between the frames in very awkward positions, probably will have to make an oil can for these locations.
Huge thank you to our club engineers who are working on this locomotive.

17/07/2024

In late June we held a charity day in aid of the Kilbryde Hospice in East Kilbride. We collected just under £700 on the day.
We arranged with the Provost Margaret Cooper who is trying to raise a significant sum this year for the hospice. We were honoured to have the Lord Lieutenant Lady Haughy and one of her deputies along with a representative of the Hospice come to the park on Thursday 11th of July. Where we were delighted to present the cheque to the hospice's fundraising manager.
A big thank you to the volunteers who on the day collected the money from our passenger hauling day.
From the Wee Train.

12/05/2024

75th Anniversary
TWO days and counting down to our 75th anniversary of the railway in Strathaven park. It will also be Margaret’s, our 2-6-0 steam locomotive, birthday on that day.
The FIRST passenger train through out new tunnel yesterday morning, Strathaven Castle emerging from the Cairnhill tunnel on its first run of a busy day in the park. Finishing touches to the tunnel will be completed on Monday ready for the anniversary day on Tuesday.

While the trains were running two of our members were working hard in restoring Margaret to running order . Almost finished we still need to fit some minor fixings and she will be ready to steam test on Monday (Close run thing , but it looks like we have made it)

Thank s Jim for leading this work .

From a relieved WEE TRAIN. (Phew) 😮‍💨

09/05/2024

🏵️75th Anniversary🏵️
Five days and counting down to our 75th anniversary of the railway in Strathaven park. It will also be Margaret’s, our 2-6-0 steam locomotive, birthday on that day.

Abberton our petrol driven diesel outline locomotive returned to the park today . After several weeks of major repairs including new wheels made for the engine she was brought back to the park today. Test run was satisfactory and she will go back into service along with the other locos. Thanks to the team for doing all this work over the last few weeks and thanks to angus for painting her (looking smart).
From the Wee Train 🚂

08/05/2024

OH NO!!!! essential repair, limited time to do it
75th Anniversary
Six days and counting down to our 75th anniversary of the railway in Strathaven park. It will also be Margaret’s, our 2-6-0 steam locomotive, birthday on that day.
Margaret, our birthday loco 75 next week, needs urgent work to be ready for Tuesday.
While testing her for the big day it was discovered that the packing material in both of her cylinders / pistons had reached the end of its useful life.
This means stripping a large part of the locomotive's motion and pulling out the pistons to repack them with Graphite square rope (5x5 mm We now await in trepidation for replacement to be received by mail.
Hopefully this will arrive in time to let us complete both the repacking and testing before the big day . Fingers crossed and everything else crossed too!!!!!.
Loco stripped down took four hours and will take roughly the same to put it back together. Big thank you to Jim L who is leading this work.

05/05/2024

🏵️75th Anniversary🏵️
Nine days and counting down to our 75th anniversary of the railway in Strathaven park. It will also be Margaret’s, our 2-6-0 steam locomotive, birthday on that day.

Abberton our petrol outline diesel has been in the workshop for over a month now , Stripped down, engine out and new wheels made. Painting almost complete, hopefully ready for the anniversary celebrations. All going well she will be rebuilt on Monday .
Thanks to Graham , Tom and Angus for this work.
From The Wee Train