Enthusiasts will have a chance to see under the chassis, beyond the boiler and through the drive rods of miniature trains this weekend.

Tauranga Model Marine and Engineering Club’s Annual Open Weekend will have model steam engines and locomotives on show and members will be on hand to answer any questions.

Warren Belk was one of the original members, joining in 1979.

“With an engineering background, I was into the model yachts and power boats but I always had a fascination for steam trains and traction engines. You learn heaps in a hurry when you’re part of the club,” he said.

He described driving a steam locomotive as quite the balancing act; “You’re thinking about your fire, your water levels, watching the pressure gauges and when to put more coal on.”

“I started out working in steam power stations as a mechanical engineer,” said fellow club member John Stent. “We all like to share ideas about how to make things better and on open days, members of the public love to see the steam trains, in particular.”

Trains will run from midday until 4pm on Saturday and from 10am until 3pm on Sunday at Memorial Park Miniature Railway.

For further information, check out club’s facebook page: Memorial Park Railway Tauranga or the website.