The MELSA (Model Engineers & Live Steamers Assoc) Club was founded in 1981 by a group of 6 avid rail enthusiasts and their supportive, understanding wives who also worked tirelessly in the construction site. The 2 ½ acre block, on Toorbul Street Bongaree, was leased from the Caboolture Council in 1982 and negotiations began for funding to build the track. A grant of $130,000 under the Commonwealth
Employment Program was awarded the Club and construction started in April 1984. The grant provided employment for 4 unemployed males, 2 unemployed females and a Supervisor for a period of 12 months. The track was completed in April 1985 when the first train run occurred. The Turntable and 8 Steaming bays were built in early 1987. The inner track of 200 metres length surrounds the Picnic Area while the remaining track of almost 1 kilometre runs through bushland and alongside one of the many creeks on Bribie. Apart from our 3rd Sunday of the month Public Run Days, a great favourite with children are the Birthday Runs. The facility can be booked for birthday parties ensuring unlimited train rides for children with their families and friends for 2 hours. It is quite common to have up to 50 children along with family and friends enjoying themselves in the enclosed Picnic Area complete with tables, bench seats and big shady trees within a fenced area. For enquiries please call our club. The number is on our main page. The bush around the track is full of birds and often visited by kangaroos. Some of our little passengers report seeing fairies amongst the bushes. Covered footwear is essential but if you arrive without, we have loan shoes so as to ensure all passengers remain safe and comply with regulations. Safety is the most critical issue for the Club and that is why the Picnic Area is fully fenced so the little ones cannot wander off. The locomotives, carriages and track are continuously inspected and repaired as needed. The Clubs’ Maintenance Crew work every Tuesday undertaking inspections and repairs to the track, infrastructure and grounds. We are bound by the Australian Association of Live Steamers Protocols and Safety Procedures. Many of our members build their own locomotives and are happy to explain how the locomotives works to any interested people. For the technically minded, the steam locomotives burn coal with boilers operating up to 100 psi. The boilers and running gear are inspected periodically as per legislation. The electric locomotives run with either 24 volts, 36 volts or 48 volts. The petrol/electric locomotives use an internal combustion engine to drive a generator which supplies a 12 volt battery that powers an electric motor. We appreciate your interest and welcome your questions. The Club has its own locomotive running under electric power plus a maintenance loco, powered by internal combustion, used to shunt a maintenance wagon carrying a generator, welder and associated tools. There is much more than having a train ride at MELSA Park as the Club welcomes new Members regardless of their skills. While some Members have mechanical, machining, welding and electrical skills other Members have the most important qualifications; they are interested in trains and want to be involved.
