Since he was eight, Ben De Gabriel has always loved model engineering. He loves how simple yet complex the technology is. He drove his first steam locomotive when he was eight. Now 40 years later, Ben is the president of the Australian Association of Live Steamers, as well as the local Orange Society of Model Engineers, and he gets to share his love of the old technology with his community. 

The Orange Society of Model Engineers has been running miniature live steam trains in Matthews Park for over 45 years. It’s a group of like-minded men and women who enjoy the specialty of model engineering.

“And that’s all sorts of different facets,” Ben explained. “It’s not just locomotives, it’s anything railway, engineering, we have members who are into stationary engines, clocks, sailing, all sorts of other things.”

With members predominantly into miniature railway, the society holds an open day at Matthews Park once a month, where both little kids and ‘big’ kids (adults) can get involved.

“You can almost think of the Orange Miniature Railway almost like the original Men’s Shed before Men’s Sheds ever existed,” Ben said.

“I think that's a really important part of being in the club. It’s not just about engineering… it's a really good bunch of, in this particular case, blokes that look out for one another, and support each other.”

Ben’s 40 years in model engineering has seen the highs and lows of the craft. He’s seen the old technology fall in and out of interest, and new technologies try and take over. 

“For people who are physically building engines… yes there’s lots of changes. There’s all sorts of new technologies that come along from laser-cutting and all sorts of wonderful CNC machines,” Ben said. 

But it’s the passion for the “old school” skills that has kept Ben coming back after four decades. 

“The hobby is still predominantly made up of old skills,” he said. “These are skills that have been passed on from generation to generation of people. So I think it’s really important because without these clubs… these skills for engineering, actually would be lost. So it’s very important that we pass them down to others as well.

“We have a couple of junior members in the club, and we encourage them to come along and learn the skills.”

Ben learnt his model engineering skills from the people around him, since he was eight years old. He explained that, generally, members have learnt the skill from their parents or family members, but for him, it was from being a member of the local model engineering society. 

“My parents weren’t involved at all or anything like that. It was just one of those things I got involved in at a very young age, and I’m still a member today.

“It’s not something you build in no time.”

Matthews Park holds monthly miniature locomotive rides for $3 per person. Held on the second Saturday of each month, the next train day will be held this Saturday, April 13.