The North West Leicestershire Society of Model Engineers' miniature railway looks set to survive any redevelopment of the Hermitage Recreation Ground and former Leisure Centre.

Next Wednesday, the future of the site will be discussed by North West Leicestershire District Council's Community Scrutiny Committee.

This will consider a number options for the area, including a scheme to build bungalows for retired people and a community re-opening of the leisure centre by local group Coalville CAN.

But a report to being presented to councillors next week will recommend that the Hermitage miniature railway is kept as it is 'recognised as a major asset of the site' - a year before its 50th anniversary.

The report says: "The North West Leicestershire Society of Model Engineers have a 25-year lease with a peppercorn rent to deliver the model railway at the rear of the 3G pitch.

"The lease commenced in April 2008 and runs until March 2033.

"Whilst there is no financial benefit to the council, the value of this service was recognised by residents that attended the consultation event at Hermitage Leisure Centre where general consensus was that it should be retained as an attraction.

"There are no financial capital implications for the council in retaining the service."

The society told Coalville News about its history.

Coalville Technical College was where the local engineering companies and the National Coal Board sent their apprentices and trainees to study for national qualifications.

A few of the college staff found that they shared an interest in model engineering and particularly steam locomotives.

They placed an advert in the Coalville Times for anyone who was interested to attend a meeting on the 3rd September 1973.

At that meeting it was agreed to start what is now known as the North West Leicestershire Society of Model Engineers.

With having strong ties with the local NCB it was agreed that meetings could be held at the Coalville Miners

Welfare in Margaret Street and that the old tennis courts at the rear of the building could be used for the building of a miniature railway.

The money to build the track was raised by donations from the members and local businesses as well as giving rides to the public using a borrowed steam locomotive and portable track.

The oval, raised track comprising of steel rail laid in wooden sleepers fixed to concrete beams supported on breeze block pillars was eventually built and opened in 1977.

The local cricket club wanted to get rid of their wooden changing rooms and before burning it to the ground offered it to the model engineering club providing that they could move it.

It was taken down, moved and re-erected all over one weekend. It was subsequently dismantled again and moved to become the clubhouse that is currently at the Hermitage Recreation Ground site. It is therefore over 60 years old and still giving good service.

Over the years the site was further developed with the aid of contributions from the Coalville Technical College and the local National Coal Board.

When the Miners Welfare was closed in 1989 and the club was asked to vacate the site, the District Council offered the club a piece of waste ground at the Hermitage Recreation Ground, Whitwick, behind what was the Hockey Pitch.

What could be moved was moved and used to build an extended track again with donations from club members and local businesses. Extensive ground work was required to level the area before the track was completed and it finally opened in 1992.

From then on the club has gradually landscaped and developed the site with a ground level track being added in 2003.

When the track was first set out at the Hermitage site, a wooden signal box/station was built but over the years it fell into disrepair and in 2008 a successful application was made to the Lottery Fund to build a new station building.

In 2016 following a upsurge in national interest, the club decided to build a garden railway for the running of smaller (and lighter) trains and so the Hermitage Miniature Railway came into being.

The site now caters for seven sizes of miniature trains from Hornby 1:76 scale through to 5 inch (1:12 scale) passenger hauling.

Wheelchair access to the extended site is gradually being improved by a hard surface pathway. To also help members of the public with mobility problems the club has, this year purchased a wheelchair accessible toilet.

The club has given rides to the public since it started and have held a number of successful events over the years including the ever popular Santa Specials where, for a modest sum, children can get to see a traditional Santa, have a small gift and have rides on a miniature train.

In 1992, the Chairman, in memory of his late wife, started a special annual event with the proceeds going to two children's charities, Rainbows and LOROS.

Since then over £10,000 has been raised from this popular event.

Next year will see the 50th anniversary of the founding of the club and we hope that future generations of model engineers are able to enjoy the hobby and use the facilities developed at the Hermitage Recreation Ground for many more years to come.

Details of upcoming events and public running can be found on the club website HERE.

Regular updates with photographs and videos can be seen on Facebook groups: The Garden Railway, Whitwick, Leics and Hermitage Miniature Railway, Whitwick, Leics.