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Townsville & District Society of Model Engineers Fun Park
Built on 2.5 hectares of Council owned land on Boundary Street in the centre of Townsville. The Fun Park has developed from what was a rubbish tip to one of Queensland's most admired theme parks.
Inaugurated in late 1986 by a group of hobbyists with a common aim to promote the construction, operation and enjoyment of their hobby. One of its founding fathers Geof Payne had a dream that the project could be acheived through sheer determination and dedicated hard work and so began a project the envy of hobbyists all over Australia.
The Station was donated by Queensland Rail from its original site at Oonoonba a suburb in South Townsville although requiring a lot of renovations it has maintained its originality and still bears the name Oonoonba.
The Park is open to the public at all times, and runs rides on the last Sunday of each month from 10am to 4pm. Prices are reasonable and are the main source of income for the club. Day tickets are also available
The Park also has Radio Controlled model boats, Toilets, Canteen, Club Carriages, and well developed gardens and shaded areas which are very popular with family picnics.
Visitors starting to arrive for a days outing
Long before the first of the visitors arrive work begins
In addition to the Clubs Engines. Club members use their own engines for hauling the passenger coaches
Here owner and club member Michael Valinotti from Ingham prepares "Blue Lady" for a gruelling days work.The engine built by Founding member Laurie Fielder is from a Welsh design "Heiddi" The number 042 refers to the wheel configerationHere Here Club member Michael Valinoti
Final check before moving to the carriage shed to pick up its carriages.
MCR 260 leaving the carriage yard on route to the Station
10am and the first trip of the day about to start
Another Laurie Fielder built "Heiddi" now owned by Mike Davern is back in steam after a major overall and repaint and is performing as well as ever. Numbered MCR 260 and named "Enterprise"
With an unblemished record in Safety, the club is forever mindfull of the safety and well being of its members and the visiting public. Barriers and fences are erected through-out the park to ensure that young children cannot stray in front of moving trains. A closed footwear policy is also in place which only allows visitors with closed footwear to board trains.The message to the children is "No shoes No ride".
res are in place and are enforced
The club owned train with a full compliment of passengers works its way through the very colourful gardens of the park. In the background can be seen the historic full sized steam locomotive donated by the Townsville City Council and relocated from Anzac Park on The Strand.
Also seen is some of the many hundreds of Palm trees and Native trees which have been planted over many years..
In the background can be seen a full sized steam locomotive
For many young children a trip of a lifetime, not to be forgotton.
Another very popular attraction at the theme park is the model boat pond which is run by the Magnetic Model Boat Club of Townsville.
Although close to the Ross Creek the pond itself is fresh water to prevent salt water damage to the radios and equipment. Operating the same hours as the trains, visitors can hire radio controlled boats for a small charge.
Webmaster: Frederick " Fred" Hogg
for further information email Fred at
iwaustralia@hotmail.com
Visitors with their own RC Model Boats are always welcome.