South Australian N Gauge Society (SANGS)
Looking for a new hobby that will stretch your skillset and attention to detail?
Perhaps a hobby that transcends generations and brings with it a certain element of nostalgia?
The South Australian N Gauge Society (SANGS) is a model railway club devoted to N scale modelling, this is the club for you if you are interested in model trains and railroads and the challenges of recreating life in miniature. SAcommunity staff had the opportunity to speak to the SANGS club secretary Chris Finney at one of their model layout demonstrations.
Tell us about your club and what you do
We’re a model railway club with a particular scale: N Gauge also known as N Scale, it’s smaller than most models using the HO scale and the advantage is that it allows us to build model railway layouts that take up less space and to create realistic exhibitions that can be transported from place to place.
"There's something nice about the small size like ours as it means that you can have a layout and it will look true-to-life as the trains won't be chasing their tails," Chris said.
What do you think attracts your members and keeps them coming back?
In essence we’re a men’s shed and in terms of model railway groups in particular, it's the size of the N scale is the key. Apart from that it's that the hobby involves so many aspects, we always build layouts using timber, aluminium and electronics (12 volts) so it's using a range of different skillsets, some of our people know about wiring, the artistic people in the group tend to paint the scenery and so on.
In addition to that people have great recollection of model trains, they might have been interested in the hobby earlier on or had the opportunity to see the displays as a child. Then after girls, cars and kids they tend to come back later on in life often at the 35 years plus mark when they have a bit of time and income to share with their interest.
Where do you display and share this passion with the community?
We have a layout at the club at Peterhead which is open for the public on Tuesdays and Saturdays and as a member of SARMA, South Australian Railway Modellers Association we take part in a number of their model railway exhibitions over the June long-weekend and throughout the year.
We've also undertaken a number of other outreach demonstrations with support from local councils at Port Broughton three years ago and Crystal Brook two years ago, holding a huge modelling exhibition as a family-friendly event with layouts to support their fundraiser.
Moreover we've been invited to Father's day and Easter weekend at Bunnings Prospect over the last three years. The joint venture illustrates one of the positive relationships between not-for-profits and commercial business providing benefits for both and is where our SAcommunity team found the group.
Interested in joining?
Contact South Australian N Gauge Society Inc. (SANGS) to find out more!
