Our model railway club was founded on 3 rd May 1965 by seven members and was called AG 3/31 Pirna at those times.
|
Our first jointly used model was an HO-scale model. It was first shown at an exhibition in the glass pavilion in Pirna in 1968.
|
In 1967 we started to create and assemble our TT-scale model, which is still in use, and originally was our chairman's own property, Mr Jochen Ehrig, who unfortunately died at a much too early age in 1998.
|
In March 1968 our group was awarded with the honorary title ‘Theodor Kunz' for excellent specific knowledge in the field of model railroading.
|
|
|
|
In the course of the years the model was steadily increased and modernized. Simultaneously to the enlargement of the TT-scale model we started a large scale HO model in 1981, which unfortunately has never been finished.
|
In the backyard of an old building, interested friends of model railroading always met on Fridays after work. |
|
Modeling under the roof, of a building was not always that easy. In summer it often was that hot, that tar was dripping through the roof and in winter it was freezing cold as there was no proper heating. So the glue just did not want to get firm sometimes. Another problem was the narrow staircase as the sometimes 2.5m long parts somehow had to be transported through the ground floor, and after an exhibition, which means after 14 days, everything had to be taken back. Especially for this reason a window was enlarged and by doing this it was possible to transport parts carefully to the ground with the help of a winch. But there was big trouble if one of the big panels was lost and crashed to the ground… But just think of all the damage which could have been caused and all the stress to get things ready on time for an exhibition after such an accident. So- what should we do? There was just one solution- moving house.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Near the town of Pirna , in Dohma, the club has had its home since 1992. Within an old farm house complex a pigsty had been altered to meet the requirements of a new room for model railroading. What a release! Now it was possible to dismantle and transport large components without any great strain and effort to get them ready for an exhibition within much less time.
|
|
|
|
For many years our big TT-scale model was the only one, but due to wishes and suggestions of many HO-fans we started to build a new model in 1995 as there were still some wagons and vehicles.
|
With these two models we have been steadily on our way to several exhibitions. During GDR-times we went to Aue, Schwarzenberg , Berlin or Decin/CZ. After the fall of the wall we travelled to Dortmund, Sinsheim, Bern or Vienna the magnificent capital of Austria .
|
After a longer rest from travelling abroad we were invited to the biggest Danish model railroad exhibition” Experience model railroading” in Copenhagen by Ib Damm (DMJU)which was executed for the second time. Just some time later in October 2006 we were guests at the ‘EUROSPOOR' in Utrecht .
|
Within the course of a year we participate in five to six exhibitions at home and abroad. Exhibitions at the Glass Pavilion in Pirna and the Pirna Autohaus have always been fixed appointments in our diary.
|
Social events and excursions with everyone's partners and friends have always been a firm part of our club life. Some of these enjoyable events were excursions to the Spreewald, Hamburg , Lübbenau or summer parties and our annual Christmas party.
|
Meanwhile the number of club members has risen again to 27 and as we have to maintain and enlarge two such large models we are always looking forward to finding new interested and creative club members.
|
Since 1991 the club has become a registered association and member of the Saxon Model Train Association (SMV).
|
There is a youth group as well. Since 1992 the interest group of model railroading has become the official youth group of MEC Pirna. This is a meeting point for all children and juveniles being interested in model railways starting at the age of 12.
|
In May 2000, the club was celebrating its 35 th anniversary. For this event the company Tillig manufactured a wagon with special congratulations spray painted on it.
|
|
In 2001 we manufactured a wintery model for the company Tillig- Modellbahnen with the scenery of the Spreewald. Short before Christmas we were gladly able to hand this over into the hands of the corporate museum.
In spring of 2004 we started with a second Day-and-night- model for the museum which could be given into Mrs. Tillig's possession in June.
|
|
|
|
|
Adventure model trains- From the planning up to operation
|
|
Under this motto MEC planned and organized a new and large- scale exhibition on the fairgrounds of the DRESDEN FAIR for old and young in Saxony on an exhibition area of approximately 1000m² in February 2005.
|
More than 7000 visitors explored the fairgrounds where private model constructors as well as clubs displayed their models in different scales. Also firms producing on a small scale and based at home and abroad showed their novelties.
|
The motto ‘Adventure model trains- From the planning up to operation' has become a well -known term especially in the federal state Brandenburg and Saxony with friends and supporters of model railroading.
|
During our Saxon winter school holidays, from 16 to 18 February 2007, the exhibition Experience Model Railroads was already organized for the third time.
|
|
In the same year we celebrate our 40 th anniversary which will acknowledge and award performance of the members with an excursion to Moritzburg with friends and family when we will remember all those past years.
|
