The Western Province Model Railway Club ( WPMRC ) has a club room in Rondebosch Cape Town neighboring the Rondebosch public library. There is a map here. A large HO model railway has been built in the club room.

We operate an HO American prototype model railway with DCC loco's with or without sound and use JMRI to make our club layout more prototypical

To find out more contact us at

071 284 8878

Our History

In the early 50s, a group of modellers began meeting once a month in a Cape Town hotel. The first recorded meeting of the WPMRC was the 1st General Meeting held at the Cecil Hotel, Newlands at 8:00 pm on 24 July, 1957. Mr Charles Abbott was elected chairman and there were 15 'members' present! Shortly thereafter, this gathering was duly constituted and the Western Province Model Railway Club was officially born.

Initially the club met at the hotel as well as at various members' homes. The first club premises were secured in early 1959 in a loft above the Dock Road Service Station (Corona Car Hire) and the club began constructing their first layout. These premises proved unsuitable and temporary. By June 1960, the club was again meeting in the Cecil Hotel, Newlands and in club members' homes. In August 1961, the present club room was secured from the Cape City Council. Records indicate that at least five layouts have been built before the present one. Regrettably, none of the founding fathers remain alive, nor do any photographs of the early layouts exist - all lost in the mists of time!

The club would meet at 8pm each Tuesday evening in premises situated under the Belmont Road railway bridge adjacent to the Rondebosch Library. Membership had fluctuated over the years averaged at around 20, with a weekly attendance of about 10.

Today the club meets have changed to 10am echo Saturday morning at the same premises under the Belmont Road railway. Visitors are welcome.

 

Visit our Projects Page to see what we have been working on at the club room.