A MODEL engineering club has completed a massive extension to its miniature railway facilities.

York City and District Society of Model Engineers previously had one 1,000ft miniature track on which members could run their locomotives at their site to the rear of The Pastures, in Dringhouses, York.

The track was elevated on concrete pedestals and would only take small ride-on engines. This meant members with larger locomotives had to travel as far afield as Halifax and Sheffield to use wider tracks.

But now the club has built a 2,000ft track at ground level, which is two-and-a-quarter inches wider than the original five-inch track. The extra width allows larger engines to run on the new track.

Member Ken Bateman said the society, which has about 100 members, was very excited about the new facilities. But they have to apply to City of York Council for retrospective planning permission for the new track and a small store for the society's miniature carriages.

He said: "As the track is just laid on the ground, we didn't realise we would need planning permission. We are hoping that the council approve the plans and then we can invite someone to open the new track officially."

The society has also applied for planning permission to replace the old British Rail signal hut, which is used to store the carriages for the elevated track, with a new store.

Updated: 11:03 Monday, April 07, 2003