Model-makers get ready for exhibition week

Gary Douglas (77), of Wakari, prepares his Polly V British prototype 0-6-0 tank locomotive Dougal for the Otago Model Engineering Society's exhibition week, which starts this weekend.

Mr Douglas said the engine took five months to build and when the last part arrived it could pull eight people around a track.

He had been making models for 61 years and created dozens of them, including 18 boats.

The show will be held at the group's grounds in St Kilda and run full days both Saturday and Sunday this and the following weekend, as well as Waitangi Day, next Tuesday.

There will be night viewings on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week.

Otago Model Engineering Society president Russell Clark said this year's theme was ``have a go'', to entice people to get involved with the hobby.

As well as the display of about 100 models, visitors could be pulled around on a miniature train outside and sail model ships in the pond.