Miniature Newcastle

​Miniature Newcastle | A HO model railway museum recreating Newcastle in the heart of the city

Group / Organisation Description
We are very excited to announce the inception of “Miniature Newcastle”, a project to recreate in miniature the industry and rail links that made Newcastle the greatest industrial city in Australia by the mid 1960s. Many will remember the extensive rail network, numerous coal mines, steelworks and lead smelter, all of which have been lost to history
How does your group link to STEM?
Miniature Newcastle brings together history, technology, and creativity through the construction of a detailed model railway layout representing Newcastle’s rich industrial and rail heritage. Our work intersects with STEM in several ways:

• Engineering: Our volunteers design and construct modular layouts requiring structural and mechanical precision.
• Technology: We use advanced digital control systems, including computer-based train operation software and DCC (Digital Command Control) electronics for automation.
• Maths and Physics: Accurate scale modeling and layout planning involve applied geometry, ratios, and real-world physics simulations such as gradients and curve radii.
• Education and Outreach: We actively engage with schools, families, and the community to demonstrate how STEM concepts are embedded in real-world creative projects.

We aim to inspire curiosity in young people and demonstrate how STEM disciplines underpin everything from infrastructure to design.

Why did your organisation decide to become a member of HISH?
We were invited to join by Tim, who saw alignment between Miniature Newcastle’s work and the Hub’s focus on innovation and community engagement. As an emerging cultural and educational project, we’re keen to connect with like-minded organizations, contribute to public science and technology engagement, and collaborate on events that spark curiosity in STEM.
​ Adamstown 2289
 0431818022
 admin@miniaturen[email protected]
 https://miniaturenewcastle.com/
 Lachlan McGuire