Orange Society of Model Engineers president Roger Kershaw said most of the work had been completed by the members.

Mr Kershaw said the members’ efforts had kept the building costs down.

Spokesman David Warburton said it was the culmination of a lot of planning.

“The idea of extending the signal box had been on the members’ minds for a while,” he said.

“Not only to give extra space for the members, but also extra storage for carriages.”

Orange city councillor Scott Munro opened the building extension on April 7.

“This is what community is about to me,” he said.

“People in the community and hobby helping each other like this.”

OSME was formed in 1982 and the first public run was held in 1984.

The live steam model trains run on the second Saturday of the month from 1pm.

Rides cost $2 and proceeds go back into the club to assist with running and expansion plans.