About us: CMD Engineering has been built on a passion for miniature railways. With the desire to create a range of affordable products for everyone. Offering ready to run products and kit builds for your own projects.
Business owner Chris Dixon has a committed and extensive background in miniature railways, having started at just 8 years old. Through this time, he has volunteered in a variety of miniature railway positions. Including being the C.M.E at two locations.
The business was formed when Chris wanted a locomotive of his own, being an already established engineer, he set about the challenge of building one. The original plan was simple, build two locomotives, sell one to cover the cost of the other. But from there a new passion was born, to supply and manufacture locomotives and miniature railway equipment on a commercial level. Keeping all products at an affordable price, but with no compromise to quality has always been paramount.
Since then, we have been busy designing new products, and we are continuously adding to them too. Many of our products are seen at multiple locations and remain popular. Including the very first locomotive Chris created, the ‘Knight’. This loco is in constant use at North Weald and District Miniature Railway – who also often take them to visit other railways with ease.
Our rolling roads are by far our most popular product, we send out 30-50 each week.
The business that began as an idea in a garden shed has moved premises 3 times, opting for larger locations each time. As the business grows, so does the equipment and size and quantity of the products we manufacture.
Over the last 15 years of business we have built some amazing relationships with our suppliers and miniature railways too. We pride ourselves on being active within the miniature railway community, attending events, and offering help and assistance where we can. We are also pleased to continue working with well known designer Colin Edmondson, you will find his products in our shop, including the ever popular Scamp and an entire range of (ever growing) DIY items for home build projects.
We also offer a bespoke design and build service for all budgets, general machining and fabrication. Plus · modifications, servicing, and overhauls of steam, internal combustion and electric locomotives.
We are also willing and able to take on any custom builds, and have worked on many projects of different sectors including marine and aviation.
If you need some professional and friendly help with your locomotives, rolling stock or general equipment, please don’t hesitate to ask and we may be able to help.
We do send products overseas, please contact us with your requests and we’ll process the order with you.
Our Team
Chris
Business owner | Lead engineer, fabricator and CAD operator. (Full-time)
With a knowledge hungry mindset, fine eye for detail, plus incredibly high standards and skill – his involvement is crucial to the day to day running of the business. Chris is the core reason the business has continued to grow.
Chris lends himself to any task required with the same level of enthusiasm.
A lifetime of involvement in engineering and miniature railways, his dedication saw him headhunted for a full time paid CME position. Chris has also achieved a HND in engineering. He’s also a City & Guilds CAD qualified, coded welder, and completed a time served apprenticeship in heavy plant engineering.
He has a drive to always improve, passion for his craft, high standards and won’t be beaten by any challenge. Making him both a pleasure and a pain to work with.
Chris is a font of knowledge and an amazing mentor. Able to adapt his teaching style to suit each person individually, and will take the time to teach. You’ll be hard pushed to find a relative question he can’t answer in full detail. (especially if it’s about batteries!)
Charlotte
Workshop Manager (Full-time)
Primarily working from a little home office, Charlotte oversees all aspects of the business running. From scheduling, staffing, administration, collaborations, parts supply, stock control and everything in between. Charlotte also manages our website, social media accounts, events and PR. She is a core member in the business development, pops in to the workshop frequently and attends our deliveries.
Charlotte is your first point of enquiry for all orders and queries, and will respond to early morning and late night emails to cater to our overseas customers. Plus over the weekends to ensure all communication is handled quickly and efficiently.
Railway running seasons are spent chipping in at the local miniature railway ticket office..
Tim
Secondary engineer, fabricator and CAD operator. (Part-time)
Tim began his journey into miniature railways by volunteering at 11 years old – and has never left! He’s worked his way up from the bottom to the top with pure dedication.
Tim is a real asset to our team, not just for his physical skills and knowledge, but also for brainstorming, innovations, CAD design and product development. Always willing and able to discuss anything that will push the business forward, speed up fabrication without compromise to quality and has the commitment to see it through.
His presence is also very welcome, there’s never a dull moment! (Especially if you take him to Costco). Tim is an all-round team player in the workshop, getting on with anything that’s required on the day.
Tims own business ‘Rice Rail‘ is one we collaborate with often and many of their products are available within our shop. Including the recently released point motor.
Tyler
Workshop assistant. (Part-time)
Tyler joined the team in January 2026, bringing with him a lot of experience and skill in engineering, fabrication and miniature railways on the whole.
He is also a miniature railway volunteer where he is head of the diesel fleet. His hyper focus and attention to detail is essential to us. More than happy to repeat the same processes all day to achieve a substantial amount of finished products. His diverse skillset means he is able to be tasked onto most machines and processes.
Tyler uses his free time to improve his skills in his workshop by upgrading and engineering locos and rolling stock. Tyler also assists in the running of a popular portable railway. If you see him about with Graces Little Railway – be sure to give him a wave!
Tyler is confident to express his opinion, ideas and join in brainstorming sessions. All in all he’s an easy going, happy chap and a joy to be around – with commitment and enthusiasm in abundance.
Zoë
Accounts. Product packing, kit assembly, part preparation and painting. (Part-time)
Proud to be working with:
Colin Edmondson
We are have no doubt that there is anyone in the world of miniature railways that hasn’t heard of Colin, and as such, it is both an honour and privilege for us to be able to work so closely with him. He’s a very well known and trusted designer within this industry, and his products are likely to pop up at almost all railways you visit.
Colin started work with a design consultancy in 1978, and began producing designs for miniature railways some 15 years ago. CMD Engineering are the main manufacturer and retailer for Colin’s most popular designs, the Scamp, the Flyer, the Imp and just recently the larger Tyke. We also manufacture and supply his designs for the miniature stove, couplings, point levers, the tipper wagon, DIY items and turntables. All these products and more can be found in our shop.
The “Scamp Locomotive Group” on Facebook is where you’ll find a hive of helpful people to assist and encourage you through anything Colin Edmondson related.
Colin is both kind and helpful in equal measure, and it’s been an honour to work with him for the last 10 years. And we look forward to many more!
Campbell Laser Cutters Ltd
We have been working with this amazing company for 10 years now, they play a crucial role in the fulfilment of all laser cut parts, that go towards the locos & tenders, and all accessories – All laser cut parts are supplied by CLC.
They are an fantastic company to work with and we’re truly blessed to have such an amazing relationship with them. Their service has a quick turnaround, and they are able to offer us support with ’emergency’ jobs too, but at no jeopardy to their outstanding quality. An incredibly friendly bunch of people who always go above expectations for us, and I’m sure many others too.
Campbell laser cutters Ltd have been in business for 25 years. They’re a family run business, with Adrian as the business owner, working alongside his two sons, daughter and grandson. This business is their bread and butter, and how they maintain their standing, in both the community and industry. They take a variety and various jobs, these can be the one offs (Fred in the shed jobs), 10-20 thousand parts and pieces for blue-chip companies, and everything in between.
We can honestly say, if anyone is after laser cut parts for a project, or even just the one item, to look no further than these guys.
