About Us

History & Introduction

Maidstone Engineering was started in 1980 by Terry, an engineer by profession, he had a feel for local Model Engineers needs and developed the product ranges accordingly, especially the materials.

The business continued to flourish and by the end of 1988 was out growing its Hedley Street home. Terry needed to look for a larger site and by coincidence Maxitrak, a regular customer of MES, were also looking for space to expand. Maxitrak moved across the road from 4 to 10/11 Larkstore Park, and so their old premises became available, and MES moved in.

The new home, a modern industrial unit, albeit some eight miles away in Staplehurst provided a new lease of life for MES, and the range once again expanded.

MES For Sale - Again

The arrival of the new millennium, brought with it Terry and Sylvia's planned retirement from full time employment. For the second time Maidstone Engineering was for sale, this time to be purchased by Maxitrak.

At the time Maxitrak were planning the introduction of a selection of budget priced locomotives kits, and to offer certain items in their range as "drawings & castings". To do this a retail outlet was needed, so what better than Maidstone Engineering, a natural extension to their core business of manufacturing locomotive kits and associated accessories and in September 2000 MES became part of Maxitrak.

Maxitrak was bursting at the seams yet again. There was an urgent need for more manufacturing space, and a larger Showroom. Coincidence played its part for a second time in that 5 Larkstore Park (next door) was empty and ideally suited to merge the Maxitrak Showroom and MES retail counter, under one roof.

October 2000 was pretty well tied up with the shuffling of stock and showroom displays backwards and forwards across Larkstore Park. Thankfully everything is now finally in place.

In 2008 Maidstone engineering moved into maxitrak premises at number 10 & 11 Larkstore park, the convenience of having both companies under one roof made a lot of sense as customers can look a round the works, and see locomotives being manufactured, painted and built in one place.

The Future

The future of MES is assured to the benefit of the Model Engineer who will now have access to a greater array of products as the range and services are reviewed and revised by people with over 40 years experience in the operation of miniature Road and Rail locomotives.

Maidstone Engineering, supported by Maxitrak will continue to provide all Model Engineers the prompt and courteous service they have enjoyed in the past. We look forward to your continued custom.