About National Steam Centre
The Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club operates the National Steam Centre, a vintage engine museum set in six hectares of parkland in the south eastern suburb of Scoresby. In all there are several hundred engines and related exhibits housed in a number of exhibition sheds around the grounds.
Steam exhibits include traction engines, among them a pair of massive Fowler Z7 steam ploughing engines, steam rollers, portable engines and a large and varied collection of industrial and marine stationary steam engines and pumps.
There is a vintage workshop and a diesel engine section. You are unlikely to see a comparable display of large diesel generators elsewhere. The smaller internal combustion engines are also well represented. There are displays of tractors, agricultural equipment and early road working and earth moving machinery.
An added attraction for the kids is the miniature railway which operates every Sunday.
The museum is open for static display each weekend from 11am - 4 pm but most of the engines are in running order and on the last Sunday of the month a selection can be seen in operation. Usually steam will be raised in the stationary steam museum and two or three traction engines or steam rollers can be seen out on the arena and the miniature railway is operated by a steam locomotive.
The grounds are attractively laid out with a lake, barbecues and shady picnic areas. The 1 kilometre miniature railway track circuits the grounds.
Admission by donation except for special event weekends.
"Google" the Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club website for full details.