The need to save this engine, which used to generate electricity for the Kempthorne Prosser fertiliser works at Burnside, was a key factor in the club's formation in the early 1980s.
Ray Elfield, of Mosgiel, who was the main organiser for the club's latest open day at the park, was pleased to hear the diesel engine roar into life again yesterday.
''We're happy it coughed [into life] first time.''
''It's just nice to hear it running,'' he said.
After being formed, the club had gone on to save other valuable local industrial machinery that otherwise would have ended up on the scrap heap, organisers said.
Mr Elfield joked that the diesel machine had a mind of its own. It was running a little faster than usual and attempts to slow it down a little during the open day had been unsuccessful.
Up to 150 people had flocked to the event, undeterred by the cool, wet weather.
Several other old engines were running during the open day, which had proved a ''brilliant'' success and helped boost the community profile of the ''hidden treasure'' of industrial heritage equipment protected there.
