FRONTIER FLIMSY. The Quarterly Newsletter of the Niagara Frontier Region, NMRA. Waybill. September 2018 Volume 64 No.

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1 FRONTIER September 2018 Volume 64 No. 3 FLIMSY The Quarterly Newsletter of the Niagara Frontier Region, NMRA P Waybill Executive Reports Page 3 Division Reports Page 4 The re-located home layout of David R. Lee, MMR as installed in the David Braley McMaster Health Sciences building at 100 Main Street West Hamilton ready to entertain and promote the hobby thanks to the dedication of the members and friends in the Dundas Modular Railway Club. Story on page 9. Officer Reports Page 6 Regional Train Orders Page 7 Hamilton s newest Public Railway Layout By Ron Johnson Page 9 Pine Ridge Railroaders - 50 Years Young Page 10 Tales of the Midland Railway by Ron Bareham Page 14 Portage Flyer Convention Update by Les Radvanyi Page 18

2 The Niagara Frontier Region NMRA Frontier Flimsy September 2018 Volume 64 Number 3 Stanley Conley, Editor 2194 Valley Drive Ottawa, ON K1G 2P8 The Frontier Flimsy is published four times annually by the Niagara Frontier Region of the National Model Railroad Association, Inc. and is distributed openly on the web at Material for publication is welcome. Send articles, coming events, notices, etc. to the editor. Materials including photographs may be submitted by . Materials will be credited at the time of publication and will be returned if requested. Articles appearing in the Frontier Flimsy may be reprinted in other non-profit publications providing that credit is given to the author and the Flimsy. Advertising is accepted in the Frontier Flimsy; please see the region web site for information and rates. Opinions expressed in the Frontier Flimsy are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the NMRA, the Region, its officers, or other contributors to the Frontier Flimsy. Special thanks to the spirit of Diane Dodds for proofreading and nitpicking. notification is coordinated by Richard Sparrow. The Niagara Frontier Region Flimsy 2194 Valley Drive, Ottawa, ON K1G 2P8 The Niagara Frontier Region Regional Officers President Richard Hatton 205 Country Lane, Stayner, ON L0M 1S , moose_caboose@bell.net American V.P. Matt Bierl 146 Los Robles Street, Williamsville, NY , mattbierl@msn.com Canadian V.P. Tim Warris 312-b St. Patrick Street PO Box 1420, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N , tim@warris.com Secretary Vacant Tony Kerr Acting Treasurer Tony Kerr 1361 Creekwood Trail, Oakville, ON L6H 6C , tony.kerr@sympatico.ca Division Superintendents Central Ontario Richard Hatton moose_caboose@bell.net International Ron Johnson rljohnson@primus.ca Ontario Trevor Ross trevor@tjrcadd.com Northland St. Lawrence Chris Lyon cnlyon@sympatico.ca Western Ontario John Wagner Johnwagner319@gmail.com Regional Officials Achievement Peter Nesbitt nesbitt@magma.ca Program Convention Les Radvanyi les@larcom.ca Coordination Flimsy Editor Stanley Conley stanley_conley@rogers.com Flimsy Richard Sparrow rands.sparrow@sympatico.ca Distribution Historian Open Membership/ Open Registrar Model Contest Open WebMaster Tim Warris tim@warris.com Page 2 The NFR Frontier Flimsy September 2018

3 Niagara Frontier Region Executive Reports President Richard Hatton Hello out there in Model Railroad land I can t believe its September, time to blow the dust off the equipment and fire up those trains, op sessions, layout tours, Train Shows and most importantly our 2019 NFR Convention! Here s why: Clinics From Making Trees to Prototype Case Studies and Things In-between Day of Modelling sharing ideas and modeling hints Brain Share Time Presentation on the History of the Portage Railway Muskoka Layout Tour 20 layouts with 2 by MMR s Portage Flyer Train Ride and Engine Shed Tour Boxcar Challenge What Happened to a Retired Boxcar Modeling Contest See Some of the Best Models If you haven t signed on yet jump on board. Got a friend that wants to come and not a member we will give him a 6 months no obligation membership. Check out the website at for more details. I realize that this show is normally in the spring but we ve had to improvise due to the lack of help and it has taken long than normal. We have incorporated ideas raised at previous AGMs as requested from our members. We have established a website to be used by all future conventions, This will enable our members to check the updates easily, just save as a bookmark and check regularly. A dedicated PayPal account has been set up and a new sponsorship developed, a standardized registration process and more. This will be used for all upcoming conventions, and whether the region or division is sponsoring the convention they will be able to control the website and registration system by working with the Webmaster and Treasurer who can make any necessary changes for their access. I would like to thank 3 individuals who have been working endlessly to pull off this convention; Stephen Wright Webmaster/Registrar Tony Kerr Secretary/Treasurer Les Radvanyi Convention Coordinator, Sponsorship program, clinics, Plaques, Prize table etc., etc., etc. These 3 people have been sharing responsibilities and sharing the workload to get this done for the members of the NFR. Let s show them our support by having a great turnout. As you can see it is extremely unfair to expect them to do this for all future convention. Thanks also to all the people they reached out to that are putting on clinics, have become sponsors etc. We at the region level want to build a team that will build a solid ground for all future conventions. All positions can be managed in your spare time and from home at your leisure, but we need YOUR HELP. It will take some effort early on to build/add to the database for each position but once done it just maintenance as we move forward. We currently have a request for volunteers for these positions; Clinic organizer Prizes for prize table Sponsorship program The NFR Frontier Flimsy March 2018 Page 3

4 These positions will be required to work with all divisions to build these databases/contact lists. We as a legion of model railroaders need to work together to build a better NFR. Many hands make light work and teamwork is a necessity in this hobby. We have some very well run and organized Divisions and I commend you. At the region level we need your expertise and support to build what once was. We had an intolerable President a few years back and almost all key positions resigned just before his term was up and after eight years of trying to rebuild there are still a lot of hard feelings. I am reaching out for your help. Do we require all the positions that we had before? Probably not but for sure we need a vice President that wants to become President. There is an election coming and a list of position will be looking for nominations. Please consider running we need your support I remember not long ago at the very first convention I went to. I met some great people and a modeller that really solidified that this hobby is what I wanted to do. But what sits out most is I didn t know anyone and got seated with a very good group of modellers. The executive team was looking for a group to run the next convention and this group of people looked at each other whispered to each other and boom there was excitement at the table and the volunteered and put on a great convention. We need that type of enthusiasm back at the region level there is so many things we can accomplish with the right amount of support and a positive attitude Looking forward to see everyone at the convention American Vice President Matt Bierl Page 4 The NFR Frontier Flimsy September 2018 Canadian Vice President Tim Warris Secretary Vacant Tony Kerr Acting Treasurer Tony Kerr Niagara Frontier Region Division Reports Central Ontario Division Superintendent Richard Hatton Let s not forget the convention is in our area this year so for those that can I hope to see you there. If you have a friend that wants to go and is not a member we will supply a no obligation 6 month membership No charge That being said I am current running a day of modeling event at Lee Valley in Toronto the next 2 dates are November 18th and March 10, This is open to members and non-members alike it is a day to bring what you working on and model. We enjoy good conversation and get help where we have issues. This is strictly about the hobby but we will be putting up a sign so people in the store now what we are doing and are free to enter and ask question. I would like to see this event run monthly throughout the division. The COD is vast and there is just me. I haven t met all the members though I have met many. So I am reaching out to my Fellow members in the COD to help me set up a day of modeling in your area. All that is needed is someone who knows the railroaders in their area and is willing to contact them and set up the meet. Also find a location that they can all fit in. It can be in the basement of someone s home. A room at the church, anywhere that makes sense. Modellers need power and light and workspace.

5 Cost if any is split among the attendees. We currently charge $5.00 a visit in or are for example. If you wish to help out here I can be reached at Moose_caboose@bell.net The more the merrier. I would like to organize a few meets with clinics followed by short layout tours around the division but I need your assistance. I am unfamiliar with many of the areas in the COD but welcome the chance to work with someone in your area to organize an event near you. Again I can be reached at Moose_caboose@bell.net Have a great Modeling Season and I hope to see you at the convention International Division Superintendent Ron Johnson The Fall Meet of the International Division will take place Saturday, October 20 at the Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum, 280 King Street, Port Colborne, ON. The meeting will run from 9:00 am to approximately 1:00 and several local layouts will be open afterwards. Guest speakers will do clinics on battery operated locos ( dead rail ) and layout lighting. Members are encouraged to bring their latest modelling efforts and hopefully offer to share their experiences. The museum s number is , but they are normally closed on the weekend. Information on the meet can be obtained from Ron Johnson, rljohnson@primus.ca It was announced at the annual NMRA meeting in Kansas City that the Rail Pass program was generating full time renewals from 62% of Canadian applicants, a higher rate of renewal than from U.S. respondents. The Rail Pass is a great way of getting new members to join up (it s the same idea as used universally by our favourite telecoms and cable companies: start with a low rate and when the advantages become clear, the member will upgrade to the regular rate later. However, we don t automatically slide the applicant into his credit card). The high price of the NMRA magazine was discussed, but most Canadians will recognize the high subscription prices on most foreign periodicals. The Rail Pass will allow the new member to decide whether the subscription is worthwhile, or they can renew their membership without the subscription at a lower rate. St. Lawrence Division Superintendent Chris Lyon Well the snow is finally gone and it feels really great to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather. It is a good time to reflect back on all the great things that have happened in the Saint Lawrence Division, this year. Our annual project was a great success largely due to the folks that volunteered to provide advice, equipment and clinics. Building turnouts for many was something most would not consider either because they had no knowledge, skill or experience. We are lucky in that some of our membership had all that background so we could give it a go. Clinics on Fast Tracks, Hand Laying from Scratch, using so many methods and turnout types resulted in everyone getting involved. The opportunity to organize the purchase of supplies was awesome. Lending of jigs and tools went a long way to make the hands on workshops a success. I was indeed very pleased with the level of participation and the way experienced modellers stepped forward to help others with cool tricks and techniques. I think for many, this exposure really helped them to decide on out of the box approaches or doing it all yourself. In addition to our project, we also provided a variety of clinics to expand our knowledge of railroads and the hobby. We learned about helix building techniques, Arduinos, JMRI Signal Systems, and the workings of machine shops and the detailed craftsman The NFR Frontier Flimsy March 2018 Page 5

6 scale model building. All in all it is a super opportunity for everyone to expand his or her hobby horizons. It was such a pleasure also that so many of you opened your layouts for visits. In addition, I am so please that our membership has been so generous, bringing out their projects for the display table. Our approach to discuss each item and have the audience ask the modellers about their work is a fun way to share our expertise and inspire others. On this note, our meeting draw for prizes is a success because of the wonderful donations from members. The stuff you do not plan to use, the unwanted bits and pieces are a treasure to be passed on. Please continue to support this activity. In this vein of thought, I am delighted that so many of you can attend our meets. The level of involvement really makes the SLD a sound strong NMRA Division. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our executive for their dedication to make this all work. Andreas Mank has been our editor of the Mail Car for the last 10 years and has published over fifty newsletters providing a detailed account of the SLD activities, news and articles. He has been stellar in this role and we each owe a lot for his efforts. Thank You Andreas. Elections are coming up at the end of the month and it an important time for each member to think about contributing. The NMRA is built around volunteerism and maybe not this year, but in the near future, you should think about how you can help ensure the SLD is a successful group well into the future. Ontario Northland Division Superintendent Trevor Ross Western Ontario Division Superintendent John Wagner The WOD executive has spent the summer months planning our fall meetings. Our first event will be September 22 at the Halton Radial Railway, located at Guelph Line, Milton (near Rockwood). We will start at 10:00 AM with an illustrated talk by John Springer, president of the TH&B Historical Society. Those attending are encouraged to bring their TH&B models for a show and tell. Hotdogs can be purchased or bring your own lunch. After lunch we will be riding the trains and touring the museum. The second event will be on Saturday evening, November 17 at Church of the Ascension, at 2060 Dundas St E, London, at 7:00 PM. The guest speaker will be Clare Gilbert of Sylvan Scale Models, who will describe how he makes the models and then guide us in assembling a model of our choice. More information is available on our website Two of us from the WOD attended the NMRA national convention in Kansas City in August. I can confirm that model railroading is very alive and well in KC. There is a large number of good layouts, both in size, detail and operational possibilities in the area. Prototype railfanning is also very accessible and plentiful. I d recommend that you all try at least once to attend a national convention. Niagara Frontier Region Officer Reports Achievement Program Chairman Peter Nesbitt In July, Steve Juranics, Pat Rivard, Steve Wright, and myself met in Brantford to evaluate some excellent structures and enjoy a BBQ. Don Pettitt earned six Merit awards and Peter Landry earned four. As a result of this, I am pleased to report that Don Pettitt of the WOD has earned his AP Certificate for Structures. Congratulations to both gentlemen! On a sadder note, over the past number of months an Officer of a US Region went into a tirade with false accusations of unresponsiveness, lies, untruths, and verbal abuse. Of and by itself, while unsettling, I am thick skinned enough to ignore such behaviour and continue on with business. However, what is not acceptable is that the NMRA, at both the National and Regional level, while fully aware of what happened and in receipt of an Page 6 The NFR Frontier Flimsy September 2018

7 official complaint have done nothing, and the individual continues to be an Officer and representative of the NMRA. In my last to the NMRA President and others I posed the question; "I ask myself, do I want to continue to represent and devote my time and energy as a volunteer to an organization that tolerates such behaviour of its Officers to its Members? Regretfully, the answer is no I don t. Therefore, on July 25, 2018, after about 15 years as your AP Chairman I submitted my resignation to Richard Hatton. Given the forthcoming fall convention I have told Richard that I will act as AP Chairman for the Convention if he so desires. It has been a pleasure serving the Region, and let it be clear, I am still a supporter of the Achievement Program and all it does to help make us better modellers. Regional Train Orders September 15-16, Picton, ON. Picton 30 th Annual Model Train Show. Prince Edward Curling Club, icton Fairgrounds, Main Street East. 10am to 4pm both days. Admission: Adults $5.00, Children 12 and under $1. Info: Frank or John September 22, Ottawa, ON. SLD Meet. Emmanuel United Church, 691 Smyth Road. Info: sld-nmra.ca. September 22, Milton, ON. WOD October Meet at the Halton Radial Railway, located at Guelph Line, Milton (near Rockwood). Program begins at 10:00 AM with an illustrated talk by John Springer, president of the TH&B Historical Society. Those attending are encouraged to bring their TH&B models for a show and tell. Hotdogs can be purchased or bring your own lunch. After lunch we will be riding the trains and touring the museum. September 28-30, Huntsville, ON. NFR 2018 Convention. The Portage Flyer. See this issue for more information. September Caledon, ON. Greater Toronto Train Show. Brampton Fairgrounds Heart Lake Road. 10:00am to 4:00pm, admission:adults $8, Seniors/teens $5, Children 6-12 $3. Info October 20, Port Colborne, ON. The International Division s fall Meet. Location is the Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum, 280 King Street. 9:00 am to approximately 1:00 and several local layouts will be open afterwards. Guest speakers will do clinics on battery operated locos ( dead rail ) and layout lighting. Members are encouraged to bring their latest modelling efforts and hopefully offer to share their experiences. Info: Ron Johnson, rljohnson@primus.ca or October 20, Ottawa, ON. Capital Region Model Railway Tour. Registration at St. Anthony s Banquet Hall, 523 St. Anthony Street. Cost $10.00, under 16 free. Info: October 21, Woodstock, ON. Model Train Show. Woodstock Fairgrounds 875 Nellis Street. 10:00am to 3:00pm. Admission $5.00, info October 27, Stayner, ON. Nottawasaga Model Railway Fall Auction See ad on last page. November 24, Ottawa, ON. SLD Meet. Emmanuel United Church, 691 Smyth Road. Info: sld-nmra.ca. November 4, Kitchener, ON. Model Train Show. Bingemans at 425 Bingemans Centre Drive. 10:00am to 3:00pm. Admission $5.00, info November 17-18, 2018.Whitby, ON. Pine Ridge Railroaders Model Train Show. Father Leo J. Austin School, 1020 Dryden Blvd. Saturday 10am to 4:30pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm. Admission: adults $7.00, Children under 14 $3.00, under 5 free. Info: pineridgemodelrailroaders.club or on facebook.com/pineridgerailroaders November 17, London, ON. WOD November Workshop at Church of the Ascension, at 2060 Dundas St E, London, at 7:00 PM. The guest speaker will be Clare Gilbert of Sylvan Scale Models, who will The NFR Frontier Flimsy March 2018 Page 7

8 describe how he makes the models and then guide us in assembling a model of our choice. More information is available on our website November 18, Toronto, COD Modeling day, Lee Valley Tools at approximately 400 and Langstaff Ave. December 1-2, Belleville, ON. Quinte s 23 Annual Model Railroad Show. Centennial Secondary School, 160 Palmer Road. 10:00am to 4:00 pm both days. Info: Rick Potter rickp@reach.net or Sponsored by Belleville & Brighton Model Railroad Clubs January 19, Ottawa, ON. SLD Meet. Emmanuel United Church, 691 Smyth Road. Info: sld-nmra.ca. March 10, 2019, Toronto, ON. COD Modelling days, Lee Valley Tools at approximately 400 and Langstaff Ave March 30, Ottawa, ON. SLD Meet. Emmanuel United Church, 691 Smyth Road. Info: sldnmra.ca. May 25, Ottawa, ON. SLD Meet. Emmanuel United Church, 691 Smyth Road. info: sld-nmra.ca. Your Local Micro-Mark your small tool specialist dealer Page 8 The NFR Frontier Flimsy September 2018

9 Hamilton s newest Public Railway Layout By Ron Johnson Downtown Hamilton is the location of one the country s newest HO model railroad displays. The story is rooted in the work of Dundas Lawyer David R. Lee, who could add his MMR certificate to his lawyer s credentials. After 70 or so years in the hobby, Mr. Lee was facing physical challenges that forced him to a retirement home. Before the inevitable need to tear down his life s work on his Pointless & Dreerie Railroad, the Hamilton Spectator ran a photo story that began above the fold on the front page of the weekend edition and continued for 2 pages inside. Many readers wrote in urging the work be preserved, perhaps not realizing the amount of rebuilding that would be required to relocate it from the basement. However, an official from the new David Braley McMaster Health Sciences building at 100 Main Street West, (directly across from Hamilton City Hall) remembers visiting a doctor in his youth and that doctor had a train in the office to cheer visitors. The new McMaster facility offers a 100 foot wall space in its waiting lounge for a reconstruction of the Lee models. Members and friends in the Dundas Modular Railway Club* volunteered to do the restoration in the new location. Surviving the move are a large number of Lee s highly detailed buildings and settings, including a 9 stall roundhouse, many with coy names that entertained the young visitors when I was last there. A large quantity of rolling stock and steam locomotives have been retained. Heavy plate glass panels protect the work from visitors. The club had to make extensive modifications to redesign and rewire the layout from its rectangular basement home to a double dogbone shaped area along the wall, with an explanatory panel in the middle. The new design allows a more realistic proportion of The NFR Frontier Flimsy March 2018 Page 9

10 scenery to trackage. The club is working on electrical buttons which visitors can push to operate trains. The whole display can be accessed from the lobby with no charge, and includes tables and chairs surrounded with a large grove of artificial birch trees. Unfortunately, the display is only open during business hours, but not on weekends. *The club is an NMRA member. b Pine Ridge Railroaders - 50 Years Young By Richard Hatton On your way east of Toronto you will pass through the town of Oshawa. This town holds one of Ontario s best-kept surprises. In the basement of a quaint church in town lies the Pine Ridge Railroaders Inc. A model railroad club that celebrates 50 Years of FUN this year. On the day I visited I met some of the Guys and Gals of this fine club where Irene Phypers was introduced to all the members in attendance including who keeps club members from staving by bringing cookies as well as Brian Chaytor who has been a members of this club since Page 10 The NFR Frontier Flimsy September 2018

11 Their Story In 1969 a group of General Motors workers, retired railroad employees and others interested in the railroading formed the Oshawa Model Railroad Club. Oshawa is a City in Durham Region just east of Toronto. Canada Members initially met at each other s homes. Today the club enjoys a 1350 Sq. Ft. commercial space where both HO and N scale layouts are featured. As the club grew and expanded they incorporated the club into a not for profit organization in It is now known as: Pine Ridge Railroaders, Inc In 2019 the club will celebrate 50 Years of promoting the Great hobby of model railroading throughout Durham Region and the surrounding area. Pine Ridge Railroaders attend numerous train shows and community events with display layouts of various configurations and scales. They also host Open Houses at their clubhouse. The NFR Frontier Flimsy March 2018 Page 11

12 To commemorate their Golden Anniversary, the club has commissioned the production of an HO scale Cylindrical Hopper from Atlas Model Railroad Company. Today The Pine Ridge Model Railroaders Inc. have 50 members and continue to grow, due to the club s welcoming environment, clinics and formal operating sessions and social media presence. My Observations In my short visit there I knew if I lived close enough I would want to join this club. Not only did they give me a huge welcome I was over whelmed by the way they treated each other, giving recognition to others, having more experienced members work with not so experienced members, assigning projects to other members to contribute to the layouts and always a helping hand is only so far away. They have monthly clinics to share knowledge with other members. Overall this is a great organization EVENTS The Pine Ridge Railroaders Inc. are involved in the community as well as the hobby. Below are a few upcoming events SEPT Doors Open Oshawa OCT 13 & Bowmanville Model Train Show NOV 17 & 18 Pine Ridge Annual Model Train Show In closing I would like to point out that the Pine Ridge Railroaders continue to show respect and admiration to the members that have moved onto a more enlightened life by honoring their memory in the form of a personalized Boxcar CONTACT INFORMATION Should you be interested in this club or just curious as to what they do visit them at one of the events listed earlier? Feel free to ask them questions, as I am sure they will be more than willing to answer. You can get more information and keep an eye on their future events on their website: pineridgerailroaders.ca copy and paste to your browser Page 12 The NFR Frontier Flimsy September 2018

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14 Tales of the Midland Railway By Ron Bareham As stated before, my plan was to write about the layout as it was built. However, the present layout is virtually finished. All that remains to be done, along with a little trim and regular maintenance, is ballasting some track in Mariposa. When I restarted the series, I was complaining about probably having to leave my home for medical reasons. I said I expected that the 2018 London and District Layout Tour would be the last viewing of The Midland Railway. I now think that was a premature conclusion. The present plan is to stay in the house as long as possible. Thus the layout will be open indefinitely. So, if the layout is virtually finished, what am I going to write about? My earlier statement was that I might next discuss building a layout for a spare bedroom in a retirement home. The main difficulty for such a layout would be the shortage of space. So, here are a few thoughts on a layout which might suit people other than senior citizens who have similar space problems, living in an apartment which has at least one spare bedroom 8 by 10 feet. If I were going to build such a layout, my theme would follow a similar plan to the present one, though smaller. Naturally, I would keep the same period, 1911, and select cars that were appropriate from the current stock. The layout would center on the town of Mariposa. A regular way freight would run west to Midland and back. Both towns would have a few industries which would be served by the way freight. I plan to keep the two through freights that ran through Mariposa north and south, picking up and dropping off cars at Mariposa. If there are cars on the interchange tracks, northbound or southbound, the cars would be placed at the front of the train and the same number of cars dropped from the end of the train. This is what I call a floating, or mobile, yard and permits variety for operations. These two trains would use staging yards, hopefully out of sight, but accessible. I also would like to keep the two grain Page 14 The NFR Frontier Flimsy September 2018 trains that carried grain from Midland to the east, or empty cars to the west. Another staging track would permit two passenger trains to pass in Mariposa. All six trains would make use of staging tracks on either side of Mariposa. In between operating sessions, they would be backed to their starting positions. These six trains would need only one track each at each staging yard, since they would pass each other at Mariposa. Thus there would be six trains running through the layout and the two way freights, one running east, and becoming the other running west on the return trip. Summing up, we are proposing two three track staging yards, one west and the other east of Mariposa, with a passing track at Mariposa long enough to allow trains 28 inches in length to pass. Speaking of length, the freight trains would need to be shorter, 3 cars and a caboose. Using old time cars which I do, the trains and locos would fit into a 28 inch passing or staging track. Passenger trains also would have to be shorter, with no more than a loco and two 50 foot MDC cars, 8 inches long. It would be possible to keep all my present stock of freight cars if I rotated them into an off layout storage area, perhaps a drawer, and back to an interchange track on the layout later. I did a few sketches and found that this was quite practical in a room 8 feet by 12 feet, but rooms that size aren t easy to find in retirement homes without considerable expense. However, it is barely possible to do something in an 8 by 10 room. If I were building this plan, I would construct the layout on 2 by four foot modules. Bigger ones would be difficult to remove from my basement. I have repeated the present Midland Railway schematic and a track plan for an 8 by 10 foot room. The plan uses number 6 or 4 switches and has 24 inch radius curves. Obviously, the plan is designed for my period and mode of operating. If you are planning trains in the period 1925 to 1960, you will need a larger room than 8 by 10 feet, since the 40 foot cars in trains would be too long for the sidings shown in the plan. The plan shows some suggestions for industries, but you are welcome to try other

15 possibilities. The same is true of station location. The plan definitely is NOT a true representation of the actual track layouts at these two towns. The mobile yard trains would do well in any period as would the drawer idea for rotating cars keeping the layout less crowded. Remember, though, that the Midland Railway route was a way to move grain from the upper Great Lakes to market at a time when lake boats could not travel through the Seaway down from Lake Ontario. Once the bigger locks and other improvements were ready in the 1950 s, the route was no longer needed for that purpose, thus the trains would be limited to the periods from 1882 to Possibly other cargoes would require a similar railroad route for the same reasons. These could be iron ore, coal, or maybe lumber. The routes would not need to be restricted to Central Ontario, like the Midland. Anyway, the attached track plan is quite adaptable to a larger room and for different operating schemes. Eight trains should give a person an interesting evening of operating, especially if you include making up the way freights and servicing the locomotives. The NFR Frontier Flimsy March 2018 Page 15

16 Join us September 28 th, 29 th and 30 th, 2018 in the Town of Huntsville, first incorporated in 1886 when the railway arrived. Located 215 km from Toronto, 130 km from North Bay and 350 km from Ottawa, enjoy the scenic drive through the fall colours of Muskoka as you come to the NMRA - NFR Annual Convention. This year s event takes place in the Active Living Centre right beside the Muskoka Heritage Place - Pioneer Village, Museums & the Portage Flyer Steam train. Downtown Huntsville is only a 10 minute walk Along with the traditional judged contests, clinics and banquet, watch for emerging details on a new format. This year will include a special themed contest What Happens to a Boxcar when it quits being a Boxcar. Make plans now to attend and start work on your Boxcar Challenge diorama. Volunteers make this happen, please give us a little of your time, contact Les Radvanyi, Convention Co-coordinator, les@larcom.ca. Page 16 The NFR Frontier Flimsy September 2018

17 Portage Flyer Convention Update Les Radvanyi Convention Coordinator "Touch the Past, Embrace the Future!" Hope all have had a wonderful summer, fall is just around the corner which means we can ditch the yard work and get back to model railroading. With just over 4 weeks to Convention in beautiful Huntsville, Sept 28 th Sept 30 th, time to consider attending and register. A time to connect with old friends, make new ones and fire up the modelling bug. The most major change is the format. In the NFR the most growing new thing is a day of modeling, basically a group of members getting together and working on a project, sharing ideas and helping with challenges. There will be room to setup and model, so, come to the convention brining your tools and bring your project(s) especially if you are having a challenging time as some kits instructions are not as complete as others or you might be looking for ways to super detail your project. Here is where you will get help. Currently there are 7 planned clinics plus a presentation on the history of the Portage Railway. Clinics range from trees and the workbench, the building of a layout, DCC application, to case studies of prototypes. Clinics will only be presented once, allowing the clinicians to enjoy the convention. This year s special speaker is Jeff Young and Peter Foley discussing the history of The Portage Railway and their new book The Portage Railway, An Illustrated History of the Huntsville and Lake of Bays ailway. In the course of preparing their new book, The Portage Railway: An Illustrated History of the Huntsville & Lake of Bays Railway, Jeff Young and Peter Foley have uncovered a wealth of new information and photographs. The presentation will highlight their discoveries about this fascinating little railway. They will also be bringing their 1/24 scale models of the railway along with having their book available and will be doing signing. Layout Tours this year is being done in conjunction with Muskokian Layout Tour with the layouts open on Sunday from 10:00 until 6:00. There are 20 layouts on the tour this year, ranging from N to G scale and includes 2 layouts by MMR s. The full Muskokian tour guide is on the convention website; along will a cheat sheet listing of the layouts and distances from Huntsville. Your registration is valid for the Muskokian Layout Tour. Also, don t forget about the Boxcar Challenge, what happens to a boxcar when it is no longer a boxcar. Details are on the Convention Website, Online registration and the latest information will always be on the Web Site a full schedule of clinics, events and timetable will be posted here. Check for the most current information and clinic details as they are being updated often with the latest. Due to insurance regulations you must be a member to attend the full convention, so if your friend or anyone else that wishes to attend the convention is not a member then the NFR will purchase a 6-month membership for them. This is the main event and best displays many of the things the NMRA has to offer, the friendships, acquaintances and inspiration. The NFR Frontier Flimsy March 2018 Page 17

18 Boxcar Challenge What happens to a boxcar when it quits being a boxcar? This year the convention wants you to open your imagination and create something unique. This will be a popular vote challenge. We want to make it easy and fun so 2 simple rules 1. Size matters, Diorama maximum size a. O scale,=20 X 12 b. HO scale=10 X 6 c. N Scale=5 X 3 2. The boxcar must be recognizable. It can be all beat up weathered but must be identifiable. No furniture using boxcar boards and pieces Is it a Diner, a tiny house, a bridge, something else? So break out your thinking caps and show us your creativity Examples Page 18 The NFR Frontier Flimsy September 2018

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