M.V.A.R. MODEL RAILROAD CLUB CARLETON PLACE and Surrounding Area, ONTARIO M.V.A.R. MODEL RAILROAD CLUB CARLETON PLACE, ONTARIO April 2006 Issue 11 Volume 7 Welcome to the monthly newsletter to our membership. Our club season runs ails from Link September both CP and to VIA June trains each here meeting year with at Smiths the exception Falls Ontario of both December heading meeting EVERY FOURTH THURSDAY of the month. Our website is located at: www.mvar.almontecentral.ca Month 2005 Issue 11 Volume 1 CPR Station Smiths Falls Ontario 2006 Former CPR STATION Almonte Ontario Station photo perhaps in the 1940 s as it has a wooden platform Railway Stations in the area On the left is the former Canadian Pacific Railway Station built in 1946 and is located in the town of Smiths Falls Ontario. After almost being demolished, it was sold to the town for a dollar with a $50,000 donation by CPR, for development of a theatre of arts. A portion of it today it is used by VIA Rail waiting room. On the right is the former Almonte Station which was torn down in the 1970 s. The Almonte built a new Library on the land which the CPR Station occupied. Page 1 of 14 Creating Model Railroading FUN through the STRENGTHS of our membership This is copyrighted material and as such this copy of the Rail Link Newsletter shall not be distributed in whole or in part without the written permission of the Editor and the MVAR CLUB Executive elected body for the 2005 2006 season.
The Newsletter of the Mississippi Valley Associated Club Carleton Place, Ontario April 2006 About the Rail Link and MVAR T HE RAIL LINK is published normally on a monthly basis, provided articles are submitted (except for July August and December) by the Mississippi Valley Associated Railroaders (MVAR). MVAR is a not-for-profit club with an interest in railroading. The club meets informally every Saturday morning for breakfast, and formally every fourth Thursday of the month (except for July, August and December) for clinics, workshops, or dinner meetings. Opinions expressed in THE RAIL LINK are those of the NEWS EDITOR or the AUTHOR concerned and are not necessarily those of the club. Information contained in THE RAIL LINK may be copied or used for personal usage provided that the author and THE RAIL LINK are credited. Club membership fees are currently $10.00 per year. Inquiries may be forwarded to any MVAR club member. Any article, news items and letters are welcomed in hand written hard copy, WordPerfect, Microsoft Word or HTML. All materials sent to the editor via E-Mail, such as prints, copies of photos would be deleted once it has been distributed in the intended article. All items should be forwarded to the News Editor: John D. Morin, 90 Victoria St., Carleton Place, ON., K7C 2W4 Or E-mail johnmorin@rogers.com Page 2 of 14 The deadline for submission of items to the newsletter is by the second Thursday of each month. This will allow for the timely printing of the newsletter. The editor wishes to thank all those who have contributed articles, items and photos for this issue. The MVAR Executive for the term 2005-2006 is: Position: Chairman: Treasurer: Secretary: Special Events Co-ordinator: Editor Badges & Webmaster Club Archivist: Past Chairman Name and Telephone Robert Browning 623-2517 Norman Card 257-7498 Gary Gillis 256-9438 NOBODY XXX-XXXX John Morin 257-4578 Ron Legge 257-5110 Yogi Sepp 267-5250 HIGHLIGHTS. Executive Report. Report on the Victoria Central Railway. Our Guest Speaker Robert Moore. Comments about Membership Booklet. Clinic Report March 23 2006. Have your say Send articles to the Editor
Robert, Gary, Ron, Norm, & John Executive Report An Executive meeting was held on April 3 2006.. Suggestion on changing the cover photos throughout the year with other stations for example. Rail Link belongs to the club so submit your photos to share.. 20 th Anniversary decision was for a hat that is Burgundy & Tan. Our logo will have 1987 2007 on the top and Carleton Place Ont. on the bottom and sewn onto the hat. Pre-payment for the hat will have to be made before order is placed as the set-up costs are very expensive. The more orders received that lower the prices. Final costs to be determined but a ball park of $15.00 for low volume order or $11.00 to $12.00 for higher volumes.. BBQ for June was discussed. Elections advertisement for June. Member of year nomination form Program Report HO TRAK Well for many of us in the club have been waiting for a long time to learn about HO-TRAK and what it is all about. Robert Moore our guest speaker for the evening belongs to a club in Ottawa HO-TRAK which has many unit modules which are built by individuals and are assembled at various locations. This display was at last years Railfair. This is an elite club because when you join, I was told that it could take up to a year before you can operate trains Norman Card Treasurer Report If you know of anyone who would like to join our club, please have them contact myself or anyone else on the Executive team. The membership fee is only $10.00 unless otherwise specified. You re Treasurer Norman Card With the huge size, the club runs much like the real railroads with a dispatcher to control all the movements. Page 3 of 14
NEXT CLINIC May 25 2006 You re Guest Speaker: Thomas Grumley This event will take place at George Margita s place. Here are members discussing I assume the trains which will be leaving the yard. John Morin Clinic Report On March 23 2996 the members gathered at Georges place for the annual member s clinic. Presenters for the evening were Wilfred Nicolas on scratch making buildings, Doug Lake on Street car layout, Mike Smithson on wiring up your layout and Robert Browning on tips of scenery George actually operated his OMR.layout for the members. Wilfred Nicolas was faced a few years ago while doing a Diorama of Arnprior s CNR & CPR era that he could not actually go out and purchase the stations for each railway as they were torn down. Each module has specific sizes which I believe are 4 feet square. So let us all welcome Robert Moore and learn just how exciting it could be to make these HO- TRAK modules. Obtaining a photo of the former station in Arnprior (believe this is CN) Wilfred done some scale measurements and created a floor plan of the station. Page 4 of 14
Each section was cut out on the material which portrait studios use to enhance photos. All panels the doors and window openings were cut into this card stock and the hardware was fitted to see if it they worked. Using double sided tape he placed it onto the outside panel of a wall, and pressed on plastic brick leaving ¼ overhangs on each end. It is important that you cut all your openings before being assembled and each time fit the hardware. Joining a side to the main wall the access ½ materials is cut flush to the corner. Because there was no foundation to the structure pictured here is the elaborate array of balsa wood support. Windows can be cut from plastic material, or you can use a technique using glue and water mixture. All you have to do is dab a swab into the mixture and trace the solution over the window opening. It will appear white at first but as it dries will set-up clear. When light is placed in the building it provides a diffused effect. Pictured above is the finished station. The support for the station s strength was done by placing strips of balsa wood along the top and bottom of the main walls leaving ¼ or so from the ends. The side panels would then butt up against the main wall, Elastic bands would be place around the whole structure and cross pieces are placed between the main walls. Here Wilfred demonstrates that you can build anything showing a church built out of thin cardboard material for this Diorama of Arnprior in the 1950.. Thank you Wilfred for showing us how to scratch builds some model buildings. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Doug Lake has ventured into streetcar layout. Each of the single track used is this unique layout require that you bend each rail section on a 12 inch template shown on the table. These tracks can be bent to as low as 6 inches, thus providing for some very tight turns. Page 5 of 14
THE LAYOUT As you can see in the photos below, each rail section is bent and placed onto the layout with flat sections to join the rails which is then soldered. Doug has a large streetcar shown and a smaller one which get there power from a overhead wire. THE BEND TOOL Pictured below is the actual tool used to bend the brass track which is formed like an extrusion. This rail is purchased from California U.S.A. I was informed by Doug. TURNOUTS & CROSSOVER Pictured below are various shots of the equipment use to change direction. These have NO working parts. Page 6 of 14
Mike Smithson is perhaps the most knowledgeable person when it comes to electronics. This evening Mike was trying to explain to the membership how to wire up a block system. With chart demonstrations he showed the group on to run a buss wire around your layout and pigtail a wire from your track to it in order to continuity of power. He then showed how two power packs can be hooked into the layout to run trains simultaneously by switches one side of the switch operates one power pack while the other side of the switch operates the other power pack. It is important do a detail of your track plan to know where your switches are for various operations. Barrier strips were mentioned as a excellent way of transferring power to several tracks at one time. You would bring the power in one side and daisy chain power to other tracks from the other side of the two screw barrier strip. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Thank you Doug, for your talk on this interesting subject about streetcars <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> George Margita who operates a layout called the Ontario Midland Railway (OMR) was a participant at the clinic. We have always enjoyed, George s inspiring write-up stories about his progress in this newsletter. Well I guess miracles do happen, as we actually seen his layout run the night of the Page 7 of 14
clinic. As I watched this diesel go around the layout, I asked where it was going. He said it goes here and comes out there and could eventually end up in the Midland ship yards. George admitted that it has been so long since it was run that he has momentarily forgotten some of his switching arrays. It is set-up that two to three persons can run trains with him. In closing I would like to say Thank You to all the participants. As the editor, I get ecstatic when I can report on the talents of our members and provide information on just how to model areas of our layout. John Morin Editors Report Membership Booklet Comments Thanks George for the operation of the OMR. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Robert Browning was unfortunate in that the evening clock speed by so fast that Robert did not have a direct talk to the group. Robert did sit at the table with a small chunk of scenery he brought with him and a chest of all the scenic materials. Individual could go over and have a one-on-one session with him as I did as I am nearing that part of my layout. I did learn about acrylic paints purchased at the dollar store which when mixed can be painted for rock color. With trying to lay dirt in my newly created area of my layout, Robert told me the simplest way was to paint ground color paint and the sprinkle on the dirt and as it dries it will set. Many modelers use glue and water to do this function. Great tip Robert. This Membership booklet was a concept design of mine to help identify our membership. A saying goes like this: I can remember a face but never the name of an individual. The development of the booklet is perhaps more beneficial for those individuals on a computer as it is constructed with the same colors as our club badges as a structured club theme. Because of the nature of this booklet, this will never be posted onto the Internet to protect our member s privacy, and thus should not be shared in that way. With the recent release of Issue 2a, a comment was made that when printed it was too dark and hard to read. As a result of this comment, I am currently experimenting with just having a white background with black lettering. Keep in mind that only NEW ADDITIONS will be handled in this manner for the printable copies only. All the computer people will retain their personal colored copies as before. Because of the effort involved in its creation, I certainly hope that it of benefit to you the member. If is of no benefit, then I will cease production of it. I guess no news is good news. Thanks for Listening. Page 8 of 14
Articles of Interest to the club are always welcome by your Editor The Bolingbroke Station By: John Soehner ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// CLUB Report Well The Victoria Central Railway was now up and running as I passed trains eastward and westward along this double eight configurations. As I approached the newly constructed bridge in one direction, I had this long sweeping curve that was a gradual grade allowing the average 13 car trains to pass without problems. On the other side of the bridge, the grade was much steeper allowing long trains to descend easier than climbing. A limited train size of 9 cars is required if approaching the bridge from this steepest grade side as the engine wheels would slip. On top part of this table was this huge area of unused space which I thought would be an excellent location for my Intermodal yard. Cutting a switch into the mainline, I ran a track up to the top of this deck and began more track planning. Because of the elevation over the main line, I was able to utilize two sections of bridges, which allowed be to run the engine onto to switch back the cars onto the Intermodal track. Come and get on board. Reports about our members whether it is a layout activity, special news about someone PRINT IT HERE!!! <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Victoria Central Railway This is my Intermodal Yard which ends in the next photo with the small factory By John Morin PART 2: Phase 2 (Operation & Intermodal) I had purchased a small factory which I wanted to stage boxcars into, as seen at factory Brockville Ontario near the VIA Station. Well I went ahead and placed the entire tracks to store boxcars and other cars and the single track to the factory. Well up to this point things were going great, until I reviewed how the factory was put together. It appeared that where the opening was Page 9 of 14
for the boxcars to enter the factory was now on the opposite side which now made track placement almost impossible due to switching. Well at that time my best friend the Late Roy Hiscock, had asked me to bring the factory to him after explaining my problem. With the miracle from Roy, I received a phone call to come and get my factory. To my amazement Roy had done reverse engineering and placed all the components properly so that a boxcar can enter inside it. E N J O Y T H E M Here is reverse engineering of the small factory. Note on the left just by the factory is a two stage bridge where the locomotive goes on to switch into the yard. The track by the roadway is the track coming off the mainline. Would you like to POST a photo for the membership to enjoy? All photos will be returned after submission. POSTING THIS MONTH More articles about the Victoria Central Railway in coming issues of the Rail Link. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Page 10 of 14
In a Canadian Railway Modeller was pictured a VIA locomotive 6434 which has a third light mounted being tested for better night time visibility. There are two of these on the system and here is VIA locomotive 6420 March 2006 in the Brockville Station. March 18 2006 finds CP 8713 in the yard at Smiths Falls Ontario. This is one of 59 new ES44AC units which are more environmentally friendly than the CP AC4400-CW units. These are the only units allowed in the U.S.A. now. March 16 2006 finds CN built in 1974 -GP-38-2 (W) as it gets ready to be turned on the Y in Belleville Ontario. March 16 2006, finds CN 2635 a Dash 9-44CWL with SD-75i waiting to pickup 4 hopper cars from the yards in Belleville Ontario. Remember though the Copyright Laws for Intellectual properties, by providing the photographers name. Permission for 3 rd party photos must be provided. Footnote: In the April 2006 Issue of Branchline is an article about a well known world railway photographer who had taken photos of Union Pacific Locomotives. Nothing wrong with that you say!!! This photographer created a Railway Calendar for 2006 using these photos and now Union Pacific Railway has this guy in the court for using the photos depicting their logo without prior approval. Since post September 911the railways in the states have a no-tolerance policy for railfanners. I was asked two years ago why I wanted a photo of two Union Pacific SD-40 units. Anyway Copyright laws can I guess be interpreted this way: - You can take a photo for your personal Interest but do not use it in anyway or form for profit. Page 11 of 14
I have also heard the other version: - The photo taken by you is your property and thus it is your copyright requiring your permission to use it. I suppose in the interest of railroading there are those who feel their being ripped off - Union Pacific while others just like to have FUN and preserve and promote the railroading industry. Perhaps this individual, who is before the courts with Union Pacific, should have asked for permission to use his photos capturing Union Pacific locomotives in a Calendar. I am sure that the profits from the Calendar will not bankrupt a huge company Union Pacific Railway. I sure hope this guy wins his case, as it would set a precedence that we publish railway pictures for those non-railfanners to enjoy in Calendars, Model Railroader and other railway purchasable products As for the profit which the railway is complaining about, it will help that individual recover his gasoline costs, and the long waiting hours between trains. NOW just imagine the Rail Link all text very boring thought in my view. Your Editor & Rail Photographer <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>. Article on the Bridge Replacement on the CPR Winchester subdivision by John Soehner.. Some articles on railway railfanning by John Morin. If you have an article of interest which you would like to share with the group, just contact the Editor of this Newsletter. Remember 3 rd party articles MUST BE APPROVED by the author before presentation here to protect intellectual properties. A hand written input will be accepted although a WORD Document would be easier. Any photos used will be returned after posting of article. If you are missing any issues of the Rail Link Newsletter PLEASE contact Mr. Ron Legge. We would prefer that you be responsible and pick your copy up as MAIL is extremely expensive. Donations appreciated anytime by ME! Page 12 of 14
122 Princess Street Unit #8 Kingston Ontario K7L 1A7 (613) 548-8427 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> NICE COMMENTS FORM OUR WEBSITE WORTH PASSING ON Next Issue will be on: May 25 2006 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Announcement Ottawa Central Railway OPEN HOUSE April 29 2006 CANCELLED Dear Sir, I and my sons have very much enjoyed the model rail exhibitions put on in recent years by MVAR in churches in Carleton Place. Please can you tell me if there will be an exhibition this year?) (and, if so when and where). Kindest regards, Greg Wolff, Carleton Place Hat Burgundy & Tan (LOGO not Shown) Memo from Ian McCord NOTICE Peter MacDonald Hobby Supplies HAS MOVED NEW LOCATION: Page 13 of 14
FINAL SAY As our season will be ending at the June BBQ, I thought that for the Rail Link that month that it would be nice to publish YOUR THOUGHTS on the club for 2005 2006. You can hand write on a piece of paper and give it to any Executive member or send it to me on E-Mail at: cpmvarman@yahoo.ca Some suggestions: I enjoyed the club this year because Our club achieved.. I particularly enjoyed.. - Programs for year - Layout Tours - Guest Speakers - Clinics - Others Let us boast about our club who will be in celebration of 20 years 1987 2007 -------------------------------------------------------- THIS IS FREE!! PASS IT ON Page 14 of 14