Model Railroad Club of Toronto

Scenery taken to a new level! Thanks to Phil S and Rick S for leading this project on the second level above Ebertville. The high line has scenery. Special mention to Rick M for the thunderstorm rendition and Dave C for installation. And thanks to anyone else who helped out. #oscale

the Work of the Topley Tower Trio continues with one third of the group continuing to fixate on carving styrofoam into rocks. The long piece to the right is a pop out in order to get access to the switch machines below. The ever present track clearance car is an absolute necessity in this area with a whole lot of track converging into some tight areas. Rick, our senior scenery expert (by experience not years) has been busy hiding the visible layout supports inside the tunnel portals so they look like a black hole When we are done there will be 8 tunnel portals in an area 6 feet across by about 4 feet high.

Back in April one of my first Covid Projects was to build the Atlas Truss Bridge that would take the mainline heading south from Ebertville (the line heading into the tunnel portal under the bridge) and convey it up the grade to Hanna Junction. Slightly more than 1000 spikes later the bridge deck was stained and the track laid. Like most projects it mushroomed to include finishing the scenery behind the bridge as it would be difficult to access once the bridge was installed.... Chuck B, Rick M and Dave C agreed on the the theme to tie the scenery sections together and Rick and Dave took on the immediate task. Carved styrofoam with some plaster enrichment provided most of the hillside with formed plaster for the tunnel portals and masonite bridge abutments at either end. Some paint and scenery bits along with some blue gels on the LED lighting to enhance the storm scene from the backdrop and Voila. Chuck gets to finish the scenery out front. See more

Program an engine but stop the program before you stop the engine (Not a good practice) Turn on the layout power when you are not within sight of the engine you want to test (Not a good idea) Turn on the layout power when the operator's acces gate is open (DISASTER) Sorry to disappoint but this is a video about what happens after the event

What a difference a bit of ballast and ground cover makes. #oscaletrains

Some pre-lockdown switching as the Petrie way-freight completes its chores at Petrie making sure the Mark 1 brewery has all the raw materials needed to get us through the next few weeks. #oscaletrains

A few scenes from the club today and a chance to see some locomotives running and enjoy The great backdrops painted by Rick S. #oscaletrains

A quick walk around the Model Railroad Club of Toronto's O scale Central Ontario Rwy. #oscaletrains

A series of pictures showing activities at the club featuring scenery work by Mark Z, Bill C and Sandy D. #oscaletrains

Developing (at a safe distance) the scene at Maynooth on the Central Ontario Railway. #oscalemodeltrains @ Model Railroad Club of Toronto

Here’s a before and after of a small scene in Ebertville. It’s at the back of the layout but developing these scenes bring a sense of reality to everything in front if it. Thanks to Rick S for his concept and help bringing it together. #oscaletrains

1st operation of newly installed mainline switch to the town of Maynooth. This switch represents the last of the new mainline switches to be added in our new location.

Passengers await the next train at the new Parkers Falls Station. This station was expertly crafted by Sandy Drysdale and was modelled after the former CPR Leaside Station in east Toronto. Check out the details!

While we can’t meet as a group at the club, some individuals working alone continue with projects. The bridge at Revillstoke is progressing with Rick M as project manager. It is based on two CPR bridges along their mainline in north Toronto. If you ever hike the trail by Mudd Creek from the Brickworks you will recognize it.

Local wildlife is seen near the main. Seems to be taking advantage of a lull in traffic on the ever busy Central Ontario. (A perspective similar to that seen all over the world these days).

Lucky we are to be able to have such a tremendous showing of O scale CPR steam power!

A typical CPR consist powers 35 cars along the main.

Two views of the same scene, 2017 and 2020. @ Toronto, Ontario

The Circus Train is coming! Here CPR 5414 slowly pulls the Star Bros Circus through Lilleyburg. Birthday Boy John Coleman was the hogger and did a fine job. All this and more at our Winter Shows Feb 16, 17 and 23. www.modelrailroadclub.com

The club will be open to the public tomorrow from 11 am to 4 pm. Join us to see the progress and watch trains running over the club’s Central Ontario Railway. Visit www.modelrailroadclub.com for details. See you tomorrow. @ Toronto, Ontario

The Club will have its February shows on the next three Sundays and Family Day. Lots of work has been done since our December shows, come and see the progress. Visit www.modelrailroadclub.com for times and dates. @ Toronto, Ontario

Dave Chesher and birthday boy Warren Craig re-installing the fascia board for the upper level track while testing the strength of our benchwork. Bill Carlisle is supervising all tasks to ensure perfection!

Bessie can get back to chewing' her cud and Homer will finally feed the geese in the back forty now that the Parkers Falls Viaduct has been tied in. CNR #4101 (2-10-2) made the inaugural climb up the curving 2.5% grade on the Mainline (left track in the picture) to test out the transition onto the Coleman Bridge. The test run went well but the gearbox gave up the ghost on the second run, before pictures could be taken. Dave M has the remains at home for the post mortem.

Trying out the new bridge between Parker’s Falls and Carlisle. A team effort with at least seven club members contributing to its construction and installation. That’s the good thing about the club a lot a different skills contributing to one great outcome.

Shades of the CNR bridge at Port Hope being installed on the Central Ontario Rwy by Port Hope resident Dave Chesher. Pretty spiffy don't you think?

A young visitor is enjoying The Canadian as it rolls by. One of the 450+ guests who enjoyed our December 2019 show weekend. The Club members wish to extend a big thanks to all who visited. Next shows are Feb 9, 16, 17, & 23. Save the date!

Some excellent photos by one of our guests

Trains and The Holiday Season go together. Enjoy both today at the Model Railroad Club of Toronto. We’re open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you. #modelrailroading.