From the Dome Car: Train 4 Track 5 (October-November 1994)

 

Morgan sings the praises of Canadian modellers who did well at an NMRA convention in Oregon with their scratchbuilt models and promotes the skill of scratchbuilding. He also speaks about the contacts he made with American manufacturers. Morgan was constantly promoting Canada and Canadian modellers to U.S. manufacturers—partly because it meant advertising dollars for CRM, but also because he knew they could find a good market in this country if they produced more Canadian models. Given how many Canadian prototypes have been made in model form today, it’s hard to remember a time when that wasn’t the case. For that, we can give Morgan some credit; he was one of the best ambassadors the hobby had ever seen in Canada, and beyond. 

We're fresh back from the NMRA National in Portland, Oregon, and I must say that Canadian modellers made quite an impression with the judges of the model contest. They more than did themselves proud, with no less than six first place showings! By coincidence, three of the winning structure models at the show are destined for permanent display in museums close to their still extant prototypes thus closing the loop of historically significant preservation—which is a triumph to Canadian modellers in itself. 

Among the winners were: Bob Gardener from Salmon Arm, BC who built an HO scale replicca of the Lethbridge, Alberta viaduct during it's construction and which may be headed for the museum in Lethbridge; Brian Pate from North Vancouver whose HO scale Dawson City gold dredge will be on it's way to Dawson City, Yukon; Moe Smith from Winnipeg who scratchbuilt the East Coulee, Alberta coal tipple facility in S scale and delivered it to the Drumheller, Alberta museum; Allan Welch for his scratchbuilt Canadian Pacific Railway 111 Shay modelled in HO scale of which the prototype operated on the Vancouver, BC docks for years; Doug Hole from Sorrento (Salmon Arm), BC whose HO scale display modules were selected first, second and third; and the Salmon Arm Model Railroad Association from BC who's HO scale modular railway layout was selected as the best at the show. 

Each and every model was a delight to look at with proof positive that, although a very time-consuming endeavour, scratchbuilding a model produces some of the very best-looking and prototypically correct structures when done by those that have acquired the necessary skills—those skills being learned by 'doing'. 

For those that are just beginning to discover or have been in our wonderful hobby for awhile, keep in mind that these five Canadian modellers, along with the Salmon Arm group, began as we all did—as beginners. And it's through 'doing' that they learned and discovered the skills needed to create such masterpieces. Well done to you all and congratulations! 

On the article scene, we have received an article as promised from the team of Bruce Leckie/Andreas Keller on building Andreas' VIA LRC locomotive that was pictured in Train 4 Track 3; we will feature it in an upcoming issue. In the meantime, we are looking for building structure and rolling stock articles and, should you submit prototype or modeller's photo sections, be sure to identify yourself on the back of each photo and supply us with a suitable and brief caption for each shot, written on a separate sheet. That way we won't have to guess at what we are looking at when it comes time to caption the photo! 

On the manufacturing scene, note that in our New Products section there are more interesting and innovative new companies along with the already established, making products that are of interest to our Canadian modelling scene. We take pleasure and an amount of pride in being able to present these items to our readers within the pages of a Canadian magazine where these types of items should be promoted. 

While in Portland at the National Train Show, I made a number of contacts with several U.S. manufacturers who have always recognized the importance of the market to their north and are now familiar with the medium available to them to both announce and promote new items that have the Canadian modeller in mind. We are looking forward, as I am sure our readers are, to hearing from them with their announcements. 

On the home front it's looking like almost the time of year to pack-up the old BBQ and come Halloween, I guess the snow will be flying out here again. Seems like it was just last month that I put the snow shovel away and dragged that old BBQ out of the shed! Oh well, such is life on the prairies. At least this year we didn't have the usual swell of mosquitos and the grass stayed green for a change. Next thing you know, the Toronto Train Show will be here announcing that spring has begun. I like the sound of that! See you in the next issue.