From the Dome Car: Train 8 Track 1 (May-June 1998)

 

Some Dome Cars are like unit trains, the whole column devoted to one subject or theme. But this one is more like the traditional mixed freight, with a mixture of topics and ideas such as what makes a model railroad “great;” what a great time it was for Canadian modellers with so many products; and news about the bid to host the 2003 NMRA convention in Toronto. The bid was successful, but the SARS pandemic intervened. (Who remembers that?) 

What makes a model railroad 'great'? When it comes to greatness in model railroading, we usually think of things such as life-like scenery, fidelity to prototype, operational qualities, detailed locomotives and rolling stock, fine-scale structures and weathering. Often, though not always, size counts too - the bigger the layout, the greater it usually seems to be. 

Thoughts about greatness in model railroading came to my mind recently when a friend told me that, after years of dreaming and planning, he had decided not to build a layout after all. The reason? Not enough time, energy, space and money. Plus, over time, his interests had changed. 

His story isn't unique. Many of us struggle to find time and funds to build our layouts. For some of us, carpentry is intimidating and wiring looks like rocket science. I know it looked that way for me when I started my first layout. 

So, what makes a great model railroad? In my books, it's simple: A great model railroad is one gets built, period. The size, amount of scenery, track or rolling stock is irrelevant. For many, merely getting benchwork up and track laid can be an accomplishment all in itself. 

A great time for Canadian modellers. In 1987, when I started in the hobby, there was a very limited supply of Canadian locomotives or rolling stock in HO. Today, however, those of us who model the modern scene in that scale have numerous choices: Athearn, Atlas, Kato, Spectrum, Proto 2000 and Walthers all include Canadian roads in their line-up of motive power. 

And not just the big railways are available in model form; there can't be many people who model the Hudson Bay Railway, but you can buy a ready-to-run HBR locomotive from Proto 2000. Plus, a number of small Canadian manufacturers are turning out some fine models of Canadian prototypes. 

Of course, there's always something that isn't made that should be, but by-and-large those of us who model Canada's railways have never had it so good. 

Welcome back, CP SIG! Many of us are familiar with the CN Lines SIG, and their fine publication, CN Lines. But the Canadian model railway scene just isn't complete without a vibrant CP Special Interest Group. Fortunately, the CP SIG—which has been absent for about two years—has decided to revitalize itself. Members will receive four issues a year of CP Tracks, the group's official publication. Railways covered by the SIG include CP, TH&B, Dominion Atlantic, SOO Line, CP electric and CP marine operations. Cost of a membership is $15.00 a year. For more information, contact the CP SIG at 27 Frank Steet, Brantford, ON, N3T 5C8 (E-mail: grandcs@brand.net). For U.S. readers, contact 25852 McBean Parkway, Suite 187, Valencia, CA 91358. 

And finally, good luck to the Toronto NMRA Bid Committee. This July the Toronto bid committee will be at the NMRA National convention in Kansas City making a pitch to bring the annual convention to Toronto in 2003. According to reports, there are encouraging signs that the NMRA will come to Toronto five years from now. All the best to the Bid Committee!



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