From the Dome Car: Train Nine, Track One (May-June, 1999)

 

As Morgan noted in this Dome Car, CRM was approaching a milestone: the 50th issue. That might not seem like a big deal for magazines like Model Railroader, which was founded in 1934. But for a little Canadian magazine, it was a very big deal—and Morgan wanted to mark that occasion with a special give-away to readers. This issue also commemorated the death of Nicholas Morant, famous for taking photos of CPR trains at what became known as “Morant’s Curve.” Morgan took time to note his passing, too. 

As most of our readers know, Canadian Railway Modeller magazine is quickly approaching some major milestones. 

The issue after this one will be our 50th and, in appreciation of that fact, we have been offered a very unique gift that we have chosen to give away to one of our many readers. While attending the annual Toronto Train Show this year, I had the pleasure of meeting David Oram, one of Canada's newest artists. David has produced a beautiful painting of CNR 6258 at Danforth, Ontario. Called 'Unique At Danforth', the original has been published as a 17 3/8 x 24 1/4-inch artist print by Hockley Valley Railroad which, at the show, donated print number 50 of 150 to CRM to celebrate our 50th issue. 

As a way to show our appreciation to those that have helped us get to issue number 50, we have decided to give this print away to one of our many readers. The print is valued at $125.00 and it IS beautiful. 

Here's how to win it: On a standard postcard, send us your name, address and postal code (please print or type - if we are unable to read it, we will draw another card) and address it to: CRM 50th Issue Contest (at our usual address). On September 15, 1999, we will draw one postcard from those received, as our official winner and mail the print to the address on the card. Postcards only, please, and only one entry per person will be accepted. 

The winner will be announced in the current issue after the draw. We'll print a photo of the print in the next issue so you can see what it looks like. 

On another topic, people sometimes ask what kind of articles we want at CRM. The basic rule is that it needs to be about something Canadian—like a locomotive, a piece of rolling stock, a structure or something on a Canadian prototype. For freelance layouts, we prefer that the fictitious pike be located in Canada, connecting to the outside world via a real Canadian railway. Good photos are an obvious must; if photography isn't your thing, then see if you can find a fellow modeller or friend who can take the pictures for you. A copy of our contributor's guidelines are available for the asking. 

And finally, this sad note: Nicholas Morant, regarded by all to be one of Canada's best photographers, has died at age 88 at his home in Banff, Alberta. Mr. Morant, who made famous what today is known as 'Morant's Curve' on CPR's main line near Lake Louise, Alberta, was employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway for 54 years as their official photographer. His work also took him on other assignments where he captured the true essence of visual Canadian history, especially in the Canadian Rockies. 

In 1990 he received the Order of Canada; his photographs have appeared on former Canadian bank currencies—namely the $1, $50 and $100 bills. His published works include John F. Garden's Nicholas Morant's Canadian Pacific. 

On behalf of our staff and our many readers, we acknowledge our condolences to his wife, Betty, his family and many friends. This issue's dome car photo is published as a tribute to Nicholas Morant; it was taken at Morant's Curve last November by myself, but he will always be 'the master'.


 

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