CARM-TC - Meeting Notes

CARM-TC Canadian Association of Railway Modellers - Toronto Chapter
2005/01/24 7:30-9:30 pm Meeting Notes
at The Model Railroad Club of Toronto, 37 Hanna Avenue, Toronto

"The Central Ontario Railway"

On January 24, 2005, about 10 members of CARM-TC visited The Model Railroad Club of Toronto. Their Central Ontario Railway is a large O scale model railroad, located in the basement of an old factory for about 40 years. Our tour guide was Stuart Macadam.

I've visited before, but this was special for me for four reasons:

The first was that we were allowed back in the operators' area, to see it behind the scenes and to see many things from closer up or a different angle than the public does.
The second was that with Stuart to explain it, and with fewer trains running simultaneously than at a public open house, the track plan made more sense. It isn't just around and around - it's a very linear point and loop to point and loop, that happens to be wrapped around the room about six times.
The third was that a former MRCT member used to be a good friend of a CARM member who pointed out the town and industries named for his friend. Looking for more of those added a little extra.
As a member of the TPUG computer club (www.icomm.ca/tpug) who plays around with vintage Commodore computers, I was pleased to see an old (ok, most would say antique) C64 running their signal system.

I enjoyed many scenes and buildings. On the north side were the ship "Coleman Carrier" in the Port Coleman docks, the Tilbury Quarry with a mine and lumbering, and the 15 stall roundhouse in Ebertville. On the south you can't miss the bridge area, with 8 main ones, some longer than most layouts. There's a steel arch, a suspension, a concrete arch, girders and trestles. Wow. A bit to the left are two industrial towns. Big Ric Junction has Stuart's Sand and Gravel (I forgot to ask Stuart if he was the namesake or the maker), a creosote plant and an asphalt plant. In the corner is Sharp's Landing, with the Mark I Brewery.

Along with newer and better scenery than I remembered, the club has added some animation, lighting and sound. Visitors can turn on the Coleman Carrier's lights, start a truck motor, and listen to the teletype in the Bentley's Bay station.

A fun time! I'll have to go back soon to see it again, and show it to my kids (and their girlfriends) - two more trips.

While we were leaving I noticed the club's library. Along with the standard MR and RMC, they have quite a collection of books and the "Passenger Train Journal" magazine I know has some articles I need to read but have never seen elsewhere. I guess I'll have to go back a lot of times!

Thanks Stuart, and thanks John and David for arranging it.

- Ian McIntosh, CARM-TC Secretary

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