Hi Bob,
I think I know the kit you mean. Let me search around a bit...
Welcome to The Gauge...!
Andrew
I think I know the kit you mean. Let me search around a bit...
Welcome to The Gauge...!
Andrew
Algonquin Park "Highland Inn"
- Thread starter MasonJar
- Start date
Bob,
It was produced by Alder Models. They were sold to Surrey Custom Models of BC several years ago. SSM suspended operations a year or two ago, with the intent of starting up again... but today I found that their web site is not up, and links to their site from various modelling clubs in my area are broken.
I know that's not much help, but I think that the station in question is still standing, so perhaps the local historical society can help?
Andrew
It was produced by Alder Models. They were sold to Surrey Custom Models of BC several years ago. SSM suspended operations a year or two ago, with the intent of starting up again... but today I found that their web site is not up, and links to their site from various modelling clubs in my area are broken.
I know that's not much help, but I think that the station in question is still standing, so perhaps the local historical society can help?
Andrew
This is looking good, Andrew. Looking forward to following your progress, as Algonquin is one of my favourite places ! Rob
Alas, there is not much to report. This project is on hold until I complete a few other things...
I actually have not spent much time in Algonquin, but it still ranks as one of my favourite places. To see it in the 1920s and 30s would have been incredible.
If you are inclined, you might want to look in the bookstore at the Algonquin Park website. There's an incredible book called Living at Cache Lake, by Mary Pigeon. She wrote all about living at the Cache Lake site (where the hotel was).
One other book is "Lessons from my Father" by Roy McGregor (I think). He wrote about family life in the Park while his dad worked the various lumber mills.
Great stuff - and definitely the closest we will get to time travel...!
Andrew
I actually have not spent much time in Algonquin, but it still ranks as one of my favourite places. To see it in the 1920s and 30s would have been incredible.
If you are inclined, you might want to look in the bookstore at the Algonquin Park website. There's an incredible book called Living at Cache Lake, by Mary Pigeon. She wrote all about living at the Cache Lake site (where the hotel was).
One other book is "Lessons from my Father" by Roy McGregor (I think). He wrote about family life in the Park while his dad worked the various lumber mills.
Great stuff - and definitely the closest we will get to time travel...!
Andrew
Alas, there is not much to report. This project is on hold until I complete a few other things...
I actually have not spent much time in Algonquin, but it still ranks as one of my favourite places. To see it in the 1920s and 30s would have been incredible.
If you are inclined, you might want to look in the bookstore at the Algonquin Park website. There's an incredible book called Living at Cache Lake, by Mary Pigeon. She wrote all about living at the Cache Lake site (where the hotel was).
One other book is "Lessons from my Father" by Roy McGregor (I think). He wrote about family life in the Park while his dad worked the various lumber mills.
Great stuff - and definitely the closest we will get to time travel...!
Andrew
I've heard of that book, Living at Cache Lake. I could order it online or at the the Algonquin Visitors Centre ...
I've been fascinated by the story and mystery surrounding of Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, history of Algonquin, etc. Although Thompon and the Group of Seven Painted beautiful paintings of the region in the 'teens and '20s, etc, much of Algonquin would have been quite bleak compared to how it looks today.
This is because the Park was so heavily logged in the 19th and early-20 centuries, that fallen trees and stumps would have surrounded places like Canoe Lake. Many of the hardwood hills would have been bare and barren of trees. You could even model this logging activity on your layout and maybe show a few remaining stands of the large White Pine that had escaped the loggers' axe.
My family & I have hiked many of the trails in Algonquin in the past 10 years and many of these follow the old rail bed of the Ottawa, Arprior & Parry Sound Railway. Being someone who loves local history, nature, Algonquin and railways, I'd really enjoy seeing a model of this region in due course.
At the Algonquin Visitors Centre, you can view some great film footage of the steam railway operating in Algonquin in the 1940s. It's great stuff, and I highly recommend it if you get a chance to go to the Visitors Centre.
Meanwhile, I haven't started my Don Valley Layout -- it's still in the "dream" stage. I'm not sure if it will ever happen as I've still been quite busy with my British layout.
All the best!
Rob
n0rthcornice,
Thanks for the reminder of the link. I think wiki has been updated since the last time I was there...
Rob,
I'd love to get more work done on it... it's just a question of finding time! I don't know if the area around the hotel, train station, and the "village" end of Cache Lake would have been logged. I plan on having it forested on my modules.
I'd like to hear more about your Don Valley plans...
Andrew
Thanks for the reminder of the link. I think wiki has been updated since the last time I was there...
Rob,
I'd love to get more work done on it... it's just a question of finding time! I don't know if the area around the hotel, train station, and the "village" end of Cache Lake would have been logged. I plan on having it forested on my modules.
I'd like to hear more about your Don Valley plans...
Andrew
Andrew,
Thanks for the help, I remember now, Alder Models. Sorry to hear they are all gone now. My wifes family is from the Eganville Area. The family farm is still there with distant cousins running it, up on the Opeongo Mountains above Lake Clear. Have traveled around there several times and have many friends in that area, from Golden Lake to Pembroke. Some favorite times were fishing Grand Lake and watching the Trains passing on the shore at Achray Station.
I have always been a CNR fan since I started Modeling. The area up there is railroad-less these days. Following and modeling the old CNR ROW all the way to Barry's Bay through some beautiful country is my goal. Set in the mid 1950s It will be a fictitious Railroad. Even invented a story for it's existence.
Thanks again, and By the way, nice job on the Hotel!
Bob
Thanks for the help, I remember now, Alder Models. Sorry to hear they are all gone now. My wifes family is from the Eganville Area. The family farm is still there with distant cousins running it, up on the Opeongo Mountains above Lake Clear. Have traveled around there several times and have many friends in that area, from Golden Lake to Pembroke. Some favorite times were fishing Grand Lake and watching the Trains passing on the shore at Achray Station.
I have always been a CNR fan since I started Modeling. The area up there is railroad-less these days. Following and modeling the old CNR ROW all the way to Barry's Bay through some beautiful country is my goal. Set in the mid 1950s It will be a fictitious Railroad. Even invented a story for it's existence.
Thanks again, and By the way, nice job on the Hotel!
Bob
Bob,
If you pick 1950, there's no need to fictionalize... Happily, almost all was in place at that time (except the Cache Lake trestle, so no through trains to Georgian Bay). Excursions were run out of Ottawa into the 1970s using CPR 1208, which is now siting in the Museum of Sci & Tech storage in Ottawa.
I have invented a story to run my various period equipment. the story includes fixing the trestle so Depot Harbour survives, and I also took the liberty of ignoring the Depression so the hotel does not close.
I can't take credit for the hotel as you see it - that's how I got it in trade.
Andrew
If you pick 1950, there's no need to fictionalize... Happily, almost all was in place at that time (except the Cache Lake trestle, so no through trains to Georgian Bay). Excursions were run out of Ottawa into the 1970s using CPR 1208, which is now siting in the Museum of Sci & Tech storage in Ottawa.
I have invented a story to run my various period equipment. the story includes fixing the trestle so Depot Harbour survives, and I also took the liberty of ignoring the Depression so the hotel does not close.
I can't take credit for the hotel as you see it - that's how I got it in trade.
Andrew
Andrew,
Just wanted to let you know I did a search on E-bay the other day and found someone selling the Barry's Bay Station kit by Alder Models. It cost me 40 bucks but I now have it on its way. I thought that was kind of ironic. Never thought I would see that one.
Bob
Just wanted to let you know I did a search on E-bay the other day and found someone selling the Barry's Bay Station kit by Alder Models. It cost me 40 bucks but I now have it on its way. I thought that was kind of ironic. Never thought I would see that one.
Bob
Bob,
That's great news! $40 is about what the kit cost originally I think, so that sounds like a good deal. Be sure to post some pictures as you build it!
Andrew
That's great news! $40 is about what the kit cost originally I think, so that sounds like a good deal. Be sure to post some pictures as you build it!
Andrew