There is a stretch of track along the Little Current Subdivision that follows Highway 6 South to Little Current on Birch Island that always interested me. As I drive South to the Island, I often wonder what it would have been like on this highway as trains rolled by on Continue Reading
The Algoma Eastern Railway purchased two identical Consolidation (2-8-0 wheel arrangement) locomotives from Montreal Locomotive works. Number 55 arrived in January 1921 and are nearly identical to Canadian Government Railway engines. After being modified by adding weight to the front to prevent the pilot trucks from derailing it was said Continue Reading
Recently I finished the Little Current Imperial Oil Facility as faithfully as i could with limited photos from the time period. But I had a change of heart. The more I thought about it, there are very few people who would recognize this location the way I modelled it during Continue Reading
A flat finish on wheelsets and trucks can make a big difference to the realism of rolling stock. Recently I found an easy way that makes a durable finish. After giving wheels a cleaning with isopropyl alcohol I use Woodland Scenics Weathered Tie track painter pen to paint the wheelsets. Continue Reading
The Imperial Oil Dealer was located on Highway 68 just before the swing bridge. From the research I have found so far, it was slightly elevated about 12 feet from the highway and has 6 tanks, a larger storage building and a few smaller buildings probably to house transfer equipment. Continue Reading
A combination of conifer, birch and other generic trees are now installed along the back of the first module. This space is compressed by about 50% compared to the real little current where there two stands of trees are separated by a field in this area in the 50’s. On Continue Reading
I made a batch of birch trees using super tree armatures as well as other more generic trees. I start by trimming the super tree armatures, removing leaves and slecting the most tree like shapes. I spray these with 2 or 3 different brown and grey rattle cans. Next I Continue Reading
For this layout I decided to try a new method to make evergreen trees. This layout is small, so I think taking time to add detailed trees is definitely worth it. These trees are made by untwisting jute twine into its individual fibers and laying between a piece of florists Continue Reading
Aerial photos are so handy. For model railways, they show you details from a perspective that allows you to measure, reference locations, and view what you are modelling at a similar angle. Postcards can be a great source for these shots. This fall I plan to build the Imperial Oil Continue Reading
