Advice on obtaining a memorial Canadian Passenger Train

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi All,

A very good Canadian Army mate of mine was recently killed in a military accident and I want to put together a memorial train to him on my layout. I currently have very little knowledge of Canadian Railways so I was hoping someone could advise me on what I need and how I can get it.

My mate was born in Nova Scotia and was serving near Ottawa when he was killed. I am an Australian living in Australia but will be in Canada in the next month to attend his memorial service. I currently model the Norfolk & Western in HO during the transition era on a prototype freelance layout. What I am after is a passenger train that loosely could have connected to the N&W and gone to Nova Scotia. The destination and being identifiably Canadian are the dominate factors.

I am not after freebies, discounts, or special consideration; I am just after sound advice on what consist I need and where I can get a fair price.

Thanking you all in advance,

Mick

2

Hi Mick

Was it Dan Bobbitt? Regardless, my condolences on the loss of your friend. Seeing the news reports, Dan seemed like a great guy.

Depending on the era, you might do well to check out Rapido Trains. They do justice to Canadian models by producing very accurate models.

http://www.rapidotrains.com

There is a wealth of info online about “trains to Nova Scotia”. You would be served better by doing a bit of reading than anything I could tell you.

Sorry I can’t be of more help.

3

My condolences on your loss, Mick.

I’m not saying it would never happen, as there’s supposedly a prototype for everything, but it would be very unusual for N&W passenger locos or cars to operate in eastern Canada during your modelling era, and equally unlikely for similar Canadian equipment to operate in N&W territory. One could certainly travel by train between the two areas, but it would likely involve one or more train changes and one or more other roads.

The ex-N&W car in this photo is pictured in Southern Ontario in the mid-'70s, but it’s part of a NRHS charter behind Canadian National 4-8-2 6060:

A CPR Royal Hudson also operated as an excursion loco on the Southern Railway during 1979-'80.

Are you attempting to create an entire train or simply a Canadian car which can be used in your N&W passenger trains?

Rapido offers a buffet/parlour car in CNR’s black and green paint scheme of 1954.

They also have CPR stainless steel cars from the same period.

A more economical option, and perhaps one which would better “fit in” to a N&W passenger train would be to use one of the old Rivarossi smooth-sided passenger cars. Painted in CPR maroon, and properly lettered, it would look pretty classy and be a decent match for the N&W Tuscan Red cars, too.
This one’s painted for my freelance road, but they had several different car types available in this line. They should be available in all the usual places and for a decent price, too.

4

Black Cat makes excellent CPR decal sets:

http://www.greatdecals.com/BlackCat.htm

5

Thanks for that reminder, Chris. I used so much C-D-S and Champ lettering over the years that I forgot about Black Cat. You’re right: they offer excellent decals, and much of it very specifically Canadian…including for several tank cars which I built just last year. [:$]

Wayne

6

Thank you all for your condolences,

Yes Brent, it is Dan Bobbitt. He was a great guy and a good friend. We are very sad for his loss but as GEN George Patton said “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”

Having done a bit more research, thinking and a look at the Rapido Trains website I think a distinctly Canadian passenger train consist is the most important factor. The Canadian consist by Rapido is definitely an option. Does anyone know where one may be available?

Thanks again,

Mick

7

Hi Mick

You can check out these guys. Go to their “advanced search” page and browse away. Their computer inventory system is accurate. They are 6 minutes from my house and are the third largest model railroad retailer on the planet. (How lucky am I)

http://www.pacific-western-rail.com/main.php

I would also E-Mail Jason Shron at Rapido and explain all that has gone on and what you would like to do. I am sure he will have some great ideas and bend over backwards to help you out. He’s a great guy.