The CNR in VICTORIA BC during the late 1950s
This mostly newly-built HO Scale layout is set within yard limits featuring branchline operations of Canadian National Railways including yard and industrial switching, loading and unloading of the car ferry Canora, interchange with the E&N, a passenger special and a work train.
Each operator will enjoy all of these components and will be kept busy, but in a relaxed atmosphere with a minimum of paper work and waiting around between assignments.
The NMRA prize-winning scratchbuilt models of the Point Ellice ferry slip and the rail car ferry Canora, both built by the late Brian Pate in the 1970s, have been newly refurbished for operation on the layout by Rene Gourley, who also painted the backdrops.
The Prototype
• Style:
• Prototype:
• Location:
• Era:
• Interchange:
Prototypical
CNRs Cowichan Sub. MP 0.0 to MP 1.6 plus a portion of the Saanich Spur
Victoria, BC
Transition Era (1958-1959)
Directly with the E&N and the North American railway network though the car ferry Canora
The Layout
• Location:
• Scale:
• Size:
• Control:
• Accessibility:
• Mainline Length:
• Yards:
• Passing Sidings:
• Scenery Complete:
• Carspots:
• Motive Power:
• Rolling Stock:
• Track Construction:
North Vancouver
HO
Two rooms 15 ft and 11 ft. square, single deck 53” high
Lenz DCC radio and tethered
Easy through garage, no duck-unders
(Not strictly main line) main track approx. 50 feet long, U shape
One plus Staging
Two at yards
Backdrop painted, base started
17
GMD-1, GE 44-tonner, SW1200RS
Single and double-door box cars, gondolas, log and regular flats, gondolas, reefers, cement hopper, tank car, work equipment, cabooses, business car
Mostly Code 83 flex track except at ferry dock, Rapido electro-magnetic uncouplers, a few fixed ramps, scale track under constructionManual turnout control, black territory, no signals
Operations
• Clock Speed:
• Session Length:
• Crew Size:
• Dispatching:
• Car Forwarding:
• Communication:
• Jobs:
• Train Lengths:
• Session Style
No clock
~ 2 1/2 hours
3
Sequential, combination clearance, orders and car forwarding form for each train and yard job
Computerized switchlist
Voice
Engineman/conductor, yardmaster
2 to 8 cars
Branch line casual; prototypical speeds
More Information
- CN LINES-various issues covering the CNR on Vancouver Island, cnrha.ca
View of the Canora and the ferry dock models constructed by the late Brian Pate
Double headed GMD-1 units heading west
Cabooses at Point Ellice Yard Office
CNR GMD-1 No.1001 is busy pulling the centre track of the Canora at Point Ellice in Victoria West
The Saanich Switcher is making tts way to Borden Mercantile and Growers Winery with a crew man on the roof running board of the leading box car on its long shove from Point Ellice yard
Combined Clearance, Orders and Switchlist