DAR layout photos

[briantrainman]

Speaking of tenders Dan, do you know what the actual dimensions of the DAR/CP tenders were ?

[Dan Conlin]

The simple answer is to the length of DAR tenders is about 18 feet, measured from the first axle of the front truck to the last axle of the rear truck. D10s were 18 feet. D6s were pretty close at 17 feet, 4 1/2 inches. Pacifics were 21 feet, 2 inches and the 0-6-0 switches were 16 feet, 8 and a half inches.
You local library could bring you via interlibrary loan Omar Lavallee's book Canadian Pacific Steam Locomotives (1985) or Donald Lewis' Steam Canada: Canadian Pacific Steam Locomotives (1984). Both books come with tons of dimension diagrams for almost all classes of CPR locomotives.
That makes most DAR tenders were way shorter than most of the tenders on commercial RTR locos which often have huge tenders for even little 4-4-0s or 2-6-0s. It is usually a simple bit of surgery with a razor saw to shorten a tender on a model. It is a worthwhile investment as it makes the locomotive much closer to the prototype and gives more manouvering and parking space on tight model layout siding, stalls and turntables. I have done this for five of my DAR locos, including No 556 which you can see here on the DAR DPI:
http://dardpi.ca/wiki/index.php?title=File:IMG_0832.jpg
The DCC circuit boards now found in many tenders can make this more challenging.

Cheers,

Dan Conlin

[briantrainman]

After searching the web and finding Omer Lavalee's book selling for $400 to $650, I found the only copy in the Ottawa Public Library at a nearby branch and gleefully grabbed it off the shelf. Maybe I could "lose" it and get away with a $50 fine (Just joking.)

[Dan Conlin]

Aren't libraries wonderful? Hope you have fun with Omer's book. Happy photocopying! The DAR section is great stuff. I love that colourized postcard and Omer's thoughts on how the DAR fitted into the big CPR picture. Those prices for the book are unreal. I must confess that I did painfully pay $200 for my copy instead of buying yet another model locomotive two years ago. Now I feel a bit better.

Dan

[stem]

Can you will it to me? <grin>

[Dan Conlin]

I am sure there will be no problem finding a good home for it - assuming people still keep books when my time comes.

Cheers,

Dan

[briantrainman]

Not to make everyone jealous ( I lie ) but I picked up Omer Lavalee's book for $85.00 on e-bay a few month's ago.

[stem]

Mr. Green is definitely jealous!

[Dan Conlin]

Here's some photos of progress on my layout in 2014. I am modelling the CVR from Kentville to Kingsport. My trackwork is more or less done, although there are some sidings to add and maybe a staging track behind the backdrop. My scenery is slowly creeping along with Kentville mostly complete. I have also started on the big Kingsport wharf.

The level crossing at Kentville with a foam-core mock-up of the Kentville Station awaiting the completion of the scratchbuilt model.

This is where my scenery ends so far, in a sheep field near Centreville.

This is Sheffield Mills under construction. The tracks cross the mill pond on a trestle. The mill is an approximation as the CVR tracks were farther away from the mill and I am not sure it was still operating when the DAR went through, but it is a fun model with a working waterwheel and saw blade. It is a kitbash of a German mill modified to look Nova Scotian, inspired by the Bangor Mill in Digby County: http://www.dardpi.ca/wiki/index.php?title=Bangor_Sawmill

This is my scratchbuilt Kingsport Wharf under construction. Choorch Enterprises makes some great rubber cribwork casting which has speeded construction. The deckwork is all board by board. I am using a resin cast souvenir lighthouses as a stand-in until I built the real Kingsport Lighthouses.

The Kingsport Wharf construction viewed from above. The lighthouse has a working light that comes on a reminder when my track is powered up.

[stem]

Many thanks for the update Dan. It's looking great. I especially look forward to seeing the scratchbuilt station in place but the wharf is shaping up to be a real showpiece too!

Is that American number 26? Which model is that? Did you do anything to the tender? Will she be eventually painted magenta?

It would be fun to inventory your rolling stock and show how you've adapted different models to the D.A.R. version. The whole concept is very well done!

Makes we want to do a version of the CVR too. I often though about how I would go from Kingsport to Windsor. There's enough DAR flavour in this section to make a handsome layout with all the busyness of the DAR concentrated in this area.

[SamuelMClark]

Great work Dan, maybe time I could stop by and see your layout again in person!

Did you ever do up Nova Scotia to run on your layout? If so what car did you use?

[Dan Conlin]

Hi Samuel,

Give me a call anytime. Visitors are an incentive to make progress! I haven't done the Nova Scotia yet. I'd inclined to either kitbash a MDC/roundhouse 60 footer or do a nice job with one of the Labelle wooden kits.

Dan