looking for track info - Yarmouth NS

[hecrowell]

I have recently become very involved and very fascinated with the world of MSTS - to the point where I have begun the initial processes of scenery design. My project that I am thinking of recreating involves the route from Yarmouth, NS (my old hometown) to - say - Digby, NS.
What I am looking for, is info that anyone can provide re: track information - in particular the switchyard at Yarmouth. I have pinned the now dismantled route in Google Earth for some distance, obtained the DEMs, and experimented with track laying and finally nearly completed the old DAR train Station (now rebuilt, re-oriented and occupied by Tim Horton's)
Any help with track info much Appreciated!!!!!

[stem]

I'd like to do the same thing and record that info in the wiki for posterity as well.

I believe the brick station still exists doesn't it? This would be a stable landmark to start discussing things from. I have always wanted to do exactly what you want to do too in terms of getting the track layout of the Yarmouth yard down.

I think we need some aerial shots but a dicussion will also help illuminate features and changes throughout the years that might even preceed aerial photos.

Tell me, where was the original wood station in relation to where the brick station is?

There must have been a water tower, but I have never seen a photo of it.

As the tracks left the station and continued south to the freight shed how much further did the tracks go or was that the end of them right at the end of the freight shed?

Did the yard go any further north than where the KFC is today?

Was that the extent of the yard from the KFC to the end of the freight shed?

Where was the Y? We've got photos of trains on the Y but it look like its out in the weeds somewhere.

Answers to all these question would clear up a lot of questions in my mind and perhaps lead us to a better understanding of how to proceed and what we need.

I would also point out that somewhere along the line the railyway had to have filed some kind of a plan with the town, and that the town had to be fully aware of what the railway right of way was so they MUST have some engineering that would reveal details we might not even be aware of of right now.

I have also forged an agreement with the Yarmouth Museum in principle to share railway related information that creates a better understanding of the role the DAR played in the Yarmouth community. This is a quote by email from Nadine Gates, the curator:

"Thank you for contacting the Yarmouth County Museum with your inquiry. At a recent meeting with the museum’s director, Bruce Bishop, and our archivist, Jamie Serran, the decision was made to support your initiative to document the history of the DAR. I am including Jamie Serran in this email as she will be the person you will be dealing with from this point on. Jamie had some questions for you and I will leave you in her capable hands."

If you feel that contacting them for information maybe just the ticket then let me know and I will give you Jamie's email address.

I also believe you may find the Matthew Keoghan is keenly interested in the Yarmouth end of the DAR and would be a great work partner in your quest for information. For sure, it appears he's almost walked the whole line! Here's a host of photos on the Yarmouth rail yard supplied to the wiki by Matt: http://www.dardpi.ca/wiki/index.php?tit ... _Rail_Yard

[hecrowell]

Hi Steve - Nice meeting you and thanks for the reply. will try to reply your query point by point:
Brick station no longer exists - was torn down to make way for the Tim Hortons & Wendys and associated parking areas which now occupy the area
The Tim Hortons is on the geographical location of the original wooden station, therefore on the same geographical location as the brick station. Tim Hortons was reoriented 90degrees clockwise for operational convenience.

Water Tower - I know nothing as to the location of the water tower. Most of my "train Days" 57 years ago was mostly confined to the central part of the town. I did not live in the town but went there on a weekly basis and used to go down to the track area to watch the locomotives shunting cars around making up the next train which would either go to the Valley (DAR) or the South Shore to Halifax (CPR????)

I may have a contact in Yarmouth that can help me with info or at least point me in the direction of those that can help me.

would appreciate Jamie's email - that way I can touch bases with her and let her know what I am up to - hopefully she will be a good contact on this project.

Have checked out the link or Matthews info and great pictures - I know within feet the exact spot the photographer stood to take a lot of those pictures. One picture in particular was of interest and I really believe it id the CPR (maybe CNR) leaving for the South Shore - that street with the yellow sign is awfully familiar to me and I do believe it is in what is known as the South End of Yarmouth. I will see if I can contact Matthew as well.

I am getting really enthused about this project and maybe in the near futute a Yarmouth Line can be opened in the DAR-MSTS board.

Will be in touch:

BTW - I have all but completed a model recreation for the Yarmouth wooden station - would like maybe to get a screenshot up...interested??? attacged screenshot file

[downeastrailfan]

Hi Steve and Harold,

The yard went slightly North (railway east) of the KFC. Have a look at the aerial photo. http://www.dardpi.ca/wiki/index.php?tit ... uth_CP.jpg The KFC building is to the left of the roundhouse area (the building was gone by the 70's, tracks only). Also, I think this shot was taken from the KFC parking lot: http://www.dardpi.ca/wiki/index.php?tit ... l_yard.jpg

Yes, the wye was in the boonies, railway east of the yard. I may have an aerial shot on my other computer. Someone told me it is a subdivision now. I have not tracked it down.

I took some shots around the roundhouse area and cotton mill this spring I've yet to upload.

Yes, maps do exist of the Yarmouth yard. Older topographical maps from Service Nova Scotia show tracks. Also, Yarmouth County Museum has fire insurance maps from the old days which not only show tracks, but names of buildings.

The South Shore line from Yarmouth to Southwestern Jct. in Halifax, along with the Middleton Sub. from Bridgewater to Middleton and Port Wade was CNR. This was originally the Halifax & Southwestern, also known as the "Southwestern" or Hellish Slow and Wobbly!