This past weekend I visited the Canadian railway museum located in Delson, Quebec, for the first time (newly renamed ExpoRail). By coincidence, it happened to be a special event weekend, with displays of model railroads in the new exhibit building. The trolley loop was just connected as well.

A huge new exhibit building, the results of ¡§a forty year dream¡¨ to quote a volunteer, is impressive. There are many tracks in the building , which is constructed like a warehouse (much like the Ottawa science museum) and the rolling stock is displayed in train-like manner (i.e. not locomotives with locomotives, but a locomotive with a typical train). Two tracks are mostly devoted to trolleys. Many of the engines and cars have access ramps and interpretative displays have been set up in a few of the cars. Photography is not the best, but the building is climate controlled. Two observation pits were incorporated and visitors can walk under two tracks, with THE Royal Hudson (CPR of course) and a CN FPA-4 right next two each other. Rail access to building is not yet complete. Also on the grounds were two sheds packed full of equipment (one not accessible to public), a new restoration shop, an Armstrong turntable, offices, restored passenger station, and various rolling stock on display/storage. Rolling stock is in various stages of repair/disrepair. There were many CPR steam locomotives stored outside that look rather sad but I took comfort in knowing they were safe and there time for restoration is coming at some point. A two axle trolley was giving rides, as well as an ex industrial S unit with passenger car on a short section of track.

Personal highlights:
CPR #2850- this is the original CPR Royal Hudson. Wasn¡¦t this engine painted blue for the train?

CPR #8905- the only extant Trainmaster. I like the CPR maroon and grey but DL&W maroon and grey would be nice, I couldn¡¦t enough grey at Wal-Mart. ƒº

BR #60010 (?)- Ex LNER A4 4-6-2. ¡§Dominion of Canada.¡¨ Finally got to see one of the two A4s in North America. One can walk through the famous corridor tender to the cab. A change to LNER paint and full width valances might be nice but it looks beautiful just the same.

A great place, would love to volunteer or work there. Hope to visit again soon, as they are amidst major changes. Wish I had some pictures to share, but I am still using a print camera. Sorry! Will share later.

Joshua

joshua@joshuakblay.com

We go right by the museum every trip on our way to/from the Lacolle Sub, but alas cannot visit due to short layover times at the hotel and a lack of transportation at the right time to the museum. If anyone is in Montreal with enough time, however, there are now weekday commuter trains that stop right outside the museum gate (St. Constant stop). Looks like they have added on a lot since my last visit of 10+ years ago.

ryarger@rypn.org

I was there this past weekend as well! Maybe we ran into each other?
The new display building is huge and well arranged. The vast majority of locomotives are under cover, and the main building features ALCO and F-M Diesel designs. Not a GM loco in the house! There is an F3 outside, awaiting placement. Also outdoors were at least three ALCO "S" type switchers and the "Jubilee", #2928. All the outdoor locos need to be painted and serviced, but the musuem has done a great deal to preserve what it has.
The walk-under pit was my favorite feature of the new building. The pit straddles two tracks on which sit the Royal Hudson and a CNR FPA4.

And talk about room to grow! The yard tracks that tie into the mainline could easily hold the rest of the collection and then some!

One thing that really impressed me was the fact that every locomotive was greased, oiled, and had the stack covered. I'm told it is not policy of the museum to consider restoring anything to operation, but one I'd love to see stretch it's legs is the CNR Hudson, stored just ahead of the A4 to which you referred. This collection is going to be a great resource for the future.

BTW, I have also returned for the National Musuem of Science and Transportation in Ottawa. The collection there is nothing to sneeze at either! The Hall of Locomotives is exceptional, including CNR 4-8-4, #6400 in shroud, another Royal Hudson, CPR's 4-8-4, #3100, and D-10 4-6-0 #926. Their storage shed holds great treasure still, and I will be sending in a brief on it's contents in a few days!

Great to hear a fellow reader was there with me!


glueck@maine.edu

What were you wearing Richard or what do you look like? I talked to a fair amount of people there.

Joshua

joshua@joshuakblay.com

Richard;

(RE, the museum in Ottawa)

Usually we have a Shay running; it has been restored, with some boiler work just completed.

I have put up a web page at:

http://members.rogers.com/shay3289

with some pics. I don't know if you were around last Sunday, but we did have our little ge 50 tonner running about with our shortie business car and a caboose.

There are 4 steam locomotives stored in the Museum warehouse; a couple of diesels, assorted cars of all types, and our "usually operatable" 50 ton steam crane.

I say "ours" when I mean equipment owned by the Bytown Railway Society; the Shay is owned and maintained by the museum, but operated by us.

Can't wait to read your brief; it is always interesting and informative to read what others think about that which is always around you.

John Stewart
Ottawa, Canada.

> BTW, I have also returned for the National
> Musuem of Science and Transportation in
> Ottawa. The collection there is nothing to
> sneeze at either! The Hall of Locomotives is
> exceptional, including CNR 4-8-4, #6400 in
> shroud, another Royal Hudson, CPR's 4-8-4,
> #3100, and D-10 4-6-0 #926. Their storage
> shed holds great treasure still, and I will
> be sending in a brief on it's contents in a
> few days!
!


freewrl-1@rogers.com

John,

Do you operate the Shay on any regular days ie. first Saturday of the month or something? It's a 5 hour drive to Ottawa for me and I'd hate to just miss it the next time I'm in town.

Thanks.

Jason

Jason;

The Shay, although now complete once again, is not running yet.

*my understanding* was that the museum wanted to somehow run it from now to the end of the month, but with both the museum and the regulatory authorities shut down by a blackout, this looks like a remote possibility, indeed.

We have, in the past, run Sundays and Wednesdays in July and August, but I have heard that there is a desire to run 3 months in 2004, instead of two as in this year and in past years.

I can't speak for the museum, only being a volunteer, so I can't say definitely what *any* plans are :-|

If you were at the museum, you will have seen our track; back and forth around a curve. But, at least there is something running...

Do you know that there is a 1909 swedish steam locomotive running out of the city of Gatineau; it leaves approximately 10 minutes drive from Ottawa city centre, and goes on a nice run up the Gatineau river to Wakefield, Quebec. I have found myself acting as a fireman on this locomotive, too. :-0

John Stewart,
Ottawa, Canada.

you operate the Shay on any regular days
> ie. first Saturday of the month or
> something? It's a 5 hour drive to Ottawa for
> me and I'd hate to just miss it the next
> time I'm in town.

> Thanks.

> Jason


freewrl-1@rogers.com

Thanks John. I was in Ottawa for a few days 2 weeks ago but couldn't get to the museum or the Gatineau train so they are at the top of the list for the next trip. The 5 hour trip from Toronto didn't seem to be as bad as I expected so I hope to come back soon.

Jason