Thunder Bay 2014 Logo

Rails to the Lakehead
Canadian Railway Convention
Thunder Bay, Ontario
September 30th to October 2nd

CRC Logo


Clinics

Here is a list of confirmed clinicians.

Bill Skrepichuk, "An Overview of CPR Construction 1883-85 along the North Shore of Lake Superior"
The presentation includes an Image rich account of the section between the Nepigon River and Pic River highlighting major Bridge works, Cuts Curves and Tunnels, Quarries, work Camps, and others.

Ed Freeman, "Port Arthur’s iron mining past"
A review of the impact upon Port Arthur of railway construction and iron mining.

Gerald Harper, "Thunder Bay area railway bridges - something for everyone"
The rugged terrain of the north shore of Lake Superior combined with the deltaic environment of Thunder Bay has created the topographic environments for every conceivable style of engineered railway bridge. From high trestles to bascules and swing bridges this presentation will highlight the why's and where's of these bridges and provide insights on what and how to model.

William Waithe, "The CN Weston Subdivision : Modelling freight operations of an urban industrial area"
A brief description of the subdivision as it was in the past and as it was in 2000 when we began operations will be followed by a description of the (proto-freelance) layout and how its design was retro-fitted to simulate the prototype.

Mike Walton, "Prototypical British Operation on the Lostock Junction Railway."
Windermere is a terminal station in England’s Lake District. In the summer of 1953, a weekday's operation started at 5:10 a.m. with the arrival of the 23:05 from London Euston. At the end of the day (23:05 p.m.) 20 trains had arrived, been reversed and sent back down the line.
On the "OO" gauge Lostock Junction Railway, these operations are replicated at a model of Windermere Station. There are mainly passenger trains but two goods trains arrive daily to be shunted according to daily train orders and sent back down the line. Simultaneously up to 10 trains weave their way around the 45' x 25' layout. In all it takes 10 skilled operators to run the layout. It has taken 12 years and over 140 operating sessions with several control system upgrades to develop this integrated method of operation.
The presentation will include an overall description of the railway (prototype and model), a description of the method used to compress the schedule and some insight into the traffic control methods.

Dave Battistel, "Rails into the Wilderness-The Port Arthur, Duluth and Western Railway"
This presentation focuses on the early history and construction of the PAD&W Railway. Political and financial intrigues will be highlighted, as well as the economic motivations for constructing line and will include many period and modern photographs.

Bill Trbovich, "The Algoma Central Railway"
The history of the Algoma Central Railway and its contributions to the development of the Soo and Northern Ontario.


Descriptions and update will be made as the information becomes available.