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 Concept for
A Series of Historical
Miniature Rail Exhibits
in several scales and showcased in
replicated railway stations demonstrating the evolution of regional
communities
One of the primary features of the Forth Junction Community Heritage
Rail Park is an interactive and
interpretive world-class miniature replication
of the railways and landmarks
of Red Deer and Central Alberta demonstrating the economic evolution
of the region and the role of the railway from 1890 to the present as part of that evolution.
Landmarks
may include the Mintlaw trestle and other
Central Alberta bridges, a number of railway stations, rail yards
and spurs in downtown Red Deer, rail-oriented industries and
landmark hotels.
A variety of modelling scales
from N (1/160) to HO (1/87) to G (1/22.5) may be used. Some may be
adaptable modules for expansion during special events.
A series of historic time
periods
The model rail museum will eventually feature several historic time periods
as interactive and accurately-portrayed operational miniature
replications of the era including railway infrastructure, landmarks,
environment and community characteristics:
1892
The coming of the railway and beginnings of Red Deer
as
regional distribution centre
1913
The building of the ACR & CNWR; the headiness of rail and municipal expansion
1939
The glory of passenger service; the end of the
depression as the region prepares
for war
1955
A time of transition
from steam to diesel and the start of passenger service
decline
1967
Canada's centennial train visits Red Deer
1985
End of an era -- the last scheduled passenger train
in Central Alberta
2005
Alberta
centennial and a decade since Red Deer rail yard relocated from
downtown 1991
 Featuring
1/8 scale Operating Replica of
CPR F2a Jubilee 4-4-4 3001 'The Chinook'
Only 5 of these semi-streamlined class of locomotive were built; only one ran
in Western Canada -- No. 3001 that powered 'The Chinook' passenger
service between Calgary and Edmonton. Not only was the 3001 scrapped
but so were the other four. The Forth Junction Project's long term
vision includes the
exact replication of this historic locomotive preferably in 1/8 scale.
More information on Jubilee
3001
Inspiration for the 'miniature-world' element of the rail park has come
from several sources including EnterTrainment Junction in
Cincinnati, OH, San Diego CA Model Railroad Museum, Miniatur
Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany and the developing Our Home and
Miniature Land in Toronto. Smaller exhibits have also been
inspirational including those at the Didsbury Museum, Innisfail
Historical Village and the Revelstoke Railway Museum. Annual events
have also inspired this concept including Supertrain in Calgary and
Alberta Free-mo in Big Valley.
1.& 2. Photos of child at FreeMo and model railway at Revelstoke
Railway Museum by Paul Pettypiece;
3. Photo of early 1900s train near Red Deer. Red Deer Archives;
4. Photo of Mintlaw trestle under construction 1911. Red Deer
Archives P2631;
5. Photo of Jubilee 3000 train 1955 W.H.N. Rossiter via Trainweb
website;
6.
Photo of CNR Red Deer station 1955. Red Deer Archives p-136-5;
7. Photo of Red Deer railyard 1985 by
Paul Pettypiece;
8. Photo of Jubilee 3000 locomotive 1953 J.F. Beveridge, Dave Shaw
collection via Trainweb website
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