Superb Prototype Modelling Scheme

[Blazeman]

Take a look at this satellite photo. I'm (day job) working on a transfer option  in the Thunder Bay area. I'll scout a possible location using these photos to do a preliminary feasibility evaluation. In this instance, CN has advised they do not access the site due to a tight radius leading to it that limits rail access using four axle locomotives, meaning only CP can switch.

But taking a wider view of the area and the rail layout, it seems like a modeler's dream. Interchange track, lots of crossovers, tight curves, holding yards and industry. Life imitates art.

https://www.google.com/maps/@48.359275,-89.3052811,350m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

[davefoxx]

I love this tight curve between two turnouts, almost as if a model railroader was trying to jam in two commercial turnouts to make it work, i.e., Ed's law at work.

https://www.google.com/maps/@48.358956,-89.3047258,50m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

DFF

[Missaberoad]

Oh my, Thunder Bay is absolutely a modelers dream, and an argument for switching puzzles.

Has been on my short list for prototypes since I first visited in my teens.

That location is the Bombardier (former Hawker Siddeley) Passenger car plant, it is where all the Bombardier Commuter cars are built.
To the south is the former Great lakes paper co. Mill, now owned by Resolute Forest Products it is one of the biggest paper mills in the world. (although constantly threatened by closure)

Elsewhere in the city is/was at least 2 other paper mills, a coal port, potash port, two iron ore facilities (closed in the 1980s), a Petro distributor, scrap metal dealers, bulk transfer port, Shipyards, Chemical plants, a Freight car ferry to Duluth/Superior, a coal fired power plant, and dozens of giant terminal elevators. (up until the 1990's Thunder Bay was the largest grain handling port in the world.) an much more if I really started to dig

Add to that a literal maze of trackage with diamonds, odd switches and lift bridges everywhere with both CP and CN sharing trackage.
Impossible to model but both CP and CN had "Rider" hump yards well into the 1960s/70s, well past the point they were deemed unsafe.

Have to love scenes like this
http://www.railpictures.net/photo/324477/

Or this swing bridge with roads on either side
http://www.railpictures.net/photo/279407/
http://www.railpictures.net/photo/259705/

A Bombardier car in a sea of grain
http://www.railpictures.net/photo/281114/
http://www.railpictures.net/photo/276521/

Terminal elevators (some)
http://www.canadamalting.com/cm/images/locations/thunder-hero.jpg

 

[Missaberoad]

Here's a photo of the Bombardier plant Judging from the surroundings late 80s early 90s.

and a Metrolink car under construction
http://www.trainweb.org/mpa/metrocarconstruc.jpg

Interesting fact, during the war the plant (then under Canadian Car and Foundry ownership) was converted to build Hawker Hurricanes
http://img.src.ca/2016/05/05/635x357/160505_w92oi_rci-m-plant_sn635.jpg
http://silverhawkauthor.com/images/site_graphics/Aviation/Ontario/Canadian_Car__Foundry_Hawker_Hurricane_Mk._I_Fort_William_MIKAN_No._3650866.jpg
 

[C855B]

I love this tight curve between two turnouts, almost as if a model railroader was trying to jam in two commercial turnouts to make it work, i.e., Ed's law at work.

https://www.google.com/maps/@48.358956,-89.3047258,50m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

Wow. That curve can't possibly be negotiable by anything bigger than a 25-tonner or similar 4-wheel industrial switcher. Or a Trackmobile.

[Missaberoad]

I almost forgot, Thunder Bay also had 2 Hullett Unloaders used by CP to unload Steam engine coal... 

I've been to the spot where they were, would love to find a picture of them...

[Scottl]

That is sure an interesting location to model.  Only thing missing is intermodal.

[Missaberoad]

That is sure an interesting location to model.  Only thing missing is intermodal.

CP's IMS facility closed in 2006, the last few years were pretty sad ~10 lifts a day, but back when the paper mills were humming there was quite a bit of intermodal on CP at least...

Keefer terminal handles what little intermodal remains. (mostly marine to truck, with rare container loading on railcars)

[Scottl]

Thanks.  A little prototype fiction could be added for interest based on that.  I can't figure out the CN vs CP there, but it is a nice set of opportunities.

[CNR5529]

You can even include a model railroader's workbench, complete with unfinished projects: https://www.google.com/maps/@48.4032951,-89.2234098,3a,47.4y,43.33h,86.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swGT1PpzoX-70VNdWNNCcQg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

[Missaberoad]

You can even include a model railroader's workbench, complete with unfinished projects: https://www.google.com/maps/@48.4032951,-89.2234098,3a,47.4y,43.33h,86.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swGT1PpzoX-70VNdWNNCcQg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Those Renaissance cars have been there for about 16 years... They were extra parts from when Via bought them in 2000, for the longest time they would just get moved from spur to spur inside the Keefer Terminal, Looks like they finally took them off the rails...  They are still under Via ownership, technically in storage...

[aikorob]

You can even include a model railroader's workbench, complete with unfinished projects: https://www.google.com/maps/@48.4032951,-89.2234098,3a,47.4y,43.33h,86.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swGT1PpzoX-70VNdWNNCcQg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

and wind turbines loads behind them

[jmarley76]

Wow, a modeler's paradise indeed!

Thanks for sharing! Now off to Goole maps for little while...