|
|
The Alberta Central Heritage Model Rail Project:
A miniature replication of the history of rail transportation in
Central Alberta, particularly within the City of Red Deer and the
communities of Red Deer County.
The potential for
an attractor unique in Canada
 The locations of several towns
within the primary north-south corridor, two secondary north-south
corridors and the east-west corridor that
exist today are primarily the result of the building of four
railways through Central Alberta. Of particular significance is the
location and evolution of the city of Red Deer as the distribution
and transportation centre of the region as a result of it becoming
the divisional point of the area's most dominant railway, Canadian
Pacific, as well as Canadian National.
 With
much of the infrastructure destroyed, abandoned or relocated, the
historical significance of that process is being forgotten or is being remembered only as displays in
a handful of isolated community museums or unconnected, unknown and
misunderstood icons.
The Central Alberta Historical Model Rail Project is an effort to put
the whole process in perspective on a regional level so that residents,
historians, tourists and rail fans can see how the railway had a
profound effect on the development of the city of Red Deer, Red Deer County and Central
Alberta as we know it
today.
 An
interactive multi-scale historical model rail museum is being proposed as an alternative to a
full-scale railway museum that would normally have actual size displays.
It also has the advantage of recreating historic landmarks that no
longer exist and how they looked during different periods of time.
 A
miniature railway heritage centre using scale
models requires significantly less space than a full-size museum, fewer
skilled volunteers and minimal maintenance costs.
A multi-scale, multi-era, 3,500 sq. ft. (or more) historical model
rail museum is rare on this continent and practically non-existent
in Canada.
Even as a stand-alone project and done to a high standard, an
opportunity exists to create a facility that would attract tourists
and families from all over North America, and perhaps the world,
acting as a showcase for how the Red Deer area evolved.
 Done
in conjunction with other railway-themed attractors, including 'the
Crossing', 'the Junction', the replication of the historic Jubilee
3001 steam locomotive, the development of railway-themed Alexander
Way, the Forth-Mintlaw recreation corridor and tours of regional
historic sites, Red Deer and area could become known as a year-round
world-class place to visit resulting in tourism becoming one the
region's primary economic generators.
Historical Interactive Displays
Much significant rail infrastructure was built, modified, abandoned or
destroyed over the past 115 years that could be preserved in model form.
Various types of rail equipment that was used over the years can be
visually highlighted in operational displays that would otherwise be
impossible, or at least impractical, to duplicate in any other form.
 A series of miniature interpretive, interactive and operating displays
with moving trains and historically accurate models showing the more
significant eras of rail development in the city and the region will have
educational and entertainment value to both residents and visitors.
 A
representative layout could be done in as little as 1,500 sq. ft.
but a minimum of 3,500 sq. ft. would be necessary to make it
world-class and a viable tourist attraction.
To achieve maximum visitor attraction, the facility should be
located either in downtown Red Deer or other community close to both
the existing Canadian Pacific north-south main line and significant
sites of historic value with easy access by road and trail.
 The most significant eras in the development of communities, changes in
transportation trends and rail technologies affecting the municipalities
of Red Deer and the region occurred in the following time periods:
1890-92;
1910-14;
1936-40; 1948-55;
1983-86; the present; the future
 To make the project truly interesting and attract the greatest range
of visitors, various parts of the project would be built in
different scales* and changed annually.
Some of the miniature replications would be quite massive but very
impressive if recreated exactly to scale.
The ACR/CPR Mintlaw steel trestle
over the Red Deer River would be 13' long in N scale* and 22' long in HO
scale.
 The
former downtown Red Deer CPR railyards, if recreated exactly, would
need 24' in N scale and that would not include the lead track and
the bridge across the Red Deer River. In HO scale, the yard would
need a length of about 42'.
Although some selective compression may be necessary to model any extensive rail facility,
the goal is recreate the area as accurately as possible, including
other historic buildings in the downtown area.
Complimenting the operating model railroad displays would be dioramas,
local railroad memorabilia, historic photographs, videos and other
interpretive displays either within the model museum itself or in
another part of the overall complex.
A necessary component of the project is a workshop area for working
on future displays and for hands-on seminars about various aspects
of model building and heritage preservation that would be
particularly educational for youth. Other amenities could include a snack bar, bookstore, souvenir
booth and model supply store.
Other
world-class model rail museums
* The largest component would likely be in the more popular HO scale
(1:87 - max. car height 3.5") possibly using the Freemo modular
system which could be expanded easily during meets or conventions
with modules from all over Alberta. A component using N scale (1:160
- max. car height 2") has the advantage of much more railroad in
much less space. Even smaller is Z scale (1:220 - max. car height
1.5"). The larger O Scale (1:48 - max. car height 6.5") is best for
really detailed modelling but requires considerable space to run
trains. And finally, G scale or Garden scale (1:22.5) can also be
represented, often used in an atrium or garden setting. There are
also larger scales, best suited for outdoor railways and capable of
carrying passengers including 1-1/2" Live Steam (1:8).
|
