40 Years of rolling on down the tracks at North Bay's Clarion

Father’s Day marks the 40^th anniversary of the North Bay Model Railway Club.  

Back in 1975, John Kennedy, a former owner of what is now the Clarion Resort & Conference Centre, approached the owner of North Bay Hobbies who in turn recruited area Model Railroaders to help construct a display featuring a collection of model trains.

Thus, the North Bay Model Railroad Club took on the new responsibility of building  and maintaining the Pinewood Model Railroad Display.  

The display’s detailed trains, tracks, tunnel and buildings are lifelike.  The fun factor is the push button to start up the trains is accessible to everyone.

Peter Chandler designed the track plan while Bill Pearcy, Robert McIntyre, John Chandler and Harry Rayner and Son were all involved. Later, Elmer Wheeler, Val Croswell kept the line running. Current members Doug Cameron and James Lalande, along with Nick Rankin and Bill Vezina, helped with line replacements in the late ‘90s.

The club appreciates the continued support of the Clarion Resort & Conference Centre. Club member James Lalande says it has been great way to promote the hobby by running the trains for guests.

“The original owner was a member of the North Bay Model Railway Club, but they didn’t have an operating layout or the space to set up the tracks. John Kennedy offered up the spacious hallway.”

This Saturday, the Hotel and the Club hosted an open house marking the club’s 40^th year.

 Mayor McDonald was on hand for the celebration. McDonald congratulated both the hotel and the club members for their partnership in sharing the unique attraction with tourists and the community.

Lalande points out that many of the antique tin-plate trains on display were donated from family collections.

Lalande explains the model of a brown building along the track. “That model was made years ago. It is modelled after the original ice house that would have stood close to the CPR line, on the lake side of Oak St. Huge blocks of ice would have been cut from a frozen Lake Nipissing and stored for the rest of the year in straw.” Before electricity and refrigerators, ice blocks would be placed in a special cupboard to keep food cool. It was called an ice box.  

The next time you are at the Clarion, take the time to be delighted and push the button for the Pinewood Model Railroad trains to roll on down the tracks.