Message from Chief Engineer of Operations –

De Winton Station - has now quickly evolved from a personal desire to develop a home based retirement hobby project - into a major undertaking, that now has the potential to become a first class attraction. I have always been fascinated with the railroad, its history, romance and relationship to the growth of this nation. To now pass on this interest onto the next generation of rail fans will fulfill a desire to leave behind a worthwhile project or legacy that will carry on........ DSGRs primary concentration is to create a lasting exhibit for those who have had a similar connection with the steam era of railroading. De Winton Station Inc. will be the vehicle in which to support this dream. To provide the focus and support system required to encourage the development of a day visit location for the underprivileged and disabled children as well as for senior groups.

-- "Our product is Excitement" --

Excitement generated through the combination of the visual realistic scenery that surrounds you from all sides, friendships created with fellow train enthusiasts and the sense of freedom derived while you envision yourself traveling the winding mountain railways. The model toy trains of my youth inspired me to expand my learned abilities as a carpenter to create an imaginary world - far apart from the hectic pace of the modern city living. My modest 2 acre parcel at the southern outskirts of Calgary is the perfect location to conduct this venture. I do plan to retain the exclusivity of my offerings by not opening to the general public except for specified open house dates, once or twice a year, such as our “Grand Opening Extravaganza” event. All of our group bookings will be by advanced notification and confirmation prior to attendance.

Ol' Smoky - with Barrie L. Roberts CEO and friends

To see the smiling faces of children and the enthusiasm of the seniors when they visit - motivates me to encourage others to join us with the project. This driving force will inspire you to join the “DSGR’s Maintenance of Way Support Team”. I do not require or suggest that anyone spend any money towards the teams Input. Equity in the form of sweat (pun) generated from the physical activity of participating in the hobby is all I ask - having said that I do not object to the team running their own personal trains on the layout or providing tangible input towards the construction of the end product. Team sponsors can help to procure materials that will assist us to keep going with the model building, painting and landscaping aspects of our efforts.

I wish to avoid the start of - just another train club, as I myself do not feel comfortable as a club member, keeping pace at the beginner (entrance) level. What we are attempting to generate is a purpose. Within this “purpose” the members of the team can provide what ever assistance they themselves feel comfortable to do. As a “group with a purpose” we can work together towards developing the plan(s) to co-ordinate our efforts and to achieve the common goal.

Indoor “G - Scale" Layout - Photo album: - Hand painted murals accentuate the layout

The indoor layout comes complete with trestles, bridges, tunnels, portals, trees, mountains and water features. A small sampling is shown her. To view the exhibit in its entirety - please put a small group together and call for an appointed time.

The inside buildings are built from kits but have been hand painted and aged to enhance the realism aspect. The scenery will evolve over the coming years as attention to detail will prioritize during the winter seasons. A roundhouse is situated at the base of a waterfall feature and instead of the traditional turntable three double “Y” switches determine the track of choice into the building.

The indoor track plan has 21 operating track switches to control train movements plus 4 power transformers. The track is block wired to disable engines on sidings. Green/yellow indicator lights display which transformer or operator has control of any track section on the layout. I also run radio controlled trains by turning the track power on fully and controlling the engine speed and direction by the radio control. This then allows the engines to make their sound effects and generate smoke while stopped at the station plus have all the lights in the passenger cars working.

I find some enjoyment in taking the road less travelled and working out the problems or difficulties that I encounter along the way. Once I then overcome these obstacles a sense of accomplishment prevails. If I find the time I will surely have to write an operations training manual for the next generation of engineers.

There is 85 linear feet of hand painted wall murals in the basement.

The artist- Gordie Gorrie of Gorrie Art.

One of four control stations – the layout design is shown here. The secondary blue box splits the wiring requirements in the main panel. The two orange switch control boxes shown here are wired to handle the fifteen turnouts in this section. Two more orange switching control boxes are situated at other strategic locations. One is shown next to me in the picture below and the other is in the guest room, to handle the double “Y” turnouts approaching the roundhouse buildings. A separate transformer there provides the power for train movements into the maintenance depot.

The coaling tower stands next to the gravel supply depot at this busy maintenance yard at the intersecting point of the two separate main lines. A water fill stop is also located beside a CPR portable station depot on the main line not visible here. Trains must stop at the water tower while required switching is preformed to transverse between rail lines.

Periodic regular maintenance of the engines and rolling stock is required to keep the trains running smoothly!

To view a wonderful 55 picture collection of early photos of De Winton Station in the making as presented by Cindy Roberts of Angel Marketing, (Barrie’s daughter – a web page designer) click on this link.

http://www.angel-marketing.com/trains.htm

The De Winton Station- this limited addition resin model kit is now part of a module static display that can be linked together with others as shown below.

This rail station building is now an integral part of a 4’ x 8’ modular display complete with an adjoining farm yard (with sound effects), a stagecoach station and a small Indian village. A mural backdrop of a rural western town scene at Christmas time completes the winter scene in Alberta

Plans for this modular display now are to extend into a four track yard, for extra engine and railcar storage, as a static display within the breezeway.

~Quick Highlighted Tour ~

E-Mail - dsgr01@telus.net ........ Page 3 of 6