Introduction

“Everything man creates or acquires begins in the form of desire...that desire is taken on the first lap of its journey, from the abstract to the concrete, into the workshop of the imagination, where plans for its transition are created and organized.

The first step is the formation of a definite, practical plan, or plans through which this transformation may be made.” ~ Napoleon Hill

This quote was taken from the book, Think and Grow Rich, which best describes how many exciting and successful ventures come to be, including the concept for De Winton Station circa 1915 “Old Town”, conceived by Barrie L. Roberts - the company founder.

Barrie & Jytte your hosts

Welcome to our home and my G-scale train displays. The era “circa 1915” depicts the year of birth of my father, Richard A. Roberts, a realtor who developed the property and the Valleyview Acres subdivision.

All of the trees were planted by his hand (and my back) with the exception of the grouping on the east side. These native poplar trees have now matured to provide an excellent wind shelter for the home, and to allow a certain amount of privacy.

My mother Joan's love of gardening gave me the inspiration to enhance the garden aspect of the garden railway. My parent's once beautiful vegetable gardens have been given up considering my personal handicap and the need for continual upkeep.

As you can tell by my writings, I have a certain respect and fondness for my ancestry, all of whom have served in the great World Wars of past, and then lived through the depression years. As a baby boomer, I did not experience first hand these events but I do appreciate the life that they had endured or sacrificed to provide to my generation and yours, the freedoms we now so easily take for granted.

It is time now for me to step up to the plate and to unselfishly give of myself to make this world a better place, in a manner that I am capable of - during this stage of my life, not despite of - but in particular because of my disability.

If you can imagine life at the beginning of the last century, you would see the hardships these pioneers had to face on a daily basis, just to survive at best! Let alone to strive and build this country into the booming mecca it is today.

The history of this development, along with the introduction of the steam train, which solidified this nation from the eastern to western coastlines and into the Yukon, all within the last 100 years, is truly amazing. I hope to immortalize that picture for future generations, to reflect and to be thankful for their own being.

We live in one of the most pristine places in the world, considering the atrocious events of the day and the continual sacrifices our young men and women are making overseas, to maintain these freedoms and luxuries.

The project is at times overwhelming, and I must give credit to my friends for their assistance, in particular to Jytte Birkholm who manages to maintain the garden and home, and provide a sense of sanity amongst the madness.

I have had the pleasure of entertaining several groups as they have visited my home to enjoy watching the trains run. In particular, the senior groups who are encouraged to bring lunches and to picnic for a few hours within the yard. The well treed park atmosphere, its water features, and full scale Western Town facade are just a few of the features that make this exhibit a unique and enjoyable place to visit.

I wish to enlist organizations or clubs that have the capacity of enlightening the hearts of the many underprivileged or disabled children and deserving seniors and would like to provide sponsorship for them to attend this venue.

As you approach the central entrance or breezeway, a railway mural and 3D station greets you. Once you step inside the caboose entry and go directly down to the lower level you will be surprised to see a "G" scale layout complete with scenery.

One of the enduring features of the side entry and the lower indoor layout are the hand painted murals. I believe they enhance a certain visual enjoyment as you watch and hear the trains travel past.

The workshop cabinets are distressed to resemble that of a vintage train station roadhouse. The “last spike” bedroom suite resembles a parlor car and is fashioned after a Pulman sleeping berth. The off-suite guest washroom has a wooden ceiling and walnut cabinet with a vanity sink. Curtained glass doors provide some vanity protection, however viewer discretion is advised.

This project will provide enjoyment for many cold winters to follow and is far from complete, yet still far enough along to provide the vision I have for the basement - a livable guest area with an action filled railway theme.

Enough said, now please enjoy your pictorial visit to De Winton Station Garden Railway, and plan to visit us on your next trip to the Calgary area.

Barrie L. Roberts, Chief Engineer of Operations

Thanks for visiting!

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