A VIDEO

 A short video of the layout was published recently by a modeler friend, Burr Stewart of Seattle.  He has been doing a lot of good work these last two years to promote the fine modeling of the modelers of the Pacific North West.  His efforts have helped many a modeler to retain their sanity and to get through the drudgery of the restricted life forced on us by the Pandemic.  The raw video was shot during an operating session some years ago.  He contacted us seeking permission to work up a presentation of the layout with the footage he had taken.  We readily agreed and are pleased to provide a link here to the finished work. Part 18 - Canadian Pacific RR action on the HO Kettle Valley Subdivision of the "Southern Mainline" - YouTube

The footage is surprisingly good considering that it took place during an operating session where he was actually working several trains. Sessions on the KVMR demand attention to the job in hand so Burr did miss one or two small things on his assignments as he mentions in his commentary.  Nevertheless, we are glad he did pause to record the event as the video turned out well.

One of the trains he ran was Extra 3628 West, the mine turn out of Brookmere to Princeton which is a popular choice of assignments for those who like switching.  Here is seen lifting the loads out of the Tulameen Collieries spur.  He will then set out the empties and continue on the return leg of his assignment.  On the upper level a short way-freight is holding the siding at Iago for a meet.

 He also ran a Passenger train, No. 11, the westbound Kootenay Express which is seen crossing the Tulameen Bridge at Mile 71.7. Towards the end of the video he is piloting Extra 5783 East across the Bridle Veil Falls Trestle on the Coquihalla Subdivision.  Between assignments, he was able to shoot a Westbound freight, No. 79, transiting the upper canyon which happens to have in its consist, the cars he had previously set out at Coquihalla summit from his earlier mine turn.

 Burr's efforts make us realize how much we need to do more filming of the layout in operation as it is quite interesting.  This will happen eventually, but right now the project in hand is a major expansion of the layout to include about 45 feet of mainline on each of the two levels.   Details to come.

Coquihalla Man