Mike McGrattan Memorial Train - Photo Thread

[bbussey]

The video of the McGrattan Memorial Train visiting the B&NL is complete.

[jereising]

Great video, Bryan!

[Philip H]

Well done Bryan!

[Cumbo2000]

Bryan,

Very well done ...

Bob Witt

[davefoxx]

@BCR 570,

I sent you an email this morning with my choice of photo and caption for the magazine article.  I hope you receive it and can make use of my contribution.  Thanks for your efforts.

DFF

[CNR5529]

March 22, 2017 — Montreal Qc, Canada

After its stop in New York City, the Mike McGrattan Memorial Train was brought north to Albany NY. via the New York Central System, where it was handed over to the Delaware and Hudson Railway. Famed D&H Blue Bonnet PA1s pulled the train further north over the Adirondack subdivision through Rouse's Point NY and Delson Qc, before finally arriving in Montreal at Canadian Pacific Railway's Windsor Station. Unfortunately, much of this leg occurred at night under the cover of darkness, making it very difficult for photographs to be taken.

Early this morning, the multiple displays which are being carried in the baggage car were brought into the main concourse hall at Windsor station for public exhibition. The train was quickly backed 2 miles down to the Glen coach yards, where CPR's finest carmen and mechanics will perform a number of inspections and execute any necessary repairs to the consist under the watchful eye of the tour organizing committee. These men and women, who are usually assigned to the maintenance of the flagship trains such as The Atlantic Ltd., The Dominion and The Canadian, will ensure that the Memorial Train is in tip top shape before heading on to Toronto this Friday.

More to come over the next few days...

[CNR5529]

March 24, 2017 - Montreal Qc to Toronto On, Canada

Montreal dispatch confirmed that the Memorial Train left last night at 18:00, bound for our nation's Capital. All along the route to Ottawa, station platforms and road crossings were packed with people saying one final "Adieu" to our dear friend. A special ceremony was held at Capital Hill this morning, honouring Mike's many accomplishments.

This afternoon the train will be arriving in Toronto, and will be prepared overnight for a number of round trips throughout this part of the province. The CPR, CNR, Ontario Northland and Algoma Central railways have been jointly planning a circle tour that will highball at 09:00 tomorrow morning from Union Station.

Hope to see you there!

[CNR5529]

March 25, 2017 - Northern Ontario (N Trak Roadshow Layout on display at the Doubleheader's layout tour in Kitchener Ontario)

Toronto's Union Station is always a busy place. Today though, there is an extra special train on track 4 attracting all sorts of attention:



Earlier this morning a CNR switcher arrived with a Puddington Valley Railway gondola that National Steel Car had refurbished and outfitted with benches for the occasion. The train will be heading north today for a tour over the rails of the CNR, ONR, ACR and CPR, and passengers will be able to ride in the open air car. The mysterious conductor that had been watching over the Memorial Train for its journey across North America appears to be personally inspecting the addition of PVR 2016 to the consist.



CNR Pacific 5549 will take the special train as far north as North Bay. Behind it are a pair of GMD1 locomotives which will pull a pilot train ahead of the Memorial Train (The pilot train was made up of customized, kitbashed or scratchbuilt passenger cars from member of the NTrak Roadshow group). The pilot train ran a half hour ahead of the Memorial Train, and served as a protect consist ensuring the Memorial Train's safety throughout the trip.



The two trains quickly left the urban landscape behind, and traveled along the shores of Lake Simcoe with a load of passengers in PVR 2016.



Business car Michael McGrattan, along with PVR 2016 travel through the serene Muskoka region. The mysterious conductor looks on as the scenery rolls by.



Once the train arrived at the ONR shops in North Bay, Ontario Northland 1515 took over from CNR 5549 for the next leg of the trip. The ONR will take the train as far north as Hearst.



The Memorial train travels through the rugged environment of the Canadian Shield.



In Hearst, the Memorial Train was transferred over to the Algoma Central, where an A-B lashup would take the train back south.



The Algoma Central is known for its route through the Agawa Canyon. We see the Memorial Train gliding over the canyon here.



Finally, the CPR was supposed to take the train back to Toronto, but the trip was extended slightly to Leah Saskatchewan. The pilot train can be seen behind the station and freight shed.



The Memorial Train would run into the sunset, under the watchful gaze of Prairie grain elevators.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many of us had met Mike at local area train shows, and had been inspired by his work over the years. He was a true gentleman, accomplished modeler, and all around great guy. It was amazing how many people at the layout tour recognized the train, and the PVR gondola. Mike, you are missed by many people.

From all of us at the NTrak Roadshow, it was a privilege and honour to be able to pay our respects to our departed friend by hosting the Mike McGrattan Memorial Train.

[Lemosteam]

Brilliant conversion of the PVR gon!  Very creative and thoughtful.

[peteski]

Yes, very nice photo essay, and a great utilization of Puddy's gondola.

[jmlaboda]

Brilliant conversion of the PVR gon!  Very creative and thoughtful.

If Mike were still with us I am sure he would be pleased!!!  Great job!!!

[CNR5529]

Thanks guys. Props should go to @davefoxx too for the idea. I was just lucky enough that the timing worked out!

[CNR5529]

March 29, 2017 - Golden Horseshoe, Ontario (Burlington Model Railway Club)

The Mike McGrattan Memorial Train will be handed off to its next official host this weekend, however I was invited by @Paradise275 to bring the special train down to the BMRC (a club that I participated with while living in Burlington a few years ago). The tour of southern Ontario continues...

Although the CPR had extended the last leg of the journey to Saskatchewan, the Memorial Train did eventually make its way back to Toronto. We caught up with the train today, now behind CPR Pacific 2402, at the Hamilton James Street Station. CNR 6401 was just cut off the train, having taken it for a short trip to Niagara Falls.



The Niagara Escarpment has always posed challenges for the railways in the area, often requiring double headers, however the train is in safe hands with 2402 at the lead.



The Memorial Train soon made its way to Dundas Station on the original Grand Trunk route.



A local landmark which lies a little further down the line is the Canada Crushed Stone quarry and screen house. The Memorial Train rolls by on its way out of the Dundas Valley.



Finally we see the Memorial Train crossing the trestle at Hidden Valley Park (which happens to be where the BMRC is located).

[p51]

I didn’t know Mike at all and have never been into N scale.
All that said, I immensely enjoyed this thread and appreciate what he must have meant to many of you. We should all be so lucky to have friends like that!

[BCR 570]

Great photos and captions, and the gondola is a perfect touch.  Also great to see the Canadian steam in N Scale; don't see that too often.

Tim