Benchwork construction (1)

Once the space was ready, cleaned, painted, and electrified, etc. We started building the Benchwork for the layout. For starters we had to cut some supports. We took 4x8 sheets and cut them down to 6 inch strips. This simple method allowed us to build our structure. The material used in the construction of the benchwork was sourced from a local woodworking plant. The material we purchased (cheap) was some product that the manufacture could not use and would probably thrown out, remember one persons trash is another persons Benchwork, recycling in action.

As you can see above, we started by laminating several pieces together to add strength so they could support our I beam structure and eventually the finished layout. The legs holding up the structure are made of 4 inch diameter PVC pipe. The height at the lowest point in the layout was established at 48 inches, and having a builder among us we were able to use his laser level to establish a correct measurement, the floor not being all that even.

As you can see on the photo, we painted the Benchwork the same color charcoal as the base of the lower walls.

The end of the year

Here we are at the end of 2010. For the Richelieu Valley, it’s been a year of heavy construction. For those who attended the open house in 2009 and returned this year, were surprised by all the changes.

The Benchwork is done and track placement has started. The day the first trains begin to move is fast approaching and we are looking forward to that moment in time.

Claude is the master of the handlaid switch.

Luc can create sequoia’s in no time at all.

Louis is helping kids and older kids using the timesaver.

The open house on December 4th and 5th , brought many visitors and a large percentage of them found great interest in the workshops given by Claude on handlaid switches, and by Luc who showed us how to make evergreens.
We would like to thank all the visitors that came to visit with us, and for all the kind and encouraging comments. Young or young at heart be sure to join us at next years open house, we are sure you will be pleasantly suprised.

Open House December 4th and 5th, 2010

Come and join us just before Christmas. Come and see how much we have accomplished since our last open house, you may be surprised. Members of the club will be there to greet you, and answer any questions you may have about the developments that have occurred in a year and what will be. We hope to see you in great numbers, remember put it on your calendar the first weekend of December open house Richelieu Valley Railroad. Don't forget.

Pierre L.

The track plan

Here is the first detailed look at what the Richelieu Valley RR should look like once we finish the layout. The layout is culmination of many months of planning and may I say a few lively discussions. What you see in the plan should be the finished product. We have finished the rough Benchwork, and other aspects are moving along nicely.

The layout represents the portion of the Eastern Townships from St-Jean sur Richelieu on the right side of the plan to Megantic on the left side. We are inspired by the real life beauty of the region but take license with what we can realistically achieve. We welcome any comments you may wish to make.

August 21st and 22nd at Exporail

Attention Railfans, The Richelieu Valleu will be at Exporail, put on at the Canadian Railway Museum in St-Constant, QC. We will be participating in «Small tains, big passions train show». We will once again have our timesaver, where young and old alike can show us there switching abilities, as well as meet greet and exchange train talk with members of the club.

Before / After (1)

September 2009

Mid-October 2009

Late April 2010

Progress of construction in early May

The work is progressing at great pace. We have stopped looking up to paint the ceiling, and all the lighting for the layout is now operational and perfectly works. I can tell we are so happy to talk to each other without getting neck pains. We have two types of lighting, neon fixtures that we use when working on the layout and small halogen fixtures approximately every three feet along the layout to give us ambiance once the layout is functional.

Panorama picture taken towards Bélanger Street. At the right,the entrance to the small workshop.

As you can see we have a magnificent blue background that really shows well when the halogens are lit. We plan on dressing up the background later just give us a little time.

Translated by Pierre Legault