Exporail in St-Constant

The modelling get together at the train museum in Delson is now a thing of the past. Judging by the size of the crowd it was a rousing success. We would like to thank all those who stopped by the display. It’s true we were at the entrance to the museum, but it was great to see the people head right for our display.

We had 4 people manning our booth, Nathalie, Luc, Jean-Claude, and Sylvain, we warmly thank them for there time.

Youngsters were lined up to get a hold of the controls, and manipulate a train in Pine Station. We did notice that a lot of children young and old alike jumped at the chance to use the controls while Moms and Dads stood back and marvelled at the sight of the kids manipulating the enormous control or perhaps they were just a little overwhelmed by all the buttons. But there is no denying that children today are not intimidated by electronic gadgets. The way they were handling the controls you would swear they where born with a controller in there hands.

Many people were interested in the materials used in the construction of the layout, while others were fascinated by how the layout was decorated wondering how they can use the ideas on there own layouts. It was a real pleasure getting good wishes and exchanging ideas on different construction methods.

The next chance to greet the public will be on November 28 & 29 at 5356 Belanger at the home of the Richelieu Valley Railroad and the Vermont & Essex. We look forward to seeing you and exchanging more great ideas.

Origin of the Richelieu Valley (part 1)

28th of February, 2009 what a memorable day. In hindsight, no one could have predicted that the Pine Valley and Vermont and Essex club would become partners in a joint project.

On this Saturday morning, six Pine Valley members went on to visit the beautiful “Café de la Gare” at the invitation of the Vermont & Essex train club. While strolling through the premises with our hosts, an excellent cappucino in hand, we ended up in an unoccupied room adjacent to the “Café de la Gare”. Questions, comments and answers started to fuse. The conversation became more focused; eventually a clear and precise proposal emerged ; why not move the Pine Valley Club to this room? The project is enthralling, and full of enthusiasm, we undertake to go back to the members of the Pine Valley Club to present them this superb proposal.

However, the project will be the subject to long discussions throughout the following months. Eventually, half of the membership elects to decline the offer and to remain on the rue Angers premises. The other half, curiously the six members that had visited le “Café de la Gare” in February, accept the proposal of the Vermont & Essex Train Club and enter into a lease agreement for the vacant Bélanger premises. Vermont & Essex, ten year in existence, will thus host a new railway modelist group : The Richelieu Valley Club. Since then, three new members have joined the founding group.

This union presents several advantages: sharing of expenses, regrouping of passionate modelists, improved efficiency in the organization of promotional activities, but most importantly, the reunion of enthusiastic modelists happy to meet one another and chat about their passion: the railways of North-East America.

As to the day-to-day operations, the two groups agreed that each club will keep its own identity and remain two well-distinct clubs. Of course, there will discussions and exchanges of good will, and state-of –the art modeling technologies, but each club will remain autonomous and free to decide where and how to operate its railway grid. Each will develop its geographic territory and will develop it at it sees fit. At the same time, the experience and expertise of the Vermont & Essex Club is already rubbing off on the members of the Richelieu Valley. First, the designation Richelieu Valley designation as new name is not a hazard. Although we wished to center our core activities on Quebec railroads that we have been modeling for many years, we eventually wanted a liaison with the Vermont & Essex grid. Vermont & Essex is modeling the Bellows Falls –St-Alban line. Thus the Richelieu region became interesting to our eyes. Swiftly, we modeled a railway line between Montreal and Halifax, with a junction at St-Jean along the Richelieu, meeting with Vermont & Essex at St-Alban. Already, this link allows for passenger trains to circulate between Washingthon and Montreal.