Fenwick Model R/R
Follow up November 22/25.
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Last Saturday we struck out in our tiny Smart Car for another adventure in Niagara’s rolling country side on our way to the village of Fenwick. Not many of our friends are as adventuresome as Joan and I and they are missing some of the most scenic landscapes in Ontario. From wine country to peach and apple orchards to winding roads into dense forests and fine country estates, the views are changing every few minutes of our drive.
Fenwick is a small village made up of many treasured old homes and recently many smart folks have appreciated the charm and appeal of this country town and new houses have been added to the landscape.
The historic “Quaker house” that houses the rail layout is a modest wooden structure that was a meeting house since the late 1800’s. Since 1984 it has been the home of the Fenwick model railroad club. In that time the membership of over 20 enthusiasts has maintained and cared for this heritage site. They have recently painted and upgraded the heating and added air conditioning lighting and fans and created the most fantastic layout any railroad enthusiast could conceive. Tens of thousands of dollars and thousand of hours have gone into this work of art, sadly not to be appreciated by some unimaginative members of council. It is hard to imagine how some people can be so blind as to NOT recognize this beaming Gem in their midst. I must admit that I do have a special interest in trains. What young boy did not have some sort of train set in his youth?
When we arrived in Fenwick, we found a hive of activity and the downtown square was alive with people standing outside the old Quaker meeting house. Parking was a premium and many had to walk a fair distance to the hall. Inside was elbow to elbow humanity smiling and enthralled by the presentation before them. The members were all busy with the task at hand, keeping the rolling stock active, linking cars to engines and maintaining travel on the endless road of track. A keen eye will notice a worker falling off a wooden trestle bridge with another worker scratching his head as to where his friend has disappeared to. These models are only about 1 cm. and everything is to scale.
John Brown, a seasoned member spoke proudly of the work that has gone into this display and how wonderful it was to have welcomed about 6 new young men as members, all in their teens and so happy with their new hobby. This was a very pleasant afternoon and I must admit that I was blown away. There is a similar size layout at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota Florida that I will never forget. Fenwick has a better one!
Please sign the petition to save the Fenwick model railway.
Paul D. Scott Welland