Large Scale Live Steam Railroading On "The Route Of The Hazel Nuts" - Model Train Help BlogModel Train Help Blog

February 4, 2006

Large Scale Live Steam Railroading On “The Route Of The Hazel Nuts”

About 25 years ago Bill Taylor had a dream. He wanted to build an outdoor live steam railway in the woods around his home in Charleswood. Bill was an avid model railroader and had a 750 sq. ft 1000 foot HO model railroad in his basement that started in 1969. Bill also liked going to the N.M.R.A. “National” conventions and each year a side tour to a live steam railway would be featured.

Today Bill Taylor is President of THE ASSINIBOINE VALLEY RAILWAY. The AVR is 1.5″ (1.6″) scale 7.5″ gauge and is located on a seven acre site immediately west of Assiniboine Park (nicknamed “The Route Of The Hazel Nuts”).

The railway started in 1995 and currently has 56 members. Club members spend most Saturday afternoons working. The club currently has 3 diesel locomotives, one box cab under construction and several steamers under construction by various members and about 18 cars plus 10 more under construction. The AVR use aluminium rail on wood ties on ballast and sub-roadbed construction with a ruling radius of 50’.

A massive 5,400 feet of track is on the ground. The main line is 3700’ with seven passing sidings. There is a turning wye and movable 12 foot lift for unloading.

The picture above shows #202 is now re-painted in old CPR colours and lettered for the AVR. Was first run in her new colours at the October open house in 2005.

Club members have built a 24’ x 12.5’ station that serves as a club room and will store up to 12 pieces of equipment in an attached dog house. A four track car barn measuring 31’ x 10’ has been built for additional rolling stock and miscellaneous storage, along with a 14′ x 10′ maintenance building.

The live steam railway winds through an aspen and hardwood forest making for an enjoyable ride. Main line will allow travel in both directions for a total run of 7400’ and a time of 25 minutes plus waits for opposing traffic. An automatic CTC signal system which also operates the switches is being planned.

The AVR Club operate five open house weekends for the public on the 2nd weekend of June to October, plus a Christmas light run every evening in December (with 984 riders in one night). Club members give about 15,000 rides per year and welcomes visitors.

Above photos from THE ASSINIBOINE VALLEY RAILWAY show CAR #572 and an earlier construction shot of mounting the door details into the side of the car.