IBLS - User contributions [en]

Comanche & Indian Gap Railroad

2026-08-21T18:41:54Z

Dnevil: /* Models */

[[Category:Tracks]]

[[File:SantaFeCaboose999187 CGI.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Santa Fe caboose 999187 at the [[Comanche & Indian Gap Railroad]]. Photo by [[Daris A Nevil]], July 2015.]]
The Comanche & Indian Gap Railroad is a private track located near Comanche, Texas. It was built by [[Roy Pickard]] and family and friends.

== Meets ==

=== 2025 SWLS Fall Meet ===

<youtube>g4JWC1lrlik</youtube>

=== 2023 Spring Fling Meet ===

'''A View from West Yard on the C&IG''''
<youtube>S1Q2fOZktlM</youtube>

'''Riding the Comanche & Indian Gap'''
<youtube>niABjqcu_xw</youtube>

=== 2022 SWLS Spring Meet ===

<youtube>MzJKmB6D2B8</youtube>

=== 2021 Spring Fling ===

<youtube>bql8LAzFAWI</youtube>

=== 2020 Fall Meet ===

<youtube>H6D9dVD0Ry4</youtube>

=== 2018 Spring Fling ===

See [[Comanche & Indian Gap Railroad 2018]]

=== 2017 Fall Meet ===

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px perrow=2>
File:CIG Fall Meet 2017 Cason F3-ABBA.001.jpg
File:CIG Fall Meet 2017 Click F7 001.jpg
File:CIG Fall Meet 2017 Click F7-ABBA.003.jpg
File:CIG Fall Meet 2017 Click F7-ABBA.004.jpg
File:CIG Fall Meet 2017 IMG 1741.jpg
File:CIG Fall Meet 2017 The Chief.jpg
</gallery>

=== 2016 Spring Ops Meet ===

The annual Spring Operations Meet was held the week of March 6, 2016. In spite of heavy rain the meet was a great success.

Danny Click wrote the following:

: We started the re-building of the C&IG in late February of last year. In 12 months we have re-laid and refurbished over 3,000' of C&IG mainline.

:* 1,500' of steel rail. Mainly on the outside rail of the curves.
:* Nearly 4,000 EP plastic ties, 500 concrete ties. Plus about 500 new wood ties.
:* Over 18,000 screws.
:* About 35 tons of ballast and another 30 tons of road base.

: We have some really good track now in some critical areas around the railroad, however, this place is huge we have several more years to go. That is just fine with us because for the Friends of the C&IG the journey is the fun! Stay tuned.

== Renovation ==
=== April 2026 ===

Craig Stoops, C&IG Roadmaster, posted:

: A work session was held the 1st week of April 2026, and a lot of work was completed getting ready for the spring meet:

:* Re-leveling and re-ballasting Tlaquepaque to Anasazi
:* Owens Junction erosion and track dip
:* Pickard Gap winter storm rock slide damage. Replacement of damaged track section. Dug out the ROW to allow clearance for engine foot pegs
:* Welding repairs on Lehnis Bridge
:* Removal of dead trees hanging over the track
:* Mexican hat tipple track wash out 1st order repairs.
:* Crossing at the HE&WT smash gate was removed, cut and re-welded to fix the rabbit derailments.
:* HE&WT track repairs at known derailment areas. Began track leveling project.
:* Repainting of signage continues
:* Rolling stock repairs

: In Oct 2025 track maintenance work resumed after a 2 year hiatus with the leveling and re-ballasting of all 4 approaches to Slo Order.

=== August 2016 ===
Danny Click posted on Facebook, August 2016:

: While working on the railroad, we always marvel at what Roy was able to build and accomplish. It is truly amazing. We will complete a section of the railroad and think about how much we accomplished that week look around and realize how big the railroad is! I wanted to see exactly how much of the railroad we have touched so far so I grabbed a track plan and highlighted the areas we have re-built or re-furbished in the last year and a half. The photo is below. I know Roy would enjoy the progress we've made and laugh out loud at the looks on our faces each time we look up covered in sweat and dirt and realize how far we have to go!....and love every minute of it! Most folks don't work as hard as we play!

[[File:CIG Renovation as of August2016.jpg|thumb|center|500px]]

== History ==

From [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=90539&p=218834&hilit=mid+central#p218834 Brian], posted on Chaski.org:

: Roy and Marylin Pickard began this railroad way back in the late 70's - early 80's. It is the first point to point live steam railroad built and designed exclusively for operation, with dispatchers, radios, freight trains, and passenger trains running via timetable.

: It takes a great amount of effort nearly year-round to maintain and then prepare the railroad for the runs in the spring and fall. The irregulars provide service from cutting brush, repairing and maintaining right of way and trackage, building and maintaining signals, and servicing and rebuilding rolling stock. We have folks that come from all over, and some of the gypsies have recently rebuilt one of the major steel bridges and a turntable.

From [http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?3,2659543 Tom], posted on Trainorders.com:

: In the late 1970's Roy Pickard bought a ranch near Priddy, Tx. He went to Texas A&M to learn how to raise cows so that he could get a agricultural tax exemption on the land. His real purpose was to build a live steam railroad, the Comanche and Indian Gap. It would be spread over about 150 acres of rolling land, some heavily forested and other parts out in the open.

: Roy and his son built about 80% of the railroad moving a lot of dirt and rocks to provide a right of way. Word spread about it and some came to see what he had done before it was finished. Some said he was crazy, others just thought he was a little nuts. But, in spite of that some started helping and the railroad main line was finished. It had to cross some creeks, one in particular called Cowhouse Creek which required a 120 ft bridge that ranged to a height of 10 ft over the Creek,and rise up some tough hills with plenty of curvature. Some parts such as the "raceway allowed you to "come out" on the throttle if only for a 150 yards, then it was back to curves and grades.

: Roy wasn't just building a live steam track, he was building a railroad complete with many passing tracks and sidings for freight trains to work. It was to be operated as a real railroad, dispatched by radio controlling train movements and meets. Roy made use of concealment of the track in wooded areas. In some places you would be close to another part of he mainline of the railroad and not even know it when trees and bushes were leafed out. The track ran from 3 terminals, West Yard, Comanche Yard, and Indian Gap each with a turntable and water spouts. It had tower 17, a tall structure that seated the dispatcher and a CTC machine for the Zuni (Tower 17) tracks and wye. It was the nerve center of the railroad. Radios were early radio shack 5 channel radios with only 1/4 miles range and not really good at that.

: Roy's wife has said she will keep the meets going as long as she lives. All maintenance is now done by a small group of men who come to the track about 4 weekends a year plus all those who come to meets work on track Monday-Wednesday, and then run the rest of he week. The tracks 31 year history has almost a complete turnover in those who now come to the meets. Many of the original group have passed away and others are so old now they just don't travel the long distances to get there anymore. Even I don't come but a couple of days now. Knees just can't do what they used to do. Father time can be a little cruel.

[[Terry McGrath]] wrote, 5 May 2014:

: I attended the spring meet at the C&IG, rode the trains, walked the mainline, spent some time in the West Yard. I found concrete ties and new wood ties, expanded ballast work along portions of the main line and working signals. Trains had little trouble with derailments and I noticed a lot of retainer walls to keep mud from sliding onto the mainline during rains. While the railroad needs much more work, I have concluded that the C&IG is going to be around for many years to come. Peter is very enthusiastic about the future of the railroad, and has said the Pickard family is committed to keep operations going forward. If you are thinking of going to the C&IG's fall meet in October, right after the Terrell meet, consider taking your engine and some cars, as there will be even more work done on the railroad this summer.

In 2018 Peter Bryan put together a list of key people responsible for the development of the railroad. Please note that this list is not complete.

* [[Gene Allen]]
* Joe & Gwen Baily
* Lee Balkum
* [[Harry Bean|Harry "Scorcher" Bean]]
* Rick Bierman
* [[Henry Blossom|Hank & Myra Blossom]]
* Bob Blyth
* [[Ken Casford]]
* Billy Chaffin
* Doug Chancey
* [[John Enders]]
* Tom Enloe
* Harry Haas
* [[Truman Hefner|Truman & Vera Hefner]]
* Ernest Gerloff
* [[Alex Hitzfelder|Alex, Grace and Nick Hitzfelder]]
* Jack Green
* James Goodson
* [[David Hannah III]]
* Ralph Howels
* Loren Jennings
* [[Walter Johnson]]
* Tom Keenan
* [[Ed Leatherwood|Ed & Jean Leatherwood]]
* [[Jack Lucks|Jack & Shirley Lucks]]
* Lee Lyons
* [[Ed McCamey]]
* [[Terry McGrath]]
* [[Jim Murray]]
* Art Olds
* Jack & Lyrette Owen
* [[Roy Pickard]]
* Ben Pearlman
* Ed Rains
* Lynn Ratliff
* Joe & May Robertson
* Harry & Shirley Simpson
* Dan Spiner
* Mike Spoor
* [[Fred Springer]]
* Harold Staples
* [[C.T. Sumrall]]
* Jim "Tweetie" Tolson
* Julian Van Sickle
* K. Volrath
* Curt Werner
* Richard Wilms

== Gallery ==

<gallery widths="300px" heights="300px" perrow="2">
File:C&IG SlowOrderBridge LeeBalkam.jpg|Comanche & Indian Gap Railroad, Slo Order Bridge, photo from [http://www.balkum.com/lee.html Lee Balkham website]
File:GarrettBean 3420X ComancheIndianGap 2001 DiscoverLiveSteam.jpg|Seven-year-old Garrett at the throttle of his grandfather's (Harry "Scorcher" Bean) 1.5-inch Southern Pacific consolidation #3420X pulling out of the Indian Gap yard on the Comanche & Indian Gap Railroad in 2001. From [http://www.discoverlivesteam.com/photocontest/2001/photocontest2001-1.htm DiscoverLiveSteam.com]
File:CIG ComancheYard Fall1999 FrolinMarek.jpg|A view of Comanche Yard in the Fall of 1999. Photo by Frolin Marek.
File:TrumanHeffner Warbonnet CIG.jpg|Truman Heffer's 4-unit lash-up at the Comanche & Indian Gap Railroad. Photo by C. Randall Wilson.
File:CIG Spring Meet 20180426 by Danny Click 2.jpg|Comanche & Indian Gap RR Spring Meet 25 April 2018. Photo by Danny Click.
File:CIG Spring Meet 20180426 by Danny Click.jpg
File:JimRobison CompressorPowered 484 CIG byFrankPickard.jpg|Jim Robison built this 4-8-4 in 1.5 inch scale. It is shown here on the old hydraulic turntable of the Comanche & Indian Gap RR. Vance Nickerson said the locomotive was powered by a gas engine and compressor setup. Photo by Frank Pickard. Posted on Facebook, 20180509.
File:FrankMann 5001 CIG 20180127 Click.jpg|Frank Mann's 5001 arrived at Comanche & Indian Gap RR, 27 January 2018. It will rest here until repairs begin later this year. Photo by Danny Click.
File:FrankMann 5001 CIG 20180127 Click side.jpg
</gallery>

=== Pickard Gap ===

by Tom Stamey

Roy had named a lot of spots along the railroad, some for individuals, the bridge over helper, town of Gotebo, passing track of [[Martin Lehnis|Lehnis]], etc. We dept asking what he was going to name Pickard. He said absolutely nothing because if he did it would be kind of self serving and he was not into that because too many other people had helped.

The loop around Comanche had been a thorn in his side for years. He had tried everyway under the sun to cut through and could not. Dick Parker of Chicago came up with the idea of people chipping in to pay for a BIG bull dozer to come do the work. $100 a person was asked and paid. All without Roy knowing what was going on until the money had been collected and he was told about it (becuase he would have to get someone with a dozer out there). [[Truman Hefner]] and I paid for a plack to be made naming the cut "Pickard Gap" and surprised Roy with it at a ceremony regarding the last rail being laid in the gap. [[Jack Lucks]] videoed it.

== Models ==

<gallery widths="300px" heights="300px" perrow="2">
File:CIG HO Boxcar.jpg|An Athearn HO Reefer decorated in Comanche and Indian Gap colors.
File:CIG NScale Boxcar.jpg|An N Scale model bearing the Comanche and Indian Gap herald. From ebay.
</gallery>

[[Daris A Nevil]] built a caboose that approximates the Santa Fe Number 999187 that used to reside at the C&IG. See [[Building a Kitsap Caboose]].

== Video ==

<youtube>QAmjQNGe0Ns</youtube>

<youtube>qQZWcLmvGec</youtube>

<youtube>JPXP4WbwCik</youtube>

<youtube>ZyIL-Rg-rso</youtube>

<youtube>XNyc3XYj8B4</youtube>

<youtube>kkf3uWRjKYc</youtube>

<youtube>5H5a96H2F8w</youtube>

<youtube>70c_B4ng8gI</youtube>

<youtube>kNu5bL9PF2c</youtube>

=== Texas Live Steam ===

[http://www.grandscales.com/media/Texa.html Robinson and Associates] published a video titled "Texas Live Steam" in 2008. The following description of the C&IG is from their website:

: Robinson takes us to Roy Pickard’s Comanche & Indian Gap. Even though most of the railroad is just a few hundred yards from the rest of the railroad there is a wide variety of landscape in miniature. Portions of the railroad run through rolling hills with deep cuts and high fills. There are thick patches of bushes and small gnarled trees that make very believable scale woods. Other areas evoke a sense of broad grassy prairies with sun scorched earth.

: For the last hundred years the most common form of live steam “operations” has been heading out on the mainline loop and making sure you didn’t run into the train ahead of you. From the beginning Mr. Pickard wanted a railroad that would more closely replicate the activity of the prototype. This was a rather revolutionary idea in the live steam world thirty years ago. And the C&IG deserves credit for being a pioneer in live steam railroad operations.

<gallery widths=400px heights=400px>
File:TexasLiveSteam cover.jpg
File:TexasLiveSteam back.jpg
</gallery>

== Bibliography ==

* "The Comanche & Indian Gap RR", Peter R. Bryan, '''Model Railroader''', July 1997, Vol 64, Issue 7, page 74
* [http://www.digitalmediatree.com/tommoody/comment/23313/ Tom Moody comments and photos on C&IG]
* [http://sanjac.leoslair.com/resources/Derails/Derail-2010/derail-06-2010_derail.pdf 2010 Operations on C&IG The Drail]

== External Links ==

* [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=67620 Meet Report, May 2005, Chaski.org]

Main Page

2026-08-19T15:16:01Z

Dnevil: /* Features */

{|
|-
| style="width: 30%;" |
The International Brotherhood of Live Steamers promotes the "Live Steam" hobby in North America and abroad.
[[File:Join-free-today-88005155.jpg|right|150px|link=https://form.jotform.com/252368207129054]]
* '''[[Join the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers]]'''
* [[About the IBLS]]
* [[:Category:Beginners|Beginners start here]]

[[Special:AllPages|This wiki contains {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles.]]
| style="width: 40%;" |

: I'd like to thank IBLS and its contributing members for the articles and information which have helped tremendously in guiding me along

:: Gary Kasper

: The IBLS wiki contains a wonderful number of standards for the home hobbyist to integrate into their designs in order to properly interchange with other equipment

:: [https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=105288 Van Anderson]

: I feel it is my duty to pick my own brain and broadcast technical information that would be useful to others, thereby increasing the chances of prolonging The Hobby.

:: Paul C. Haar, former Secretary of the Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers

|}
== Features ==
[[File:TICH CAD Screenshot 7.jpg|thumb|right|300px|3D Model of LBSC's Tich by Jim Mullner]]

'''Hundreds of drawings are available in the [[Steam Locomotive Builders and Users]] Facebook page'''

'''[[Queensland Society of Model and Experimental Engineers|Bernard Clark sent us videos of the QSMEE's annual Track and Tent Event]]'''

'''[[TrueScale Hardware Company]] supplies scale nuts and bolts'''

'''[[J. Normand Martin|J. Normand Martin's amazing 1-inch scale train exhibited at Expo 67 in Montreal]]'''

'''[[Smallest Track Plan with Serious Play Value]]'''

'''[[3/4 Inch Scale Registry|Bill Yoder's 3/4 inch scale registry - first update for 2026 with 24 new iron ponies]]'''

'''[[Fred Springer|The Legacy of Fred Springer]]'''

'''[[The Art of Tube Bending]]'''

'''[[William_Fitt#Meauwataka_&_Wildwood_Railroad|The beginning and end of the Meauwataka & Wildwood Railroad]]'''

'''[[Women in Live Steam]]'''

'''[[IBLS Coupler Standard|IBLS Updates the Coupler Standard]]'''

'''[[Econogon|Build a String of Econogons]]'''

'''[[Queensland Society of Model and Experimental Engineers|Live steaming "down under" at the QSMEE annual Track and Tent event]]'''

'''[[Horace Shaw|The Legacy of Horace Shaw and the Whysall Light Railway]]'''

'''[[SteamScript|Live Steam programming language??!!]]'''

'''[[Ian Racer|Ian Racer and his scratch-built loco were featured in the December 2024 Newsletter of Speed Metals]]'''

'''[[Rail Expansion & Rail Joint Design|Ken Scheer discusses Rail Expansion & Rail Joint Design]]'''

'''[[Steam Locomotive Drawings|A comprehensive list of steam locomotive drawings]]'''

[[Special:AllPages|Click here]] for a comprehensive list of articles.

== IBLS Store ==

=== Patch ===

A high-quality, 6 color patch commemorating the founding of the [[IBLS|Brotherhood of Live Steamers]] by [[Charles A. Purinton|Carl Purinton]] in 1932. The patch is 3 inches high, 2.7 inches wide.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G9JXMRMBYWKFW Only $5.00US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase]

<gallery widths=150px heights=150px>
File:IBLS Patch v2013.jpg
</gallery>

=== 7.x Wheel Gauge ===

This [[IBLS Wheel Gauge|7.x inch gauge Wheel Gauge]] will make verification of your wheel profile easy. Measures flange, wheel angle, and Minimum Tire Width (TW). Printed in durable PLA plastic. Color may vary.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B636JNSXPRAQW Only $2.50US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase]

<gallery widths=150px heights=150px>
File:IBLS 7.x Wheel Gauge 20210428.jpg
</gallery>

=== 7.x Coupler Gauge ===

The 1.5 inch scale Coupler Contour Gauge will make verification of your coupler profile easy. Measures contour and coupler swing. Printed in durable PLA plastic. Color may vary.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=NX2W3SYB2KZBN Only $5.00US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase.]

<gallery widths=150 heights=150>
File:IBLS 1.5 Scale Coupler Gauge 20240815.jpg
</gallery>

== Regional IBLS Secretaries ==

* [[North America]]
* [[Australia]]
* [[Europe]]

== Standards and Recommended Practice ==
[[File:William Daney No147.jpg|thumb|right|300px|This heavy Pacific 4-6-2 was built in 1936 by William L. Daney, Pueblo, Colorado.]]
* [[IBLS Wheel Standard]]
* [[IBLS Coupler Standard]]
* [[IBLS Safety Chain Standards]]
* [[IBLS Track Standard]]
* [[Loading gauge]]
* [[Standards and Recommended Practice]]
* [[Boiler Inspections]]
* [[Threads|Bolt and Pipe Threads]]
* [[Texas Standard Tie Spacing]]

== Wandering Locomotive Books ==
[[File:Van Brocklin Number 28 scan July 11 2017.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Bill Van Brocklin and #28 on Carl Purinton's Boxford Outer Belt Railroad]]
* [[Winton Brown Engineering Data]]
* [[Koster's_Miniature_Railroad_Supplies,_Inc#Wandering_Locomotive_Book|Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies]]
* [[Lee_Wright|Lee Wright and Lee's Trains]]
* [[Jan-Eric_Nystr%C3%B6m#Baldwin_3003|Jan-Eric Nystrom's Baldwin 3003]]
* [[3/4 Inch Scale Registry|Bill Yoder's 3/4 Inch Scale Registry]]
* [[MDM_Locomotive_Works#Archive|Jim Murray and MDM Locomotive Works]]

== Articles by Category ==
[[File:Doug Massie UP Challenger.jpg|thumb|right|300px|3/4 inch scale live steam model of a Union Pacific Challenger built by D. W. Massie of Montreal, Canada.]]
* [[:Category:IBLS Secretaries]]
* [[:Category:People]]
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* [[:Category:Clubs]]
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== Articles of Interest ==

* [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]]

== Contributing ==

Have an idea for an [[IBLS]] article? Please [mailto:daris@nevil.org contact daris@nevil.org]

Steam Locomotive Builders and Users

2026-08-19T15:14:27Z

Dnevil: Created page with "Category:Steam Locomotive Parts This is a Facebook page. Here is the description: : This group was specifically created to house the extensive library of standard practice and other documents found in the files section. It should be noted by all that these are historic documents from the age of steam. While most of what is contained in the documents is still current today, in the area's of Welding, NDT (None destructive testing) and metallurgy, there have b..."

[[Category:Steam Locomotive Parts]]

This is a Facebook page. Here is the description:

: This group was specifically created to house the extensive library of standard practice and other documents found in the files section. It should be noted by all that these are historic documents from the age of steam. While most of what is contained in the documents is still current today, in the area's of Welding, NDT (None destructive testing) and metallurgy, there have been significant changes and the reader of any document found here should bare that in mind and ensure the currency of the information.. Having said that - please feel free to download and distribute.

* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/444442242651852/files/files Files]

Main Page

2026-08-13T13:50:34Z

Dnevil: /* Features */

{|
|-
| style="width: 30%;" |
The International Brotherhood of Live Steamers promotes the "Live Steam" hobby in North America and abroad.
[[File:Join-free-today-88005155.jpg|right|150px|link=https://form.jotform.com/252368207129054]]
* '''[[Join the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers]]'''
* [[About the IBLS]]
* [[:Category:Beginners|Beginners start here]]

[[Special:AllPages|This wiki contains {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles.]]
| style="width: 40%;" |

: I'd like to thank IBLS and its contributing members for the articles and information which have helped tremendously in guiding me along

:: Gary Kasper

: The IBLS wiki contains a wonderful number of standards for the home hobbyist to integrate into their designs in order to properly interchange with other equipment

:: [https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=105288 Van Anderson]

: I feel it is my duty to pick my own brain and broadcast technical information that would be useful to others, thereby increasing the chances of prolonging The Hobby.

:: Paul C. Haar, former Secretary of the Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers

|}
== Features ==
[[File:TICH CAD Screenshot 7.jpg|thumb|right|300px|3D Model of LBSC's Tich by Jim Mullner]]

'''[[Queensland Society of Model and Experimental Engineers|Bernard Clark sent us videos of the QSMEE's annual Track and Tent Event]]'''

'''[[TrueScale Hardware Company]] supplies scale nuts and bolts'''

'''[[J. Normand Martin|J. Normand Martin's amazing 1-inch scale train exhibited at Expo 67 in Montreal]]'''

'''[[Smallest Track Plan with Serious Play Value]]'''

'''[[3/4 Inch Scale Registry|Bill Yoder's 3/4 inch scale registry - first update for 2026 with 24 new iron ponies]]'''

'''[[Fred Springer|The Legacy of Fred Springer]]'''

'''[[The Art of Tube Bending]]'''

'''[[William_Fitt#Meauwataka_&_Wildwood_Railroad|The beginning and end of the Meauwataka & Wildwood Railroad]]'''

'''[[Women in Live Steam]]'''

'''[[IBLS Coupler Standard|IBLS Updates the Coupler Standard]]'''

'''[[Econogon|Build a String of Econogons]]'''

'''[[Queensland Society of Model and Experimental Engineers|Live steaming "down under" at the QSMEE annual Track and Tent event]]'''

'''[[Horace Shaw|The Legacy of Horace Shaw and the Whysall Light Railway]]'''

'''[[SteamScript|Live Steam programming language??!!]]'''

'''[[Ian Racer|Ian Racer and his scratch-built loco were featured in the December 2024 Newsletter of Speed Metals]]'''

'''[[Rail Expansion & Rail Joint Design|Ken Scheer discusses Rail Expansion & Rail Joint Design]]'''

'''[[How to Build a Model Railroad]] by Harold Loose includes historic Live Steam'''

'''[[Steam Locomotive Drawings|A comprehensive list of steam locomotive drawings]]'''

[[Special:AllPages|Click here]] for a comprehensive list of articles.

== IBLS Store ==

=== Patch ===

A high-quality, 6 color patch commemorating the founding of the [[IBLS|Brotherhood of Live Steamers]] by [[Charles A. Purinton|Carl Purinton]] in 1932. The patch is 3 inches high, 2.7 inches wide.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G9JXMRMBYWKFW Only $5.00US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase]

<gallery widths=150px heights=150px>
File:IBLS Patch v2013.jpg
</gallery>

=== 7.x Wheel Gauge ===

This [[IBLS Wheel Gauge|7.x inch gauge Wheel Gauge]] will make verification of your wheel profile easy. Measures flange, wheel angle, and Minimum Tire Width (TW). Printed in durable PLA plastic. Color may vary.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B636JNSXPRAQW Only $2.50US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase]

<gallery widths=150px heights=150px>
File:IBLS 7.x Wheel Gauge 20210428.jpg
</gallery>

=== 7.x Coupler Gauge ===

The 1.5 inch scale Coupler Contour Gauge will make verification of your coupler profile easy. Measures contour and coupler swing. Printed in durable PLA plastic. Color may vary.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=NX2W3SYB2KZBN Only $5.00US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase.]

<gallery widths=150 heights=150>
File:IBLS 1.5 Scale Coupler Gauge 20240815.jpg
</gallery>

== Regional IBLS Secretaries ==

* [[North America]]
* [[Australia]]
* [[Europe]]

== Standards and Recommended Practice ==
[[File:William Daney No147.jpg|thumb|right|300px|This heavy Pacific 4-6-2 was built in 1936 by William L. Daney, Pueblo, Colorado.]]
* [[IBLS Wheel Standard]]
* [[IBLS Coupler Standard]]
* [[IBLS Safety Chain Standards]]
* [[IBLS Track Standard]]
* [[Loading gauge]]
* [[Standards and Recommended Practice]]
* [[Boiler Inspections]]
* [[Threads|Bolt and Pipe Threads]]
* [[Texas Standard Tie Spacing]]

== Wandering Locomotive Books ==
[[File:Van Brocklin Number 28 scan July 11 2017.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Bill Van Brocklin and #28 on Carl Purinton's Boxford Outer Belt Railroad]]
* [[Winton Brown Engineering Data]]
* [[Koster's_Miniature_Railroad_Supplies,_Inc#Wandering_Locomotive_Book|Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies]]
* [[Lee_Wright|Lee Wright and Lee's Trains]]
* [[Jan-Eric_Nystr%C3%B6m#Baldwin_3003|Jan-Eric Nystrom's Baldwin 3003]]
* [[3/4 Inch Scale Registry|Bill Yoder's 3/4 Inch Scale Registry]]
* [[MDM_Locomotive_Works#Archive|Jim Murray and MDM Locomotive Works]]

== Articles by Category ==
[[File:Doug Massie UP Challenger.jpg|thumb|right|300px|3/4 inch scale live steam model of a Union Pacific Challenger built by D. W. Massie of Montreal, Canada.]]
* [[:Category:IBLS Secretaries]]
* [[:Category:People]]
* [[:Category:History]]
* [[:Category:Pop Culture]]

* [[:Category:Beginners]]

* [[:Category:Standards]]
* [[:Category:Definitions]]

* [[:Category:Clubs]]
* [[:Category:Tracks]]
* [[:Category:Suppliers]]

* [[:Category:Construction]]
* [[:Category:Maintenance]]
* [[:Category:Operations]]
* [[:Category:Right of Way]]
* [[:Category:Safety]]
* [[:Category:Materials]]

* [[:Category:Books]]
* [[:Category:Catalogs]]
* [[:Category:Periodicals]]

* [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Parts]]
* [[:Category:Diesel Locomotive Parts]]
* [[:Category:Railroad Car Parts]]

* [[:Category:Prototypes]]
* [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Models]]

== Articles of Interest ==

* [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]]

== Contributing ==

Have an idea for an [[IBLS]] article? Please [mailto:daris@nevil.org contact daris@nevil.org]

Queensland Society of Model and Experimental Engineers

2026-08-13T13:47:06Z

Dnevil: /* 2025 Track and Tent Event */

[[Category:Clubs]]

== 2026 Track and Tent Event ==
Benard Clark sent these excellent videos of this years event.

<youtube>4eCAu4A1Gxc</youtube>

<youtube>KPvDB30rdgo</youtube>

== 2025 Track and Tent Event ==

Bernard Clark graciously provided links to the following videos to the 2025 QSMEE annual Track and Tent event.

<youtube>938kg93xjDk</youtube>

<youtube>foQLbNxVp1U</youtube>

<youtube>BvA9zaBHO2A</youtube>

== 2025 October Run Day ==

<youtube>XOAr8ObbMyU</youtube>

== External Links ==

* [https://www.qsmee.com.au/ Official homepage]

Category:Beginners

2026-08-10T14:00:41Z

Dnevil: /* Choose a Scale */

== Discovering Live Steam: A Hobby Like No Other ==

Hey there, fellow enthusiasts! If you’ve ever been captivated by the sight and sound of a steam locomotive chugging along, then live steam might just be the perfect hobby for you. Let’s dive into what makes this fascinating world tick!

'''What is Live Steam?'''

'''Live Steam''' refers to the hobby of building operational locomotives, rolling stock, track, buildings, etc in scales of 1/2 inch to the foot through 5 inches to the foot. In many cases the locomotives are true steam locomotives that operate just like their bigger brothers. These scale locomotives are powerful and can haul many adults.

'''Why Get Into Live Steam?'''

Here are a few reasons why live steam is such an exciting hobby:

: Realism: Live steam models are incredibly detailed and operate just like their full-sized counterparts.

: Community: Join a vibrant community of enthusiasts who share your passion for model railroading and steam engines.

: Hands-On Experience: Building and maintaining your own live steam locomotive can be a rewarding challenge.

'''What Can You Explore?'''

: Locomotives: From small models to larger, more complex engines, there’s a wide variety to choose from. Models based on diesel or electric prototypes are included in the Live Steam hobby.

: Rolling Stock: Collect and operate different types of cars to create your own miniature railway. Or better yet, build your own!

: Track and Accessories: Set up your own railroad with tracks, stations, and scenery to bring your vision to life. Many of the scales, including 1.5 inch and 3/4 inch scale, are small enough to fit in your back yard.

'''Final Thoughts'''

Whether you’re a seasoned model railroader or just starting out, live steam offers a unique blend of history, engineering, and creativity. So why not give it a try? You might just find yourself hooked on the thrill of steam!

Happy teaming! 🚂 What aspect of live steam are you most curious about?

== General Large Scale Information ==

by [[Jim Murray]]

: The large scale backyard railroad hobby consists of individuals who love railroads and who want to operate trains in as real a manor as possible. Most can’t afford to own and operate full size trains and are not satisfied operating table top trains. There are many choices about scale and track gauge to be made by the prospective large scale backyard railroad tycoon. Miniature railroads have been built in every conceivable scale from 1/2 inch to the foot to 6 inches to the foot. and track gauge from 2-1/2 inch to 36 inches. Today the most popular is 1-1/2 inch scale with a [[7-1/4 vs 7-1/2 Gauge|gauge of 7-1/4 inch or 7-1/2 inch]]. The 1-1/2 inch to the foot scale is large enough to ride comfortably, is the largest size which can transported easily from place to place, but is not so large as to be prohibitively expensive for most individuals.

: We in the hobby build trains, track, bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure items outdoors in the real world and have to deal with the same problems that the 12 inch to the foot prototype railroads do. This makes for an interesting challenge. Many in the live steam hobby do not have their own layout, instead they band together in [[Category:Clubs|live steam clubs]]. In that way much more extensive layouts can be constructed using the talents of all the club members and spreading the track building labor and costs around. In this scale there are two track gauges, 7-1/4 inch which is prevalent in the northeastern parts of the United States and Canada and most of the rest of the world and 7-1/2 inch gauge which is prevalent in most of the United States and Canada. Neither gauge is strictly correct for 1-1/2 inch scale. The correct gauge is 7-1/16 inch. This is one of the reasons many people build to a scale of 1.6 inch to the foot rather than 1.5 inch to the foot. For 1.6 inch scale 7-1/2 inch gauge is correct. This slight difference in scale is not too noticeable except that it gives an extra inch of interior space in equipment.

: The locomotives are powered by steam, batteries, or small gasoline engines. The rolling stock can be made of [[Simple Wooden Rolling Stock|wood]] or metal. The type of individuals involved in this hobby are varied. Some construct all their equipment from scratch, some build there equipment from kits of materials and instructions purchased from [[Category:Suppliers|hobby suppliers]], and yet others, who not having a machine shop at their disposal, buy machined kits which they finish themselves. The last category of large scale backyard railroaders is the ones who purchase their equipment ready to run.

== Choose a Scale ==
[[File:LiveSteamScalesComparison 20260810.png|thumb|right|400px|Large Scales Comparison]]
From [[Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies, Inc]], Catalog 6-B

: [[Bill Koster]] says: "Welcome to the hobby of Large-Scale Model Railroading."

: For that feeling of real railroading, you must "Ride The Train." Smaller scales cannot provide the feeling of real railroading. Find out what slack in a long train feels like, feel what a train will do when you try to stop fast. In 1-1/2 inch scale, cars are large enough to ride on comfortably. You don't need a lot of room to build a railroad, most backyards will do. Since you can run but one locomotive at a time by yourself, most backyard railroads have only 1 or 2 locomotives and a few cars. This makes the cost comparable to a moderate railroad in smaller scale. Other things that 1-1/2 inch scale have to offer include working on [[:Category:Railroad Car Parts|cars]] and [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Parts|locomotives]] of much larger size (also easier on the eyes); the chance to [[:Category:Construction|learn machining]] while making parts for your railroad; [[:Category:Right of Way|track construction and maintenance]] similar to the prototype and outdoor railroading.

: The following is written as an introduction to newcomers in the hobby. If you have not yet decided on a scale or [[Gauge|gauge]], perhaps the following comments will help in your decision.

: Live steam and large-scale model railroading have covered the following scales: 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1-1/2 inch, 2 inch, 2-1/4 inch, 3 inch and 3-3/4 inch to the foot. Of these scales, 2-1/2 inch and 3-3/4 inch are primarily devoted to narrow gauge modeling, which we will discuss later. In standard gauge modeling, 1-1/2 inch scale has become the most popular. The reason for this is obvious, 1-1/2 inch scale models are about the smallest that most people can ride comfortable and yet the models can be made light enough to be transported fairly easily. The next most popular scale is 1 inch to the foot, where cars are 10 inches in width making them difficult to sit on. Smaller scales are almost always ridden sidesaddle on elevated tracks. The larger scales, 2 inch and 2-1/4 inch to the foot have not had many followers making availability of parts somewhat difficult. 3 inches to the foot becomes a park size train. Since the weight of locomotives and rolling stock is proportional to the cube, 3 inch models will weigh almost eight times as much as a 1-1/2 inch scale model.

: In 1-1/2 inch scale, two gauges of track are used, [[7-1/4 vs 7-1/2 Gauge|7-1/2 inch and 7-1/4 inch]]. All of the United States with the exception of most of New England, New York and parts of Pennsylvania & New Jersey are 7-1/2 inch gauge. In New England most of the trackage is 7-1/4 inch. For this reason, when considering your choice of gauge, it is suggested that you use the same gauge as others in your area. This allows for interchange such as a t meets, where live steamers from all over gather to operate their equipment on one track. Neither of the above gauges are exactly correct as the prototype track gauge (56-1/2 inches) divided by 8 comes out to exactly [[7-1/4_vs_7-1/2_Gauge#Arguments_for_7-1.2F16.22_Gauge|7-1/16 inch]]. For this reason, a few modelers using 7-1/2 inch gauge track will build their models to 1-5/8 inch (1.6 inch) to the foot. A locomotive built to these proportions does look considerably more massive when displayed alongside a model following the 1-1/2 inch scale dimensions.

: Narrow gauge modeling on existing tracks can present an interesting variation. For example, if one wishes to model a 3 foot narrow gauge prototype and uses 7-1/2 inch track gauge, the model is then built to a scale of 2-1/4 inch to the foot. Since narrow gauge cars are at least 8 feet in width, the models are then at least 20 inches wide. If the model is of a 2 foot prototype, the scale then becomes 3-3/4 inch to the foot. Modeling in these two scales can provide large models with the ability to be compatible with 1-1/2 inch scale models on 7-1/2 inch gauge track. The two limitations in narrow gauge are a lack of commercially available parts as well as the necessity to model old time equipment.

: Whatever your choice of scale or gauge, you will find that large scale model railroading will provide you with a most rewarding hobby.

== One Part At A Time ==

By [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=100778&start=12#p327562 ChipsAhoy]:

: I visited and eventually joined a group "XXX Live Steamers" And I never had a hint of an idea that I would ever build/operate a Live Steam Loco. I was encouraged to build anything that struck my fancy and was assisted by a longtime member in building a pair of Davenports with gas engines. That put me on the rails where I was able to run with the "Steamers". In a way, I was their equal, I was "in".

: At the end of a long day, several of us were sitting around the club campfire. I was visiting with a well respected owner of a Steam Loco, a Heisler, in the course of babbling and drooling over the steamers I told him "I could never build one of those, I don't have the time or skill". And he said to me, "Just build one part at a time, make it correctly, make it over and over if you have to, when it is right, set it aside and build the next part...I can't do it for you, but I can help, one day you will have a fine steamer."

: I currently am knee deep in building my first steamer (first steamer!!). Because of the good attitude of those fellows, there is one more engine being built and hopefully someday being operated.

: Countless people have stopped by my place, viewed my work in progress and perhaps one or two of those will find an interest. When chatting with the visitors, if they POO POO on their own skills, I try to work the conversation around to what I was told... "Of course you can, just build it one piece at a time. I can help."

== Operating a Steam Locomotive ==

<youtube>HfpJUOjGNx8</youtube>

== Choosing a Steam Locomotive ==

See [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]].

<youtube>fWSmGpLFidw</youtube>

== Building a Railroad ==

<youtube>i9EcsGuHk34</youtube>

File:LiveSteamScalesComparison 20260810.png

2026-08-10T13:59:19Z

Dnevil: Dnevil uploaded a new version of File:LiveSteamScalesComparison 20260810.png

== Summary ==
Generated by ChatGPT

Category:Beginners

2026-08-10T13:58:25Z

Dnevil: /* Choose a Scale */

== Discovering Live Steam: A Hobby Like No Other ==

Hey there, fellow enthusiasts! If you’ve ever been captivated by the sight and sound of a steam locomotive chugging along, then live steam might just be the perfect hobby for you. Let’s dive into what makes this fascinating world tick!

'''What is Live Steam?'''

'''Live Steam''' refers to the hobby of building operational locomotives, rolling stock, track, buildings, etc in scales of 1/2 inch to the foot through 5 inches to the foot. In many cases the locomotives are true steam locomotives that operate just like their bigger brothers. These scale locomotives are powerful and can haul many adults.

'''Why Get Into Live Steam?'''

Here are a few reasons why live steam is such an exciting hobby:

: Realism: Live steam models are incredibly detailed and operate just like their full-sized counterparts.

: Community: Join a vibrant community of enthusiasts who share your passion for model railroading and steam engines.

: Hands-On Experience: Building and maintaining your own live steam locomotive can be a rewarding challenge.

'''What Can You Explore?'''

: Locomotives: From small models to larger, more complex engines, there’s a wide variety to choose from. Models based on diesel or electric prototypes are included in the Live Steam hobby.

: Rolling Stock: Collect and operate different types of cars to create your own miniature railway. Or better yet, build your own!

: Track and Accessories: Set up your own railroad with tracks, stations, and scenery to bring your vision to life. Many of the scales, including 1.5 inch and 3/4 inch scale, are small enough to fit in your back yard.

'''Final Thoughts'''

Whether you’re a seasoned model railroader or just starting out, live steam offers a unique blend of history, engineering, and creativity. So why not give it a try? You might just find yourself hooked on the thrill of steam!

Happy teaming! 🚂 What aspect of live steam are you most curious about?

== General Large Scale Information ==

by [[Jim Murray]]

: The large scale backyard railroad hobby consists of individuals who love railroads and who want to operate trains in as real a manor as possible. Most can’t afford to own and operate full size trains and are not satisfied operating table top trains. There are many choices about scale and track gauge to be made by the prospective large scale backyard railroad tycoon. Miniature railroads have been built in every conceivable scale from 1/2 inch to the foot to 6 inches to the foot. and track gauge from 2-1/2 inch to 36 inches. Today the most popular is 1-1/2 inch scale with a [[7-1/4 vs 7-1/2 Gauge|gauge of 7-1/4 inch or 7-1/2 inch]]. The 1-1/2 inch to the foot scale is large enough to ride comfortably, is the largest size which can transported easily from place to place, but is not so large as to be prohibitively expensive for most individuals.

: We in the hobby build trains, track, bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure items outdoors in the real world and have to deal with the same problems that the 12 inch to the foot prototype railroads do. This makes for an interesting challenge. Many in the live steam hobby do not have their own layout, instead they band together in [[Category:Clubs|live steam clubs]]. In that way much more extensive layouts can be constructed using the talents of all the club members and spreading the track building labor and costs around. In this scale there are two track gauges, 7-1/4 inch which is prevalent in the northeastern parts of the United States and Canada and most of the rest of the world and 7-1/2 inch gauge which is prevalent in most of the United States and Canada. Neither gauge is strictly correct for 1-1/2 inch scale. The correct gauge is 7-1/16 inch. This is one of the reasons many people build to a scale of 1.6 inch to the foot rather than 1.5 inch to the foot. For 1.6 inch scale 7-1/2 inch gauge is correct. This slight difference in scale is not too noticeable except that it gives an extra inch of interior space in equipment.

: The locomotives are powered by steam, batteries, or small gasoline engines. The rolling stock can be made of [[Simple Wooden Rolling Stock|wood]] or metal. The type of individuals involved in this hobby are varied. Some construct all their equipment from scratch, some build there equipment from kits of materials and instructions purchased from [[Category:Suppliers|hobby suppliers]], and yet others, who not having a machine shop at their disposal, buy machined kits which they finish themselves. The last category of large scale backyard railroaders is the ones who purchase their equipment ready to run.

== Choose a Scale ==
[[File:LiveSteamScalesComparison 20260810.png|thumb|right|400px|Live Steam Scales]]
From [[Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies, Inc]], Catalog 6-B

: [[Bill Koster]] says: "Welcome to the hobby of Large-Scale Model Railroading."

: For that feeling of real railroading, you must "Ride The Train." Smaller scales cannot provide the feeling of real railroading. Find out what slack in a long train feels like, feel what a train will do when you try to stop fast. In 1-1/2 inch scale, cars are large enough to ride on comfortably. You don't need a lot of room to build a railroad, most backyards will do. Since you can run but one locomotive at a time by yourself, most backyard railroads have only 1 or 2 locomotives and a few cars. This makes the cost comparable to a moderate railroad in smaller scale. Other things that 1-1/2 inch scale have to offer include working on [[:Category:Railroad Car Parts|cars]] and [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Parts|locomotives]] of much larger size (also easier on the eyes); the chance to [[:Category:Construction|learn machining]] while making parts for your railroad; [[:Category:Right of Way|track construction and maintenance]] similar to the prototype and outdoor railroading.

: The following is written as an introduction to newcomers in the hobby. If you have not yet decided on a scale or [[Gauge|gauge]], perhaps the following comments will help in your decision.

: Live steam and large-scale model railroading have covered the following scales: 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1-1/2 inch, 2 inch, 2-1/4 inch, 3 inch and 3-3/4 inch to the foot. Of these scales, 2-1/2 inch and 3-3/4 inch are primarily devoted to narrow gauge modeling, which we will discuss later. In standard gauge modeling, 1-1/2 inch scale has become the most popular. The reason for this is obvious, 1-1/2 inch scale models are about the smallest that most people can ride comfortable and yet the models can be made light enough to be transported fairly easily. The next most popular scale is 1 inch to the foot, where cars are 10 inches in width making them difficult to sit on. Smaller scales are almost always ridden sidesaddle on elevated tracks. The larger scales, 2 inch and 2-1/4 inch to the foot have not had many followers making availability of parts somewhat difficult. 3 inches to the foot becomes a park size train. Since the weight of locomotives and rolling stock is proportional to the cube, 3 inch models will weigh almost eight times as much as a 1-1/2 inch scale model.

: In 1-1/2 inch scale, two gauges of track are used, [[7-1/4 vs 7-1/2 Gauge|7-1/2 inch and 7-1/4 inch]]. All of the United States with the exception of most of New England, New York and parts of Pennsylvania & New Jersey are 7-1/2 inch gauge. In New England most of the trackage is 7-1/4 inch. For this reason, when considering your choice of gauge, it is suggested that you use the same gauge as others in your area. This allows for interchange such as a t meets, where live steamers from all over gather to operate their equipment on one track. Neither of the above gauges are exactly correct as the prototype track gauge (56-1/2 inches) divided by 8 comes out to exactly [[7-1/4_vs_7-1/2_Gauge#Arguments_for_7-1.2F16.22_Gauge|7-1/16 inch]]. For this reason, a few modelers using 7-1/2 inch gauge track will build their models to 1-5/8 inch (1.6 inch) to the foot. A locomotive built to these proportions does look considerably more massive when displayed alongside a model following the 1-1/2 inch scale dimensions.

: Narrow gauge modeling on existing tracks can present an interesting variation. For example, if one wishes to model a 3 foot narrow gauge prototype and uses 7-1/2 inch track gauge, the model is then built to a scale of 2-1/4 inch to the foot. Since narrow gauge cars are at least 8 feet in width, the models are then at least 20 inches wide. If the model is of a 2 foot prototype, the scale then becomes 3-3/4 inch to the foot. Modeling in these two scales can provide large models with the ability to be compatible with 1-1/2 inch scale models on 7-1/2 inch gauge track. The two limitations in narrow gauge are a lack of commercially available parts as well as the necessity to model old time equipment.

: Whatever your choice of scale or gauge, you will find that large scale model railroading will provide you with a most rewarding hobby.

== One Part At A Time ==

By [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=100778&start=12#p327562 ChipsAhoy]:

: I visited and eventually joined a group "XXX Live Steamers" And I never had a hint of an idea that I would ever build/operate a Live Steam Loco. I was encouraged to build anything that struck my fancy and was assisted by a longtime member in building a pair of Davenports with gas engines. That put me on the rails where I was able to run with the "Steamers". In a way, I was their equal, I was "in".

: At the end of a long day, several of us were sitting around the club campfire. I was visiting with a well respected owner of a Steam Loco, a Heisler, in the course of babbling and drooling over the steamers I told him "I could never build one of those, I don't have the time or skill". And he said to me, "Just build one part at a time, make it correctly, make it over and over if you have to, when it is right, set it aside and build the next part...I can't do it for you, but I can help, one day you will have a fine steamer."

: I currently am knee deep in building my first steamer (first steamer!!). Because of the good attitude of those fellows, there is one more engine being built and hopefully someday being operated.

: Countless people have stopped by my place, viewed my work in progress and perhaps one or two of those will find an interest. When chatting with the visitors, if they POO POO on their own skills, I try to work the conversation around to what I was told... "Of course you can, just build it one piece at a time. I can help."

== Operating a Steam Locomotive ==

<youtube>HfpJUOjGNx8</youtube>

== Choosing a Steam Locomotive ==

See [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]].

<youtube>fWSmGpLFidw</youtube>

== Building a Railroad ==

<youtube>i9EcsGuHk34</youtube>

File:LiveSteamScalesComparison 20260810.png

2026-08-10T13:57:15Z

Dnevil: Generated by ChatGPT

== Summary ==
Generated by ChatGPT

Main Page

2026-08-03T14:16:49Z

Dnevil: /* Features */

{|
|-
| style="width: 30%;" |
The International Brotherhood of Live Steamers promotes the "Live Steam" hobby in North America and abroad.
[[File:Join-free-today-88005155.jpg|right|150px|link=https://form.jotform.com/252368207129054]]
* '''[[Join the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers]]'''
* [[About the IBLS]]
* [[:Category:Beginners|Beginners start here]]

[[Special:AllPages|This wiki contains {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles.]]
| style="width: 40%;" |

: I'd like to thank IBLS and its contributing members for the articles and information which have helped tremendously in guiding me along

:: Gary Kasper

: The IBLS wiki contains a wonderful number of standards for the home hobbyist to integrate into their designs in order to properly interchange with other equipment

:: [https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=105288 Van Anderson]

: I feel it is my duty to pick my own brain and broadcast technical information that would be useful to others, thereby increasing the chances of prolonging The Hobby.

:: Paul C. Haar, former Secretary of the Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers

|}
== Features ==
[[File:TICH CAD Screenshot 7.jpg|thumb|right|300px|3D Model of LBSC's Tich by Jim Mullner]]

'''[[TrueScale Hardware Company]] supplies scale nuts and bolts'''

'''[[J. Normand Martin|J. Normand Martin's amazing 1-inch scale train exhibited at Expo 67 in Montreal]]'''

'''[[Smallest Track Plan with Serious Play Value]]'''

'''[[3/4 Inch Scale Registry|Bill Yoder's 3/4 inch scale registry - first update for 2026 with 24 new iron ponies]]'''

'''[[Fred Springer|The Legacy of Fred Springer]]'''

'''[[The Art of Tube Bending]]'''

'''[[William_Fitt#Meauwataka_&_Wildwood_Railroad|The beginning and end of the Meauwataka & Wildwood Railroad]]'''

'''[[Women in Live Steam]]'''

'''[[IBLS Coupler Standard|IBLS Updates the Coupler Standard]]'''

'''[[Econogon|Build a String of Econogons]]'''

'''[[Queensland Society of Model and Experimental Engineers|Live steaming "down under" at the QSMEE annual Track and Tent event]]'''

'''[[Horace Shaw|The Legacy of Horace Shaw and the Whysall Light Railway]]'''

'''[[SteamScript|Live Steam programming language??!!]]'''

'''[[Ian Racer|Ian Racer and his scratch-built loco were featured in the December 2024 Newsletter of Speed Metals]]'''

'''[[Rail Expansion & Rail Joint Design|Ken Scheer discusses Rail Expansion & Rail Joint Design]]'''

'''[[How to Build a Model Railroad]] by Harold Loose includes historic Live Steam'''

'''[[Rolling Stock Manual|Fascinating collection of over 100 detailed mid-century freight and passenger car plans]]'''

'''[[Steam Locomotive Drawings|A comprehensive list of steam locomotive drawings]]'''

[[Special:AllPages|Click here]] for a comprehensive list of articles.

== IBLS Store ==

=== Patch ===

A high-quality, 6 color patch commemorating the founding of the [[IBLS|Brotherhood of Live Steamers]] by [[Charles A. Purinton|Carl Purinton]] in 1932. The patch is 3 inches high, 2.7 inches wide.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G9JXMRMBYWKFW Only $5.00US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase]

<gallery widths=150px heights=150px>
File:IBLS Patch v2013.jpg
</gallery>

=== 7.x Wheel Gauge ===

This [[IBLS Wheel Gauge|7.x inch gauge Wheel Gauge]] will make verification of your wheel profile easy. Measures flange, wheel angle, and Minimum Tire Width (TW). Printed in durable PLA plastic. Color may vary.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B636JNSXPRAQW Only $2.50US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase]

<gallery widths=150px heights=150px>
File:IBLS 7.x Wheel Gauge 20210428.jpg
</gallery>

=== 7.x Coupler Gauge ===

The 1.5 inch scale Coupler Contour Gauge will make verification of your coupler profile easy. Measures contour and coupler swing. Printed in durable PLA plastic. Color may vary.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=NX2W3SYB2KZBN Only $5.00US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase.]

<gallery widths=150 heights=150>
File:IBLS 1.5 Scale Coupler Gauge 20240815.jpg
</gallery>

== Regional IBLS Secretaries ==

* [[North America]]
* [[Australia]]
* [[Europe]]

== Standards and Recommended Practice ==
[[File:William Daney No147.jpg|thumb|right|300px|This heavy Pacific 4-6-2 was built in 1936 by William L. Daney, Pueblo, Colorado.]]
* [[IBLS Wheel Standard]]
* [[IBLS Coupler Standard]]
* [[IBLS Safety Chain Standards]]
* [[IBLS Track Standard]]
* [[Loading gauge]]
* [[Standards and Recommended Practice]]
* [[Boiler Inspections]]
* [[Threads|Bolt and Pipe Threads]]
* [[Texas Standard Tie Spacing]]

== Wandering Locomotive Books ==
[[File:Van Brocklin Number 28 scan July 11 2017.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Bill Van Brocklin and #28 on Carl Purinton's Boxford Outer Belt Railroad]]
* [[Winton Brown Engineering Data]]
* [[Koster's_Miniature_Railroad_Supplies,_Inc#Wandering_Locomotive_Book|Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies]]
* [[Lee_Wright|Lee Wright and Lee's Trains]]
* [[Jan-Eric_Nystr%C3%B6m#Baldwin_3003|Jan-Eric Nystrom's Baldwin 3003]]
* [[3/4 Inch Scale Registry|Bill Yoder's 3/4 Inch Scale Registry]]
* [[MDM_Locomotive_Works#Archive|Jim Murray and MDM Locomotive Works]]

== Articles by Category ==
[[File:Doug Massie UP Challenger.jpg|thumb|right|300px|3/4 inch scale live steam model of a Union Pacific Challenger built by D. W. Massie of Montreal, Canada.]]
* [[:Category:IBLS Secretaries]]
* [[:Category:People]]
* [[:Category:History]]
* [[:Category:Pop Culture]]

* [[:Category:Beginners]]

* [[:Category:Standards]]
* [[:Category:Definitions]]

* [[:Category:Clubs]]
* [[:Category:Tracks]]
* [[:Category:Suppliers]]

* [[:Category:Construction]]
* [[:Category:Maintenance]]
* [[:Category:Operations]]
* [[:Category:Right of Way]]
* [[:Category:Safety]]
* [[:Category:Materials]]

* [[:Category:Books]]
* [[:Category:Catalogs]]
* [[:Category:Periodicals]]

* [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Parts]]
* [[:Category:Diesel Locomotive Parts]]
* [[:Category:Railroad Car Parts]]

* [[:Category:Prototypes]]
* [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Models]]

== Articles of Interest ==

* [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]]

== Contributing ==

Have an idea for an [[IBLS]] article? Please [mailto:daris@nevil.org contact daris@nevil.org]

TrueScale Hardware Company

2026-08-03T14:15:36Z

Dnevil: Created page with "Category:Suppliers Precision miniature hex bolts and hex nuts for model engineering, restoration, and specialty fabrication. Provides sizes 1-72, 2-56, 3-48, 4-40 and 5-40. == External Links == * [https://www.truescalehardware.com/ TrueScaleHardware.com Official Website]"

[[Category:Suppliers]]

Precision miniature hex bolts and hex nuts for model engineering, restoration, and specialty fabrication. Provides sizes 1-72, 2-56, 3-48, 4-40 and 5-40.

== External Links ==

* [https://www.truescalehardware.com/ TrueScaleHardware.com Official Website]

Main Page

2026-08-01T20:28:42Z

Dnevil: /* Features */

{|
|-
| style="width: 30%;" |
The International Brotherhood of Live Steamers promotes the "Live Steam" hobby in North America and abroad.
[[File:Join-free-today-88005155.jpg|right|150px|link=https://form.jotform.com/252368207129054]]
* '''[[Join the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers]]'''
* [[About the IBLS]]
* [[:Category:Beginners|Beginners start here]]

[[Special:AllPages|This wiki contains {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles.]]
| style="width: 40%;" |

: I'd like to thank IBLS and its contributing members for the articles and information which have helped tremendously in guiding me along

:: Gary Kasper

: The IBLS wiki contains a wonderful number of standards for the home hobbyist to integrate into their designs in order to properly interchange with other equipment

:: [https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=105288 Van Anderson]

: I feel it is my duty to pick my own brain and broadcast technical information that would be useful to others, thereby increasing the chances of prolonging The Hobby.

:: Paul C. Haar, former Secretary of the Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers

|}
== Features ==
[[File:TICH CAD Screenshot 7.jpg|thumb|right|300px|3D Model of LBSC's Tich by Jim Mullner]]

'''[[J. Normand Martin|J. Normand Martin's amazing 1-inch scale train exhibited at Expo 67 in Montreal]]'''

'''[[Smallest Track Plan with Serious Play Value]]'''

'''[[3/4 Inch Scale Registry|Bill Yoder's 3/4 inch scale registry - first update for 2026 with 24 new iron ponies]]'''

'''[[Fred Springer|The Legacy of Fred Springer]]'''

'''[[The Art of Tube Bending]]'''

'''[[William_Fitt#Meauwataka_&_Wildwood_Railroad|The beginning and end of the Meauwataka & Wildwood Railroad]]'''

'''[[Women in Live Steam]]'''

'''[[IBLS Coupler Standard|IBLS Updates the Coupler Standard]]'''

'''[[Econogon|Build a String of Econogons]]'''

'''[[Queensland Society of Model and Experimental Engineers|Live steaming "down under" at the QSMEE annual Track and Tent event]]'''

'''[[Horace Shaw|The Legacy of Horace Shaw and the Whysall Light Railway]]'''

'''[[SteamScript|Live Steam programming language??!!]]'''

'''[[Ian Racer|Ian Racer and his scratch-built loco were featured in the December 2024 Newsletter of Speed Metals]]'''

'''[[Rail Expansion & Rail Joint Design|Ken Scheer discusses Rail Expansion & Rail Joint Design]]'''

'''[[How to Build a Model Railroad]] by Harold Loose includes historic Live Steam'''

'''[[Rolling Stock Manual|Fascinating collection of over 100 detailed mid-century freight and passenger car plans]]'''

'''[[Speaking Signaleze]]'''

'''[[Steam Locomotive Drawings|A comprehensive list of steam locomotive drawings]]'''

[[Special:AllPages|Click here]] for a comprehensive list of articles.

== IBLS Store ==

=== Patch ===

A high-quality, 6 color patch commemorating the founding of the [[IBLS|Brotherhood of Live Steamers]] by [[Charles A. Purinton|Carl Purinton]] in 1932. The patch is 3 inches high, 2.7 inches wide.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G9JXMRMBYWKFW Only $5.00US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase]

<gallery widths=150px heights=150px>
File:IBLS Patch v2013.jpg
</gallery>

=== 7.x Wheel Gauge ===

This [[IBLS Wheel Gauge|7.x inch gauge Wheel Gauge]] will make verification of your wheel profile easy. Measures flange, wheel angle, and Minimum Tire Width (TW). Printed in durable PLA plastic. Color may vary.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B636JNSXPRAQW Only $2.50US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase]

<gallery widths=150px heights=150px>
File:IBLS 7.x Wheel Gauge 20210428.jpg
</gallery>

=== 7.x Coupler Gauge ===

The 1.5 inch scale Coupler Contour Gauge will make verification of your coupler profile easy. Measures contour and coupler swing. Printed in durable PLA plastic. Color may vary.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=NX2W3SYB2KZBN Only $5.00US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase.]

<gallery widths=150 heights=150>
File:IBLS 1.5 Scale Coupler Gauge 20240815.jpg
</gallery>

== Regional IBLS Secretaries ==

* [[North America]]
* [[Australia]]
* [[Europe]]

== Standards and Recommended Practice ==
[[File:William Daney No147.jpg|thumb|right|300px|This heavy Pacific 4-6-2 was built in 1936 by William L. Daney, Pueblo, Colorado.]]
* [[IBLS Wheel Standard]]
* [[IBLS Coupler Standard]]
* [[IBLS Safety Chain Standards]]
* [[IBLS Track Standard]]
* [[Loading gauge]]
* [[Standards and Recommended Practice]]
* [[Boiler Inspections]]
* [[Threads|Bolt and Pipe Threads]]
* [[Texas Standard Tie Spacing]]

== Wandering Locomotive Books ==
[[File:Van Brocklin Number 28 scan July 11 2017.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Bill Van Brocklin and #28 on Carl Purinton's Boxford Outer Belt Railroad]]
* [[Winton Brown Engineering Data]]
* [[Koster's_Miniature_Railroad_Supplies,_Inc#Wandering_Locomotive_Book|Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies]]
* [[Lee_Wright|Lee Wright and Lee's Trains]]
* [[Jan-Eric_Nystr%C3%B6m#Baldwin_3003|Jan-Eric Nystrom's Baldwin 3003]]
* [[3/4 Inch Scale Registry|Bill Yoder's 3/4 Inch Scale Registry]]
* [[MDM_Locomotive_Works#Archive|Jim Murray and MDM Locomotive Works]]

== Articles by Category ==
[[File:Doug Massie UP Challenger.jpg|thumb|right|300px|3/4 inch scale live steam model of a Union Pacific Challenger built by D. W. Massie of Montreal, Canada.]]
* [[:Category:IBLS Secretaries]]
* [[:Category:People]]
* [[:Category:History]]
* [[:Category:Pop Culture]]

* [[:Category:Beginners]]

* [[:Category:Standards]]
* [[:Category:Definitions]]

* [[:Category:Clubs]]
* [[:Category:Tracks]]
* [[:Category:Suppliers]]

* [[:Category:Construction]]
* [[:Category:Maintenance]]
* [[:Category:Operations]]
* [[:Category:Right of Way]]
* [[:Category:Safety]]
* [[:Category:Materials]]

* [[:Category:Books]]
* [[:Category:Catalogs]]
* [[:Category:Periodicals]]

* [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Parts]]
* [[:Category:Diesel Locomotive Parts]]
* [[:Category:Railroad Car Parts]]

* [[:Category:Prototypes]]
* [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Models]]

== Articles of Interest ==

* [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]]

== Contributing ==

Have an idea for an [[IBLS]] article? Please [mailto:daris@nevil.org contact daris@nevil.org]

Main Page

2026-08-01T20:27:20Z

Dnevil: /* Features */

{|
|-
| style="width: 30%;" |
The International Brotherhood of Live Steamers promotes the "Live Steam" hobby in North America and abroad.
[[File:Join-free-today-88005155.jpg|right|150px|link=https://form.jotform.com/252368207129054]]
* '''[[Join the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers]]'''
* [[About the IBLS]]
* [[:Category:Beginners|Beginners start here]]

[[Special:AllPages|This wiki contains {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles.]]
| style="width: 40%;" |

: I'd like to thank IBLS and its contributing members for the articles and information which have helped tremendously in guiding me along

:: Gary Kasper

: The IBLS wiki contains a wonderful number of standards for the home hobbyist to integrate into their designs in order to properly interchange with other equipment

:: [https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=105288 Van Anderson]

: I feel it is my duty to pick my own brain and broadcast technical information that would be useful to others, thereby increasing the chances of prolonging The Hobby.

:: Paul C. Haar, former Secretary of the Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers

|}
== Features ==
[[File:TICH CAD Screenshot 7.jpg|thumb|right|300px|3D Model of LBSC's Tich by Jim Mullner]]

'''[[J. Normand Martin|s amazing 1-inch scale train exhibited at Expo'67 in Montreal]]'''

'''[[Smallest Track Plan with Serious Play Value]]'''

'''[[3/4 Inch Scale Registry|Bill Yoder's 3/4 inch scale registry - first update for 2026 with 24 new iron ponies]]'''

'''[[Fred Springer|The Legacy of Fred Springer]]'''

'''[[The Art of Tube Bending]]'''

'''[[William_Fitt#Meauwataka_&_Wildwood_Railroad|The beginning and end of the Meauwataka & Wildwood Railroad]]'''

'''[[Women in Live Steam]]'''

'''[[IBLS Coupler Standard|IBLS Updates the Coupler Standard]]'''

'''[[Econogon|Build a String of Econogons]]'''

'''[[Queensland Society of Model and Experimental Engineers|Live steaming "down under" at the QSMEE annual Track and Tent event]]'''

'''[[Horace Shaw|The Legacy of Horace Shaw and the Whysall Light Railway]]'''

'''[[SteamScript|Live Steam programming language??!!]]'''

'''[[Ian Racer|Ian Racer and his scratch-built loco were featured in the December 2024 Newsletter of Speed Metals]]'''

'''[[Rail Expansion & Rail Joint Design|Ken Scheer discusses Rail Expansion & Rail Joint Design]]'''

'''[[How to Build a Model Railroad]] by Harold Loose includes historic Live Steam'''

'''[[Rolling Stock Manual|Fascinating collection of over 100 detailed mid-century freight and passenger car plans]]'''

'''[[Speaking Signaleze]]'''

'''[[Steam Locomotive Drawings|A comprehensive list of steam locomotive drawings]]'''

[[Special:AllPages|Click here]] for a comprehensive list of articles.

== IBLS Store ==

=== Patch ===

A high-quality, 6 color patch commemorating the founding of the [[IBLS|Brotherhood of Live Steamers]] by [[Charles A. Purinton|Carl Purinton]] in 1932. The patch is 3 inches high, 2.7 inches wide.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G9JXMRMBYWKFW Only $5.00US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase]

<gallery widths=150px heights=150px>
File:IBLS Patch v2013.jpg
</gallery>

=== 7.x Wheel Gauge ===

This [[IBLS Wheel Gauge|7.x inch gauge Wheel Gauge]] will make verification of your wheel profile easy. Measures flange, wheel angle, and Minimum Tire Width (TW). Printed in durable PLA plastic. Color may vary.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B636JNSXPRAQW Only $2.50US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase]

<gallery widths=150px heights=150px>
File:IBLS 7.x Wheel Gauge 20210428.jpg
</gallery>

=== 7.x Coupler Gauge ===

The 1.5 inch scale Coupler Contour Gauge will make verification of your coupler profile easy. Measures contour and coupler swing. Printed in durable PLA plastic. Color may vary.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=NX2W3SYB2KZBN Only $5.00US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase.]

<gallery widths=150 heights=150>
File:IBLS 1.5 Scale Coupler Gauge 20240815.jpg
</gallery>

== Regional IBLS Secretaries ==

* [[North America]]
* [[Australia]]
* [[Europe]]

== Standards and Recommended Practice ==
[[File:William Daney No147.jpg|thumb|right|300px|This heavy Pacific 4-6-2 was built in 1936 by William L. Daney, Pueblo, Colorado.]]
* [[IBLS Wheel Standard]]
* [[IBLS Coupler Standard]]
* [[IBLS Safety Chain Standards]]
* [[IBLS Track Standard]]
* [[Loading gauge]]
* [[Standards and Recommended Practice]]
* [[Boiler Inspections]]
* [[Threads|Bolt and Pipe Threads]]
* [[Texas Standard Tie Spacing]]

== Wandering Locomotive Books ==
[[File:Van Brocklin Number 28 scan July 11 2017.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Bill Van Brocklin and #28 on Carl Purinton's Boxford Outer Belt Railroad]]
* [[Winton Brown Engineering Data]]
* [[Koster's_Miniature_Railroad_Supplies,_Inc#Wandering_Locomotive_Book|Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies]]
* [[Lee_Wright|Lee Wright and Lee's Trains]]
* [[Jan-Eric_Nystr%C3%B6m#Baldwin_3003|Jan-Eric Nystrom's Baldwin 3003]]
* [[3/4 Inch Scale Registry|Bill Yoder's 3/4 Inch Scale Registry]]
* [[MDM_Locomotive_Works#Archive|Jim Murray and MDM Locomotive Works]]

== Articles by Category ==
[[File:Doug Massie UP Challenger.jpg|thumb|right|300px|3/4 inch scale live steam model of a Union Pacific Challenger built by D. W. Massie of Montreal, Canada.]]
* [[:Category:IBLS Secretaries]]
* [[:Category:People]]
* [[:Category:History]]
* [[:Category:Pop Culture]]

* [[:Category:Beginners]]

* [[:Category:Standards]]
* [[:Category:Definitions]]

* [[:Category:Clubs]]
* [[:Category:Tracks]]
* [[:Category:Suppliers]]

* [[:Category:Construction]]
* [[:Category:Maintenance]]
* [[:Category:Operations]]
* [[:Category:Right of Way]]
* [[:Category:Safety]]
* [[:Category:Materials]]

* [[:Category:Books]]
* [[:Category:Catalogs]]
* [[:Category:Periodicals]]

* [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Parts]]
* [[:Category:Diesel Locomotive Parts]]
* [[:Category:Railroad Car Parts]]

* [[:Category:Prototypes]]
* [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Models]]

== Articles of Interest ==

* [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]]

== Contributing ==

Have an idea for an [[IBLS]] article? Please [mailto:daris@nevil.org contact daris@nevil.org]

Main Page

2026-08-01T20:27:09Z

Dnevil: /* Features */

{|
|-
| style="width: 30%;" |
The International Brotherhood of Live Steamers promotes the "Live Steam" hobby in North America and abroad.
[[File:Join-free-today-88005155.jpg|right|150px|link=https://form.jotform.com/252368207129054]]
* '''[[Join the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers]]'''
* [[About the IBLS]]
* [[:Category:Beginners|Beginners start here]]

[[Special:AllPages|This wiki contains {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles.]]
| style="width: 40%;" |

: I'd like to thank IBLS and its contributing members for the articles and information which have helped tremendously in guiding me along

:: Gary Kasper

: The IBLS wiki contains a wonderful number of standards for the home hobbyist to integrate into their designs in order to properly interchange with other equipment

:: [https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=105288 Van Anderson]

: I feel it is my duty to pick my own brain and broadcast technical information that would be useful to others, thereby increasing the chances of prolonging The Hobby.

:: Paul C. Haar, former Secretary of the Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers

|}
== Features ==
[[File:TICH CAD Screenshot 7.jpg|thumb|right|300px|3D Model of LBSC's Tich by Jim Mullner]]

'''[[J. Normand Martin|'s amazing 1-inch scale train exhibited at Expo'67 in Montreal]]'''

'''[[Smallest Track Plan with Serious Play Value]]'''

'''[[3/4 Inch Scale Registry|Bill Yoder's 3/4 inch scale registry - first update for 2026 with 24 new iron ponies]]'''

'''[[Fred Springer|The Legacy of Fred Springer]]'''

'''[[The Art of Tube Bending]]'''

'''[[William_Fitt#Meauwataka_&_Wildwood_Railroad|The beginning and end of the Meauwataka & Wildwood Railroad]]'''

'''[[Women in Live Steam]]'''

'''[[IBLS Coupler Standard|IBLS Updates the Coupler Standard]]'''

'''[[Econogon|Build a String of Econogons]]'''

'''[[Queensland Society of Model and Experimental Engineers|Live steaming "down under" at the QSMEE annual Track and Tent event]]'''

'''[[Horace Shaw|The Legacy of Horace Shaw and the Whysall Light Railway]]'''

'''[[SteamScript|Live Steam programming language??!!]]'''

'''[[Ian Racer|Ian Racer and his scratch-built loco were featured in the December 2024 Newsletter of Speed Metals]]'''

'''[[Rail Expansion & Rail Joint Design|Ken Scheer discusses Rail Expansion & Rail Joint Design]]'''

'''[[How to Build a Model Railroad]] by Harold Loose includes historic Live Steam'''

'''[[Rolling Stock Manual|Fascinating collection of over 100 detailed mid-century freight and passenger car plans]]'''

'''[[Speaking Signaleze]]'''

'''[[Steam Locomotive Drawings|A comprehensive list of steam locomotive drawings]]'''

[[Special:AllPages|Click here]] for a comprehensive list of articles.

== IBLS Store ==

=== Patch ===

A high-quality, 6 color patch commemorating the founding of the [[IBLS|Brotherhood of Live Steamers]] by [[Charles A. Purinton|Carl Purinton]] in 1932. The patch is 3 inches high, 2.7 inches wide.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G9JXMRMBYWKFW Only $5.00US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase]

<gallery widths=150px heights=150px>
File:IBLS Patch v2013.jpg
</gallery>

=== 7.x Wheel Gauge ===

This [[IBLS Wheel Gauge|7.x inch gauge Wheel Gauge]] will make verification of your wheel profile easy. Measures flange, wheel angle, and Minimum Tire Width (TW). Printed in durable PLA plastic. Color may vary.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B636JNSXPRAQW Only $2.50US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase]

<gallery widths=150px heights=150px>
File:IBLS 7.x Wheel Gauge 20210428.jpg
</gallery>

=== 7.x Coupler Gauge ===

The 1.5 inch scale Coupler Contour Gauge will make verification of your coupler profile easy. Measures contour and coupler swing. Printed in durable PLA plastic. Color may vary.

[https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=NX2W3SYB2KZBN Only $5.00US each, includes postage. Click here to purchase.]

<gallery widths=150 heights=150>
File:IBLS 1.5 Scale Coupler Gauge 20240815.jpg
</gallery>

== Regional IBLS Secretaries ==

* [[North America]]
* [[Australia]]
* [[Europe]]

== Standards and Recommended Practice ==
[[File:William Daney No147.jpg|thumb|right|300px|This heavy Pacific 4-6-2 was built in 1936 by William L. Daney, Pueblo, Colorado.]]
* [[IBLS Wheel Standard]]
* [[IBLS Coupler Standard]]
* [[IBLS Safety Chain Standards]]
* [[IBLS Track Standard]]
* [[Loading gauge]]
* [[Standards and Recommended Practice]]
* [[Boiler Inspections]]
* [[Threads|Bolt and Pipe Threads]]
* [[Texas Standard Tie Spacing]]

== Wandering Locomotive Books ==
[[File:Van Brocklin Number 28 scan July 11 2017.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Bill Van Brocklin and #28 on Carl Purinton's Boxford Outer Belt Railroad]]
* [[Winton Brown Engineering Data]]
* [[Koster's_Miniature_Railroad_Supplies,_Inc#Wandering_Locomotive_Book|Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies]]
* [[Lee_Wright|Lee Wright and Lee's Trains]]
* [[Jan-Eric_Nystr%C3%B6m#Baldwin_3003|Jan-Eric Nystrom's Baldwin 3003]]
* [[3/4 Inch Scale Registry|Bill Yoder's 3/4 Inch Scale Registry]]
* [[MDM_Locomotive_Works#Archive|Jim Murray and MDM Locomotive Works]]

== Articles by Category ==
[[File:Doug Massie UP Challenger.jpg|thumb|right|300px|3/4 inch scale live steam model of a Union Pacific Challenger built by D. W. Massie of Montreal, Canada.]]
* [[:Category:IBLS Secretaries]]
* [[:Category:People]]
* [[:Category:History]]
* [[:Category:Pop Culture]]

* [[:Category:Beginners]]

* [[:Category:Standards]]
* [[:Category:Definitions]]

* [[:Category:Clubs]]
* [[:Category:Tracks]]
* [[:Category:Suppliers]]

* [[:Category:Construction]]
* [[:Category:Maintenance]]
* [[:Category:Operations]]
* [[:Category:Right of Way]]
* [[:Category:Safety]]
* [[:Category:Materials]]

* [[:Category:Books]]
* [[:Category:Catalogs]]
* [[:Category:Periodicals]]

* [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Parts]]
* [[:Category:Diesel Locomotive Parts]]
* [[:Category:Railroad Car Parts]]

* [[:Category:Prototypes]]
* [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Models]]

== Articles of Interest ==

* [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]]

== Contributing ==

Have an idea for an [[IBLS]] article? Please [mailto:daris@nevil.org contact daris@nevil.org]

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T20:21:59Z

Dnevil: /* Expo '67 Models */

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

[https://mainelinemagazine.joeykelleyphoto.com/Archive/Volume15/VOL%2015%20NO%204%20JULY%20-%20AUGUST%201967.pdf From "Maine Line", Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, August-September 1967];

: Railroaders who visit the Maine Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada are universally delighted to find a care-fully-scaled model of a Bangor and Aroostook freight winding in and out of the pavilion through openings in the west wall. Railroaders aren't the only spectators who are fascinated by the colorful, 55-foot long train, though. It attracts small fry and parents alike and officials at the Maine pavilion credit the train as a top drawing card for the exhibits inside.

: A year-and-a-half ago the idea of a model train was just a gleam in the eye of Clarence McKay, deputy commissioner of the Pavilion. The Bangor and Aroostook agreed to pick up half of the $18,000 tab and the Department of Economic Development paid the remaining $9,000. [[J. Normand Martin]], president and owner of Tom Kane Advertising, agreed to build the train and track to precise specifications despite bids of up to $50,000 from out-of-state companies.

: The train, built to a scale of an inch to the foot, was a year in the building. During the year Martin spent many hours at the Bangor and Aroostook's Northern Maine Junction Diesel Shop studying drawings and the actual working parts of a full-size diesel. The locomotive he modeled was one of the road's new GP-38, No. 82. Working from photographs and drawings, Martin made his own patterns for casting by Maine firms.

: After several weeks of intensive effort he presented his work at the foundry where a silent and imposing old craftsman examined his work with a critical eye. Minutes ticked by punctuated by an occasional "humph" from the old man while Martin fidgeted. He had never made patterns and if it was wrong there wasn't time to re-do the job.

: After what seems an interminable length of time, he looked up at Martin with some amusement. "That's a damn good job," he said.

: The work went on through the winter and the train began to take shape, from the amazingly detailed cars to the locomotive and track. No detail was overlooked, even the hand brakes on the scaled down cars.

: Roofs were remade because they lacked authenticity. Most of the construction was done in his basement workshop through the winter and spring.

: The finished product was taken to Expo by the deadline. Finished, the train weighs more than half a ton, has 14 cars, locomotive and a caboose, the C-68, modeled after an actual caboose. The diesel is powered by an electric motor that operates on a bank of re-chargable batteries. The train winds its way in and out of the building for 10 hours without recharging. It can be stopped and started by a small toggle switch on the engine.

: The train, the only one at the Expo, seems to bring out the child in most adult of observers, some of whom have watched it for as long as a half an hour. Even in a wonderland like Expo, where the spectacular soon becomes commonplace, the train is fascinating.

: "We've had people try to buy it," says Marshall Rice, Jr., an employee at the exposition, "and many have asked where they could get one like it. We can count on getting a whole battery of questions every day."

: During a day when there's a gate of 250,000 persons, officials estimate that about 40,000 people go through the Maine Pavilion. Many of them have been lured there by the colorful little train emerging through the side of the building. The blue, white and red cars are filled with samples of Maine products.

: As might be expected from so complicated a model, there have been some problems. The initial performance was plagued by periodic hotboxes on the engine and eventual journal failure. "When it first happened," Marshall Rice explained, "We called the CN people in Montreal for help. A couple of their officials came over expecting to find a full-sized diesel. They were so intrigued with the model that they rolled up their sleeves and repaired it on the spot." Later it was discovered that the bearings were wrong and the trouble was corrected. Martin made one trip to Montreal to inspect the train himself.

: The center of the Maine Pavilion features animated manikins in various outdoor sporting settings. Occasionally a youngster will reach through the fence and pluck one of the items from the display car. At other times, debris tossed on the track has derailed the 450-pound locomotive. But it has survived the attempts and continues to be a top drawing card for the State of Maine at Expo 67.

: When Expo closes in the fall, the train will be brought home and will be available for use both by the state and by the railroad. Railroad officials feel that the great exposure afforded by having the model at the fair more than justified the modest investment.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png| BAR President W. Jerome Strout, Marshall Rice, Jr., a state employee, and Vice President-Operations and Maintenance Palmer H. Swales look over an operating model of a Bangor and Aroostook train at the Maine Pavilion at Expo67.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png| Govenor Kenneth Curtis posed with the model during Maine Day at the Expo.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png|The train, which runs on an oval track both inside and outside the pavilion, attracts both old and young, left, who often climb the fence for a better view.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png|Inside the pavilion the train winds through scaled down Maine landscape. The entire train weighs more than half a ton.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png|Inside, train pulls Bangor and Aroostook Blue, White and Red cars displaying Maine products, intriguing young visitors, some of whom watch the train for as long as half an hour without moving.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png|Authenticity is apparent in the fine detail of the truck design.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png|Builder J. Normand Martin demonstrates the fine detail typical of the entire train.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png|Stripped engine unit shows the detail of the driving mechanism and the reason for the weight (450 pounds) of the locomotive.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png|The exterior shell is made of solid brass.
</gallery>

== Funding ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

[[File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg|thumb|center|500px|J. Normand Martin in front of his Paul Bunyan statue]]

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T20:18:04Z

Dnevil: /* Funding */

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

[https://mainelinemagazine.joeykelleyphoto.com/Archive/Volume15/VOL%2015%20NO%204%20JULY%20-%20AUGUST%201967.pdf From "Maine Line", Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, August-September 1967];

: Railroaders who visit the Maine Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada are universally delighted to find a care-fully-scaled model of a Bangor and Aroostook freight winding in and out of the pavilion through openings in the west wall. Railroaders aren't the only spectators who are fascinated by the colorful, 55-foot long train, though. It attracts small fry and parents alike and officials at the Maine pavilion credit the train as a top drawing card for the exhibits inside.

: A year-and-a-half ago the idea of a model train was just a gleam in the eye of Clarence McKay, deputy commissioner of the Pavilion. The Bangor and Aroostook agreed to pick up half of the $18,000 tab and the Department of Economic Development paid the remaining $9,000. [[J. Normand Martin]], president and owner of Tom Kane Advertising, agreed to build the train and track to precise specifications despite bids of up to $50,000 from out-of-state companies.

: The train, built to a scale of an inch to the foot, was a year in the building. During the year Martin spent many hours at the Bangor and Aroostook's Northern Maine Junction Diesel Shop studying drawings and the actual working parts of a full-size diesel. The locomotive he modeled was one of the road's new GP-38, No. 82. Working from photographs and drawings, Martin made his own patterns for casting by Maine firms.

: After several weeks of intensive effort he presented his work at the foundry where a silent and imposing old craftsman examined his work with a critical eye. Minutes ticked by punctuated by an occasional "humph" from the old man while Martin fidgeted. He had never made patterns and if it was wrong there wasn't time to re-do the job.

: After what seems an interminable length of time, he looked up at Martin with some amusement. "That's a damn good job," he said.

: The work went on through the winter and the train began to take shape, from the amazingly detailed cars to the locomotive and track. No detail was overlooked, even the hand brakes on the scaled down cars.

: Roofs were remade because they lacked authenticity. Most of the construction was done in his basement workshop through the winter and spring.

: The finished product was taken to Expo by the deadline. Finished, the train weighs more than half a ton, has 14 cars, locomotive and a caboose, the C-68, modeled after an actual caboose. The diesel is powered by an electric motor that operates on a bank of re-chargable batteries. The train winds its way in and out of the building for 10 hours without recharging. It can be stopped and started by a small toggle switch on the engine.

: The train, the only one at the Expo, seems to bring out the child in most adult of observers, some of whom have watched it for as long as a half an hour. Even in a wonderland like Expo, where the spectacular soon becomes commonplace, the train is fascinating.

: "We've had people try to buy it," says Marshall Rice, Jr., an employee at the exposition, "and many have asked where they could get one like it. We can count on getting a whole battery of questions every day."

: During a day when there's a gate of 250,000 persons, officials estimate that about 40,000 people go through the Maine Pavilion. Many of them have been lured there by the colorful little train emerging through the side of the building. The blue, white and red cars are filled with samples of Maine products.

: As might be expected from so complicated a model, there have been some problems. The initial performance was plagued by periodic hotboxes on the engine and eventual journal failure. "When it first happened," Marshall Rice explained, "We called the CN people in Montreal for help. A couple of their officials came over expecting to find a full-sized diesel. They were so intrigued with the model that they rolled up their sleeves and repaired it on the spot." Later it was discovered that the bearings were wrong and the trouble was corrected. Martin made one trip to Montreal to inspect the train himself.

: The center of the Maine Pavilion features animated manikins in various outdoor sporting settings. Occasionally a youngster will reach through the fence and pluck one of the items from the display car. At other times, debris tossed on the track has derailed the 450-pound locomotive. But it has survived the attempts and continues to be a top drawing card for the State of Maine at Expo 67.

: When Expo closes in the fall, the train will be brought home and will be available for use both by the state and by the railroad. Railroad officials feel that the great exposure afforded by having the model at the fair more than justified the modest investment.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png| BAR President W. Jerome Strout, Marshall Rice, Jr., a state employee, and Vice President-Operations and Maintenance Palmer H. Swales look over an operating model of a Bangor and Aroos-took train at the Maine Pavilion at Expo67.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png| Govenor Kenneth Curtis posed with the model during Maine Day at the Expo.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png|The train, which runs on an oval track both inside and outside the pavilion, attracts both old and young, left, who often climb the fence for a better view.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png|Inside the pavilion the train winds through scaled down Maine landscape. The entire train weighs more than half a ton.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png|Inside, train pulls Bangor and Aroostook Blue, White and Red cars displaying Maine products, intriguing young visitors, some of whom watch the train for as long as half an hour without moving.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png|Authenticity is apparent in the fine detail of the truck design.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png|Builder J. Normand Martin demonstrates the fine detail typical of the entire train.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png|Stripped engine unit shows the detail of the driving mechanism and the reason for the weight (450 pounds) of the locomotive.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png|The exterior shell is made of solid brass.
</gallery>

== Funding ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

[[File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg|thumb|center|500px|J. Normand Martin in front of his Paul Bunyan statue]]

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T20:17:46Z

Dnevil: /* External Links */

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

[https://mainelinemagazine.joeykelleyphoto.com/Archive/Volume15/VOL%2015%20NO%204%20JULY%20-%20AUGUST%201967.pdf From "Maine Line", Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, August-September 1967];

: Railroaders who visit the Maine Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada are universally delighted to find a care-fully-scaled model of a Bangor and Aroostook freight winding in and out of the pavilion through openings in the west wall. Railroaders aren't the only spectators who are fascinated by the colorful, 55-foot long train, though. It attracts small fry and parents alike and officials at the Maine pavilion credit the train as a top drawing card for the exhibits inside.

: A year-and-a-half ago the idea of a model train was just a gleam in the eye of Clarence McKay, deputy commissioner of the Pavilion. The Bangor and Aroostook agreed to pick up half of the $18,000 tab and the Department of Economic Development paid the remaining $9,000. [[J. Normand Martin]], president and owner of Tom Kane Advertising, agreed to build the train and track to precise specifications despite bids of up to $50,000 from out-of-state companies.

: The train, built to a scale of an inch to the foot, was a year in the building. During the year Martin spent many hours at the Bangor and Aroostook's Northern Maine Junction Diesel Shop studying drawings and the actual working parts of a full-size diesel. The locomotive he modeled was one of the road's new GP-38, No. 82. Working from photographs and drawings, Martin made his own patterns for casting by Maine firms.

: After several weeks of intensive effort he presented his work at the foundry where a silent and imposing old craftsman examined his work with a critical eye. Minutes ticked by punctuated by an occasional "humph" from the old man while Martin fidgeted. He had never made patterns and if it was wrong there wasn't time to re-do the job.

: After what seems an interminable length of time, he looked up at Martin with some amusement. "That's a damn good job," he said.

: The work went on through the winter and the train began to take shape, from the amazingly detailed cars to the locomotive and track. No detail was overlooked, even the hand brakes on the scaled down cars.

: Roofs were remade because they lacked authenticity. Most of the construction was done in his basement workshop through the winter and spring.

: The finished product was taken to Expo by the deadline. Finished, the train weighs more than half a ton, has 14 cars, locomotive and a caboose, the C-68, modeled after an actual caboose. The diesel is powered by an electric motor that operates on a bank of re-chargable batteries. The train winds its way in and out of the building for 10 hours without recharging. It can be stopped and started by a small toggle switch on the engine.

: The train, the only one at the Expo, seems to bring out the child in most adult of observers, some of whom have watched it for as long as a half an hour. Even in a wonderland like Expo, where the spectacular soon becomes commonplace, the train is fascinating.

: "We've had people try to buy it," says Marshall Rice, Jr., an employee at the exposition, "and many have asked where they could get one like it. We can count on getting a whole battery of questions every day."

: During a day when there's a gate of 250,000 persons, officials estimate that about 40,000 people go through the Maine Pavilion. Many of them have been lured there by the colorful little train emerging through the side of the building. The blue, white and red cars are filled with samples of Maine products.

: As might be expected from so complicated a model, there have been some problems. The initial performance was plagued by periodic hotboxes on the engine and eventual journal failure. "When it first happened," Marshall Rice explained, "We called the CN people in Montreal for help. A couple of their officials came over expecting to find a full-sized diesel. They were so intrigued with the model that they rolled up their sleeves and repaired it on the spot." Later it was discovered that the bearings were wrong and the trouble was corrected. Martin made one trip to Montreal to inspect the train himself.

: The center of the Maine Pavilion features animated manikins in various outdoor sporting settings. Occasionally a youngster will reach through the fence and pluck one of the items from the display car. At other times, debris tossed on the track has derailed the 450-pound locomotive. But it has survived the attempts and continues to be a top drawing card for the State of Maine at Expo 67.

: When Expo closes in the fall, the train will be brought home and will be available for use both by the state and by the railroad. Railroad officials feel that the great exposure afforded by having the model at the fair more than justified the modest investment.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png| BAR President W. Jerome Strout, Marshall Rice, Jr., a state employee, and Vice President-Operations and Maintenance Palmer H. Swales look over an operating model of a Bangor and Aroos-took train at the Maine Pavilion at Expo67.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png| Govenor Kenneth Curtis posed with the model during Maine Day at the Expo.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png|The train, which runs on an oval track both inside and outside the pavilion, attracts both old and young, left, who often climb the fence for a better view.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png|Inside the pavilion the train winds through scaled down Maine landscape. The entire train weighs more than half a ton.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png|Inside, train pulls Bangor and Aroostook Blue, White and Red cars displaying Maine products, intriguing young visitors, some of whom watch the train for as long as half an hour without moving.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png|Authenticity is apparent in the fine detail of the truck design.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png|Builder J. Normand Martin demonstrates the fine detail typical of the entire train.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png|Stripped engine unit shows the detail of the driving mechanism and the reason for the weight (450 pounds) of the locomotive.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png|The exterior shell is made of solid brass.
</gallery>

== Funding ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

[[File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg|thumb|center|500px|J. Normand Martin in front of his Paul Bunyan statue]]

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T20:17:15Z

Dnevil: /* Expo '67 Models */

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

[https://mainelinemagazine.joeykelleyphoto.com/Archive/Volume15/VOL%2015%20NO%204%20JULY%20-%20AUGUST%201967.pdf From "Maine Line", Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, August-September 1967];

: Railroaders who visit the Maine Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada are universally delighted to find a care-fully-scaled model of a Bangor and Aroostook freight winding in and out of the pavilion through openings in the west wall. Railroaders aren't the only spectators who are fascinated by the colorful, 55-foot long train, though. It attracts small fry and parents alike and officials at the Maine pavilion credit the train as a top drawing card for the exhibits inside.

: A year-and-a-half ago the idea of a model train was just a gleam in the eye of Clarence McKay, deputy commissioner of the Pavilion. The Bangor and Aroostook agreed to pick up half of the $18,000 tab and the Department of Economic Development paid the remaining $9,000. [[J. Normand Martin]], president and owner of Tom Kane Advertising, agreed to build the train and track to precise specifications despite bids of up to $50,000 from out-of-state companies.

: The train, built to a scale of an inch to the foot, was a year in the building. During the year Martin spent many hours at the Bangor and Aroostook's Northern Maine Junction Diesel Shop studying drawings and the actual working parts of a full-size diesel. The locomotive he modeled was one of the road's new GP-38, No. 82. Working from photographs and drawings, Martin made his own patterns for casting by Maine firms.

: After several weeks of intensive effort he presented his work at the foundry where a silent and imposing old craftsman examined his work with a critical eye. Minutes ticked by punctuated by an occasional "humph" from the old man while Martin fidgeted. He had never made patterns and if it was wrong there wasn't time to re-do the job.

: After what seems an interminable length of time, he looked up at Martin with some amusement. "That's a damn good job," he said.

: The work went on through the winter and the train began to take shape, from the amazingly detailed cars to the locomotive and track. No detail was overlooked, even the hand brakes on the scaled down cars.

: Roofs were remade because they lacked authenticity. Most of the construction was done in his basement workshop through the winter and spring.

: The finished product was taken to Expo by the deadline. Finished, the train weighs more than half a ton, has 14 cars, locomotive and a caboose, the C-68, modeled after an actual caboose. The diesel is powered by an electric motor that operates on a bank of re-chargable batteries. The train winds its way in and out of the building for 10 hours without recharging. It can be stopped and started by a small toggle switch on the engine.

: The train, the only one at the Expo, seems to bring out the child in most adult of observers, some of whom have watched it for as long as a half an hour. Even in a wonderland like Expo, where the spectacular soon becomes commonplace, the train is fascinating.

: "We've had people try to buy it," says Marshall Rice, Jr., an employee at the exposition, "and many have asked where they could get one like it. We can count on getting a whole battery of questions every day."

: During a day when there's a gate of 250,000 persons, officials estimate that about 40,000 people go through the Maine Pavilion. Many of them have been lured there by the colorful little train emerging through the side of the building. The blue, white and red cars are filled with samples of Maine products.

: As might be expected from so complicated a model, there have been some problems. The initial performance was plagued by periodic hotboxes on the engine and eventual journal failure. "When it first happened," Marshall Rice explained, "We called the CN people in Montreal for help. A couple of their officials came over expecting to find a full-sized diesel. They were so intrigued with the model that they rolled up their sleeves and repaired it on the spot." Later it was discovered that the bearings were wrong and the trouble was corrected. Martin made one trip to Montreal to inspect the train himself.

: The center of the Maine Pavilion features animated manikins in various outdoor sporting settings. Occasionally a youngster will reach through the fence and pluck one of the items from the display car. At other times, debris tossed on the track has derailed the 450-pound locomotive. But it has survived the attempts and continues to be a top drawing card for the State of Maine at Expo 67.

: When Expo closes in the fall, the train will be brought home and will be available for use both by the state and by the railroad. Railroad officials feel that the great exposure afforded by having the model at the fair more than justified the modest investment.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png| BAR President W. Jerome Strout, Marshall Rice, Jr., a state employee, and Vice President-Operations and Maintenance Palmer H. Swales look over an operating model of a Bangor and Aroos-took train at the Maine Pavilion at Expo67.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png| Govenor Kenneth Curtis posed with the model during Maine Day at the Expo.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png|The train, which runs on an oval track both inside and outside the pavilion, attracts both old and young, left, who often climb the fence for a better view.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png|Inside the pavilion the train winds through scaled down Maine landscape. The entire train weighs more than half a ton.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png|Inside, train pulls Bangor and Aroostook Blue, White and Red cars displaying Maine products, intriguing young visitors, some of whom watch the train for as long as half an hour without moving.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png|Authenticity is apparent in the fine detail of the truck design.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png|Builder J. Normand Martin demonstrates the fine detail typical of the entire train.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png|Stripped engine unit shows the detail of the driving mechanism and the reason for the weight (450 pounds) of the locomotive.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png|The exterior shell is made of solid brass.
</gallery>

== Funding ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

[[File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg|thumb|center|500px|J. Normand Martin in front of his Paul Bunyan statue]]

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]
* [

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T20:14:44Z

Dnevil: /* Expo '67 Models */

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

[https://mainelinemagazine.joeykelleyphoto.com/Archive/Volume15/VOL%2015%20NO%204%20JULY%20-%20AUGUST%201967.pdf From "Maine Line", Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, August-September 1967];

: Railroaders who visit the Maine Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada are universally delighted to find a care-fully-scaled model of a Bangor and Aroostook freight winding in and out of the pavilion through openings in the west wall. Railroaders aren't the only spectators who are fascinated by the colorful, 55-foot long train, though. It attracts small fry and parents alike and officials at the Maine pavilion credit the train as a top drawing card for the exhibits inside.

: A year-and-a-half ago the idea of a model train was just a gleam in the eye of Clarence McKay, deputy commissioner of the Pavilion. The Bangor and Aroostook agreed to pick up half of the $18,000 tab and the Department of Economic Development paid the remaining $9,000. [[J. Normand Martin]], president and owner of Tom Kane Advertising, agreed to build the train and track to precise specifications despite bids of up to $50,000 from out-of-state companies.

: The train, built to a scale of an inch to the foot, was a year in the building. During the year Martin spent many hours at the Bangor and Aroostook's Northern Maine Junction Diesel Shop studying drawings and the actual working parts of a full-size diesel. The locomotive he modeled was one of the road's new GP-38, No. 82. Working from photographs and drawings, Martin made his own patterns for casting by Maine firms.

: After several weeks of intensive effort he presented his work at the foundry where a silent and imposing old craftsman examined his work with a critical eye. Minutes ticked by punctuated by an occasional "humph" from the old man while Martin fidgeted. He had never made patterns and if it was wrong there wasn't time to re-do the job.

: After what seems an interminable length of time, he looked up at Martin with some amusement. "That's a damn good job," he said.

: The work went on through the winter and the train began to take shape, from the amazingly detailed cars to the locomotive and track. No detail was overlooked, even the hand brakes on the scaled down cars.

: Roofs were remade because they lacked authenticity. Most of the construction was done in his basement workshop through the winter and spring.

: The finished product was taken to Expo by the deadline. Finished, the train weighs more than half a ton, has 14 cars, locomotive and a caboose, the C-68, modeled after an actual caboose. The diesel is powered by an electric motor that operates on a bank of re-chargable batteries. The train winds its way in and out of the building for 10 hours without recharging. It can be stopped and started by a small toggle switch on the engine.

: The train, the only one at the Expo, seems to bring out the child in most adult of observers, some of whom have watched it for as long as a half an hour. Even in a wonderland like Expo, where the spectacular soon becomes commonplace, the train is fascinating.

: "We've had people try to buy it," says Marshall Rice, Jr., an employee at the exposition, "and many have asked where they could get one like it. We can count on getting a whole battery of questions every day."

: During a day when there's a gate of 250,000 persons, officials estimate that about 40,000 people go through the Maine Pavilion. Many of them have been lured there by the colorful little train emerging through the side of the building. The blue, white and red cars are filled with samples of Maine products.

: As might be expected from so complicated a model, there have been some problems. The initial performance was plagued by periodic hotboxes on the engine and eventual journal failure. "When it first happened," Marshall Rice explained, "We called the CN people in Montreal for help. A couple of their officials came over expecting to find a full-sized diesel. They were so intrigued with the model that they rolled up their sleeves and repaired it on the spot." Later it was discovered that the bearings were wrong and the trouble was corrected. Martin made one trip to Montreal to inspect the train himself.

: The center of the Maine Pavilion features animated manikins in various outdoor sporting settings. Occasionally a youngster will reach through the fence and pluck one of the items from the display car. At other times, debris tossed on the track has derailed the 450-pound locomotive. But it has survived the attempts and continues to be a top drawing card for the State of Maine at Expo 67.

: When Expo closes in the fall, the train will be brought home and will be available for use both by the state and by the railroad. Railroad officials feel that the great exposure afforded by having the model at the fair more than justified the modest investment.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png| BAR President W. Jerome Strout, Marshall Rice, Jr., a state employee, and Vice President-Operations and Maintenance Palmer H. Swales look over an operating model of a Bangor and Aroos-took train at the Maine Pavilion at Expo67.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png| Govenor Kenneth Curtis posed with the model during Maine Day at the Expo.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png|The train, which runs on an oval track both inside and outside the pavilion, attracts both old and young, left, who often climb the fence for a better view.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png|Inside the pavilion the train winds through scaled down Maine landscape. The entire train weighs more than half a ton.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

== Funding ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

[[File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg|thumb|center|500px|J. Normand Martin in front of his Paul Bunyan statue]]

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]
* [

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T20:14:34Z

Dnevil: /* Expo '67 Models */

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

[https://mainelinemagazine.joeykelleyphoto.com/Archive/Volume15/VOL%2015%20NO%204%20JULY%20-%20AUGUST%201967.pdf From "Maine Line", Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, August-September 1967];

: Railroaders who visit the Maine Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada are universally delighted to find a care-fully-scaled model of a Bangor and Aroostook freight winding in and out of the pavilion through openings in the west wall. Railroaders aren't the only spectators who are fascinated by the colorful, 55-foot long train, though. It attracts small fry and parents alike and officials at the Maine pavilion credit the train as a top drawing card for the exhibits inside.

: A year-and-a-half ago the idea of a model train was just a gleam in the eye of Clarence McKay, deputy commissioner of the Pavilion. The Bangor and Aroostook agreed to pick up half of the $18,000 tab and the Department of Economic Development paid the remaining $9,000. [[J. Normand Martin]], president and owner of Tom Kane Advertising, agreed to build the train and track to precise specifications despite bids of up to $50,000 from out-of-state companies.

: The train, built to a scale of an inch to the foot, was a year in the building. During the year Martin spent many hours at the Bangor and Aroostook's Northern Maine Junction Diesel Shop studying drawings and the actual working parts of a full-size diesel. The locomotive he modeled was one of the road's new GP-38, No. 82. Working from photographs and drawings, Martin made his own patterns for casting by Maine firms.

: After several weeks of intensive effort he presented his work at the foundry where a silent and imposing old craftsman examined his work with a critical eye. Minutes ticked by punctuated by an occasional "humph" from the old man while Martin fidgeted. He had never made patterns and if it was wrong there wasn't time to re-do the job.

: After what seems an interminable length of time, he looked up at Martin with some amusement. "That's a damn good job," he said.

: The work went on through the winter and the train began to take shape, from the amazingly detailed cars to the locomotive and track. No detail was overlooked, even the hand brakes on the scaled down cars.

: Roofs were remade because they lacked authenticity. Most of the construction was done in his basement workshop through the winter and spring.

: The finished product was taken to Expo by the deadline. Finished, the train weighs more than half a ton, has 14 cars, locomotive and a caboose, the C-68, modeled after an actual caboose. The diesel is powered by an electric motor that operates on a bank of re-chargable batteries. The train winds its way in and out of the building for 10 hours without recharging. It can be stopped and started by a small toggle switch on the engine.

: The train, the only one at the Expo, seems to bring out the child in most adult of observers, some of whom have watched it for as long as a half an hour. Even in a wonderland like Expo, where the spectacular soon becomes commonplace, the train is fascinating.

: "We've had people try to buy it," says Marshall Rice, Jr., an employee at the exposition, "and many have asked where they could get one like it. We can count on getting a whole battery of questions every day."

: During a day when there's a gate of 250,000 persons, officials estimate that about 40,000 people go through the Maine Pavilion. Many of them have been lured there by the colorful little train emerging through the side of the building. The blue, white and red cars are filled with samples of Maine products.

: As might be expected from so complicated a model, there have been some problems. The initial performance was plagued by periodic hotboxes on the engine and eventual journal failure. "When it first happened," Marshall Rice explained, "We called the CN people in Montreal for help. A couple of their officials came over expecting to find a full-sized diesel. They were so intrigued with the model that they rolled up their sleeves and repaired it on the spot." Later it was discovered that the bearings were wrong and the trouble was corrected. Martin made one trip to Montreal to inspect the train himself.

: The center of the Maine Pavilion features animated manikins in various outdoor sporting settings. Occasionally a youngster will reach through the fence and pluck one of the items from the display car. At other times, debris tossed on the track has derailed the 450-pound locomotive. But it has survived the attempts and continues to be a top drawing card for the State of Maine at Expo 67.

: When Expo closes in the fall, the train will be brought home and will be available for use both by the state and by the railroad. Railroad officials feel that the great exposure afforded by having the model at the fair more than justified the modest investment.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png| BAR President W. Jerome Strout, Marshall Rice, Jr., a state employee, and Vice President-Operations and Maintenance Palmer H. Swales look over an operating model of a Bangor and Aroos-took train at the Maine Pavilion at Expo67.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png| Govenor Kenneth Curtis posed with the model during Maine Day at the Expo.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png|The train, which runs on an oval track both inside and outside the pavilion, attracts both old and young, left, who often climb the fence for a better view.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png|Inside the pavilion the train winds through scaled down Maine land-scape. The entire train weighs more than half a ton.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

== Funding ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

[[File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg|thumb|center|500px|J. Normand Martin in front of his Paul Bunyan statue]]

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]
* [

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T20:14:00Z

Dnevil: /* Expo '67 Models */

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

[https://mainelinemagazine.joeykelleyphoto.com/Archive/Volume15/VOL%2015%20NO%204%20JULY%20-%20AUGUST%201967.pdf From "Maine Line", Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, August-September 1967];

: Railroaders who visit the Maine Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada are universally delighted to find a care-fully-scaled model of a Bangor and Aroostook freight winding in and out of the pavilion through openings in the west wall. Railroaders aren't the only spectators who are fascinated by the colorful, 55-foot long train, though. It attracts small fry and parents alike and officials at the Maine pavilion credit the train as a top drawing card for the exhibits inside.

: A year-and-a-half ago the idea of a model train was just a gleam in the eye of Clarence McKay, deputy commissioner of the Pavilion. The Bangor and Aroostook agreed to pick up half of the $18,000 tab and the Department of Economic Development paid the remaining $9,000. [[J. Normand Martin]], president and owner of Tom Kane Advertising, agreed to build the train and track to precise specifications despite bids of up to $50,000 from out-of-state companies.

: The train, built to a scale of an inch to the foot, was a year in the building. During the year Martin spent many hours at the Bangor and Aroostook's Northern Maine Junction Diesel Shop studying drawings and the actual working parts of a full-size diesel. The locomotive he modeled was one of the road's new GP-38, No. 82. Working from photographs and drawings, Martin made his own patterns for casting by Maine firms.

: After several weeks of intensive effort he presented his work at the foundry where a silent and imposing old craftsman examined his work with a critical eye. Minutes ticked by punctuated by an occasional "humph" from the old man while Martin fidgeted. He had never made patterns and if it was wrong there wasn't time to re-do the job.

: After what seems an interminable length of time, he looked up at Martin with some amusement. "That's a damn good job," he said.

: The work went on through the winter and the train began to take shape, from the amazingly detailed cars to the locomotive and track. No detail was overlooked, even the hand brakes on the scaled down cars.

: Roofs were remade because they lacked authenticity. Most of the construction was done in his basement workshop through the winter and spring.

: The finished product was taken to Expo by the deadline. Finished, the train weighs more than half a ton, has 14 cars, locomotive and a caboose, the C-68, modeled after an actual caboose. The diesel is powered by an electric motor that operates on a bank of re-chargable batteries. The train winds its way in and out of the building for 10 hours without recharging. It can be stopped and started by a small toggle switch on the engine.

: The train, the only one at the Expo, seems to bring out the child in most adult of observers, some of whom have watched it for as long as a half an hour. Even in a wonderland like Expo, where the spectacular soon becomes commonplace, the train is fascinating.

: "We've had people try to buy it," says Marshall Rice, Jr., an employee at the exposition, "and many have asked where they could get one like it. We can count on getting a whole battery of questions every day."

: During a day when there's a gate of 250,000 persons, officials estimate that about 40,000 people go through the Maine Pavilion. Many of them have been lured there by the colorful little train emerging through the side of the building. The blue, white and red cars are filled with samples of Maine products.

: As might be expected from so complicated a model, there have been some problems. The initial performance was plagued by periodic hotboxes on the engine and eventual journal failure. "When it first happened," Marshall Rice explained, "We called the CN people in Montreal for help. A couple of their officials came over expecting to find a full-sized diesel. They were so intrigued with the model that they rolled up their sleeves and repaired it on the spot." Later it was discovered that the bearings were wrong and the trouble was corrected. Martin made one trip to Montreal to inspect the train himself.

: The center of the Maine Pavilion features animated manikins in various outdoor sporting settings. Occasionally a youngster will reach through the fence and pluck one of the items from the display car. At other times, debris tossed on the track has derailed the 450-pound locomotive. But it has survived the attempts and continues to be a top drawing card for the State of Maine at Expo 67.

: When Expo closes in the fall, the train will be brought home and will be available for use both by the state and by the railroad. Railroad officials feel that the great exposure afforded by having the model at the fair more than justified the modest investment.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png| BAR President W. Jerome Strout, Marshall Rice, Jr., a state employee, and Vice President-Operations and Maintenance Palmer H. Swales look over an operating model of a Bangor and Aroos-took train at the Maine Pavilion at Expo67.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png| Govenor Kenneth Curtis posed with the model during Maine Day at the Expo.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png|The train, which runs on an oval track both inside and outside the pavilion, attracts both old and young, left, who often climb the fence for a better view.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png|Inside the pavilion the train winds through scaled down Maine land-scape. The entire train weighs more than half a ton.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

== Funding ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

[[File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg|thumb|center|500px|J. Normand Martin in front of his Paul Bunyan statue]]

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]
* [

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T20:12:42Z

Dnevil: /* Expo '67 Models */

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

[https://mainelinemagazine.joeykelleyphoto.com/Archive/Volume15/VOL%2015%20NO%204%20JULY%20-%20AUGUST%201967.pdf From "Maine Line", Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, August-September 1967];

: Railroaders who visit the Maine Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada are universally delighted to find a care-fully-scaled model of a Bangor and Aroostook freight winding in and out of the pavilion through openings in the west wall. Railroaders aren't the only spectators who are fascinated by the colorful, 55-foot long train, though. It attracts small fry and parents alike and officials at the Maine pavilion credit the train as a top drawing card for the exhibits inside.

: A year-and-a-half ago the idea of a model train was just a gleam in the eye of Clarence McKay, deputy commissioner of the Pavilion. The Bangor and Aroostook agreed to pick up half of the $18,000 tab and the Department of Economic Development paid the remaining $9,000. [[J. Normand Martin]], president and owner of Tom Kane Advertising, agreed to build the train and track to precise specifications despite bids of up to $50,000 from out-of-state companies.

: The train, built to a scale of an inch to the foot, was a year in the building. During the year Martin spent many hours at the Bangor and Aroostook's Northern Maine Junction Diesel Shop studying drawings and the actual working parts of a full-size diesel. The locomotive he modeled was one of the road's new GP-38, No. 82. Working from photographs and drawings, Martin made his own patterns for casting by Maine firms.

: After several weeks of intensive effort he presented his work at the foundry where a silent and imposing old craftsman examined his work with a critical eye. Minutes ticked by punctuated by an occasional "humph" from the old man while Martin fidgeted. He had never made patterns and if it was wrong there wasn't time to re-do the job.

: After what seems an interminable length of time, he looked up at Martin with some amusement. "That's a damn good job," he said.

: The work went on through the winter and the train began to take shape, from the amazingly detailed cars to the locomotive and track. No detail was overlooked, even the hand brakes on the scaled down cars.

: Roofs were remade because they lacked authenticity. Most of the construction was done in his basement workshop through the winter and spring.

: The finished product was taken to Expo by the deadline. Finished, the train weighs more than half a ton, has 14 cars, locomotive and a caboose, the C-68, modeled after an actual caboose. The diesel is powered by an electric motor that operates on a bank of re-chargable batteries. The train winds its way in and out of the building for 10 hours without recharging. It can be stopped and started by a small toggle switch on the engine.

: The train, the only one at the Expo, seems to bring out the child in most adult of observers, some of whom have watched it for as long as a half an hour. Even in a wonderland like Expo, where the spectacular soon becomes commonplace, the train is fascinating.

: "We've had people try to buy it," says Marshall Rice, Jr., an employee at the exposition, "and many have asked where they could get one like it. We can count on getting a whole battery of questions every day."

: During a day when there's a gate of 250,000 persons, officials estimate that about 40,000 people go through the Maine Pavilion. Many of them have been lured there by the colorful little train emerging through the side of the building. The blue, white and red cars are filled with samples of Maine products.

: As might be expected from so complicated a model, there have been some problems. The initial performance was plagued by periodic hotboxes on the engine and eventual journal failure. "When it first happened," Marshall Rice explained, "We called the CN people in Montreal for help. A couple of their officials came over expecting to find a full-sized diesel. They were so intrigued with the model that they rolled up their sleeves and repaired it on the spot." Later it was discovered that the bearings were wrong and the trouble was corrected. Martin made one trip to Montreal to inspect the train himself.

: The center of the Maine Pavilion features animated manikins in various outdoor sporting settings. Occasionally a youngster will reach through the fence and pluck one of the items from the display car. At other times, debris tossed on the track has derailed the 450-pound locomotive. But it has survived the attempts and continues to be a top drawing card for the State of Maine at Expo 67.

: When Expo closes in the fall, the train will be brought home and will be available for use both by the state and by the railroad. Railroad officials feel that the great exposure afforded by having the model at the fair more than justified the modest investment.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png| BAR President W. Jerome Strout, Marshall Rice, Jr., a state employee, and Vice President-Operations and Maintenance Palmer H. Swales look over an operating model of a Bangor and Aroos-took train at the Maine Pavilion at Expo67.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png| Govenor Kenneth Curtis posed with the model during Maine Day at the Expo.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

== Funding ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

[[File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg|thumb|center|500px|J. Normand Martin in front of his Paul Bunyan statue]]

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]
* [

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T20:11:26Z

Dnevil: /* Expo '67 Models */

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

[https://mainelinemagazine.joeykelleyphoto.com/Archive/Volume15/VOL%2015%20NO%204%20JULY%20-%20AUGUST%201967.pdf From "Maine Line", Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, August-September 1967];

: Railroaders who visit the Maine Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada are universally delighted to find a care-fully-scaled model of a Bangor and Aroostook freight winding in and out of the pavilion through openings in the west wall. Railroaders aren't the only spectators who are fascinated by the colorful, 55-foot long train, though. It attracts small fry and parents alike and officials at the Maine pavilion credit the train as a top drawing card for the exhibits inside.

: A year-and-a-half ago the idea of a model train was just a gleam in the eye of Clarence McKay, deputy commissioner of the Pavilion. The Bangor and Aroostook agreed to pick up half of the $18,000 tab and the Department of Economic Development paid the remaining $9,000. [[J. Normand Martin]], president and owner of Tom Kane Advertising, agreed to build the train and track to precise specifications despite bids of up to $50,000 from out-of-state companies.

: The train, built to a scale of an inch to the foot, was a year in the building. During the year Martin spent many hours at the Bangor and Aroostook's Northern Maine Junction Diesel Shop studying drawings and the actual working parts of a full-size diesel. The locomotive he modeled was one of the road's new GP-38, No. 82. Working from photographs and drawings, Martin made his own patterns for casting by Maine firms.

: After several weeks of intensive effort he presented his work at the foundry where a silent and imposing old craftsman examined his work with a critical eye. Minutes ticked by punctuated by an occasional "humph" from the old man while Martin fidgeted. He had never made patterns and if it was wrong there wasn't time to re-do the job.

: After what seems an interminable length of time, he looked up at Martin with some amusement. "That's a damn good job," he said.

: The work went on through the winter and the train began to take shape, from the amazingly detailed cars to the locomotive and track. No detail was overlooked, even the hand brakes on the scaled down cars.

: Roofs were remade because they lacked authenticity. Most of the construction was done in his basement workshop through the winter and spring.

: The finished product was taken to Expo by the deadline. Finished, the train weighs more than half a ton, has 14 cars, locomotive and a caboose, the C-68, modeled after an actual caboose. The diesel is powered by an electric motor that operates on a bank of re-chargable batteries. The train winds its way in and out of the building for 10 hours without recharging. It can be stopped and started by a small toggle switch on the engine.

: The train, the only one at the Expo, seems to bring out the child in most adult of observers, some of whom have watched it for as long as a half an hour. Even in a wonderland like Expo, where the spectacular soon becomes commonplace, the train is fascinating.

: "We've had people try to buy it," says Marshall Rice, Jr., an employee at the exposition, "and many have asked where they could get one like it. We can count on getting a whole battery of questions every day."

: During a day when there's a gate of 250,000 persons, officials estimate that about 40,000 people go through the Maine Pavilion. Many of them have been lured there by the colorful little train emerging through the side of the building. The blue, white and red cars are filled with samples of Maine products.

: As might be expected from so complicated a model, there have been some problems. The initial performance was plagued by periodic hotboxes on the engine and eventual journal failure. "When it first happened," Marshall Rice explained, "We called the CN people in Montreal for help. A couple of their officials came over expecting to find a full-sized diesel. They were so intrigued with the model that they rolled up their sleeves and repaired it on the spot." Later it was discovered that the bearings were wrong and the trouble was corrected. Martin made one trip to Montreal to inspect the train himself.

: The center of the Maine Pavilion features animated manikins in various outdoor sporting settings. Occasionally a youngster will reach through the fence and pluck one of the items from the display car. At other times, debris tossed on the track has derailed the 450-pound locomotive. But it has survived the attempts and continues to be a top drawing card for the State of Maine at Expo 67.

: When Expo closes in the fall, the train will be brought home and will be available for use both by the state and by the railroad. Railroad officials feel that the great exposure afforded by having the model at the fair more than justified the modest investment.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png| BAR President W. Jerome Strout, Marshall Rice, Jr., a state employee, and Vice President-Operations and Maintenance Palmer H. Swales look over an operating model of a Bangor and Aroos-took train at the Maine Pavilion at Expo67.
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

== Funding ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

[[File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg|thumb|center|500px|J. Normand Martin in front of his Paul Bunyan statue]]

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]
* [

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T20:06:59Z

Dnevil:

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

[https://mainelinemagazine.joeykelleyphoto.com/Archive/Volume15/VOL%2015%20NO%204%20JULY%20-%20AUGUST%201967.pdf From "Maine Line", Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, August-September 1967];

: Railroaders who visit the Maine Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada are universally delighted to find a care-fully-scaled model of a Bangor and Aroostook freight winding in and out of the pavilion through openings in the west wall. Railroaders aren't the only spectators who are fascinated by the colorful, 55-foot long train, though. It attracts small fry and parents alike and officials at the Maine pavilion credit the train as a top drawing card for the exhibits inside.

: A year-and-a-half ago the idea of a model train was just a gleam in the eye of Clarence McKay, deputy commissioner of the Pavilion. The Bangor and Aroostook agreed to pick up half of the $18,000 tab and the Department of Economic Development paid the remaining $9,000. [[J. Normand Martin]], president and owner of Tom Kane Advertising, agreed to build the train and track to precise specifications despite bids of up to $50,000 from out-of-state companies.

: The train, built to a scale of an inch to the foot, was a year in the building. During the year Martin spent many hours at the Bangor and Aroostook's Northern Maine Junction Diesel Shop studying drawings and the actual working parts of a full-size diesel. The locomotive he modeled was one of the road's new GP-38, No. 82. Working from photographs and drawings, Martin made his own patterns for casting by Maine firms.

: After several weeks of intensive effort he presented his work at the foundry where a silent and imposing old craftsman examined his work with a critical eye. Minutes ticked by punctuated by an occasional "humph" from the old man while Martin fidgeted. He had never made patterns and if it was wrong there wasn't time to re-do the job.

: After what seems an interminable length of time, he looked up at Martin with some amusement. "That's a damn good job," he said.

: The work went on through the winter and the train began to take shape, from the amazingly detailed cars to the locomotive and track. No detail was overlooked, even the hand brakes on the scaled down cars.

: Roofs were remade because they lacked authenticity. Most of the construction was done in his basement workshop through the winter and spring.

: The finished product was taken to Expo by the deadline. Finished, the train weighs more than half a ton, has 14 cars, locomotive and a caboose, the C-68, modeled after an actual caboose. The diesel is powered by an electric motor that operates on a bank of re-chargable batteries. The train winds its way in and out of the building for 10 hours without recharging. It can be stopped and started by a small toggle switch on the engine.

: The train, the only one at the Expo, seems to bring out the child in most adult of observers, some of whom have watched it for as long as a half an hour. Even in a wonderland like Expo, where the spectacular soon becomes commonplace, the train is fascinating.

: "We've had people try to buy it," says Marshall Rice, Jr., an employee at the exposition, "and many have asked where they could get one like it. We can count on getting a whole battery of questions every day."

: During a day when there's a gate of 250,000 persons, officials estimate that about 40,000 people go through the Maine Pavilion. Many of them have been lured there by the colorful little train emerging through the side of the building. The blue, white and red cars are filled with samples of Maine products.

: As might be expected from so complicated a model, there have been some problems. The initial performance was plagued by periodic hotboxes on the engine and eventual journal failure. "When it first happened," Marshall Rice explained, "We called the CN people in Montreal for help. A couple of their officials came over expecting to find a full-sized diesel. They were so intrigued with the model that they rolled up their sleeves and repaired it on the spot." Later it was discovered that the bearings were wrong and the trouble was corrected. Martin made one trip to Montreal to inspect the train himself.

: The center of the Maine Pavilion features animated manikins in various outdoor sporting settings. Occasionally a youngster will reach through the fence and pluck one of the items from the display car. At other times, debris tossed on the track has derailed the 450-pound locomotive. But it has survived the attempts and continues to be a top drawing card for the State of Maine at Expo 67.

: When Expo closes in the fall, the train will be brought home and will be available for use both by the state and by the railroad. Railroad officials feel that the great exposure afforded by having the model at the fair more than justified the modest investment.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

== Funding ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

[[File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg|thumb|center|500px|J. Normand Martin in front of his Paul Bunyan statue]]

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]
* [

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T20:05:28Z

Dnevil:

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

[https://mainelinemagazine.joeykelleyphoto.com/Archive/Volume15/VOL%2015%20NO%204%20JULY%20-%20AUGUST%201967.pdf From "Maine Line", Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, August-September 1967];

: Railroaders who visit the Maine Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada are universally delighted to find a care-fully-scaled model of a Bangor and Aroostook freight winding in and out of the pavilion through openings in the west wall. Railroaders aren't the only spectators who are fascinated by the colorful, 55-foot long train, though. It attracts small fry and parents alike and officials at the Maine pavilion credit the train as a top drawing card for the exhibits inside.

: A year-and-a-half ago the idea of a model train was just a gleam in the eye of Clarence McKay, deputy commissioner of the Pavilion. The Bangor and Aroostook agreed to pick up half of the $18,000 tab and the Department of Economic Development paid the remaining $9,000. [[J. Normand Martin]], president and owner of Tom Kane Advertising, agreed to build the train and track to precise specifications despite bids of up to $50,000 from out-of-state companies.

: The train, built to a scale of an inch to the foot, was a year in the building. During the year Martin spent many hours at the Bangor and Aroostook's Northern Maine Junction Diesel Shop studying drawings and the actual working parts of a full-size diesel. The locomotive he modeled was one of the road's new GP-38, No. 82. Working from photographs and drawings, Martin made his own patterns for casting by Maine firms.

: After several weeks of intensive effort he presented his work at the foundry where a silent and imposing old craftsman examined his work with a critical eye. Minutes ticked by punctuated by an occasional "humph" from the old man while Martin fidgeted. He had never made patterns and if it was wrong there wasn't time to re-do the job.

: After what seems an interminable length of time, he looked up at Martin with some amusement. "That's a damn good job," he said.

: The work went on through the winter and the train began to take shape, from the amazingly detailed cars to the locomotive and track. No detail was overlooked, even the hand brakes on the scaled down cars.

: Roofs were remade because they lacked authenticity. Most of the construction was done in his basement workshop through the winter and spring.

: The finished product was taken to Expo by the deadline. Finished, the train weighs more than half a ton, has 14 cars, locomotive and a caboose, the C-68, modeled after an actual caboose. The diesel is powered by an electric motor that operates on a bank of re-chargable batteries. The train winds its way in and out of the building for 10 hours without recharging. It can be stopped and started by a small toggle switch on the engine.

: The train, the only one at the Expo, seems to bring out the child in most adult of observers, some of whom have watched it for as long as a half an hour. Even in a wonderland like Expo, where the spectacular soon becomes commonplace, the train is fascinating.

: "We've had people try to buy it," says Marshall Rice, Jr., an employee at the exposition, "and many have asked where they could get one like it. We can count on getting a whole battery of questions every day."

: During a day when there's a gate of 250,000 persons, officials estimate that about 40,000 people go through the Maine Pavilion. Many of them have been lured there by the colorful little train emerging through the side of the building. The blue, white and red cars are filled with samples of Maine products.

: As might be expected from so complicated a model, there have been some problems. The initial performance was plagued by periodic hotboxes on the engine and eventual journal failure. "When it first happened," Marshall Rice explained, "We called the CN people in Montreal for help. A couple of their officials came over expecting to find a full-sized diesel. They were so intrigued with the model that they rolled up their sleeves and repaired it on the spot." Later it was discovered that the bearings were wrong and the trouble was corrected. Martin made one trip to Montreal to inspect the train himself.

: The center of the Maine Pavilion features animated manikins in various outdoor sporting settings. Occasionally a youngster will reach through the fence and pluck one of the items from the display car. At other times, debris tossed on the track has derailed the 450-pound locomotive. But it has survived the attempts and continues to be a top drawing card for the State of Maine at Expo 67.

: When Expo closes in the fall, the train will be brought home and will be available for use both by the state and by the railroad. Railroad officials feel that the great exposure afforded by having the model at the fair more than justified the modest investment.

== Funding ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine and other photos shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

[[File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg|thumb|center|500px|J. Normand Martin in front of his Paul Bunyan statue]]

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]
* [

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T18:01:14Z

Dnevil: /* Paul Bunyan Statue */

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

== Comments ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine and other photos shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP. How power was ultimately fed to the motor would be interesting to know.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

[[File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg|thumb|center|500px|J. Normand Martin in front of his Paul Bunyan statue]]

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]
* [

File:JNormandMartin PaulBunyanStatue BangorMaine.jpg

2026-08-01T18:00:30Z

Dnevil: From Facebook, City of Bangor, Maine page. Photo shared by family of Mr. Martin.

== Summary ==
From Facebook, City of Bangor, Maine page. Photo shared by family of Mr. Martin.

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T17:58:40Z

Dnevil:

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

== Comments ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine and other photos shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP. How power was ultimately fed to the motor would be interesting to know.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

== Paul Bunyan Statue ==

From Facebook:

: City of Bangor, Maine - City Hall

: The City of Bangor expresses its condolences to the family of J. Normand Martin who passed away on Friday at the age of 95 years old.
In January, Mr. Martin was formally recognized by the City Council for his contribution to the City of Bangor. More than six decades ago, Martin was commissioned by the City to design the iconic Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street. He was paid $137 to design the 22-inch clay model that took months to create. Martin held that model in his lap all the way to New York City, hopeful that a well-known company, Messmoor & Damon, could replicate it. They did so and donated it to the City of Bangor in 1959- in time for the celebration of the City’s 125th anniversary. The 31-foot high fiberglass-over-metal statue of the legendary lumberjack has been standing guard over the Queen City ever since.

: Thank you, Mr. Martin. You will be fondly remembered.

== External Links ==

* [https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/programs-and-events/what-is-a-maine-story/what-is-a-maine-story-chapter-one-paul-bunyan-and-babe-the-blue-ox/ J. Normand Martin, Paul Bunyan Statue]
* [https://www.wabi.tv/video/2021/05/14/j-normand-martin-designer-famed-paul-bunyan-statue-has-died/ Video of J. Normand Martin]
* [

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T17:55:52Z

Dnevil:

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

== Comments ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine and other photos shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP. How power was ultimately fed to the motor would be interesting to know.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T17:55:33Z

Dnevil:

[[Category:People]]
[[File:J Normand Martin 1.png|thumb|right|200px|J. Normand Martin]]
[[File:J Normand Marting 2.png|thumb|right|200px]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

== Comments ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine and other photos shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP. How power was ultimately fed to the motor would be interesting to know.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

File:Screenshot 2026-08-01 125239.png

2026-08-01T17:54:44Z

Dnevil: Dnevil moved page File:Screenshot 2026-08-01 125239.png to File:J Normand Martin 1.png

#REDIRECT [[File:J Normand Martin 1.png]]

File:J Normand Martin 1.png

2026-08-01T17:54:44Z

Dnevil: Dnevil moved page File:Screenshot 2026-08-01 125239.png to File:J Normand Martin 1.png

== Summary ==
J. Normand Martin, from https://obituaries.bangordailynews.com/obituary/j-normand-martin-1082366851/guestbook#

File:J Normand Marting 2.png

2026-08-01T17:54:31Z

Dnevil: J. Normand Martin, from https://obituaries.bangordailynews.com/obituary/j-normand-martin-1082366851/guestbook#

== Summary ==
J. Normand Martin, from https://obituaries.bangordailynews.com/obituary/j-normand-martin-1082366851/guestbook#

File:J Normand Martin 1.png

2026-08-01T17:53:51Z

Dnevil: J. Normand Martin, from https://obituaries.bangordailynews.com/obituary/j-normand-martin-1082366851/guestbook#

== Summary ==
J. Normand Martin, from https://obituaries.bangordailynews.com/obituary/j-normand-martin-1082366851/guestbook#

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T17:51:42Z

Dnevil: /* Comments */

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T17:51:29Z

Dnevil: /* Expo '67 Models */

[[Category:People]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

== Comments ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine and other photos shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP. How power was ultimately fed to the motor would be interesting to know.

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

== Comments ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP. How power was ultimately fed to the motor would be interesting to know.

File:J Normand Martin MR 1970.jpg

2026-08-01T17:51:16Z

Dnevil: From The Model Railroader, October 1970.

== Summary ==
From The Model Railroader, October 1970.

J. Normand Martin

2026-08-01T17:49:14Z

Dnevil:

[[Category:People]]

== Expo '67 Models ==

<gallery widths=300px heights=300px>
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 1.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 2.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 3.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 4.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 5.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 6.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 7.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 8.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 9.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 10.png
File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png
</gallery>

== Comments ==

From [[Atkinson Railroad|John Atkinson]]:

Here’s an interesting twist in how 1 inch scale model railroad equipment was funded for construction.

From the Obituary link below, it states that in 1966, J. Normand Martin accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

From [https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21130168/j.-normand-martin J. Normand Martin obituary, <www.tribunearchive.com]

: In 1966, he accepted a commission from the State of Maine to design and fabricate a large-scale model of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad train engine and cars to promote Maine industry at the World’s Fair in Montreal, known as “Expo ’67”. The train ran on track he designed to loop in and outside the Maine Pavilion, and became an enormous attraction for the millions who attended that summer.

The railroad project seems to also serve as an example of someone who built a brand new “present day” locomotive at the same time the real thing was introduced. GP-38 locomotives debuted in 1966.

The attached scan from October 1970 Model Railroader Magazine shows the very interesting locomotive drive train arrangement. Being a “motor man”, I recognize the shunt wound D.C. motor as an open drip proof Reliance in a 56H frame configuration. The open port seen on the side of the motor is for access to the carbon brushes. It’s possibly a 90 volt motor rated at 1/4 HP, but it could also be a 1/6 HP. How power was ultimately fed to the motor would be interesting to know.

File:JNormandMartin Expo67 Train 11.png

2026-08-01T17:47:28Z