Rex Smith
- I took two photos of a live steam engine sometime in the summer of 1965. I had just got my first 35mm camera, a Minolta. As I recall, the man lived on the road that goes off to the northeast of the main street in Port Rowan, somewhere along the bay, but not actually out of town. It could have been Front Road, I don’t remember too much about the layout or the models, but I had just wandered in off the street and Mr. Smith showed me around.
Monte Reeves replied:
- The gentleman that you are looking for did live on the Front Road. His name is Rex Smith. He had an outdoor live steam circular layout and 5 live steam locomotives. He called his railroad the Route of the Whistling Swan. Rex has been gone for some years now.
Rex Smith's 3/4 inch scale 4-4-4 Jubilee. Photo taken by Dave Pottinger in 1965 with a 35mm Minolta camera. Used with permission.
Photo by Dave Pottinger, used with permission.
Rex Smith standing next to his 1/2 inch scale President Washington. Mrs. A. W. Leggett is seated. Photo by A. W. Leggett, posted by Steve Bratina on Chaski.org
This photo was taken at Rex Smith's home track at Windsor in 1958. This is the 4-4-4 built by Rex, and owned at the time by Jack Lilbourne Jr. Photo by A.W. Leggett, posted by Steve Bratina on Chaski.org
A 2-6-6 tank engine in 1/2 inch scale built by Rex Smith. Photo by A.W. Leggett, posted by Steve Bratina on Chaski.org
A photocopy of the invitation to the 5th Annual BLS Meet held in 1937 at the Purinton residence a Marblehead, MASS. This copy was in a collection of photos of Rex Smith of Port Rowan, Ontario, posted on Chaski.org by Steve Bratina
Rex Smith's Atlantic, photo provided by James Powell
Rex Smith's Atlantic, photo provided by James Powell
History
Melissa Newton posted on Chaski:
- My great step grandfather was Rex Smith and my great grandmother was Edith McKinley. My grandmother (Irene McKinley) grew up in Rex's home along with her sister (June McKinley) in 114 Wolvens Street, Port Rowan, and Vancouver Street, London, Ontario after my great grandfather (Arthur McKinley) passed away while they were still young.
- My grandpa (Frederick Newton) met my grandma (Irene) they married and later my uncle Eric, Aunt Sandra and my dad Mike Newton were born. They all grew up with Rex as a mentor and more importantly a family member.
- My grandparents inherited the house in Port Rowan after Rex passed away. Then later on sold the property. My grandpa passed in 2003.
- Rex's 1/2 inch Baltimore & Ohio No. 5300 President Washington is still in great condition!
- Rex lived in Port Rowan, Ontario, had track around his house early 1950’s to 1970’s. Built 1/2 inch scale B&O Pacific and 4-6-6T. Built 3/4 inch scale 4-4-4, 4-4-2 #988, Built 1 inch scale 2-6-0. Worked in Roundhouse in Kenora then at McCormicks Biscuits in London.
Engine Stand
The following appeared in The North American Live Steamer, Vol 1, No 2, 1956
I have been tinkering around with small steam locos for many years, but have not accomplished anything outstanding.
I have been a copyist, making use of ideas of others; to name a few, H.J. Coventry, Carl Purinton, Les Friend, Cliff Blackstaffe, and many more, so I can't offer much in the way of originality. Usually, anything I think up, I find later, has been tried before.
It is an arrangement to facilitate working on a job.
A 3/4 inch scale loco gets a bit heavy as one proceeds, and when it is necessary to turn it upside down, or on its side, and working alone, as most of us do, it becomes a bit of a problem, and a little risky.
As will be seen in the photo, the method of clamping the trunnions to the engine frames would vary according to the particular job.
The supporting frames are angles 1 inch, one end is permanently fastened to the base angle irons, the other is adjustable to suit any engine that may be longer, with an eye to the future, as I intend to keep on making engines as long as I am able.
I have been retired a little over a year and have all the time in the world.
I am greatly pleased with the first issue of The North American Live Steamer. Here's to its continued success!
- Rex Smith
- St. Williams
- Ontario
- St. Williams