So on 3 June 2014…..

What was once the old gravel pit crusher/sorter/loader/office building has been incorporated into the new, much larger and more interesting facility.  You can probably pick out what remains of that European gravel thingy but we don’t throw away anything around here.

Other parts of this industry are a built up dairy building and three corrugated metal and cardboard kits all of which we received in donations.  Add to the mix a few pieces that John Green had in his ‘nice to have’ box and I painted it up to look like one company has owned and operated it over time.  

John has added industrial lighting along the loading spur and once the sun stops shining through all the windows here it will look really bright and busy.

 The conveyor reaches down into “the pit” and has done away with the need to have heavy trucks bring gravel up the hillside for only about 100 yards so they found another outlet for their efforts.  The road from the pit now goes “off scene” towards some other destination.  More interesting I think and we maintain all the trucks and diggers.

All of the earth movers are well lit with flashers and the whole pit is bathed in light for working through the evenings in summer and through long dark winter days.

Over the next few weeks I will finish it off.  There are still a few very small details to add, people and industrial junk for example, and maybe some sound but that’s about it.  

We mustn’t leave without thanking John Green, Mr. Track & Turnout, who keeps things moving through the scenery.  After all, that’s why people visit the museum.

Today he was instally the turnout motor for the Myra Canyon Ballast spur.  It was a hand throw in the past because the spur was actually unused – and behind glass.  Now it’s actually used by our members so remote buttons have to be in place.

Seems he found a new modern turnout control switch during a recent visit to Calgary so we are the beneficiaries of his shopping spree. 

Thanks John.  Next up?  Nelson. 

 John hard at work while I watch.