Aberfoyer Junction - A wonderful O-scale experience

@Paul Kallus

I whole-heartedly share you observations about the Aberfoyle Junction model railway. Back in June of 2001 I had the great pleasure of seeing it first hand as a guest of early Forum member Stan Windrim, an excellent O scale modeler himself, who was well-connected to the place.

The AJ was a huge undertaking, occupying as it did an entire Quonset Hut style building in Guelph, Ontario, on the outskirts of Toronto. The railway modeled southern Ontario scenes circa 1955 and from its handmade track to the elevated and TV equipped control tower was almost entirely the result of the amazing and diligent efforts of its four original founding members.

I wrote about it here extensively at the time, but I'm sorry to say I lost touch with it a few years after I was there. As the founders passed on, I believe the decision was made to dismantle it (I'd like to be wrong about that). My opinion at the time was that the Province ought to have taken it over and operated it as a museum, a bit fanciful no doubt.

In any case, thanks for posting his and bringing back my many fond memories of the railroad and, of course, my great friend Stan.

- Mike

Still in operation...      https://stjacobsmodelrailway.com/

Thanks very much for that update, @postmastermc . That's really good to hear.

- Mike

You're welcome.

Link is not quite correct.  Try: https://stjacobsmodelrailway.com/

Also name is Aberfoyle.

I think I read a profile of this layout in Model Railroader many years ago.

Wonderful this layout was preserved and continues to develop.

Some people c/o just their names bring back fond memories...Mike Castelli and Stan Windrim are two of them - legends in the O-scale/gauge world. I recall Stan passed away some years ago...his layout was awesome as well, and he was a gentleman and source of great knowledge here on the OGR forum. Great to hear from you, Mike!

Now you're being overly kind, Paul. The only place I'm a legend is between my ears, but you're right about Stan. He was a gentleman indeed, and a skilled photographer as well as a superb model railroader. His multi-room On3 layout was a masterpiece in its own right.

- Mike

Roger-that about Stan's layout, Mike. As for you, I still recall the magazine articles, probably still have them somewhere in my disaster area called an office, of you and a NY club...and recall your wonderful Std. Gauge spreads. And let's not forget about the Godfather...that Christmas window-train scene is part of the ambiance that makes that movie a classic.

Speaking of Christmas...I am still plugging away smoothing the rough edges of my novel...first round of query letters didn't generate any interest from agents...need to find that niche agent who appreciates depression-era Christmas tales. Fortunately, I still have a day job that pays the bills

Memories Part II is every bit as good as Part I, maybe even better. The choreography is hands down the best I've seen in any model train video over the many years of watching them. "Class" is the most appropriate word I can think of to describe both the Aberfoyle Junction Model RR and the DVDs. FWIW: the music and sound effects are first rate. So many model RR videos have ear-splitting music it actually ruins the experience, but not these. From what I could discern, the music on these DVDs is by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, "Boy the way, Glenn Miller played..."