1905 Canada Contraption

[Rail and Tie]

Ever since I saw the picture "Northward Ho" on Shorpy's site, I have wanted to model it. This is my attempt in HO Scale at least.  I need to replace the headlamps with a better attempt and might put some micro LED's in as well.  I have to clean up the light bleed on the CANADA sign, but from a distance where this thing sits on the layout, it should do just fine.

It is a 1905 travelling advertisement for the Canadian Colonization Company that was used to entice people to get their patch of land and colonize Western Canada (Similar to the Homestead Act in the USA). The sides would hinge up and show off many samples of the produce, grains and wonders of Western Canada (No Cheezies,Coffee Crisps or illegal Kinder Eggs though!!). The vehicle traveled in Eastern Canada, the US and then in England to get the attention of potential colonists. It was to travel to all the towns and villages of England, but so so underpowered it never left London.

The vehicle was built by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Company of Windsor, Ontario (also in Detroit). It was Gas electric and had a 20HP gas motor that drove four 3.25HP electric motors powering each wheel. it had 4 Wheel Steering and motored along at probably 8-10 MPH!

Sorry about the poor quality photos. I know it is not what the folks are used to on this site!!

Cheers!

Darryl

[Gordon Ferguson]

That is great , really nice to see an original bit of modelling.

However you did the lettering it has worked really well it is difficult apart from the driver to tell the model apart from the real thing.

[finescalerr]

Thank you for posting that model. It is quite adequate. -- Russ

[Chuck Doan]

That's really neat!

[chester]

Fascinating piece Darryl and very well done.

[lab-dad]

Thats really cool!
And HO! OMG!
Did you take any in progress shots?
-Marty

[Ray Dunakin]

Super cool! Amazing work for HO, and a really interesting prototype.

[Rail and Tie]

Thanks for the Kudos guys. I appreciate it in this site especially!!

Here are a few progress shots. Designed in 3D Cad using Rhino and then laser cut the parts (cheating I know, when I see what you guys do with an exacto and a file!!

Darryl

[Rail and Tie]

a few more.

D

[Chuck Doan]

I'ts not cheating at all. Any tool is valid in model building.

[Hauk]

I'ts not cheating at all. Any tool is valid in model building.

I agree. If I have a modelling goal, I will try to get there by any means necessary.

[marc_reusser]

I'ts not cheating at all. Any tool is valid in model building.

I agree. If I have a modelling goal, I will try to get there by any means necessary.

Agree as well, and your results prove the point. Its a great little build.