We’re now well past the halfway mark in July, and a busy month it has been.? It all started with Canada Day July 1st at Optimist Park.? We had our normal 2 table display, and promoted the new location for the NRM.? It was a fairly decent turnout, but it didn’t seem as busy as previous years.? With Canada Day out of the way, we then focused on our second open house of the year at the NRM shop in Fort Erie.? We had very good weather for this open house, but our crowds were still down a bit.? The Ontario Northland Railway Historical & Tech. Society, and the Southern Niagara Model Railroad Club both had a display at the event, which is always great to see.? My thanks to the guys from both groups who come out and take part in our events.

ONRH&TS display

The locomotives were all kept indoors again for this open house.? 46 once again had her headlight installed, and looked pretty good considering the deterioration.? While visitors couldn’t get into the cab on E-7, we did take some of the window panels off and allow them to see the inside.? Work on the interior has started, and if all goes well, the cab will be open for viewing in 2012.? The Plymouth was once again open for viewing, and is always a hit with the kids.

HEPC 46

The Museums HO Scale layout was also running again, this time with newly donated equipment.? The NRM secured a large donation of HO Scale Canadian prototype cars and locomotives from a local man in Niagara.? All of the equipment is currently in storage, and is being documented.? This equipment will be great for the model railway that we plan to construct.

HO Scale layout

My thanks to everyone who came out and helped at the event. Despite a lower than expected turnout, it was still a good weekend.? The next Open House is September 10/11, 2011, 10am to 4pm at the shop, 21 Warren St. Fort Erie.? For more information, please contact the Museum.