I’ve decided to use some of our weekend postings as a chance to look back at a few of the fun projects we’ve done through the years. There certainly have been so many. One of my favourite subjects to model are trains - specifically steam trains. Back in 2013 we got the opportunity to design and build the features for a mini golf in Squamish, British Columbia. The owners were from the logging industry and so a logging theme was a natural. Historically, they used steam trains to pull the logs from the woods. One of the most popular locomotives was the Shay, a geared machine built to handle tight curves and steep grades. I’ve long studied these marvellous machines and really enjoyed designing and then building a slightly carbonized version which was accurately detailed. We built the locomotive in our shop and then transported it along with many other features to Squamish. The owner built the mii golf course and the trestle. The train sure looked great up there! The mini golf was enjoyed by countless people for more than five years. Now I hear the mini golf has closed to make way for a housing development. But I’ve also heard (from the owners) that all of the features were carefully removed and are now stored, pending the finding of a new location to build a new Whistlepunk Hollow in the future.
TRAINS!
I've always loved steam trains and through the years have built more than a dozen scale versions for theme parks and displays. I often get asked if I have a favourite and the answer is simple... the next one. :)
Squamish project wrapped
After three very long days last week and another three long days this week we wrapped the project in Squamish this afternoon. Our client/hosts treated us so fine and our crew was amazing in their efforts and quality of work. The new washroom building for WhistlePunk Hollow Adventure RV is now fully themed on the outside. The owners will finish the painting the trim and also put in the sidewalks in the next few weeks. I have a good feeling we'll be back to trick out the rest of the buildings on the property soon...
