The ALGOMA and RIDEAU RAILWAY

Ottawa Valley Associated Railroaders
Celebrating 50 years of railroading!

The ALGOMA and RIDEAU RAILWAY

This club layout is located in Perth, Ontario and is being constructed by David Strong, Yogi Sepp and Eric Halpin. Construction commenced early in November 2006 and by March 2007 all 270 feet of main line and yard track have been laid interconnected with thirty-nine turnouts. Minimum radius is 30” with a maximum radius of 38”. Base layout height is 54” with a maximum height of 61”and a maximum grade of 2%. DCC Digitrax operation.

The track plan is from a John Armstrong plan first published in the 1960’s but has been modified to suit this railway's needs. The layout is approximately 21’x12’x24’ with walk-in and around access.

Railway operation and scenery will be for northwestern Ontario (Algoma) and eastern Ontario (Rideau) during the 1940s-1960s. A seven-foot high mountain, three-foot steel girder trestle and lumber and mining operations are planned. The layout will be served by regular passenger service and mixed freight. SO STAY TUNED.

Update: The Algoma & Rideau Railway is the cover article in the Jan/Feb 2009 issue of Canadian Railway Modeller.

In Memoriam: David Strong passed away November 14, 2007. Yogi and Eric continue to improve the A&R.

Name:	Algoma and Rideau
Scale:	HO
Size:	Approx 21'x12'x24'
Prototype:	Freelance, but all Canadian
Locale:	Northern and Eastern Ontario
Period:	1940s-1960s
Layout Style:	Primarily walk around
Benchwork:	1x3 L-girder
Layout Height:	54" base level, 61" max.
Track:	Code 83 Atlas
Turnouts:	#6 Atlas with a few #4 in the yard
Radius:	Minimum 30", maximum 38"
Max Grade:	2%
Backdrop:	Painted drywall
Control:	Digitrax DCC

Update: February 2009

Ongoing scenic work around the passenger station of the Algoma and Rideau.		Algoma and Rideau Consolidation heads towards Algoma Mountain.
			Left: Scenic work virtually completed from Drummond Maberly Industrial Rock quarry and loading facility to Algoma Mountain
Right: The quarry and nearby repair shops for quarry machinery

Reposition of some buildings below Algoma Mountain.	Oil fired Algoma Power Plant

Eastern Ontario Aggregate Processors	Meat Processing Plant

March, 2008
Here are some recent photos of the Algoma and Rideau, showing scenic work that has been completed around the Algoma Mountain and other areas of the layout. Photos by John Soehner

Algoma Trestle with the latest scenic work on Algoma Mountain:

Temagami Ore Mine on the back of Algoma Mountain:

Industrial spur below the mine area:

CPR Consolidation with its train on the start of the Algoma Sub with an abandoned factory in the foreground:

Roundhouse and Engine Service Area:

Diesel Engine House and MOW Equipment:

Ten Wheeler on the Turntable:

The Fiddle Yard: An addition to the original layout has been placed behind Algoma Mountain to accommodate the large inventory of rolling stock. A short lead into the fiddle yard allows for rolling stock to be exchanged on the layout.