Today my wife and I planned a picnic lunch, packed up our 3 kids and took off for the 1 hour and 40 minute drive to Osoyoos to vist the Desert Model Railroad.

http://www.osoyoosrailroad.com/

Billed as the largerst permanent Marklin HO display in North America, there was NO WAY I could stay away any longer.

There was a great mix of old and new on display. The man in charge Poul, I think was somewhat surprised that there was another Marklin hobbyist here in the Okanagan Valley. He explained to me that he has been in the hobby for 35 years. All the loks on display have been converted and the layout is fully digital (controlled by IB/PC). He pretty much designed the track plan and laid out all the track, then took a step back to let his wife and daughter handle the scenics. A BEAUTIFUL move on his part as this layout is finely detailed and well polished. There is another section of the layout under development and it sounds like it will not be completed until more time is available in the fall.

I only spent 2 hours there today. My 6 year old son and 3 year old daughter could have stayed longer with me, but the baby, well when it's time to eat and sleep she just won't be denied!!!

What follows are the pictures I took today. Hopefully they are not too blurry and trust me, they do not do justice to this beautiful layout. If you are in the area, this is a must see after you have finished the wine tours!!! I can not recommend it enough!!! [:p][:p]




























































My time for photos was a bit limited as my two oldest were dragging me everywhere trying to show me all the things they found. Next visit I'll get some more photos close up of the loks that run around the layout.

Edited by moderator 11 January 2011 23:14:00(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Thanks Brian,looks like a great day out ,fantastic pics[:p]

Nice pictures, and a wonderful layout.

So many wind wheels on top of the hill! Almost as in reality. There are regions in my vicinity where you can't find hills without them.

Hans Martin

The family building that layout is danish! ;-)

Thanks for your report, Brian.

Louise and me visited this layout last year and, definitively, it worths a visit.

We went to Osoyoos on our way from Kelowna (I think that you know that place !) to Chiliwack. Prior arriving in Osoyoos, we drove along a forest fire in Oliver where a lot of fire bombers and helicopters were on action.

Unfortunately, I have still not sorted out all the pictures of previous summer at the moment [:(] so I am still unable to share them with members. One day certainly ...

Pierre.

Really excellent Brian,thanks for the piccys.

Now THAT'S a site that gets bookmarked!

I think the Pedersens figured out the best approach to a self-sustaining hobby: paid admission. The variety & intricacy is astounding... no doubt you could spend all day looking!

Thanks for sharing your pix!

Fabulous. Not only to look at, but also for inspiration.

It's a great part of Canada to visit as Pierre can confirm!
The wine tours, beaches and now Marklin! My next trip will surely be longer. Osoyoos has a nice main street of small shops so if you were to take in a wine tour you could let the wife do the shopping on Main Street while you make your way to the trains! Also not far off is Summerland, where the KVR still operates....

http://www.kettlevalleyrail.org/

We are hoping to take this train ride in the next week or so.

A reminder to all members to contact me via email if you are considering a trip out my way this summer. I will do my best to get down to Osoyoos to meet up with you for a visit (lunch, coffee, and of course Marklin!)

I have a avi file with video of the Osoyoos layout, but it is great to see your still pictures. Is there anywhere where there is a copy of the layout plan?

Awesome layout!