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The Earliest Large Scale Trains - Shumay Trains
Aug 12, 2009
By Peter DeKeles
LSOL.com Special Projects Editor |
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Arthur Shumway, a Civil Engineer who worked for the city of Vancouver, Washington, began building large scale trains in 1921. The Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, located on the Long Beach peninsula in Washington, is home to this unique collection of model trains.
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Arthur Shumway, a Civil Engineer who worked for the city of Vancouver, Washington, began building large scale trains in 1921. The Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, located on the Long Beach peninsula in Washington, is home to this unique collection of model trains. These trains are some of the earliest "garden railroad" or large scale model trains in this country. This past weekend we travelled to the coast to see this exhibit and enjoy Clamshell Railroad Days.   
The Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum has over 50 railroad cars in various stages of completion. The trains were first stored for many years at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. King. The Burlington Northern R.R. Veterans Association displayed them for a while in Vancouver. Dr. Douglas King of Martinez, California, the son of Mr. and Mrs. King, donated the collection to the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in November 1991.   
The scale used for these models was 1/2 inch to the foot or 1/24th actual size. Since there were very few model railroad supplies or equipment available at this time, most of the pieces are handcrafted or machined. Cars were made from apple and orange crates, galvanized sheet metal, and whatever other materials were at hand. Most cars have operating features, such as doors that open or slide.   
Wheels were first cast in brass and then machined in Mr. Shumway's shop. Couplers were cast using pot-metal or resin. The models were finally carefully painted and meticulously hand-lettered to replicate their prototypes. Each model Mr. Shumway built was based on an actual railroad car. The club was kind enough to remove the case covers so I could get more detailed pictures without the reflection.    
While working as a Civil Engineer, Mr. Shumway had a chance to see a wide assortment of trains passing through the Vancouver area. And he really did model cars he saw. The best example is this West India Fruit and Steamship Co. box car.   
The steam locomotive on display, while unfinished, was originally intended to use live steam. Efforts to finish the engine have not been successful to date.    
Volunteer efforts to restore these one-of-a-kind trains and build a working display have been provided by members of the Peninsula Model Railroad Club. Work began by constructing two separate operating loops. The custom-made track on the outer loop, measuring 2 3/8 inches between the rails, accurately represents 4 foot 8 1/2 inches standard gauge track and is used to run the 1/24th scale Shumway model trains.  The inner loop uses commercially available G scale track. The 1 3/4 inch gauge represents track 3 feet 6 inches wide, close to the narrow gauge track used by the Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company (IR&N). The IR&N, which operated on the peninsula from 1888 to 1930, was for a time, America's western most railroad.   
Many of the buildings in the display are accurate historical models. The Ilwaco freight depot now houses a 50 foot long diorama of the Long Beach peninsula at the turn of the century. The passenger station in the exhibit is an accurate model of the IR&N depot in SeaView. Still standing, this building now houses the Depot restaurant.     
The club members were gracious hosts. They were deservedly proud of what they have accomplished. All of this master craftsmanship could have fallen by the wayside if it wasn't for the hard work and dedication of the Peninsula Model Railroad Club.    Museum Information
Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum
115 Lake St SE
Ilwaco, WA 98624
(360) 642-3446
Link to Museum Tues - Sat: 10 - 4
Sunday: 12 - 4
Closed Mondays
THURSDAYS are FREE
Club Information
Peninsula Model Railroad Club
PO Box 180
Ocean Park, WA 98640
| Shumway Trains |
| Peter, A most interesting report. To construct a large scale train, from scratch, during that period of time was a major project. Most interesting in addition to the scratch built equipment is all the hand lettering on the cars. Thanks for showcasing the collection. |
| JD Miller - 08/12/2009 - 05:53 |
| Shumway Trains |
| Excellent Video. A great example of a Master Modeler at a time when everything had to be scratch built. |
| Ed Jungbauer - 12/17/2009 - 06:30 |
| thanks |
| Ed, I tried to capture the craftsmanship but there is nothing like seeing it in person. Just knowing how much work went into these is amazing. Thanks |
| Peter De Keles - 12/17/2009 - 08:04 |
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