Sailormatlac 2012 Resolution Challenge

[sailormatlac]

Looks like a great idea for a layout! I like your choice of industries and the way you are fitting this into a room.

Btw - just curious about a street name - I know that "canard" (as in Canard wings on an airplane) means "duck" in French, and "Chemin de la" means "street of the". Google translate knew canard, but not canardière. Does Chemin de la Canardière mean street of the duck-breeder(s), street of the duck-hunter(s), street of the duck-seller(s) or something like that ?

Smile,
Stein, whose knowledge of French is regrettably weak

Stein, you weren't that far from the real meaning. Canardière is a old french word to mean a place were ducks gather together, habitually a marsh. But to qualify as a Canardière, the place must be used for hunting. A common nidification area wouldn't qualify. In fact, this street is among the oldest in Canada, the first path appeared circa 1634. Until the place was developped into an industrial and railway district around 1880, this place was dwelled by rich merchants that had built palladian villas all over the place.

Canadière was a reknown hunting spot until the early 1970's when they filled up the duck marsh to build a highway. But Nature is a strong one and ducks still gather in umbers near the railway right of way, on the shores of a small brook called "Rivière de la cabane aux Taupinières" which is a corruption of "Taupier", a man whom work is to kill moles!! Looks like is cabin was near this place...

Just about a mile east to my prototype was an old industrial district from the 17th and 18th century. Circa 1900, it was rail-served by electric traction, the site was crossed by a street car right of way. Most buildings were between 100 and 150 years old, built in stone in French style. They included various mills, a large brewery, a nail factory and a limestone quarry, all surrounded by old French urban houses. I've seen a color bird view used as a publicity by the brewery. It was quite stunning to see the various colored reefers and sail boats! I always thought this was a unique prototype of North American railroad history that could be turned into a fine looking layout.

Matt