In a small gesture of tribute to the history of a dormant paper mill in northern Ontario, a dedicated model-builder from the vicinity has painstakingly recreated a miniature version of the facility over the span of several years.
Located in Espanola, just west of Sudbury, the town has long been dependent on the presence of a pulp and paper mill, a vital component of the local economy. After being shut down by its previous owner, Domtar, in November 2023, the mill was later acquired by BMI Group, which is currently in the process of formulating its redevelopment plans.
Dave Howie, a resident of McKerrow, has meticulously crafted a scaled-down replica of the mill as part of his basement model railway layout. Working predominantly in N-scale, representing 1/160th of the actual size, Howie has taken some creative liberties in adjusting the layout to fit within his home while ensuring the inclusion of all major structures from the original site, complete with miniature smoke-emitting stacks.
Spending around four to five hours daily on his project, Howie initiated his model railway endeavor five years ago, dedicating the past two years specifically to replicating the Espanola mill. Despite estimating significant costs amounting to thousands of dollars, he has managed to minimize expenses by constructing many of the structures from scratch.
Utilizing Google Earth for reference on dimensions, Howie admits to exercising some artistic freedom in the construction process, although he strives for a close resemblance to the actual mill. Supported by his wife, Lynn O’Farrell, Howie views his modeling work as a fulfilling creative outlet following his retirement from an educational career, with O’Farrell commending his unwavering dedication to the project.
With a background in fine arts specializing in printmaking, Howie acknowledges that delving into modeling has been a continuous learning experience. At 72 years old, he now shares his expertise through videos on his YouTube channel, McKerrow Siding, offering insights into his techniques and providing cost-effective solutions for fellow model railway enthusiasts.