Greetings from a new member

[Gordon]

          I have browsed this site many times and finally got around to becoming a member.  Growing up in Toronto, I was always fascinated by the paddle wheel ferries that carried us across the bay to the Toronto Islands.   After many years of neglect, the once proud "Trillium" was beautifully restored and now once again crosses the bay as well as taking charter cruises.  She is a double ended side wheeler, 137 ft with a beam of 47 ft.
           While driving through Vermont, I came upon the "Ticonderoga" preserved at the Shelburne Museum.  She is a beautiful  side wheeler, 240ft, driven by a one cylinder vertical steam engine with a walking beam. She sailed Lake Champlain from 1906 to 1953.  When I first saw her, she cried out to be reproduced as a working model.  Armed with 2 rolls of film and a book giving her specs, I set about to build my own "Ti" which was launched in 2006 on the centennial of the original. 
           I am looking forward to enjoying the pictures of the great paddle wheelers, both real and miniature, although I fear my next project will be a kit built Chris-Craft cruiser.
Gordon.

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's....and welcome Gordon....I suppose Toronto is a bit bigger than a one horse town  ....but we have a long standing member    'Gerald' or steamboatmodel residing in the same location

When you get a chance....please post a few snaps of your "Ticonderoga" build - regards Derek ...from Australia 

[derekwarner_decoy]

mmmm PD's.....I just checked GOOGLE      ....& appears that Toronto has some 5.5M residents so it is clearly possible that Gerald & Gordon are not neighbours.....

[steamboatmodel]

Hi PDs,
Unfortunately I have not meet Gordon yet, but that could probably be remedied.
Regards,
Gerald.

[Red_Hamish]

Hello Gordon welcome to PD's the best paddler site on the web whether in full size or scale models. As you'll have seen already the "craic" on here is good and the members are all very friendly. You will see some wonderful examples of paddlers when you view the photo gallery. Take some time to look around and enjoy being with like minded people.

cheers

Jim

[Gordon]

Thanks for all the welcome notes.
Derek, Toronto is a big city but strangely enough, it turns out that Gerald and I both live in the same neighbourhood.  I am looking forward to meeting him.
I will post some photos of "Ticonderoga" as soon as I get a chance to become a little more familiar with this system.  Meanwhile, anyone who wants to see the real thing, can google "Shelburne Museum" in Vermont.  In  1955, the original, all 240 feet of her, was transported 2 miles overland on 64 freight car wheels to her present resting place among a collection of historic buildings.
Gordon

[Eddy Matthews]

Just a quick note to let everyone know Gordon has posted pics of his model of Ticonderoga in the Photo Gallery - Very nice Gordon!

Eddy

[Gordon]

Thanks Eddy. I hope the members enjoy them.  I have also added three books to the books database and hopefully will post some info about Toronto's sidewheeler "Trillium" as well as the "Ti".
Gordon.