MODEL MUSEUM ON GRANVILLE ISLAND.

MODEL MUSEUM

As a tour bus driver I should know Vancouver (B. C. Canada) like the back of my hand, at least all the highlights. I can't begin to count how many times I have driven, bicycled, and walked Granville Island. Yet it wasn't until this past weekend that I learned that there is a museum on the island. Not only that but, in the middle of an attraction that has a tour bus parking problem, it is the only business on the Island that has its own space for tour busses.

And its not like it is hard to find. In the center of all the attractions on the island there is a large, bright, neon sign that sticks out like a movie theatre marquee. It is on your left, just after you cross the bridge, as you enter the island.

The thing is that one is busy looking at all the wonders of Granville Island and you don't realize that you are on a bridge as well as under one. As you travel along Anderson street, under the Granville St. Bridge, you are concentrating on traffic but you do notice there are sailboats parked to your left. On your right is the Kids Only Market and then you are into a `right turn only' intersection.

Find a place to park and then walk back to the intersection.

The museums are on the far side, virtually in the middle of the intersection.

Model Ship Museum, Sport Fishing Museum, Model Train Museum, the sign proclaims. And why does the sign say `Museum' thrice? Because in actuality it is three museums in one.

As one winds their way through the labyrinth of isles and passageways between the displays it is hard to realize that there are actually three distinct areas within the quaint old building known as the Maritime Market.

John Keith-King who operated the market, marina, and boat yard for twenty years opened two of the museums in 1997.

The ship area contains models that have been constructed by, mostly, British Columbians. As one would expect from the name there are many ships, all are well constructed and expertly detailed. Two that caught my attention were the Seaspan Yarder and the Corvette.

The Yarder is a log barge and is beautifully replicated including its life like load of logs. One of the reasons that I enjoyed that exhibit is that I have watched the real `Yarder' unload. It does so by flooding one side of its hull until it tips over enough for all the logs to slide off. What an awesome sight as it bounces sideways, out from under its load.

Though it is not uncommon for people to talk of the HMS Hood, a 13 ft. 700 # replica is contained in the collection, Corvettes are normally thought of as cars. For years I have been trying to finish my model of the Mayflower Class Corvette that did so much during the Second World War to keep Canada free from tyranny. I know that when I do complete my model it will never be as well done as the one at the Model Ships Museum.

In the ships area you will find a large collection of submarines. One of the subs has been used for the filming of an episode of the TV series `X Files'.

The Sports Fishing area contains a large collection of flies, if I didn't know better I would swear that John has been scouring the bushes where I go fishing, all I ever catch is weeds and trees. I have certainly never caught one of the specimens of fish that are displayed, mounted on the walls, and hanging from the rafters.

All the paraphernalia that has been used throughout the century to catch these aquatic denizens can be found in this `world's largest collection': creels; nets; priests; lures; gaffs; etc. As well, there are books on `how to' and plates and paintings of the ones that got away.

The third museum, opened early in `99, contains the world's largest public display of toy and model trains. Engines and cars of all sizes, N scale to G scale, and larger, brands from Hornby to Lionel. Shelf after shelf of individual units are displayed across from a layout with over one thousand ft. of O gauge track.

Experienced modellers speculate on the building techniques used to make the clear lake in which you can see the weeds growing beneath the surface. See if you can spot the brown bear rearing on its hind legs in the middle of the island.

And see if you are better at finding the Museums, in the middle of Granville Island, in the heart of Vancouver, B. C., than I am.

I was so excited about my find that I phoned a friend to tell him about it. It turns out that his wife had mentioned it to me months ago. Maybe I should give up my career as tour guide.