Douglas Massie

The North American Live Steamer, Volume 1 Number 6

Montreal Live Steamers

It is with very much regret we advise you of the death of Mr. Douglas W. Massie on April 8th, 1955. He was, as you are aware, widely known in the Brotherhood of Live Steamers for his Massive models of Live Steam Locomotives.

Doug's passing away, after a lengthy illness, will be felt not only by Montrealers but by his many friends across Canada and in both England and the United States.

He was a leading light in our Group in Montreal for many years. He was instrumental in getting the Montreal Society of Model Engineers organized some 25 years ago and this group eventually became the Montreal Live Steamers.

He served as President and Director of both these organizations for some years. He was an ardent Model Engineer and during his lifetime spent a great deal of his spare time in his workshop which was well equipped.

Besides building an entire electric train complete with 11/16 inch scale locomotive he has produced a C.P.R. Hudson type in 2-1/2 inch gauge and a 4-8-4 Mountain type in 3-1/2 inch gauge and a 4-6-6-4 Articulated in 3-1/2 inch gauge. He had just finished a Traction Engine in 1 inch scale and was to have surprised the boys this summer with a 3/4 inch scale Diesel Locomotive.

3/4 inch scale live steam model of a Union Pacific Challenger built by D. W. Massie of Montreal, Canada. Drawings and castings were supplied by Les Friend of Danvers, Mass. Engine and Tender measure over 8 feet long presenting a transportation problem to and from the track. It is now hauled on a two wheel trailer and when in the shop is handled on a stand fitted with casters. Posted by Steve Bratina on Chaski.org.

• 

  Doug Massie of Montreal tending to his Northern locomotive at TSME - 1950

• 

  Doug Massie's locomotive with his dog Lady added for scale at Montreal track - 1950.

• 

  Coventry] power reverse and steam driven cylinder drains. The drains at this time were using the steam one that fed the Harry Sait pump that used to be under the smokebox door. This picture would have been from one of the BLS meets in the 1940's.

Wandering Locomotive Book

Steve Bratina wrote the following, 24 August 2020:

Here are the copied pages from the Wandering Locomotive Books written by Doug Massie in 1934. I thought you could add them to his section. I have the engine and will send pictures of it running in a few weeks. The pages were copied courtesy of John at Friends Models. Along with my pictures, I will also include an up to date story of the engines history.

• 

  Letter Page 1

• 

  Letter Page 2

• 

  Letter Page 3

• 

  Photo 1

• 

  Photo 2

• 

  Photo 3

• 

  Photo 4

• 

  Photo 5

• 

  Photo 6

• 

  Photo 7

Transcription of Doug Massie's letter is as follows.