SPECIAL THANKS. I would like to thank Paul Watson for his sponsorship of several lead figure collections on this blog. Having decided to clear his spare/surplus figures, he generously forwarded them on with no other requirement than they deserved to be restored. I would also like to mention George S. Mills, who kindly furnished a quantity of plastic figures which allowed me to complete another five or six military units, serving in several collections.

Monday 3 January 2022

DOMINION WAR MAPS (and Railway models)

With the start of a new year I thought it appropriate to upload my maps for the Dominion War fictitious campaign. They really do show the current situation better than any other method. 

MGB

MAP ONE, North America. Captured territories. Green for parts of Canada taken by the United States. Red for parts of Maine taken by the British Empire. Blue for areas now controlled by the Franco-Spanish Alliance. Coloured lines at sea indicate where naval blockades are being enforced.

MAP TWO, Ontario. This is a close up showing those parts of Ontario now occupied by the United States (Yellow). Although the loss of Ottawa is of political importance some have suggested Fort William is a greater loss as it has severed the Grand Pacific Railway (Port Arthur).

MAP THREE, Maine. This map shows where the British Empire has established naval garrisons (red). The lighter shaded areas are where the population has agreed terms not to participate further in this war.

MAP FOUR, Battles. This shows battles and skirmishes that have been fought. The colours indicate who was the victor. The number corresponds to points awarded, based on the size of the action and also its strategic importance.

MAP FIVE, Florida. This shows the positions of the Spanish in Florida. 
MAP SIX, Louisiana. This shows the position of the French in Louisiana (Blue)

DOMINION RAILWAYS
A few days ago Paul Watson had an opportunity to visit my home town, while sorting out the affairs of a friend who recently passed away. Paul had mentioned his desire to reduce not only his toy soldier projects but also a fair quantity of 54mm Timpo railway track and stock. The box was duly delivered. And it comprised three engines with three coal (battery power) wagons, and two long carriages. While some pieces need restoration work their potential is absolutely enormous, not least to the Dominion campaign. I include a few photos. 
Volunteers from Australia had only recently disembarked at Victoria, British Columbia, in support of their Canadian kinsfolk, but are now about to travel on the Grand Pacific Railway, destination unknown. (These figures were also supplied by Paul, with only a few paint chips and wear. Here they are restored, and with traditional facial detail added.)

14 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Hi MJT, you can imagine my surprise when Paul delivered the box. I'm still in a state of contemplation as to how best to utilise these models. I think some plans are beginning to dominate, but I'm going to see what others have done on their blogs first.
      Michael

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  2. Oh, the possibilities that lie ahead for you Michael! I have gamed with Lionel trains with 40mm-50mm figures and it was great fun! The Timpo trains were specifically made for 54mm figures and look perfect with your expertly restored figures! The future scenarios that you can come up with that utilize the trains are endless! Troop movement, train ambushes, etc. With your armoured car expertise, I could see you turning one of the trains into an armoured train, like those used in the Boer War. That would be truly awesome! Have fun!

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    1. Hi Brad, I was thinking of using the new year to sort out some naval vessels but I can now see my hobby time divided between sea and rail. My new plan is to try and restore one set, while the remainder will form 'war-game' features. I quite like the idea of having an all-powerful siege gun, but some kind of armoured train, as used in the Boer War, ACW, or even the Russian Civil War is also very appealing.
      Michael

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    1. Wonderful toys, Tony. Lots of work involved but worth the effort, I think. I do like the idea of something in Ordnance grey, but then there is a train in the Prisoner of Zenda, and the Grand Budapest Hotel, lol.
      Michael

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  4. The addition of the railway just takes the collection to another level - superb.

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    1. Indeed, George. The scenarios and campaigns are made so much more '1900' for having a railway system included.
      Michael

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  5. Superb and generous gift - shiny fun will ensue in 2022!

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    1. Most certainly Mark, their arrival has caused some quite divergent thinking, and thats something which also improves my productivity. Have already started on the necessary researches.
      Michael

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  6. Paul really is a great 'chap'!

    Lots of potentisl left in this toy war!

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    1. Indeed Ross, my funds could not have stretched to 54mm metals without Paul's sponsorship. Will be posting some more photos soon, the first to be completed from the latest batch. I do think the Dominion War is flowing quite realistically, which makes it all the more worthwhile. All sides fearful of over-stretching their resources on difficult expeditions, etc.
      Michael

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  7. Just chiming in to note, as others have, that the trains are great. I must say your maps, taken together, are fantastic and really lend an authoritative "history book" air to your campaign.

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    1. Thank you John. I just felt that even an imaginary war, with historical armies that came very close, but decided not to engage, should be recorded. I have also been influenced by the War of 1812-15, and viewed military documents on strategic planning, by both sides, if such a war broke out. The US 1920s plan was to capture Victoria, Toronto, and Ottawa. The British plan was to destroy/bottle-up all US shipping and force negotiations. The Canadian plan was to disrupt/sabotage supply routes on both sides of the border and hope for Empire reinforcements to arrive. The entry of Spain and France is more conjectural but the US-Spanish War of 1898 is a reality, all I have done is reverse the offensive strategies.
      Michael

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