Model Pics Set One

Cherry Coal Mine Disaster

Model Pics Set One

The Model of the Cherry Coal Mine

Built by Ray Tutaj Jr. for Cherry Illinois, and on display at the public library there.

COLOR PHOTO OF THE CHERRY COAL MINE MODEL.

Series 1 of 10 picture 1 of 4.

When the coal miners walked to work on the morning of Nov. 13^th, 1909 the sky was clear and it was unseasonably warm. Little did they know the day would be written in the pages of history. The mine disaster would be the worst in the nation.

Only Black and white photos exist of the Cherry mine site, because the use of color film was still decades away. But in June of 1999 I was able to photograph the model I built of the mine site. I took numerous pictures with color film. As mentioned before, I set up the entire layout outdoors. I wanted the real sky and horizon as my backdrop. I was very pleased with the way the photos came out. This photo below is an overall view of the site looking northwest. Every year until 2009, which will mark the 100^th anniversary, I will release a new set of photos of the model from this outdoor photo session.

Steam Engine working near boiler house and tipple.

This photo is one of the four photos included in set or series one.

The model of the Tipple

Another photograph from set one from the 90th anniversary.

The Model of the Cherry Coal Mine site.

In a nutshell, I was totally consumed by the story of the Cherry Mine disaster as anyone would be who took the time to read about it. Having the knack to build models I undertook a major project of building a replica of what the 1909 mine site looked like. It took me about a year and a half to build it. I used maps and diagrams and B&W historic photographs to model from.

Upon completion, I assembled the entire layout outdoors for a color photo shoot. Against the backdrop of a blue sky and the illumination of natural sunlight it would make the model, I worked so hard on come to life. The pictures came out so well that I was able to submit them to the Model Railroading Magazine for publication. Also I made available to the public a set of pictures for the Anniversary of the disaster every November 13^th. The model combined with the photos is a way to help perpetuate the memory of the tragedy at Cherry IL.

Actual coal from mine in cars!

Exclusive pics of the HO scale model

Picture four from set one. Late afternoon train working near the coal office.

www.raytutajjr.com