The Gateway Western keeps on growing

    TH&B consist makes for the tunnels on the Gateway Western layout during Railway Days at the Winnipeg Railway Museum. All photos by Morgan Turney. 

The jewel in the crown of the WMRC is the Gateway Western Railway. It has seen several incarnations since its early days on the main floor of Winnipeg's Union Station, but the latest version in the Winnipeg Railway Museum is the greatest one yet! A dedicated band of volunteers, led by long time member Gino Kost,  built the structure in which its housed in the middle of a very cold Winnipeg winter. The state of the art layout inside the building has been growing ever since!

These images were taken at Railway Days, which is hosted by the Winnipeg Railway Museum. It was held this year on September 19 and 20, 2015. Attendance was brisk and there were several displays to be seen, including the Gateway Western Railway. Railway Days is held each year on the third weekend in September at the Winnipeg Railway Museum, located at the VIA Rail station, 123 Main Street.

Youngster love to watch the trains through the windows of the Gateway Western!

A scale model of the famous Napa Valley Wine Train rolls down the tracks of  the Gateway Western.

Twin City Model Railroad Museum gets a reprieve

This just in from John Longhurst: The Twin City Model Railroad Museum is getting a five month reprieve! They will have to move eventually, but this gives the club some much needed time to get their finances in order and to find a new location.

However, their toy train museum, located in a separate building at Bandana Square, couldn't be saved. It's going to close this Monday, November 2.

Their goal is to raise $250,000 to pay for their move and the $30,000 in rent that they owe. They still have to pay all of their operating expenses from December until they move in the spring. Once a new location for the museum is found, the club will apply for grant funding to help pay for the relocation.

For more information about the Twin City Model Railroad Museum's reprieve, go to John Longhurst's CP Rail Manitoba and Minnesota Subdivision blog site by clicking here. To view the article from CBS television in Minnesota that broke the story, click here.

Twin Citiy Model Railroad Museum is closing

A fine example of some of the amazing modelling work done by the Twin City Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota. Photo by Paul Ullrich.

Our good friend and long time WMRC member sent us some sad news last week, The Twin City Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota is closing. The museum, which has been around for an amazing 81 years in several locations, is $30,000 in debt. They just can't pay their rent, and to make matters worse, it would cost about $50,000 to move the layout to another location.

This museum has been the highlight for many Winnipeg model railroad buffs when they visit Minneapolis -St. Paul. In addition to their massive scale O gauge layout, they had recently included a separate toy train display in another building next to their Bandana Square location, which was formerly the Northern Pacific Railway's Como passenger car shops.

The museum is slated to close today, but members hope that they will be allowed to stay open for the the Christmas season so it can earn some much needed revenue. Their toy train will be closing on November 15. 

For more information about the Twin City Model railroad Museum, and its closing, you can see John Longhurst's many posts about it by clicking here. To read an article about the closing of the museum from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, click here. To visit the Twin City Model railroad Museum's website, please click here.

 Just one of the Twin City Model Railroad Museum's toy train layouts. Photo by Paul Ullrich.

 Another more realistic 3-rail O gauge hi-rail layout was also a part of their toy train display, which was house in a separate building in Bandana Square. Regular visitor to the area will recognize many of the city's famous most famous building to the far left of the image. Photo by Paul Ullrich.

More memories of the Manitoba Mega Train Show

James South hams it up for the camera at the Kildonan Short Lines HO scale modular group display.

We still have a ton of images from last month's Manitoba Mega Train Show to share with you! These images were taken by our Program Director, Morgan Turney, who covered as much of the huge show as he could, in between helping run the Kildonan Short Lines HO scale modular group. Enjoy!

 Seated is Dan Kollesavich, Winnipeg's own "Morse code guy", with his Morse code display. 

A miniature model of the Countess of Dufferin was also on display at the show.

What's this? Boats at a model train show? Well, why not? A model is a model, and these guys are definitely superb model builders!

WinNtrak President Felix Lesiuk, who is also a WMRC member, commands the raffle table for his club. WinNtrak has raffled off many of these painstakingly hand-built N gauge layouts.

Val Lemon volunteers at the WMRC table at the show. We sold a lot of train magazines that weekend!

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club member John Longhurst displays at the Manitoba Mega Train Show

Long time WMRC member John Longhurst proudly displayed his latest modelling effort, an N scale version of the Thompson River Canyon, at last month's Manitoba Mega Train Show. It took him six weeks to construct the two foot by seven foot layout, and it looks great!

Thanks to the size of N scale, he was able to display it on a tabletop at the show, which is something you couldn't do very easily in a bigger gauge. John constructed the layout in the memory of the late Ken Epp, who died in October 2014.

John and Ken were brothers-in-law who shared a keen interest in model railroading. Ken was a long time and very active member of the WMRC. He and John founded The Great Canadian Train Show, the predecessor of the Manitoba Mega Train Show. Ken was able to attend the Mega Train Show in 2014 just before he passed away.

John has made two videos about this layout. The first was about the layout's construction, which can be viewed here. You can also see a video of the layout in operation by clicking here. 

John has also made several posts on the construction of the layout, on his blog, The CP Rail Manitoba and Minnesota Subdivsion. You can read all of his posts about his Thompson River Canyon layout by clicking here. 

 The layout in action at the Manitoba Mega Train Show.

 A close up of the N gauge CP diesel coming out of the tunnel.

A magical night of trains and song held at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club

 Paul Newsome from the Vintage Locomotive Society gave the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club a presentation about the transporting of the CP G5's from Virginia to Winnipeg at our last meeting.

What a night we had at our October meeting! First we had Paul Newsome from the Vintage Locomotive Society, who gave us a great  presentation on the two G5 steam locomotives that were recently delivered to the Prairie Dog Central last month. Then we had the Audayo Brothers, fresh from their gig on the Prairie Dog Central, to entertain us with folk songs about railroading!

If you missed the meeting, you can still listen to the Audayo Brothers, as we made a video of their performance at the club! You can see them right now by going to this link:

https://youtu.be/rP6_GxqI1rY

 Here they are, folks! The Audayo Brothers, as they performed at the WMRC's last meeting.

Selkirk Model Railroad Association to hold open house this weekend

Be sure to catch some of the great rail action at the Selkirk Model Railroad Association's fall open house this weekend!

The Selkirk Model Railroad Association will be holding their fall open house on Saturday, October 17 from 10am to 4pm, and on Sunday, October 18 from noon to 4pm. Three operating layouts in three different scales (HO, O and N) will be up and running all weekend. Adult admission is $4.00. Ages 12 to 16 is $2.00. Free admission for children under 12 if accompanied by an adult.

The club is located at 217 Clandeboye Avenue in Selkirk. 

Joins us for the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's next meeting on October 16

 WMRC Program Director Morgan Turney took this great photo of the two G5s at the Prairie Dog Central's Inkster Junction last month.

Paul Newsome from the Vintage Locomotive Society will give us a presentation on the two G5 steam locomotives that were recently delivered to the Prairie Dog Central last month. Paul was instrumental in arranging the logistics and move from Virginia to Winnipeg, and he has a very good presentation showing how the locomotives and their tenders were taken from their flat decks and on to the rails.

Then we'll have something completely different! Former WMRC member and past president Terry Penner and a friend of his has formed a band called The Audayo Brothers, which has played all summer long on the Prairie Dog Central! They will appear for us at the October meeting. And yes, they will play a few train songs. You won't want to miss this meeting!

The fun starts at 7:30 at the Charleswood Legion ,which is located at 6003 Roblin Boulevard. The canteen will be open, and we'll be holding the ever popular 50-50 draw and the monthly model display.

 If you've been modelling anything, by all means bring it down! Each entry must include your name and a short write up describing the work that has been accomplished to date. Each entrant will have but one entry for the monthly prize of a $15 voucher from a local hobby store.

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club mourns passing of long time member Carl Gay

It is with a great deal of sadness to report that Carl Gay, a former long standing member of the WMRC, has passed away. Many would remember Carl from when he worked at Elmwood Hobby Works part time. Carl had been hospitalized for some time, and he died in hospital in his sleep.

"I remember Carl from when he worked at the downtown post office and I'd see him each time I took the latest issue of Canadian Railway Modeller to the post office to mail." Stated Morgan Turney.
"Carl was very gracious to me and shared his huge steam locomotive photo collection with the magazine on many, many occasions. His favourite railfanning spot was  CPR's Whittier yard. I spoke with Carl only a couple of weeks ago regarding the G5s coming back to Winnipeg. I will miss him."


"He loved this hobby and got me into it very early on." Said Carl's son, Andrew Renaud.  "We shared it up to the end.  He enjoyed assisting people in their efforts whether with pictures or knowledge. I told him 'Your block has been arranged... you've got a green board... highball!' Thank you to those of you who were part of dads life."

"I have fond memories of him singing Gilbert & Sullivan tunes while he shopped at the Golden Spike!" Said Ian Lisakowski.

"I remember him on stage at Pantages doing G & S (with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Winnipeg)!" reported Zenon Lisakowski.


The family as requested that no calls of condolence be made. A private family ceremony has been arranged.

Riding the Mega Train at the Manitoba Mega Train Show

One of the highlights of attending the Manitoba Mega Train Show was riding the Mega Train itself! The admission fee included unlimited rides on the Mega train, and the train ran continuously throughout the show.

In past years, the entire show was placed right inside the Mega Train's loop of track. This year our venue was three times the size of our last one, and the layout was sequestered to one third of the space, in the "kiddies section", along with the Lego display, the two Lionel displays, the face painter and the balloon animal maker.  This gave children and adults plenty to do and to see as they were waiting for their rides!

WMRC member Ian Plett took over the controls of the Mega Train for a while.

Ian uses foot power to jump start the tiny scale Plymouth locomotive. He had to push the train "Fred Flintsone" style to get it rolling!

Enjoy the fall foliage this weekend at the Assiniboine Valley Railway

It looks like it's going to be a great Thanksgiving day long weekend, and you can celebrate a part of it by taking a ride on the Assiniboine Valley Railway! This weekend is the last scheduled weekend of the season. There are tentative plans to have another run at Christmas time like they did last year, but these plans have yet to be confirmed.

You can grab a ride for just two bucks and see some terrific fall foliage from your seat. A 12 ride pass is still only $20! Children two years of age and under ride for free, but all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Come join in on all of the fun this weekend at 3001 Roblin Boulevard! Saturday's hours are from 11:00AM to 5:00PM. Sunday's hours are from 1:00PM to 5:00PM.

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club holds railfan excursion to Rennie this weekend

Don't know how to get to Rennie? Here's a map!

A  Fall Adventure to Rennie has been planned for Sunday, October 11 to photograph trains surrounded by the beautiful fall colours of eastern Manitoba. Rennie is one the the few places in the Country where the CP and CN lines cross, and it's a great place to do some railfanning!

We will meet at the gas station in Dugald,  which is at the corner of highways 15 and 206, and leave at 8:00AM for Rennie, which is roughly and hour away. There are a few things you'll need to bring for the days adventure:

1 - proper outdoor footwear
2 - a camera
3 - a lunch
4 - a safety vest if you have one

We'll be returning around 3 or 4pm as the light begins to fade in the late afternoon.

If you plan to attend, please let Morgan know by e-mail at: morgant@cdnrwymod.com

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club moves date of next meeting to October 16

See this place? Don't go there this Friday, unless you want to vote.

The WMRC has moved the date of their next meeting from October 9 to October 16. This is because the Charleswood Legion is being used by Elections Canada for advance polling this Friday and all of this weekend.

After two back-to-back whirlwind weekends of trains at Railway Days and Mega Train, we can settle back and enjoy two terrific programs at our next meeting.  Paul Newsome from the Vintage Locomotive Society will give us a presentation on the two G5 steam locomotives that were recently delivered to the Prairie Dog Central last month. Paul was instrumental in arranging the logistics and move from Virginia to Winnipeg, and he has a very good presentation showing how the locomotives and their tenders were taken from their flat decks and on to the rails.

And now for something completely different! During Mega Train, Larry Leavens and Suzanne Lemon chatted with former WMRC member and past president Terry Penner. They discovered that he and a friend have formed a band called The Audayo Brothers that played all summer long on the Prairie Dog! They quickly made arrangements to have them appear for us at the October meeting. And yes, they play a few train songs. You won't want to miss this meeting!

WinNtrack drives "last spike" at their grand opening ceremonies

WinNtrak, led by their president, Felix Lesiuk, celebrated their Grand Opening and Last Spike Ceremonies at their new club house located at the Prairie Dog Central station grounds north west of Winnipeg.

Ceremonies included a run-through ribbon-cutting event followed by the driving of the Last Spike into their club's switch stand located just outside the entrance door. The event, held on Saturday, October 3rd, was attended by over 75 people. Congratulations to the WinNtrak Model Railway Group from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club!

What a beautiful day for the grand opening ceremonies! WinNtrak President and long time WMRC member Felix Lesiuk warmly welcomed all visitors to their new clubhouse on the Prairie Dog central grounds.
 

 Ribbon cutting ceremonies were performed by two N scale locomotives on the WinNtrak layout.

 Success! The locomotives plowed right through the ribbon! All photos by Morgan Turney.

More memories of Manitoba Mega Train

We still have many photos to share of the 2015 Manitoba Mega Train Show! These images come courtesy of our ace photographer, Morgan Turney, who commanded the WMRC helicopter and flew over the crowd as he took these pictures!

Don't believe that one? We didn't think so. The truth is that there was a balcony over the canteen in the building, which is where Morgan took these images. He just pretended that he was in a helicopter by beating his chest with his hands to imitate the sounds of the propeller while he took these pictures. Just look at the crowds we attracted at our new venue at Red River Exhibition Park!

An overhead view was the only way to do justice to this spectacular G scale layout at the show. It was also the only way the entire layout could be fit into the frame!

 The Moose Jaw Thunder Creek Model Railroad Club presented their HO modular layout for the very first time at the Manitoba Mega Train Show. The green cord you see to the left of the photo is an overhead wire. Most of the layouts were electrified from overhead, which meant no more tripping over wires duct taped to the floor!

The canteen was very popular! Visitors could grab a snack or a light lunch while they watched the trains.
 

WinNtrak to hold grand opening of their new clubhouse this weekend

The friendly folks at WinNtrak are holding the grand opening of their new group clubhouse this Saturday, October 3, at the Prairie Dog Central's Inkster Junction Station, just off Inkster Boulevard. Their new clubhouse is in the annex building, next to the Atco trailer on the east side of the property.  Opening ceremonies are at 11:00am, and there will be light refreshments. Free admission! All are welcome!