Felix Lesiuk's railfan tour of the railway bridges of Moose Jaw

The Moose Jaw area has some interesting railway bridges, but we're a bit unsure about that roadbed.

Long time WMRC member and award winning photographer Felix Lesiuk sent us these great images from his recent trip to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He captured some fascinating photos of the bridges in the area that he wanted to share with us.  Felix is a retired school teacher who is also the current president of WinNtrak. Anyone who has seen his photos knows that he loves to take photos of bridges, under bridges, or over bridges, especially when there's a train going over them! But this time out he's concentrating just on the beauty of the bridges that the railways depend on to haul their freight across the nation. Enjoy!

Anyone who has visited Moose Jaw has drove under this bridge more than a few times!

A surprising long wooden trestle on the CN lines outside of Moose Jaw.

Another well preserved wooden trestle, with a bridge crossing a road on the outskirts of Moose Jaw. 

See the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's Gateway Western Railway this weekend during Doors Open Winnipeg

Brent Tingey watches Larry Leavens operate a switcher hauling several grain hoppers going around the bend on the WMRC's Gateway Western Railway, located in the Winnipeg Railway Museum.

Doors Open Winnipeg is happening this weekend, and that means that you can visit the Winnipeg Railway Museum for free and see the WMRC's Gateway Western Railway in action! This is a rare, once in a year opportunity, so don't miss out on it! The Winnipeg Railway Museum is located on the second level of the Via Rail Station at 123 Main Street. Open Doors Winnipeg runs on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29. The hours are from 11:00AM to 5:00PM both days. Hope to see you there!

Aaron Woloshyn sweeps awards at Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's annual banquet

Aaron Woloshyn (right) receives the Clark Summers memorial award from outgoing MRC President Larry leavens at the club's annual banquet, held on May 13, 2016.

The big winner for the WMRC's annual model contest, held at the club's spring open house in April, was Aaron Woloshyn, who walked away with seven awards. Among the awards Aaron has garnered were the Clark Summers memorial award for his model of an HO rail section car and the Tyro award for his model of a Jordan spreader. 

Aaron is one of our newest and youngest members, and it is very rare for someone to win both of these awards in the same year. The Tyro award is given to someone who has shown exceptional modelling skills but has never won a WMRC award before. But Aaron's modelling skills were so exceptional that receiving just the Tyro award wasn't enough!

Aaron also won first place in the locomotive and the non-revenue competition. He also won third place in the non-revenue competition, third place in structures and the special event.

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club elects new President

Godfrey South has been elected President of the WMRC. Godfrey is a relatively new member to the club, and to the country as well, as he and his family emigrated from England just a few years ago. Since he moved to Winnipeg, he and his family have been very enthusiastic members of the club!
His lovely wife Jean has taken over the duties of running the canteen, assisted by their wonderful children - Frances, Tommy and James. Their kids have help run the Kildonan Short Lines modular railway at our spring open house and at the Manitoba Mega Train Show. Tommy and James are enthusiastic modellers who have won prizes in the club's annual model contest competitions.

Paul Ullrich wins Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's President's Shield award

Paul Ullrich is seen receiving the President's Shield award from outgoing President Larry leavens at the club's banquet, held on May 13 at the Canad Inns Destination Centre Windsor Park.

WMRC Social Media Executive Paul Ullrich won the President's Shield award at their annual banquet for his creation of the club's blog site and Facebook page. The blog site has received almost 100,000 views since its inception in October 2013, and the Facebook Page has over 300 likes. 

Paul has been a member of the club since 1983. He has served as the club's photo editor, and has won five Lantern awards for his contributions to The Lantern, the official newsletter of the WMRC. He is also well known as "The Giraffe Car Man". His popular portable Lionel display, which he exhibits several times a year at various train shows, features up to six giraffe cars that have giraffes ducking their heads before they enter a tunnel.

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club holds annual banquet

We're wrapping up the end of another great model railroad season with our annual banquet, which will be held on Friday, May 13 at the Canad Inn Destination Centre Windsor Park, located at 1034 Elizabeth Road, right off Highway 59. The fun begins at 6:00PM, where we'll meet at Aalto's for cocktail hour. Everyone who comes gets a draw prize ticket!

Supper begins at 7:00, where you'll have a choice of a buffet meal or ordering off the menu. Besides the awards presentations, we'll have raffles, raffles and more raffles, including the popular elimination draw! It's gonna be a great night, so why not come on down?

Selkirk Model Railroad Association selling off all equipment

It is with great sadness that we announce that our good friends at the Selkirk Model Railroad Association are selling off all of their equipment. After 21 years, they were forced to close their doors. All inventory will be sold off for the following weekends of May 14 and 15 and May 28 and 29, on a cash only basis. The sale runs from 10AM to 4PM at 217B Clandeboye Avenue in Selkirk.

Three winners for the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's non-revenue model contest

The WMRC's non-revenue model contest category has garnered three winners this year. Aaron Woloshyn won first place for his HO model of a CN rail welding car, seen in the above image. Aaron was the big winner this year, coming away with seven awards in several different categories. Aaron also won third place in this category for his model of a CN rail section car (seen below). He also won the Clark Summers award for this same model.

Godfrey South won second place for his unique model of an HO gauge MOW blacksmith car (also seen below). Richard Mikolayenko won honourable mention for his N gauge model of an MOW car.

The awards for all categories will be presented at the club's annual banquet, which will be held on Friday, May 13 at Aalto's Garden Cafe at the Canad Inns Destination Centre at 1034 Elizabeth Road. The fun starts at 6:00PM, and along with the awards presentation, we'll have plenty of raffles and giveaways. Hope to see you there!

Morgan Turney wins Best in Show at Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's annual model contest

WMRC Program Director Morgan Turney won the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's Best in Show award at the club's annual model contest for his model of a TH&B  GP-7. Morgan originally hails from Hamilton, Ontario. But one day he came to his senses and left Steeltown for good and moved to the proud prairie town of Winnipeg, Manitoba, which is Better than Chocolate.

However, Morgan occasionally pines for his hometown, as anyone who has been to a Bomber game and has seen him wearing a Ti-Cats jersey can attest. He also loves to model his beloved Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway, and this Geep is a fine example of his modelling work.

Aaron Woloshyn wins Tyro and Clark Summers awards

Aaron Woloshyn is definitely the WMRC's most prolific model contest winner for 2016! He's won seven awards this year, including the prestigious Clark Summers award and the Tyro award. He won the Clark Summers award for his model of a CN rail section car (pictured above). He received the Tyro award for his very unique model of a CN Jordan spreader (pictured below).  Congratulations, Aaron! Keep up the good work!