Happy New Year from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club!

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club wishes all of its members, friends and followers a very happy and blessed New Year for 2018. It's been a bitterly cold week over a large part of North America, but as most model railroaders know, that's the perfect excuse to stay down in the basement and work on the layout! Have a great one, folks!

This is your last chance to ride the Assiniboine Valley Railway until June!

That's right! The Assiniboine Valley Railway is holding their final open house for the holiday season this weekend, and they're not opening their doors to the public again until June! So get your railroad fix now and climb aboard!

The trains will run on Saturday, December 30 and Sunday, December 31 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM on both days. Tickets are still two bucks for one ride. A 12 ride pass will set you back only twenty bucks! Children two years of age and under ride for free. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

The AVR is located at 3001 Roblin Boulevard, just west of Assiniboine Park. Look for the sign by the road!

Merry Christmas from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club!

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club hopes that you and yours, all of our members, and all of our many followers and readers will enjoy a joyous holiday season and have a wonderful New year! Keep 'em on the rails!

Assiniboine Valley Railway holds their second Christmas open house this weekend

Take a break from Christmas shopping and ride the rails this weekend as the Assiniboine Valley Railway holds their second Christmas open house! The trains will run on Saturday, December 24 and Sunday, December 24 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM on both days.

Tickets are still two bucks for one ride. A 12 ride pass will set you back only twenty bucks! Children two years of age and under ride for free. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

The AVR is located at 3001 Roblin Boulevard, just west of Assiniboine Park. Look for the sign by the road!

John Bate is an outhouse modeller supreme

WMRC treasurer John Bate has been a very busy modeller who regularly brings at least one of his latest creations to the club's monthly model displays. At our November meeting he displayed a scratchbuilt N scale yard office, complete with a storage shed and a "two-holer" outhouse! Great work, John!

John used a .040 styrene siding sheet, a .040 styrene corrugated steel sheet, styrene L girders to brace the corners, and a styrene rod was used for the chimney.  Windows, doors and the roof were scavenged from leftover kit parts. We didn't open the doors of the outhouse to see if it was occupied.

Assiniboine Valley Railway hosts its first Christmas open house next weekend

It's here! The Assiniboine Valley Railway is holding their first Christmas open house for 2017! The trains will run on Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM on both days.

Please note that due to the death of AVR founder Bill Taylor, there will again be no Christmas light display in the evenings.

Tickets are still two bucks for one ride. A 12 ride pass will set you back only twenty bucks! Children two years of age and under ride for free. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

The AVR is located at 3001 Roblin Boulevard, just west of Assiniboine Park. Look for the sign by the road!

All aboard for the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club'sr annual Christmas bash!

We're holding our annual Christmas bash and hot dog banquet! We will be continuing an ancient,  time honored tradition dating all the way back to 2006, serving hot dogs, drinks, donuts, and coffee. Come on out for some refreshments and conversation, and leave a little room for pizza at Santa Lucia's after the meeting!

We'll be collecting food for Winnipeg Harvest, so be sure to bring "a tin for the bin".

There will also be a presentation of Ian Plett's rail fanning adventures, featuring images he took all over North America as a long range trucker.

The fun starts at 7:30PM on Friday, December 8 at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. We'll also be holding our monthly model display and the ever popular 50-50 draw.  Hope to see you there!

Dennis Rietze is selling off his HO equipment

Long time WMRC member Dennis Rietze is selling off most of his collection of HO engines, rolling stock and various equipment. The sale is for this week only, and ends on Wednesday, December 6. Sale hours on Sunday, December 3 are from from 1PM to 5PM. Sale hours for Monday December 4, Tuesday December 5, and Wednesday December 6 are evenings only, from 6PM to 9PM. For more information contact Dennis Rietze at ritzkrakrs@mts.net

Richard Mikolayenko displays Z scale structures at Winnipeg Model Railroad Club’s November meeting

WMRC program director Richard Mikolayenko has a passion for Z scale, and a keen eye to match! At the club’s monthly model display at the November meeting, he presented a Z scale gas station that he modeled from a brass etched kit from Miller Engineering.

As you can see from the image, the detail is superb. But what you don’t see is the scale of the structure. That gas station could fit on your fingertip! Richard also hand painted the building, and he must’ve used a very tiny brush! Great work, Richard!

Ron Einarson recieves his Master Model Railroader award

Long time WMRC member Ron Einarson received his Master Model Railroader (MMR) plaque a couple of days ago from the NMRA, just in time to show it to all of our members at our November meeting.

Ron, who has been a WMRC member since 1983, is just one of 593 model railroaders in the entire history of the NMRA who has received this coveted award. He stated at the meeting that he never would've been able to have been awarded the honor without the continued support and guidance from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club. Way to go, Ron!

Dave Downie presents "Rebirth of a Model Railroad" at November's Winnipeg Model Railroad Club meeting

At the WMRC's November meeting, long time member Dave Downie will present"The Rebirth of a Model Railroad". Dave will cover the history of his layout and its conversion to Digital Command Control (DCC) following an extended shut down.

Dave will also give a short demonstration on LED strip lighting with a 15' strip that he'll have operating, along with a sample of 3M suitcase connectors that he used to rewire his layout.

The meeting is on Friday, November 17 in the Tank Room on the west side of the Charleswood Legion at 6003 Roblin Boulevard and starts at 7:30PM.

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's next meeting date has been moved to November 17

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club usually meets on the second Friday of the month, but for November the date has been moved, as the Charleswood Legion needs to use the space in preparation for their Remembrance Day services.

We ask that you too will take the time on Remembrance Day to remember those who have served to protect our country and defend freedom throughout the world.

Our next meeting will be held on Friday, November 17, at 7:30PM in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard.

Argyle museum needs modeler to build an HO grain elevator

The Argyle Museum Settlers, Rails & Trails Inc. is looking for someone to build an HO scale grain elevator, modeled after the Federal Grain Limited elevator in Argyle, from a Walthers kit. If anyone is interested, please contact them at argylemuseum@gmail.com

Ride the Assiniboine valley Railway's Halloween train this weekend

The Assiniboine Valley Railway is having a very special run this weekend only! This evening, and tomorrow evening, they're running their first ever Halloween train! It runs tonight, October 28, and on Sunday, October 29. Hours are from 6:00PM to 9:00PM.

Take a ride for two bucks, or buy a 12 ride pass for $20. Kids two years old and under ride for free. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. The AVR is located at 3001 Roblin Boulevard, just west of Assiniboine Park.

Tour Prague's railways at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's next event

Tommy Kucera, the WMRC's own roving correspondent, has returned from another one of his globe trotting rail fanning adventures! This time he went to Prague in the Czech Republic, and he has prepared a terrific presentation for us for our October meeting! Tommy's a great speaker, and his presentations are always chock full of fascinating railroad history and information.

You can catch Tommy's presentation at our next meeting, which will be held at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard, on Friday, October 27 at 7:30 PM. Not a member? Not a problem! We're not like Costco! Guests are always warmly welcomed!

Rail Travel Tours journey to York Factory

 This summer, our own Felix Lesiuk led the Rail Travel Tours trip to historic York factory. 

By Felix Lesiuk

After the 3 hour jet boat ride we got to York Factory. It was absolutely the nicest fall day you can imagine. After climbing up from the dock we met Claude Daudet, our host and guide from Parks Canada. The first concern for everyone one was, “Where are your bathrooms?”  Once that task was taken care of, we had a tour on the boardwalk of the cemetery, powder house ruins and where the ships were pulled up for the winter. We also got to look at what was left of a replica York boat that was used for the TV series “Quest for the Bay". 

We got a tour of the grounds and the main building as well as being able to climb up into the rooftop cupola.   If you need to know anything about the North American fur trade, this place is ground zero! While we were there, a group of American goose hunters dropped in by helicopter for a visit.  They looked like they just walked out of the pages of a Cabelas catalogue! After a delicious BBQ on the shore we headed back.  Along the way, we had a look at the failed Port Nelson site and even saw a polar bear and some seals on our return trip.  We had dinner in Gillam and went to bed for an early wake up the next morning. We had to be at the station for 5 am as VIA was scheduled to depart at 5:30.  This meant a 4 am wake up call. Thankfully we got to catch some sleep when we got onto the train before breakfast. I took full advantage and was the last for breakfast!
 
We left on time and arrived in Thompson later in the morning. We had time to walk around and enjoy the beautiful fall day. I walked around and checked out the yard and some of the Hudson's Bay Railway equipment. 

Last chance to ride the Assiniboine Valley Railway until December

This weekend is your last chance to ride on the Assiniboine Valley Railway until December, when they have their annual Christmas run. October is an especially wonderful time to ride, as the fall foliage is in its full glory!

They're open from 11:00AM to 5:00PM on Saturday, October 14, and from 1:00PM to 5:00PM on Sunday, October 15. A ride costs two bucks and you can buy a 12 ride pass for only $20! Kids two years of age and under ride for free. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. The AVR is located at 3001 Roblin Boulevard, just west of Assiniboine Park.

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club mourns passing of long time member Lorne Brady

We are saddened to announce the passing of long time WMRC member Lorne Brady. Lorne died on September 26, 2017. He was 86 years old. He worked for many years at the Winnipeg Tribune. He resided in River Park Gardens for five years before he passed away. A memorial service was held in his honor on October 1 at Glen Lawn Funeral Home.

The date for the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's next meeting has been moved to October 27

Please note that the date for the next meeting of the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club has been moved to Friday, October 27.

Tommy Kucera will be making a presentation about railroading in Prague. The meeting starts at 7:30 PM at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. Hope to see you all there!

Marvin Fetch's layout featured in Rapido Trains You Tube Video

WMRC Secretary Marvin Fetch has had his layout featured in a Rapido Trains video posted on You Tube! Marvin's in it, too! Who knew he could act? It's pretty funny as well! Check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTBRnEUxHREhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTBRnEUxHRE

Manitoba Mega Train Show to be held on September 30 and October 1

This is the big Kahuna! The ultimate train show experience! The biggest train show between Toronto and Calgary is back! It's the MANITOBA MEGA TRAIN SHOW, and it's better than ever! Last year the show had over 3,000 happy guests, and with 40,00 square feet of space, there's plenty of room for more in the Red River Exhibition Place!

The Manitoba Mega Train Show will be held on Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1 at Red River Exhibition Place, 3977 Portage Avenue. Hours are from 9AM to 5PM on both days. Adult admission is $7.00. Youth 4-12 is $5.00. Infants 3 and under free. A family pack (which includes two adults and up to three children 4 to 12 years of age) is $20. As usual, each admission entitles you to free unlimited rides on the Mega Train!

Be sure to check out their Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaMegaTrain/

See the Gateway Western railway at Winnipeg Railway Museum's Railway Days this weekend

The WMRC's Gateway Western Railway, undoubtedly the largest of its kind in the city, will be open for public viewing this weekend at the Winnipeg Railway Museum as they hold their annual Railway Days event. The Gateway is open to the public only twice a year, so be sure to grab this rare opportunity to view it!

The museum is located on the second level of the Via Rail station at 123 Main Street, and is open from 9:00AM to 5:00PM on both Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17. Admission by donation.

Assiniboine Valley Railway holds open house September 9 & 10

The Assiniboine Valley Railway is holding their monthly open house this weekend! They’re open from 11:00AM to 5:00PM on Saturday, September 9, and from 1:00PM to 5:00PM on Sunday, August 10. One ride costs two bucks, and you can buy a 12 ride pass for only $20! Children two years of age and under ride for free! All minors must be accompanied by an adult. They're located at 3001 Roblin Boulevard, just west of Assiniboine Park. Look for the sign on the road!

All aboard for the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's first event of the season

It's our first event of the season, and it looks like it's going to be a good one! It's also time to renew memberships, and we're always delighted to accept new members! Guests are always warmly welcomed, and there's never any pressure to join, so why not come down to the club and see what it's all about? 

Our September program is a follow-up to last year’s “Computers in Model Railroading” presentation by John Bate. This time the focus is on tiny computers called Arduinos, which  are small embedded processors that can become an integral part of any electrical or electronic system - including a model railroad. You could control a level crossing, build a train speedometer, eavesdrop on your DCC system, or build a complete CTC system with a dispatcher’s console implemented in hardware, or on a computer screen. All of these things will be demonstrated. It requires a little bit of programming, but you will see that this is not nearly as scary as it sounds. 

The fun starts at 7:30PM on Friday, September 8 at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. We'll also have our monthly model display, so come and see what our members had been working on during the summer!

Check out these videos from Calgary's South Bank Shore Lines

CNR's vintage 1392, seen here on display at Expo 86 in Vancouver.

Morgan Turney sent us these links, which were sent to him by Calgary's South Bank Shore Lines model railroad club, which Morgan describes as the "Mother club" to Winnipeg's Kildonan Short Lines HO modular group. 

Featured on these links are two videos of the Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions taking the CNR 1392 going from Stettler to Big Valley. One is long, one is short, but both are good watching! 

https://youtu.be/7OfYFvneiIY

https://youtu.be/tsc8ySij13c

Weathering and Decal workshop to be held at Toad Hall on August 26

Darryl Audette will be hosting a weathering workshop that will also deal with decaling at Toad Hall Toys. The workshop will be held on Saturday, August 26th at 10:30 a.m. There are only 12 spaces available, so if you're interested please give him a call at 204-956-2195.  

Learn about various MIG products, discover techniques and have the opportunity to ask questions and find like-minded folks to chat with. So them a call and get ready to up your modelling game.

If you haven't been to Toad Hall Toys lately to check out their model railroad department, then it's worth the trip! Darryl Audette has taken over the reins, and he's made some terrific changes! 

Toad Hall has been a supporter of the WMRC for many years, and has continued to faithfully advertise in the club's official publication, The Lantern. Every member in good standing receives a 10% discount on all no-sale in-store model railroad items, so be sure to bring your card!

Check out this video of the CP 150 train in Winnipeg!

There has been some marvellous images and videos taken of the CP 150 train when it came to Winnipeg. This includes the above photo, taken by our own Felix Lesiuk, of the train's classic F-units rolling past a beautiful field of sunflowers.

One exceptional video we found was made by some surprisingly young rail fans, who call themselves Trainboy Productions,  who shot the CP 150 train in various locations all around the city. You can watch their video by clicking here.  Enjoy!

Assiniboine Valley Railway holds open house August 12 & 13

The Assiniboine Valley Railway is holding their monthly open house this weekend! They’re open from 11:00AM to 5:00PM on Saturday, August 12, and from 1:00PM to 5:00PM on Sunday, August 13. One ride costs two bucks, and you can buy a 12 ride pass for only $20! Children two years of age and under ride for free! All minors must be accompanied by an adult. They're located at 3001 Roblin Boulevard, just west of Assiniboine Park. Look for the sign on the road!

Get your decals made at the UPS store on Ellice Avenue

Making your own custom decals using the Testors decal system is very popular, easy, and inexpensive. That is, until you try to print them on a crummy $50 ink jet printer! So, you go to a print shop to print them up for you , but they won't do it because they only have laser printers that will melt the decal paper. Then you look for a printer that uses a high quality ink jet printer and come out empty handed.

Well, here;s some good news, fellow custom decal makers! After an exhaustive search, we've found a place with a high quality ink jet printer that will do it for you, at a very reasonable cost! It's the UPS store #431 at 120-1400 Ellice Avenue. We had some decals printed up there, and the did an excellent job! Check the out by clicking here, or just go to the store yourself and ask for Alex!

The CP Canada 150 train arrives in Winnipeg this Friday

Mark your calendars! The CP 150 train will be in Winnipeg this Friday, August 4. The train will make a stop at the Southdale Community Centre at 254 Lakewood Boulevard from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. 

CP’s 1401 F-unit, built in 1958, will lead the train, hauling more than 10 restored heritage cars. Children will have the opportunity to take part in decorating a special car named the Spirit of Tomorrow. They can write their hopes for the Canada of tomorrow on a commemorative card. Each card will be attached to the car. The final Spirit of Tomorrow car will be included in CP’s 2017 Holiday Train program.

Included in the train is CP's exclusive stage car where champion Aboriginal hoop dancer Dallas Arcand, Juno award-winning country music singer Dean Brody, country singer Kelly Prescott and the Rail Road Ramblers will be performing.

While you’re there, don’t miss your chance to ride on CP’s miniature train! It’s a 1/4 scale model of one of CP’s AC4400 locomotives.

The Meadows grain elevator falls

By Morgan Turney

Photos by Felix Lesiuk

The Meadows Paterson grain elevator was turned into a heap of scrap wood on July 18, 2017, just after 12:00 noon. After chewing out the bottom four feet of the elevator footing on the elevator's west side, the contractor wrapped a heavy cable around the elevator cupola and with a few tugs from a large bulldozer, down she came into a heap of lumber and grain dust.

I don't know what it is about the name of Meadows, Perhaps it conjures up memories of a very peaceful place. There isn't much there. A few farms nearby and a homestead just across the street from the Meadows road sign. But it had a Paterson wooden grain elevator, the first one you came across driving westward down Rosser Road.

Rounding a gentle curve just past Rosser, there were two things you could count on seeing. One was an African type tree (it looks like it's from the plains of the Serengeti) in the field on the right hand side of the road. In the distance straight ahead was the Meadows elevator. It served as a familiar landmark to anyone taking the back roads and following the CPR's Carberry subdivision on a rail fan adventure toward Portage la Prairie. Sadly, after July 20, 2017, the African tree is all that's left.

Many of us will miss the Meadows elevator. It was the last one standing on that route after Marquette (another Paterson grain elevator) was pulled down on September 3rd, 2013. 
How sad is it that we destroy our iconic history so willfully, and so thoughtlessly. Meadows is gone forever. All that's left are the photographs and the memories.

Grain elevator at Meadows, Manitoba being taken down

Our intrepid roving reporter Felix Lesiuk captured these images of the grain elevator at Meadows, Manitoba being taken down. Meadows is on provincial highway 221, in between Marquette and Rosser. Marquette lost its grain elevator four years ago.

It's sad to see another one of these prairie giants leave the landscape. Now that two of these once familiar buildings on the same road will be gone, the road to Marquette is going to be a lot more bleaker.

WinNtrak featured on Shaw TV's TrainTown

WinNtrak's own Gerrit Vanderklok narrates Shaw TV's latest episode of Train Town.

How cool is this? Shaw TV Winnipeg has produced their third episode of Train Town, and this time they're featuring WinNtrak at their new home at the Prairie Dog Central! You can view it by clicking here!

Ride the Assiniboine Valley Railway this weekend

The Assiniboine Valley Railway is holding another open house this weekend! They’re open from 11:00AM to 5:00PM on Saturday, July 8, and from 1:00PM to 5:00PM on Sunday, July 9. One ride costs two bucks, and you can buy a 12 ride pass for only $20! Children two years of age and under ride for free! All minors must be accompanied by an adult. They're located at 3001 Roblin Boulevard, just west of Assiniboine Park. Look for the sign on the road!

Ron Einarson becomes a Master Model Railroader

Ron Einarson, seen here displaying at the No. 1 Northern Division's annual train meet in 2015, has just been named Master Model Railroader by the NMRA.

It is with great pride that we announce that our own Ron Einarson has been designated a Master Model Railroader (MMR) by the NMRA. Ron has been a member of the WMRC since 1983, and has been a member of the NMRA for almost as many years. He has also served as superintendent of the No.1 Northern Division  and as the President of NMRA Canada.

Ron is MMR #593. The title of MMR will follow after his name at all NMRA functions and any written material about him. The NMRA presently has over 18,000 members, and in it's entire history there has been only 593 MMR certificates awarded, so this is a rare honour indeed!

The MMR is an achievement program, and each applicant must earn a series of seven certificates for their work before they receive the title. Ron has worked very hard to earn this title, and his modelling work has always spoken for itself. Way to go, Ron!

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club member gets published by Kalmbach

Long time WMRC member Paul Ullrich has had an article published in the July issue of Classic Toy Trains, a Kalmbach publication. His article, which is about how to model trees using Christmas tree branches, ground foam and hair spray appears on the "Tips, Tools and Techniques" section of the magazine. A picture of a section of his layout was also published with the article.

Paul has been a contributor to Classic Toy Trains since 2002. He has also had two articles published in Trains magazine. He has two more articles pending publication in Classic Toy Trains.

Toad Hall Toys holds model contest

To celebrate their 40th anniversary, Toad Hall Toys is holding a model / miniature contest. Make any model, any miniature, but it must have a "TOAD" in it. The maximum size 10"x 10”.

Finished models will be displayed in their store at 54 Arthur Street until after their birthday celebrations on August 19, 2017. All models will be judged by the England family. The lucky winner will receive a Toad Hall Gift Certificate for $100.

Deadline for entries will be Saturday, July 29th. All displays must be dropped off at Toad Hall Toys on or before that date.For more information, please call Darryl Audette or Dianna Berard at 204-956-2195.

Trains magazine’s June issue features Manitoba railway

How cool is this? Trains magazine has featured a Manitoba short line in its June 2017 issue. The Keewatin Railway, owned and operated by the Mathias Colomb Cree nation, runs a regularly scheduled mixed train from The Pas, Manitoba to Puktawagan. It’s featured on page 22 of the print edition, and a photo gallery has been posted on the Trains.com website, which you can see by clicking here.