Happy New Year from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club

May all of our many members, readers, followers and their families have a wonderful New Year filled with trains, trains and more trains! Hope to see you all at our events in 2020! Keep 'em on the rails!

Assiniboine Valley Railway to hold its second open house of the month this weekend

Get set for another fun weekend riding the rails at the Assiniboine Valley Railway! They're having their second open house of the month on Saturday, December 28 and Sunday, December 29 from 2:00PM to 5:00PM both days. A ride is only three bucks. You can get two rides for $5.00, and a 10 ride pass costs just $20. Kids under two ride for free! Grab a hot chocolate for only 50 cents! The AVR is located at 3001 Roblin Boulevard, just west of Assiniboine Park.

Merry Christmas from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club

May all of our members, readers, followers and their families have a great Christmas season and a wonderful New Year filled with trains, trains and more trains! Hope to see you all at our events in 2020! Keep 'em on the rails!

Portage La Prairie Model Railroad Club holds Christmas open house starting today

The Portage La Prairie Model Railroad Club is holding a Christmas open house starting today and continuing through the weekend and Monday. Come on down and run the trains on their layouts! Pick out something special from their gift shop! Treats will be available, and Santa will be visiting on Friday, Saturday, and Monday! Hours are from 10AM to 4PM on December 20, 21 and 23 and from 1PM to 4PM on Sunday, December 22. You can find them at the CPR Station in Portage La Prairie. It's worth the trip!

Take a Christmas ride on the Assiniboine Valley Railway this weekend

The Assiniboine Valley Railway is having its first Christmas open house of the season this weekend! Ride the rails through seven acres of winter wonderland on Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22 from 2:00PM to 5:00PM. A ride is only three bucks. You can get two rides for $5.00, and a 10 ride pass costs just $20. Kids under two ride for free! Grab a hot chocolate for only 50 cents! The AVR is located at 3001 Roblin Boulevard, just west of Assiniboine Park.

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's 2019 Clinic Carnival was a great success!

People got to try their hand with an airbrush at John Bate's Airbrush clinic.

The WMRC had a great turnout at their annual clinic carnival, which was held on Friday, December 13 at the Charleswood Legion.

John Bate had his hands full conducting an airbrushing clinic, where he invited people to try their hand with an airbrush. Everyone was impressed with the meticulously hand crafted structures made by Ivan Paradis. Dave Downie showed how easy it is to weather with pan pastels. Richard Mikolayenko showed everyone how to paint HO and N scale figures.

Gary Crawford had a working display of his O scale narrow gauge equipment, and he also showed off some of his impressive landscaping techniques using home made items such as dyed sawdust and shredded foam colored with acrylic paint.

Our annual Christmas banquet was so successful it even surprised our hard working canteen volunteers, for they ran out of hotdogs!

Ivan Paradis and his son Nathan allowed guests to examine Ivan's superb structures.

Gary Crawford showed how to landscape using money saving homemade materials.

Gary also brought some of his O scale narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock.

Richard Mikolayenko shows Marcel Blair and Gary Stempnick how to paint figures.

Dave Downie showed how to weather rolling stock with pan pastels.

It's clinic carnival time again at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club

It's the model railroading event you've been for waiting all year! It's the WMRC's annual clinic carnival! Step right up to view five great clinics conducted by Winnipeg finest model railroaders.

John Bate will demonstrate airbrushing and will be glad to answer any questions that you might have. John will have a portable paint booth, a couple of airbrushes, and all the trimmings. He will demonstrate how they work, how to prepare paint, how to clean them, and some basic techniques. If you've not used one before you can try it for yourself on some scrap models. Or bring your own model and your choice of acrylic paint, and if time permits you can try to paint it.

Richard Mikolayenko will display painted figures in N and HO scales. Richard is an excellent modeller who always has interesting ideas. Learn how to populate your layout with people.
 
Ivan Paradis will display some of his beautiful structures in HO scale. Ivan's fine work has been showcased at our monthly model displays. Here is your opportunity to talk to him and learn his techniques.
 
Gary Crawford will display some of his O Scale narrow gauge equipment This will be a great opportunity to see some really exquisite models. Those of us not in O scale will be envious.
 
Dave Downie will display “weathering with pan pastels” and show how easily you can weather rolling stock and structures. He'll also display removable coal hopper loads that are easily built.
 
But wait! There's more! We'll also be holding our annual Christmas Banquet! Enjoy a feast on gourmet hot dogs specially prepared by our expert chefs! We're also collecting for Winnipeg Harvest, so please bring a tin for the bin.
The party starts on Friday, December 13 at 7:30 PM in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. Not a member? Not a problem! Guests are always warmly welcomed. Hope to see you all there!

Richard Mikolayenko builds an N scale cathedral from scratch

Richard Mikolayenko brought to the WMRC's November model display an N scale cathedral that he built from scratch. He observed many churches around the city and combined many elements from them. He cut the main wall and the copulas on the spires to a scale height of about four stories high. He installed several of the window with colored glass.

The brick trim was done by using a tool called a "nibbler", adding one N scale brick at a time. The only parts of the structure that were not scratch built were the windows and the doors.

The CP holiday train arrives in Manitoba today

The CP holiday train arrives in Whitemouth, Manitoba at 6:45PM today. It will arrive in Winnipeg at 9:00PM at the grade crossing at Panet Road and Molson Street.

On Tuesday, December 3, the train will arrive in Portage La Prairie at 11:15AM. Then it will arrive in Neepawa at 2:45PM, then at Minnedosa at 4:00PM. It will make its final Manitoba stop at Shoal Lake at 7:15PM. Featured performers this year are Scott Helman and Madeline Merlo.

Larry Leavens showcases BC Rail bulkhead flatcar at Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's monthly model display

Past WMRC president Larry Leavens brought in a BC Rail bulkhead flat car that he has been working on to the club's November meeting. It's a Roundhouse kit which Larry added Kadee couplers. He used a paint pen to weather the trucks.

The pipe load was made from plastic straws which were cut to a scale 42 feet. Larry sanded the straws before painting them to give them a "tooth" for the paint to stick. He also painted the inside ends a bit to remove the shiny plastic look.

4'x6' scale lumber was used to separate the pipe loads. ACC glue was used to glue the pipe to the wood. Chart tape was used to simulate the steel banding used to secure the load. The ends were secured with more ACC glue, as chart tape doesn't hold very well.

CP Rail honors veterans and armed forces with new paint schemes

The crews at the CP paint shops have really outdone themselves this fall! After first releasing several locomotives with their traditional grey and maroon paint schemes, they've just launched a fleet of locomotives in military style designs to honor our veterans and all of our armed forces.

Our two stalwart stringers and long time WMRC members Brent Tingey and Felix Lesiuk dispatched these images over to us. Thanks, guys!

See the train display at the Manitoba Electrical Museum this Christmas season

The Manitoba Electrical Museum is holding their annual All That Glows Christmas display, and this year they're featuring electric trains! The WMRC's dynamic duo of Secretary "Marvelous" Marvin Fetch and Social Media Director Paul Ullrich helped set up the train displays, which include an operating Lionel layout in the museum's lower level.

The display runs from November 15 to January 4. The museum is located at 680 Harrow Street. They're open from Tuesday to Saturday from 1:00PM to 4:00PM, and on Wednesdays from 1:00PM to 8:00PM. Admission is $3.00 and children ages five and under are admitted for free.

Scratchbuilt hotel reatured at Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's monthly model display

Ivan and Nathanial Paradis submitted this scratch built model of a Sifton style hotel from a 50's prairie town at the WMRC's last meeting, held on November 8, 2019. The building is typical of the style of hotels found in many Canadian prairie towns from 1900 to 1950. Some survive to this day.

The model was scratch built with Evergreen sheets and strips, a Plastruct vac form sheet for the foundation, and Tichy Train Group windows, doors and corbels. The building is set to fit into a base that includes sidewalks and side steps. Lettering for the sign is forthcoming.

See Ed Mulholland's Cumbrian Valley Lines and take a trip to Budapest at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's November meeting

We have a great show lined up for our November meeting! Ed Mulholland will showcase his Cumbrian Valley Lines layout, one of most spectacular layouts ever built in Winnipeg. Then Tommy Kucera will make a presentation about his visit to the Hungarian National Railway Museum in Budapest. 

The fun starts this Friday, November 8, at 7:30 PM in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. The canteen will be open and we'll have our monthly model display.Not a member? Not a problem! Guests are always warmly welcomed.

Ivan and Nathanial Paradis showcase their wooden grain elevator model at Winnipeg Model railroad Club's October meeting

WMRC members Ian and Nathanial Paradis brought in their superb model of a wooden grain elevator to the club's October meeting. It is a freelance model, based on a typical prairie grain elevator, and was scratch built using Evergreen styrene sheets and strips. The windows and the doors are from Grandt Line.

It was made up of four component parts for ease of building and maintenance. The base is complete with ramps, the main elevator body, the office and the balloon annex.

The balloon annex was constructed using scale 2x6, 2x8 and 6x6 as was the prototype. Further details include bolts and plates used to reinforce the annex.

The model has been painted and clear coated to protect the undercoat. Decals and washes will be added later.

Great job, guys!

Assiniboine Valley Railway Hallowen train cancelled

The Assiniboine Valley Railway has cancelled this weekend's Halloween train due to the damage caused by the October 11 snowstorm.Unfortunately, this is the third time in a row that they had to cancel an open house. There has been no word yet on whether they will still have their Christmas open house.

Felix Lesiuk guides a Rail Travel Tours trip to Prince Rupert

 By Felix Lesiuk

This past June, Daryl Adair of Rail Travel Tours asked me if I would like to guide a small group for a 10 day train tour through the mountains to Prince Rupert. Having not done this trip before I cautiously said, "why not".  The trip entailed a two night trip via a sleeper on VIA's Canadian #1 to Jasper, one of my favorite places. We had snow near Edmonton, but fortunately there was none in Jasper. Weather for rest of the trip was great.  We stayed in the Whistler Inn, just across Jasper station. We toured the town and took in a boat tour of Lake Maligne.

We rode the former "Skeena" now just called trains 5 & 6, also known as the Rupert Rocket, or the train with no name. It originally had three full length domes on it, but VIA downgraded its service.  Of the original three full length domes that were on the Skeena two of them now ply back and forth on The Canadian between Edmonton and Vancouver. One still goes back and forth to Prince Rupert but only on the "third" train. There are three train sets going back and forth between Prince Rupert and Jasper. 

This is a daytime running train only with overnight stops and two nights in Prince George, where the crew rests.  This meant that we had the exact same train and crew for the entire westbound and eastbound trips through the coastal mountains.  This worked out well since during our two night stay in Prince Rupert we visited the Northern BC museum and the Historic Pacific cannery site as well as having time to tour around Prince Rupert.We had no rain, which apparently is rare.

CN is very busy along this line, which made any scheduled arrival times non-existent. There are no diner facilities on the train, only a snack bar.  We did have the Park car and as much coffee and cookies we could eat. I had to pick up lunches and dinners in Vanderhoof and McBride from Safeway or Coop.

When we got back to Jasper we had time to visit the town and then have a tour of the Columbia ice fields and the parkway. This scenic area and makes one proud to be a Canadian!

Two great programs on tap at Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's October meeting

At our October meeting, which will be held on Friday,  October 18,  Dave Downie will present part three of “Rebirth of a Model Railroad”. Lots of work has been done by Dave with scenery and structures, and he’ll have lots of before, during and after photos to guide us through the process.

Terry Viddal will make a presentation on track maintenance on the prototype and model railroad. Terry worked for over 30 years in track maintenance for CN. He will cover various aspects of track maintenance, including photos of a Jordan Spreader in operation. He has some great ideas that you can use on your layout!

The fun begins at 7:30 at the Tank Room in the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. The canteen will be open and we'll also have our monthly model display. Not a member? Not a problem! Guests are always warmly welcomed. 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's October meeting date has been changed to October 18

Please note that the date of the meeting has been moved from Friday, October 11 to Friday, October 18, as the Charleswood Legion's Tank Room will be used for advance polling for the Federal election.The meeting will be held at 7:30 PM as usual.

At the next meeting Dave Downie will present part three of “Rebirth of a Model Railroad”. Lots of work has been done by Dave with scenery and structures, and he’ll have lots of before, during and after photos to guide us through the process.

Terry Viddal will make a presentation on track maintenance on the prototype and model railroad. Terry worked for over 30 years in track maintenance for CN. He will cover various aspects of track maintenance, including photos of a Jordan Spreader in operation. He has some great ideas that you can use on your layout!

The canteen will be open and we'll also have our monthly model display. Not a member? Not a problem! Guests are always warmly welcomed. 

Canadian Pacific reveals their heritage fleet paint scheme

How cool is this? CP Rail has revealed a set of SD70ACU locomotives done in their iconic and beloved maroon and grey paint scheme.Up until now, CP and CN have been the very last class 1 railroads who had not painted heritage colors on any of their modern locomotives. In the early 2000s, it painted a GP38-2 and FP9s used for its business train and other excursions.

CP will be painting a total of 10 units, five with block lettering and five with script lettering. The other eight locomotives will be painted in heritage colors by the end of the year. The locomotives are expected to be in service primarily in Western Canada. Rail fans all across the country can't wait to see these modern locomotives with that classic paint scheme in action!

Enjoy the Manitoba Mega Train Show this weekend on September 28 and 29

We had a great time this September with the AVR open house and dinner train, Railway Days and CN 100 at The Forks. What better way to wrap up a month of model railroading fun than a visit to the Manitoba Mega Train Show this weekend?

It's the biggest train show between Toronto and Calgary, with nearly 40,000 square feet of displays, 60 vendors, operating layouts and trains, trains trains! It's at Red River Exhibition Place, 3977 Portage Avenue (right beside Assiniboia Downs). A ticket costs $8.00. Youth 4-12 $6.00. A family pack is 25 bucks and kids 3 and under get in for free! Admission includes unlimited free rides on the Mega-Train. Don't miss it!

Railway Days and CN 100 celebrations at The Forks this weekend

Calling all rail fans and model railroaders! The Forks is the place to be this weekend! The annual Railway Days celebrations is being held at the  Winnipeg Railway Museum in the Via Rail Station!  They’re open from 10am to 5PM on both days. They’ll have displays from many railway related organizations, railway excursions, railway heritage museums and attractions from the rail industry from around the province.

Via’s Churchill train will be open for public viewing on Saturday. The WMRC’s Gateway Western Railway will also up and running at the museum. The Gateway has a public viewing just twice a year, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to see it!

While you're there,   CN's "A moving Celebration" commemorating CN's centennial to be held at The Forks as well! Come on down for a full weekend of railway fun!

Exclusive photos of CN freight train carrying CN100's displays

Earlier this month our intrepid staff photographer Felix “scoop” Lesiuk caught a CN eastbound freight near Gregg, Manitoba that was hauling containers for CN's "A moving Celebration" commemorating CN's centennial to be held at The Forks from September 19th to 22nd.

If you plan to attend, why not also stop by the Winnipeg Railway Museum in the Via Rail Station for their railway days celebration on the 21st and the 22nd? They’re open from 10am to 5PM on both days. They’ll have displays from many railway related organizations, railway excursions, railway heritage museums and attractions from the rail industry from around the province.

Via’s Churchill train will be open for public viewing on Saturday. The WMRC’s Gateway Western Railway will also up and running at the museum. The Gateway has a public viewing just twice a year, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to see it!

Two great presentations at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's September meeting

We have two great presentations to kick off the fall model railroading season! First, WMRC Treasurer John Bate will discuss DCC consisting and speed matching. He will explore three techniques for running multiple locomotives in a consist and give a live demonstration.

Next, WMRC program director Dave Downie will present the evolution of the Delaware and Rutland, one of Canada's largest and oldest model railroad clubs. It began in 1948 and continues today as its members use modern model railroad techniques to build and operate a layout with a 1100 foot mainline.

The fun starts at 7:30PM on September 13 at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. The canteen will be open, and we'll be holding our monthly model display. Not a member? Not a problem! Guests are always warmly welcomed!

Five great model railroading events on tap for September

September’s model railroad season opens with five great events to mark on your calendar!

First on tap is the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club’s meeting on Friday, September 13 at 7:30PM at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. John Bate will demonstrate DCC techniques for running multiple locomotives in a consist. Then Dave Downie will make a presentation about the Delaware and Rutland, one of Canada’s oldest and largest model railroad clubs.

On September 14 and 15 the Assiniboine Valley Railway will hold an open house. They’re open from 11AM to 4PM on Saturday, and from 1PM to 4PM on Sunday at 3001 Roblin Boulevard.

On September 21 and 22 The Winnipeg Railway Museum will be holding their annual Railway Days celebration. Hours are from 10AM to 5PM on both days. The museum is located in the Via Rail Station at The Forks. While you’re there be sure to check out the CN 100 displays over at the Forks during that weekend.

On September 28 and 29 we have the Manitoba Mega Train Show, which will be held at Red River Exhibition Place, 3977 Portage Avenue (next to Assiniboia Downs) from 9AM to 5PM both days.

Felix Lesiuk's latest rain fanning adventures

Felix Lesiuk and Louis Lenz headed west on July 19 and August 14. On their first journey, they made it as far as Rivers, Manitoba and on their second trip they went as far as Moffat. There was still a lot of variety of motive power cruising around. A lot of the newer grain cars are starting to become more prevalent as well. As they were brand new, there hasn’t been any tagging on them yet. Felix also went along Hwy 221 and took some images CP’s recently upgraded motive power.