Ian Plett and Cliff Davidson winners in Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's annual photo contest

Cliff Davidson won the WMRC's annual model photo contest's model category with this image.

We are pleased to announce that long time members Cliff Davidson and Ian Plett won top prizes in the WMRC's annual photo contest. Cliff won first prize in the model category with his photo of a CP Alco passing though a bridge. Ian won in the prototype division for his image of a CN locomotive backing a unit grain train into the Peterson grain elevator in Morris, Manitoba.

The WMRC has been fortunate to have may excellent photographers among their membership. Some have gone on to win awards in other competitions and have had their works published in many of the major model railroad and rail fanning publications. Congratulations to Cliff and Ian for their fine work!

Ian Plett's entry of a CN locomotive won first prize in the prototype category for 2019.

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club donates $1,800 to St. Amant

WMRC treasurer John Bate presents a cheque to St. Amant Director Juliette Trudeau Mucha.

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club is pleased to announce that they have presented a donation of $1,800 to St. Amant. The WMRC has always been a strong believer in community stewardship. St. Amant has been the charity of choice of the club for the past six years.

The club has raised $9,300 to date to provide meaningful life experiences for children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism. The money donated to St. Amant was raised through money raised from our annual train show and open house, and from our participation in the Manitoba Mega Train Show. 

Using a model railroad as therapy

Karl Purchase and his son Matt view photographs of Corner Brook and Karl's layout. 

Former WMRC member Karl Purchase was featured in a story that was broadcast nationally over CBC. Karl is well known among the local model railroad community for his impressive recreation of his native town of Corner Brook, Newfoundland that he modeled in his basement. The layout, with scenes that he made entirely from memory, fills two rooms and spans two different levels. It took him 20 years to complete it.

Karl is 71, and his memory is fading, and until recently, he hasn’t seen his layout in over a year. He has been living in a personal care home after breaking two hips. Friends and family hope that viewing his layout will reignite his memories.

This is a remarkable story of how model railroading can have therapeutic values. To read the story and view the videos of Karl’s layout, please click here.

Regina Railfest model railroad show scheduled for May 4 and 5

Come to the Queen City the first weekend in May for a great train show! The 2019 annual Regina Rail Fest Model Railroad Show is being held on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 at the Caledonia Curling Club, 2225 Sandra Schmirler Way. This a new location for the show, and it’s near the airport.

There's over 20,000 square feet of model railroad layouts, displays, exhibits, and vendors, including Lego! Hours are from Nine to Five on both days. Admission is $10.00 per person, youths 16 and under get in for $5.00, children age four and under get in for free!

For information, contact Ian McIntosh at (306) 351-2040 or Tyler Smith at (306) 351-2040  smithtyler@sasktel.net

Barbara Lange visits the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club on April 12

We have two great presentations lined up for our April meeting! First, we’ll have noted author Barbara Lange take us on a nostalgic trip down Manitoba's rich railway past. Barbara, author of Through the Window of a Train, will make a presentation about her new book, “Memories of the Moonlight Special and Grand Beach Train era”. Learn about the “beach trains” that took thousands of Winnipegers to Lake Winnipeg every summer.

Then we’ll have Rich Mahaney show you how to select industries for your model railroad. Rich will help you select industries for your layout through a systematic approach. You will learn how railroads service their customers and what types of rolling stock are needed for different industries. He will also provide examples of both prototype facilities and model railroads. 

The meet starts at 7:30PM on Friday, April 12, in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. Wheelchair accessible. The canteen will be open, and we'll have a 50/50 draw and our monthly model display. Not a member? Not a problem! Guests are always warmly welcomed!