CP Holiday Train has been cancelled for 2020

The CP Holiday Train has been cancelled this year due to the pandemic. This is the first time since the train’s inception in 1999 that it has been cancelled. The train has raised money for local food banks, but this year CP will donate to food banks across the route of the holiday this year and host virtual concerts.

The holiday train has raised $17.8 million while collecting 4.8 million pounds of food for local food banks over the past 21 years. Details about the virtual concerts will be released at a later date. CP said it plans to resume the holiday train in 2021.

Neil Carleton brings two models to the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's September monthly model display

WMRC member Neil Carleton brought two excellent models that he has been working on to the WMRC's first monthly model display of the season. He took an undecorated Rapido FP9 B-unit and installed a Loksound sound decoder. He primed it with Tamiya primer and spray painted it with Rapido and other brands of paint. Decals are from Black Cat. The finished model was sprayed with Testors Dullcoat. 

His second model was of a 1945 Chevy truck box. He used a CC Laser cut wooden truck kit to turn a Classic Metal Works highway tractor into a delivery truck. The model still needs to be primed and painted. It will be lettered for the Allan Transfer Company of MacGregor, Manitoba, using signs made with his computer.
 

 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's first social distancing meeting was a success

Everything went very smoothly at the WMRC's first social distancing meeting of the year. This was also the club's first meeting of the season, which begins in September and ends in May. Members and the general public were advised via email and social media to respect social distancing measures and wear masks. 

The Charleswood Legion did a sterling job of sanitizing the tank room before the meeting. Chairs were spaced six feet apart, and everyone brought their own masks. Hand sanitizers and paper masks were available at a table by the entrance.  A new microphone was purchased so that everyone could hear. Two power point presentations put together by program director Dave Downie were well received.  

A clever touchless annual membership registration system was devised. A basket with envelopes containing the registration forms was placed on the table by the entrance. Members could then fill out the form, put their completed form and their cheque into the envelope, then place the envelope into another basket on a table on the other side of the room. 

Our next meeting will be held at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard on Friday, October 9 at 7:30 PM. Hope to see you there!

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club to hold their first social distant meeting of the season

Two power point programs are scheduled for our first meeting of the season. First, Mike Budde will demonstrate how to create your own model using hollow core resin castings.

Mike is a model railroader with a passion for cars and trucks  He wanted to model the bi-level and tri-level auto racks used by railways in the 1960's and 70’s, but he couldn't afford to buy models of the cars or trucks to fill his auto racks, so he learned how to make his own. Learn how Mike creates exquisite models. Mike is a regular on the “What's Neat This Week” YouTube channel.

After that, we will have a power point demonstration featuring Winnipeg railroads in the 1950's, which includes CNR steam, CPR steam, a few Royal Hudsons and street cars. Very few of these photos have ever been published. Some are in colour.

The meeting starts at 7:30PM on Friday, September 11 in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard.  We will still hold the photo and the model displays, but the canteen will be closed. 

There will be no 50/50 draw. Chairs will be properly placed as required. The draw for the two diesel engines, which usually takes place at the AGM, will be held at this meeting. Social distancing will be observed, and masks are mandatory.
 

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

 The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's Gateway Western HO Railway, located in the Winnipeg Railway Museum,  will be open to the public for the first and only time this year during Doors Open Winnipeg, which takes place this weekend, September 12 and 13. 

 The Winnipeg Railway Museum is located on the second level of the Via Rail station at 123 Main Street.  It will be open from 10AM to 4PM. To help keep everyone safe, wearing a mask and social distancing is mandatory. The maximum capacity of the museum is 50 guests. 

If you wish to take a guided tours of the museum, you must preregister. Click here to preregister. Tours are 15 minutes in length, with a maximum of 10 guests per tour.