Happy holidays from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club wishes all of its members, readers, friends and followers a merry and joyous Christmas season and a wonderful New Year! See you next year, and keep 'em on the rails!
 
 

Highlights from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club’s 2023 Clinic Carnival

Dwight Kjartanson shows how a signal works on a real railroad by using 1/8 scale turnout points and signal masts from the Assiniboine Valley Railway.

Everyone had a great time at the WMRC’s Clinic Carnival held on December 8. We had four great clinics along with WMRC President John Bate, who handed out freshly minted NMRA cards to the members and navigated us through the NMRA website.

Our annual Christmas hot banquet was also held that night, and canteen operator Mark McLellan did a sterling job air frying all of those hot dogs for us while handing out a well stocked supply of donuts, chips and pop.

Gino Kost operates a G scale locomotive as he discusses the pros and cons of garden railroading in Manitoba.

WMRC Past President Larry Leavens shows Gary Stempnick the sweet science of freight car maintenance.

 

 

Past President Wayne Hildsen checks out Neil Carelton’s display on how to build a Free-Mo module. 

 

WMRC President John Bate hands an envelope containing an NMRA membership card to Dwight Kjartanson.
 

 
 

 

 

Come one, come all to the Portage Model Railway Club’s December open house

The Portage Model Railway Club holds only two open houses per year, and the next one is coming up on Saturday, December 16! It’s definitely worth the trip to see all of their layouts and displays in the renovated CP Rail station. If you haven’t been there lately, you’re going to be surprised and delighted at what they’ve done.

The hours of the open house are from 10AM to 3PM. Admission is five dollars. Kids under 12 are admitted for free! The station is located at 251 3rd. street NE in Portage La Prairie.

Portage is a great place for rail fanning, and its been listed as one of the top rail fanning sites by Trains magazine. The CN and CPKC mainlines run closer to each other than almost anywhere in the country, so bring your camera! Please remember that crossing tracks other than at designated road crossings is illegal and dangerous.
 

All aboard for the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's annual clinic carnival and holiday hot dog banquet

It's time once again for the WMRC's annual clinic carnival and holiday hot dog banquet! We have a great line-up of clinics featuring the talents of Winnipeg's top modellers, including:

• Neil Carlton on how to build a free-mo module.
• Larry Leavens on freight car maintenance.
• Dwight Kjartanson on how a signal works on a real railroad using 1/8 scale turnouts points and signal masts.
• Gino Kost on the pros and cons of garden railroading in Manitoba.
• John Bate on everything you need to know about the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). And what's included in your membership.  

• Your NMRA membership cards will be available for pick-up at the December meeting.

  Of course, we will also be holding our famous annual holiday hot dog banquet. Feast on gourmet air fired hot dogs lovingly prepared by our expert tube steak chef Mark McLellan with chips, pop and donuts while attending the clinic carnival!

  The fun starts on Friday, December 8 at 7:30PM in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. There will be no photo or model display or 50/50 draw at this meeting. The room will be open at 6:00PM, so feel free to come early and chat and help set up the room. Don't forget to bring a tin for the bin!
  

Check out Neil Carleton’s brass model of a Canadian Pacific caboose

Long time WMRC member Neil Carleton submitted his model of a brass CP Rail caboose at November’s meeting. Brass models were popular in the 50’s and 60’s, and it is quite a rarity these days to see someone modelling brass. It’s much more difficult to do, and brass is not as pliable or forgiving as plastic.

Flat etched pieces of the kit were cut and trimmed, the soldered following the directions. Handrails, railings and ladders were built using brass wire and etched parts.

Neil’s model is still a work in progress. He plans to prime and paint the car, add window glazing and install no-flicker LED light modules. 

 
 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club mourns passing of past President Ed Mulholland

Former WMRC President Ed Mulholland passed away on November 13. Ed served two terms as President from 1990 to 1996, and was a great force in the model railroading community.  He was also responsible for getting the club into their present meeting location at the Charleswood Legion. He was also a member of the Assiniboine Valley Railway.

Ed was a retired school teacher. One of his students was WMRC member and former club librarian Bart Hasselfield, who had him as a teacher when he went to High School in Deloraine.
He built some spectacular layouts in his Charleswood home. His most memorable layout was the Cumbrian Mountain Lines, an N scale railway modelled after his childhood home of Northern England. He painstakingly modelled many structures and location which he first photographed himself on one of his many visits to his homeland. His layout was featured on CBC radio on Ron Robinson’s weekend morning show.

Ed was also a champion lawn bowler. He was along time member of the Tuxedo Lawn Bowling Club. He was their head coach, chief umpire and committee chairman. He and Brenda Frank were the Manitoba Mixed Pairs Champions, who competed of a national title at the Qualicum Beach Lawn Bowling Club in British Columbia.
 

Doug Ritter's model of a garage featured at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's November model display

We haven’t posted any model display images for quite a while, but there was a reason for that. In September we had just one entry which was submitted by Luca Matyas. In October we didn’t have a model display as the club held their meeting at Portage La Prairie. Thankfully,  November’s meeting had a plethora of great submissions!

We’ll start with Doug Ritter’s model of a garage, which he modeled inside and out. It started out as a Design Preservation Models kit. The original kit's windows were overly thick and protruded beyond the inside walls. As Doug wanted to build out the interior, so he shaved the windows down to match the wall thickness. All of the additional details were 3D printed.

Doug also won the monthly model display draw, and he went home $20 richer (assuming that he didn’t spend it all on donuts, pop and coffee at the club’s canteen). Way to go, Doug!
 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club mourns passing of former member Murray Hammond

Former WMRC member Murray Hammond passed away in Virden, Manitoba on October 30, 2023 at the age of 62. Murray was a highly skilled 35mm photographer who had won several of the club's photography awards. He also held a presentation for the club displaying his rail fanning photography. A feature article about Murray, along with some of his photographs were published in the premiere issue of Railfan Canada. Murray moved to Virden, Manitoba several years ago. Various health problems led him to reside at the Westman Nursing home in Virden during his final days.
 

Larry Leavens presents the second part of his presentation on modelling the Oak River bridge at the WMRC's November meeting

In the second part of his presentation on modelling the CN Bridge over Oak River, Larry Leavens will show his progress on this section of his layout. It's rather small as railway bridges go, it does have some interesting aspects. 

In the 1980’s the Government of Canada said that CN would double track its mainline from Winnipeg to Edmonton. Some roadbed grading was done along with some short sections that were double tracked, but the bulk of the line remained single tracked. The bridge at Oak River was part of this project.

A new bridge was built on the alignment of the new track and the old bridge was dismantled with the track curving to swing the track over to this new alignment. Larry did not intend to build an exact copy or a contest quality model of the bridge, but he did want to capture the flavour of it. The scenery had been roughed in and the basic bridge built in Part one. Now it's time to finish the scenery and bridge. Along the way he changed his mind on some of the details. See what he did differently from his original idea.

Please note that the WMRC's November meeting will be held a week earlier than usual, on Friday, November 3, at 7:30PM at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. The canteen will be open, and we will also be holding our monthly model and photo displays.
 

 

Images from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's visit to the Portage Model Railroad Club

WMRC program director Ian Plett took these photos of the Portage Model Railroad Club during our October 14 meeting, which was held at the CP station in Portage la Prairie. Everyone had a great time visiting the club and viewing their layouts, which included large HO and O gauge layouts and an O gauge shelf layout running around the perimeter of the room!

Dannele Hueging is the winner of theThomas the Tank Engine train set door prize at the Manitoba Mega Train Show

The lucky winner of the Manitoba Mega Train Show door prize was Dannele Hueging, whose nephew John will be the excited recipient of the Thomas the Tank Engine train set. Congratulations to Dannele and John!

WMRC president John Bate dropped off the set at Dannele's place. Dannele sent us these two images of herself and of her nephew at the Manitoba Mega Train Show. 

Dannele wrote, "After chatting with John Bate I'm sending a photo of our nephew John and I at the train show. He will be the lucky recipient of this set. He is an avid train enthusiast, and has a couple different sets on the go with his dad. But not this one yet, he will be thrilled!"

 

 

WMRC will hold its October meeting at the CP rail station in Portage La Prairie on Saturday, October 14

And now for something completely different! We're holding our October meeting in Portage La Prairie with the Portage Model Railway Club at the Portage CP station! Come see their great renovated station with all of their layouts and displays, and get in some rail fanning with the beautiful fall foliage! It's worth the trip! 

The meeting will be held on Saturday, October 14, at 1:00 PM. There will be no meeting on Friday, October 13. The station is located at 251 3rd. street NE in Portage La Prairie. Please bring a lawn chair, as there are a limited number of seats at the station.

October 14 is also the day of the partial eclipse. The weather report predicts a cloudy day, but if it's clear enough to view the eclipse, please bring proper eye protection. The eclipse begins about 10:30 AM and reaches its peak at about 11:42 AM, and will be over by meeting time.

Portage is a great place for rail fanning, and its even been listed as one of the top rail fanning sites by Trains magazine. The CN and CPKC mainlines run closer to each other than almost anywhere in the country, so come early and stay late for lots of fall rail action! Please remember that crossing tracks other than at designated road crossings is illegal and dangerous.

 

The 2023 Manitoba Mega Train Show is only one week away

Can you believe it? The Manitoba Mega Train Show is only a week away! Come on down to Red River Exhibition Place on Saturday, September 30 from 9AM to 5PM and on Sunday, October 1 from 9AM to 4PM to see the biggest train show between Toronto and Calgary! 

There will be tons of exhibits, vendors selling model railroad equipment in all gauges, and free unlimited rides on the Mega Train! Adult admission is $10. Youths 4 to 12 get in for $5. Kids 3 and under get in for free!
 

Check out this video of what may be the world's largest Geotrax layout from last year's Manitoba Mega Train Show

The 2023 Manitoba Mega Train Show is just over two weeks away, so while you're waiting you can watch this neat video of one of their best displays. It just might be the world's largest Geotrax layout! 

Geotrax is a toy train system made by Fisher Price which ran from 2003 to 2018. This layout is featured on You Tube's "Travels with Bill" channel, which has over 1,400 subscribers. This video has had over 5,600 views! You can check out this layout by clicking here.

The Manitoba Mega Train Show is the largest train show between Toronto and Calgary. Join the thousands of people who will attend the show on September 30 and October 1 at Red River Exhibition Place, 3977 Portage Avenue. Hours are from 9 to 5 on Saturday. September 30 and from 9 to 4 on Sunday, October 1. Come see all of the displays, including this Geotrax layout, and check out all of the vendors for some great model railroad bargains!

Adult admission is $10. Youths ages 4 to 12 get in for five bucks. Kids three years old and under get in for free!
 

Another exciting season of model railroading begins at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's September meeting

To celebrate our 68th year of model railroading, the WMRC will kick off its September meeting with a special presentation by program director Ian Plett. Ian, who is a long distance truck driver, has amassed an impressive collection of rail fan photo he's taken from all across North America which he is going to share with us. He will also showcase some of the best rail fan photos from the award winning photographers in our club.

The fun begins on Friday, September 8 in the tank room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. Please note that the meeting this month will start at 7:30PM instead of 7:00PM.  7:30PM had always been our meeting time before COVID. The canteen will be open, and we will have our usual model and photo display, and our 50/50 draw.

 
 

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club is a proud steward of the community

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club is a non-profit organization, and surplus funds raised by the club are donated to charitable and other non-profit organizations through annual donations. Our charity of choice for many years now has been St. Amant. We also donate to the Charleswood Legion, where we hold our monthly meetings. Thank you notes from both of these organizations have been included on this post.

Exclusive photos from the 1983 Railway Jamboree NMRA national convention

Bill Taylor (left) and Moe Smith sell “arms length” raffle tickets at the 1983 Railway Jamboree NMRA national convention held in Winnipeg. Nick Andrusiak invented this gimmick, which is still being used at the WMRC’s annual AGM and banquet.

Frances Andrusiak, widow of longtime member Nick Andrusiak, sent us the great photos of Railway Jamboree, the 1983 NMRA national convention held in Winnipeg. Nick was one of the organizers of this convention, the only NMRA national convention ever to be held in Winnipeg.

Frances tells us that convention consumed the lives of the Andrusiak family for four years, starting from the time of the bid, which was held at the 1979 NMRA national convention in Calgary. The Andrusiak children had to have supper on a blanket on the kitchen floor many times when the executive planning committee was meeting at their home.

Winnipeg was one of the smallest cities to ask to hold an NMRA national convention. The WMRC, which had about 250 members at time, was one of the smallest clubs to organize a convention. They had an uphill battle to convince the NMRA executive to let them hold a convention.

Frances told us that the Winnipeg delegation had corned beef sandwiches flown in from Winnipeg and delivered to the convention just as their presentation was completing at lunch time. Small touches like that won the hearts and minds of the NMRA executive and helped the Winnipeg Delegation land the bid to hold the convention.

In 2008 Nick organized a reunion was a reunion on the 25th anniversary of the convention. It was planned as an informal lunch at the Winnipeg Convention Centre cafeteria but when the cafeteria staff heard they were coming they set up tables with white tablecloths and provided table service. The reunion was marred by the absence of Hilt Friesen, who while getting ready to attend the reunion, suffered a fatal stroke.

Francis has many more photos of the convention. We hope that she will share the rest of them with us soon!

Bill Norrie, Winnipeg’s mayor at the time, is seen getting pinned by convention chair Stafford Swain. Norrie was in crutches because he ran over his foot with a lawnmower.

Nick Andrusiak (left) and Bill Taylor are seen on a CN caboose. Convention attendees were given the opportunity to visit the CP yards and the CN Transcona shops during the convention. Due to security concerns this courtesy has long been abandoned by the railways. 

 

A photo montage ready for publication, possibly for The Lantern. Note that the photos were pasted on a grid sheet used for school publications. Nick Andrusiak was a High School Teacher. Hilt Friesen is shown on the photo on the lower left. Stafford Swain is shown on the photo next to him.

The 2023 Manitoba Mega Train Show is just two months away!

Heads up, everyone! The Manitoba Mega Train Show is only two months away! It's the biggest train show between Toronto and Calgary, and it's happening on September 30 and October 1. Join the thousands of people who attend the show every year at Red River Exhibition Place, 3977 Portage Avenue, for trains, trains and more trains! Hours are from 9 to 5 on Saturday. September 30 and from 9 to 4 on Sunday, October 1. There will be lots of displays and plenty of vendors, so be sure to bring your wallets for lots of model train bargains!
 

Come celebrate the 17th anniversary of the Dunnottar Station Museum this Saturday

The Dunnottar Station Museum is celebrating their 17th anniversary on Saturday, July 22. Come and learn all about the museum, the Village of Dunnottar, and the part the railways played in the development of the Interlake. 

The museum will also be displaying its latest acquisitions of railroad memorabilia. The museum will be open from 10AM to 12PM on July 22. It's free and open to everyone. Beverages and snacks will be provided. The museum is located at 27 Central Avenue and Railway Street in Dunnottar, Manitoba.

Check out this great Train mural at The Frog and Diamond Hobbyworks

The Frog and Diamond Hobbyworks has a great train mural on both sides of their store at 301 Bowman Avenue in Elmwood. It was painted by local artist Stephen Dueck. It’s his very first mural, and he did a great job!
 

WMRC's first Robert Weaver memorial award given to Paul Ullrich (but they had to find him first)

WMRC past president Larry Leavens presents WMRC social media director Paul Ullrich with the first ever Robert Weaver memorial award at Harte grain elevator, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. 

WMRC social media director Paul Ullrich won the first ever Robert Weaver memorial award for his contributions to The Lantern, the official publication of the club. The award was announced at the club's AGM and banquet in May, but he was nowhere to be found.

Paul was gallivanting around southern Ontario on a Fehr-Way motor coach tour, which included stops at the Ottawa Tulip Festival, the 1000 Islands and Niagara Falls. After he returned, he went rail fanning with Larry and long time WMRC member Gary Stepnick, who is also the president of the Winnipeg Railway Museum.   

Larry, who is no stranger to gallivanting himself, brought the trophy and the plaque along with them. He hid it in the trunk in a CN reusable shopping bag. When they arrived at Harte, Larry surprised Paul by presenting him with the award. With the grain elevator in the background and a CN freight train underneath them while they stood on the overpass, it was the perfect place for a photo op!

The Robert Weaver award was created by the WMRC to honour the late Robert Weaver, former editor of The Lantern. Robert edited the publication for 13 years, the longest tenure of any Lantern editor. This award replaces The Lantern award. The award is given to one member each year for their contributions to The Lantern. 

Paul was also very happy that he got to keep the CN reusable shopping bag. 

 

What a party! Details of the Frog and Diamond Hobbyworks customer appreciation day revealed

Wow! What a party the Frog and Diamond is going to have on July 8! The fully restored 1979 Orion One museum bus from the Manitoba Transit Heritage Association will be on display from 1PM to 3PM. A newly completed wall mural will be on display, plus hot dogs, prizes, an in-store sale and free Slurpees from the 7-11 Slurpee truck will be handed out  from 1PM to 2PM. So come on down to the Frog and Diamond Hobbyworks on Saturday, July 8 and join in on the fun! They're at 301 Bowman Avenue in beautiful downtown Elmwood. They're open from 10AM to 5PM Tuesdays to Saturdays, and from 10AM to 8PM on Monday.
 

Frog and Diamond Hobbyworks to hold a customer appreciation day on July 8

The Frog and Diamond Hobbyworks is holding a customer appreciation day on Saturday, July 8. The store, which specializes in new and used HO and N gauge model railroad equipment, debuted at last year’s Manitoba Mega Train Show and opened its shop at 301 Bowman Avenue in Elmwood shortly afterwards. They also carry model airplane kits and supplies.

The Frog and Diamond is an advertiser in The Lantern, the official publication of the WMRC. They’re open from 10AM to 8PM on Mondays, and from 10AM to 5PM Tuesday to Saturday. Their phone number is 204-477-9259, email address is tony@froganddiamond.ca
 

Marvin fetch recieves WMRC model contest special event award at the club's AGM and banquet

Marvin Fetch (left) is seen receiving the WMRC special event award from fellow member Luca Matas.

Former WMRC secretary Marvin Fetch won the club's special event award at the club's spring open house for his model of the Franklin Equipment factory. He received his award at the club's AGM and banquet, held on May 12. Marvin has been a model railroader and modeller for decades, and his layout and his structures have been televised many times. Congratulations, Marvin!

Portage La Prairie Model Railway Club to hold their summer open house this weekend

The Portage Model Railway Club summer open house is taking place this Saturday, June 10, from 10 AM to 3 PM vat the CP station on 251 3rd. street in Portage La Prairie. They will have outdoor activities such as trainspotting the CP and CN lines and a small ride-on barrel train for the kids to enjoy a ride around the lot. 

Inside the renovated historic Canadian Pacific Railway heritage station they will have every layout from Z to O gauge running, with staff on hand to provide demos and interaction. Drinks and snacks will be available to purchase on site. Come enjoy a day at the Station! Admission is $5, kids under 12 free.

 

 

Barrie Creran receives best in show and best in display awards plaques at the WMRC's 2023 AGM and banquet

 

Barrie Ceran (left) is seen receiving best in show and best in display plaques from WMRC model contest chair Marvin Fetch at the club's AGM and banquet, held on May 12, 2023.

Barrie Creran won both best in show and best in display for his model diorama of the historic tree planting car at the WMRC's AGM and banquet, held on May 12. Barrie also won last year's best in show for his models. He also won this year's photo contest in the model category. Barrie is a fairly new member of the club, and he's sure made a place for himself with his award winning work! Congratulations, Barrie!

 

Barrie Creran's model won best in show at the WMRC's spring open house, held in April.
 

 

Ian Plett recieves the president's shield award at the WMRC's AGM

Ian Plett received the president's shield award for his service to the club from outgoing President Wayne Hilsden at the WMRC's AGM and banquet, held at the Canad Inns Destination Centre Polo Park on May 12. Ian has been a tireless workhorse, serving simultaneously as vice president, spring show chair and public relations director.  He also serves as the superintendent of the NMRA No.1 Northern Division. No one deserves the award more than him!
 

Felix Lesiuk and Barry Ceran are the winners of the WMRC's 2023 annual photo contest

The entries of Felix Lesiuk and Barry Ceran won the WMRC's 2023 annual photo contest, held at the club's open house on April 22 and 23. The judging of the contest was presided by WMRC librarian Bart Hasselfield. 

Felix won in the prototype category with his dramatic image of a CP freight at sunset passing by a stubble fire in a farmer's field. Barry won in the model category with his image of a model of a Via rail passenger train barreling around a curve in a highly detailed layout, which showed great depth of perception. Congratulations, guys! You've earned it!
 

Joe Krawchenko wins the WMRC's Atlas Urkaine boxcar raffle

Joe Krawchenko is the winner of the WMRC’s Ukraine boxcar raffle, held at the club’s open house on April 22 and 23. The Atlas boxcar was donated by former WMRC librarian Bart Hasselfield. Proceeds of the raffled will be donated to a Ukraine relief fund.

Joe was a long time member of the club. He won several modelling awards in the WMRC’s annual model contests for his scratch built models of grain silos and other grain handling storage units, which were fabricated entirely out of metal from tin cans.

Joe is the brother of Sandi Krawchenko Alter, former broadcaster, investigative journalist and winner of the 2012 Carol Shields Winnipeg book award for her novel, Ravenscraig.

 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club to hold their AGM and annual banquet on May 12

The WMRC is winding up another great season with our annual banquet! We'll be holding our AGM and presenting awards to the winners of our photo and model contests. It's being held on Friday, May 12, at the Canad Inns Destination Centre Polo Park in Aalto's Restaurant, which is located at 1405 St. Matthews Avenue.

Cocktails and dinner (buffet style or order from the menu) will start at 6:00PM, and the AGM will begin at 7:30PM. We’ll have plenty of our famous raffles featuring some great model railroad equipment, including our popular “arm's length” raffle ticket prizes, where you buy your arm’s length of tickets! Hope to see you all there!
 

Winner of the draw at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's 2023 annual open house announced

Three year old John Conci was the winner of the draw at the WMRC's  2023 open house, held last weekend at the Charleswood Legion. John was accompanied by his father and his grandfather to the show.  Newly elected WMRC president John Bate personally delivered the set to John's home.

250 entry slips were given out during the weekend, 141 from Saturday and 109 from Sunday. John Bate's wife Karen drew the winning ticket from a large pot. As you can see, young John is clearly enjoying his prize of a Thomas the Tank Engine HO train set. Congratulations, John! 

 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club to hold their annual open house and train show on April 22 and 23

Spring has finally sprung, and that means it's time for the WMRC's annual open house and train show! it's happening on Saturday, April 22 from 10AM to 5PM and on Sunday, April 23 from 10AM to 4PM in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. There will be model and photo displays, demonstrations, several operating layouts and trains, trains and more trains! The canteen will be open, serving coffee, pop, chips, donuts and air fried hot dogs. Admission is by donation. You've got to be there!
 

Larry Leavens shows how to model an unusual prototype scene at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's April meeting

 

 

Larry Leavens will show us how to model this prototype scene at our next meeting.

At our April meeting WMRC past president Larry Leavens shows us his modelling efforts in recreating an unusual scene on the CN mainline west of Rivers, Manitoba, where a new bridge was built over the Oak River. 

It is suspected that the bridge was built as part of the plan to double track the mainline, which never happened. When the old bridge was torn down, the mainline was shifted to the new bridge, then back to its original route, creating what looks like an elongated letter N on an otherwise straight mainline, but makes for a great modelling project. 

Larry has a very long straight track from one siding to the next on his layout. This is very typical for CN to have dead straight track but Larry thought that it was a little boring. Installing this scene would add more interest to the scene. Like most modelling, some sort of selective compression was needed.

The fun starts at 7:00 PM on Friday, April 14, in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. The canteen will be open, and we will have our usual model and photo displays and our 50/50 draw. 

 This is an image of the bridge over the Oak River outside of Rivers, Manitoba. Larry will show us how he modelled it at our April meeting.