MMR Lester Breuer returns to the WMRC to give us an update on improvement he's made to his Minneapolis and Northland layout

 At our next meeting MMR Lester Breuer, our old friend from Plymouth, Minnesota will make a presentation on how he added the town of Randolph to the Minneapolis & Northland Railroad layout.

Lester will take us through the planning stage, benchwork, track, structures and scenery, including making a view block between towns and a backdrop.  It continues with a move of the town to a better location in the railroad room and finishes with an industry addition and a few mini scenes to add interest.

The fun begins on Friday, November 15 at 7:30PM in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. We will be holding our usual model and photo displays and the canteen will be open.

Winipeg Model Railroad Club's next meeting date has been moved to November 15

 

Please note that the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's next meeting will be held on Friday, November 15, at 7:30PM. We usually meet on the second Friday of the month, but that wasn't possible this November, as the Charleswood Legion, where we hold our meetings, needed the space for their Remembrance Day observances. We honor the Legion, our veterans and especially those who have fallen for the sacrifices they have made to keep our country safe and free.

Winner of the Thomas the Tank Engine train set draw at the Manitoba Mega Train Show announced

The winner of the Thomas the Tank Engine HO train set draw from this year’s Manitoba Mega Train Show was Denni Rose, which she presented to her daughter. For several years the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club has given away a Thomas set in a draw at the Manitoba Mega Train Show. All you have to do is pay admission to the Manitoba Mega Train Hobby Show and Sale to get your draw ticket! But you'll have to wait until next September's show.
 

WMRC October meeting's date has been moved to October 25 and features a virtual tour of Alan Saatkamp's layout

 

Alan Saatkamp's crew is having fun at an operation session on his Progressive Rail layout.

October’s WMRC meeting date has been changed to Friday, October 25. Our program for this meeting features our good friend, MMR Alan Saatkamp, who will give us a virtual tour of his spectacular Progressive Rail (PGR) layout, which occupies the entire 650 square feet of his layout room in Normal, Illinois. Alan has been our guest before, and he and his crew have made many changes to the layout since his last presentation.

The canteen will be open, and we will have our monthly model and photo displays and a 50-50 draw. The fun begins at 7:30 PM at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard on Friday, October 25. 

Thanks to everyone to attened the 2024 Manitoba Mega Train Show

 

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club wishes to extend a big THANK YOU to all of the happy people who attended the 2024 Manitoba Mega Train Show this past weekend! We had just under 2400 guests, and everyone had a great time! 

We also would like to thank all of the volunteers who made this show a success. It's not an easy task setting up and taking down the Mega Train ride, not tot mention those who manned the admissions desk  and helped out at the WMRC sales table.

The club made a near record amount of sales of used model railroad equipment this year at the WMRC sales table, and the proceeds will go to St. Amant, our charity of choice. 

The Manitoba Mega Train Show will be back next year at the end of September. Hope to see you all there!

The Manitoba Mega Train Show is on this weekend!

Heads up, everyone! The Manitoba Mega Train Show is on this weekend! Come on down to Red River Exhibition Place 3977 Portage Avenue and feast your eyes on 40,000 square feet of trains, trains and more trains! Hours are from 9 to 5 on Saturday and from 9 to 4 on Sunday. General admission is just 12 bucks. Youths ages 4 to 12 get in for six bucks, Kid under three get in for free!
 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club mourns passing of former member Roger Wood

                                       Roger is seen displaying one of his many Lego creations.

Long time former WMRC member Roger Wood passed away on September 7, 2024 at the age of 92. Roger had a truly impressive layout which literally went from floor to ceiling, which was one of the highlight of the 1983 NMRA national convention held in Winnipeg.

Roger was born in Leamington, Ontario. He was one of three members of the WMRC, along with Neil Carleton and Moe Smith, who worked at the CBC.

Roger was also a licensed pilot. He also built remote-controlled model aircraft. In his later years, he turned his attention to building elaborate Lego models of every description.  

An early picture of Roger when he worked at the CBC.

Just two weeks left to go for the Manitoba Mega Train Show!

 

There's only two weeks left to go before the Manitoba Mega Train Show opens, and it's going to be bigger than ever! There will be 15 operating layouts, a slot car drag race set up, a Barbie display by the Manitoba Doll Club, a huge Lego display by Manitoba LUG, unlimited free rides on the Mega Train, remote control boats, a Meccano display and lots of vendors selling model railroad equipment in all scales!

So come on down to Red River Exhibition Place on Saturday, September 28 between 9AM to 5PM and on Sunday, September 29 from 9AM to 4PM and have the time of your life! General admission is $12. Youths 4-12 get in for six bucks. Kids under the age of three get in for free!

Take a virtual tour of the 2024 NMRA Surfliner convention with John Bate

 

At our September meeting WMRC President John Bate will take us on a virtual tour of the 2024 NMRA Surfliner national convention, which he attended in Long Beach, California this August.  If you've never been to a NMRA national convention, then this is the place to be! There's nothing like an NMRA national convention. It has to be seen to be believed! 

John will also showcase his visit the California State Railroad Museum, where he viewed "The Magic of Scale Model Railroading" display, which contains many interesting and unique model railroad artifacts and displays. 

There will also be an update on the upcoming Manitoba Mega Train Show, which will be held at Red River Exhibition Place on September 28 and 29.  It's also the best time to renew your membership, or become a new member!

The fun starts at 7:30PM on Friday, September 13 at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. The canteen will be open, and we will have our usual model and photo display, plus our 50-50 draw. 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club mourns passing of long time member Louis Lenz

Louis Lenz, one of the WMRC’s longest serving members, passed away at the age of 91 on August 13.

Lou was one of five other club members who, along with Charlie Scott, Bill Morrison, Tommy Kucera and current WMRC President John Bate, were professors at the University of Manitoba. Lou spent his 31 year career at the U of M in the Department of Plant Science, working in the area of Landscape Horticulture before retiring in 1995.

Lou was presented with an Honorary Life Membership in the Canadian Society for Horticultural Science in 2000. In retirement he continued to be active in horticulture and model railroading.

Lou was a quiet, gentle soul best known around the club as Felix Lesiuk’s rail fanning companion during his many excursions in western Manitoba. He continued rail fanning with Felix long after he moved to an assisted living residence. 

As per Lou’s wishes, a cremation has take place with is ashes to be scattered, and no formal service will be held.

 

Bryan MacNeil wins two awards at WMRC annual model contest

                       Bryan MacNeil won two awards for this CAD model of a fertilizer plant.

Bryan MacNeil, one of our newest members, won two major awards for the same model at the WMRC’s annual model contest, held in April at the club’s spring open house. The awards were presented at the WMRC's AGM and banquet, which was held in May. 

His diorama of a BDO fertilizer won first place in the special event category, which was to build a scene on a picture frame.  He used computer aided design (CAD) to draw the plans, then scratch built it from styrene. Some of the elements were drawn in CAD and 3D resin printed. 

Bryan also won the Tyro award for the same model. This award is given to a member who has never won an award from the club before and has shown extraordinary modelling skills. Congratulations, Bryan! Keep up the good work and keep modelling! 

Cliff Davidson sweeps WMRC prototype photo contest awards

Cliff Davidson won two awards for his photo of a CN freight train in the Assiniboine Valley at the WMRC's annual photo contest.

Long time WMRC member Cliff Davidson walked away with five awards for four of his photos in the WMRC’s annual photo contest, held in April at the club’s spring open house. The award was presented to Cliff at the club’s annual banquet, held in May.

Cliff won best in show for his image titled “Along the Feather Canyon”. He won first prize in the prototype category for his image titled “CN in the Assiniboine Valley", second prize for his image titled “Reflections” and honorary mention for his image of the “Keddie Wye”, a popular rail fanning spot in northern California. He also won the people’s choice award for “CN in the Assiniboine Valley”.

Cliff is a seasoned rail fan photographer who frequently barnstorms all across North America and always brings home such unique and fantastic railroading images. We’re delighted to share them with our members and all of our readers from around the world.

Cliff won the best in show award for this image of a UP freight in the Feather River canyon.

 

Cliff won second prize for this image,  appropriately titled "reflections".

 

Cliff also won honorable mention for this image he took at the Keddie Wye.

 

The 2024 Manitoba Mega Train Show is just seven weeks away

The Manitoba Mega Train Show, the biggest train show between Toronto and Calgary, is only seven weeks away! Every year the show attracts more and more guests, and we're looking forward to having a record breaking attendance this year! 

The Mega Train will be up and running, along with several great modular layouts such as WinNTrak and the NMRA No. 1 Northern Division Free-Mo Group. There will also be displays from Manitoba Lego Users Group, a Geotrax and a Meccano display, remote control boats and military miniatures.

There will also be many vendors with a huge variety of model railroad equipment in all scales to sell. There were so many deals made last year that the ATM's at the Red River Exhibition Place ran out of money and had to be refilled!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29! The doors open at Red River Exhibition Place, 3977 Portage Avenue at 9AM and close at 5PM on Saturday. On Sunday they're open from 9AM to 4PM. General admission is $12. Youths ages 4 to 12 get in for six bucks. Kids under three get in for free!
 

Visit the Dunnottar Station Museum every weekend this summer

Bruce Smith, Betty Jackson and the rest of the Dunnottar Station Museum crew pose in front of their most recent acquisition, a speeder that they nicknamed "Big Stan".

It’s worth the trip to the Dunnottar Station Museum! It's loaded with amazing pieces of railway history, including a velocipede and their latest acquisition, a speeder track car which they named “Big Stan”.

The museum was founded and still operated by Bruce Smith and Betty Jackson, who were both long term members of the WMRC before they retired and moved to Dunnottar. Betty was the very first female member of the club!

Once a stop of the “Daddy Train” running from Winnipeg to “The Beaches,” the Dunnottar Station Museum is actually the refurbished Matlock CPR station, which was built in 1904. Historic photos and vintage police siren are among the artifacts. The station is also home to a Geocache. Next door to the station you can see the vintage 1930’s Ponemah Beach grocery store and Post Office.

The museum turned 18 years old on July 2. Its open from 10 to 4 every weekend in July and August. Admission is free. They're located on 300 Railway Street in the Village of Dunnottar, Manitoba.

 

Celebrate 60 years of the Assiniboine Park zoo train on July 29

Do you still feel the need for steam after the CPKC 2816 left town, and you’ve sunk to the lowest depths of despair because the Prairie Dog Central’s venerable engine number three is still in the shop? Then stop by for a ride on Manitoba’s one and only live steam train that’s still operating at Assiniboine Park!

The Assiniboine Park steam train will be celebrating its 60th anniversary on Monday, July 29 between 11:00AM and 6:00PM. Stop by and join the celebration, and have a piece of cake too! What could be better than a ride behind a live steamer and cake?

 The price for a ride is just four bucks cash per person, but if you flash owner / operator Tim Buzunis a debit card it’ll cost you a quarter extra.

 

Manitoba T-Trak is the newest modular railway club in town

 The crew of Manitoba T-Track are seen displaying at the Frog and Diamond's open house on July 6.

There’s a new N gauge modular railway group in town, and they’re looking good! Manitoba T-Trak was formed last year by Johannie Matusalem, Eric Dawson and Sean Morris.

This is not a group that has huge, hulking modules that have to be transported by truck and trailer and take several people hours to set up. T-Trak modules are very small. A standard module is only 12” wide, and the length can vary from 8 1/2” to 14 3/8”. A single module an easily fit into a briefcase. A typical modular display can easily be set up and run on a banquet table.

The group has already displayed at he WMRC’s annual spring open house and at the Frog And Diamond Hobbyworks open house this summer. They’re also going to be setting up at the Manitoba Mega Train Show in September. So drop by and take a look at this truly unique modular group when you go to Mega Train!

 

 

This corner module is just 14 3/8" square. The module next to it measures 12" x 14 3/8".

 

 

 

T-Track member Johannie Matusalem is justifiably proud of this farm module that she created. She has plans to make it an alien encounter theme!

 

 

The entire modular layout fits easily on a banquet table.
 

 

 

 

Frog and Diamond Hobby Works opens the Rail City Joiners Club in their basement

There was another great event for model railroaders on Saturday, July 6 besides the viewing of the CPKC 2816 Empress steam engine, and that was at the Frog and Diamond Hobby Works! Owner Tony Prud’homme fixed up his basement, which will house four layouts.

Tony has organized an in-house club, and those who join will be able to operate any one of the layouts. He held a contest to name the club. The winning name was the Peg City Rail Joiners Club.

To celebrate the opening (which was also on his birthday) Tony pulled out all the stops and served up hot dogs, chips, drinks and other snacks. He also had a 1950’s Winnipeg Transit bus courtesy of the Manitoba Transit Heritage Association decked out in classic orange and yellow colours parked outside for public viewing.

Customers received a 10% discount on all purchases. They could also take their chance by spinning the “Turntable of Temptations” (an N scale turntable with a engine attached to it) to get a greater, or possibly a smaller discount. Judging by Tony’s groans every time someone spun the turntable, a lot of folks got a bigger discount! 

 

One of  the layouts currently set up in the basement of the Frog and Diamond.

Other layouts are still under construction. There's plenty of space for four layouts!

 

WMRC members old and new reunite at the CPKC Final Spike steam tour event

Seen at the CPKC Final Spike steam tour stop in Winnipeg from right to left are WMRC President John Bate, his wife Karen Bate, Karen's sister, Larry Leavens, and Luca Maytas.

What a party CPKC threw in Winnipeg on July 6! And nothing brings model railroaders and rail fans together like a classic steam engine like the 2816 Hudson, which was displayed in Manitoba for the first time in 17 years. 

It was a model railroaders and rail fans homecoming day, as members old and new flocked to the CPKC rail yards to view this magnificent engine and its consist, which included and SD70 in heritage fleet colors, an F7 AA lash-up and a fleet of classic passenger cars painted in CP maroon and black livery.

It was truly the railroad lovers event of the year, or any other year, as thousands of people stopped by to view the train for the four hours it was on display.

 

 

Cliff Davidson, John Morris and Brian Schuff chat with a CPKC rail worker who was part of the staff of the final spike steam tour.

 

 

Tommy and James South, former youth members of the WMRC, are all grown up! Tommy is living the dream working as a conductor with CN Rail.

 

 

Long time members Gary Stempnick and Norm Leathers also attended the event. Norm is recovering from a hip injury, but nothing was going to stop him from seeing The Empress!

 

 

The WMRC photo contest special event for 2025 will be the Empress

WMRC photo contest chair Larry Leavens has announced that the special photo event for the 2025 spring open house will be “The Empress”, CPKC’s steam locomotive 2816.  It will be in Winnipeg on display on July 6 from 12PM to 4PM at 949 Jarvis Ave. The train will arrive at 9:00AM on July 6. On July 4 it is moving from Thief River Falls, Minnesota to Winnipeg. On July 7 it will travel from Winnipeg to Brandon. On July 8 it will go from Brandon to Moose Jaw.

CPKC limits the speed of their heritage passenger fleet to 50MPH, but other than the mainline they might not be going that fast. The roadbed on the Emerson sub is not up to the standards for carrying passenger cars, so 40MPH might be a better estimate.

For those wishing to follow the train across the border, the CPKC line closely parallels highway 59 in Minnesota from Thief River Falls to Lancaster. There is no information available as to when it is running on July 4.

The Emerson sub doesn’t parallel any roads after it closes the border into Canada, but there are many level crossings available for photo shoots on highways 201, 205, 23, 305, 311 in Niverville and 210.

There are many photo opportunities after it leaves Winnipeg, especially along highway 221 to Marquette, along highway 26 by Poplar Point and High Bluff, in Portage La Prairie and Town along the Trans Canada such as MacGregor, Austin and Carberry.
   
CPKC strongly cautions that everyone should keep clear of railway property and the right of way, which extends 15 metres (50 feet) from the centre of the tracks on either side. It is unsafe and illegal to be on railway property. Please keep in mind that if you’re rail fanning in places other than level crossings you might be trespassing on private property belonging to others.
 

Frog and Diamond Hobbyworks to hold grand opening of ther train room on July 6

If you’re going out to the Weston yards to see the CPKC 2816 on July 6, then why not make it a complete train day and stop over to the Frog and Diamond Hobbyworks too! They’ll be holding the grand opening their train room in their basement, featuring several operating layouts in various scales, ranging from HO to N to T-track!

The shop is also creating a special group independent of the store where members will be able to operate the layouts. Owner Tony Prud’homme also plans to hold clinics for the members. A contest has been held to name the group, and the name will be announced on July 6.

Everything in the store will be 10% off on July 6. You also have the option of spinning the turntable of temptation, where you try your luck and might get an even bigger discount!

Tony’s birthday is also on July 6, so be sure to say (or sing) happy birthday to him. You can even bring him a card!

The Frog and Diamond is located at 301 Bowman Avenue. They're open from 10AM to 5PM from Tuesday to Saturday, and from 10AM to 8PM on Mondays. 
 

John Bate wins first prize in two model categories

WMRC President John Bate (L) is seen receiving the first place award for freight cars from model contest chair Marvin fetch at the club's AGM and banquet held in May.

WMRC president John Bate walked away with two awards at the club’s AGM and banquet, held at CN’s Winnipeg campus. He won first prize in the freight car category for his model of a bulkhead flat car with a payload. He also won first prize in the structures category for his model of the CPR #5 standard station.

The N scale flat car was Prairie Shadows CN bulkhead flat car. John scratch built the stakes from styrene strips cut to length with  chopper tool. The hay bales were made of garden twine cut to short lengths and separated into individual strands. He cut scotch tape in strips 3/8” wide and 3” long, then sifted the twine fibers onto the tape. He rolled up the strips to form the bales.

He built the N scale station from a Monashee Laser engineering kit. The L-shaped platform was scratch built. The roof shingles were painstakingly applied one row at a time. He painted the station with an airbrush and stained the platform with colours of Hunterline stains.

 

 

John created the hay bales for this model out of garden twine attached to strips of scotch tape.

 

 

John scratch built the platform of this model of a CPR #5 standard station.

The CPKC 2816 Empress steam train is coming to Winnipeg

It has been 17 years since the 2816 Empress steam train has been in Manitoba. But on Saturday, July 6, it will arrive in Winnipeg its way back from a historic journey from Calgary to Mexico to celebrate the merger of the Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern.

Please note that he date has been changed from its previous arrival date of June 30. The date was pushed back to accommodate changes to required locomotive maintenance and inspections. The train will arrive at the Weston shops, 949 Jarvis Avenue at 9:00AM on July 6.

A celebration open to the public will be held from noon to 4PM. Visitors will be able to tour a mobile museum exhibit highlighting the history and the future of the CPKC. The Puffer Belly Express, a miniature version of the 2816, will be on site offering free train rides. Admission is free.

The train will be entering Canada through the Emerson subdivision. It will continue its journey back to Calgary on the CPKC mainline. It will be in Brandon on July 7. Winnipeg is the last event stop of the tour.

CPKC strongly cautions that rail fans should keep clear of railway property and the right of way, which extends 15 metres (50 feet) from the centre of the tracks on either side. It is unsafe and illegal to be on railway property.

For more information about this event, click here.
 

Neil Carleton multiple award winner for his campground diorama

Neil Carleton (L) is seen receiving the award for best in show for his Prairie Grove Campground diorama from Marvin Fetch at the WMRC's AGM and annual banquet held on May 9.

Neil Carleton won two awards for his Prairie Grove Campground diorama at the WMRC’s annual open house and train show. The awards were presented to him at the club’s AGM and annual banquet held on May 9.

Neil won best in show for his diorama he submitted in the special event category, which was to create a diorama on a 9x12 picture frame. He also won the club’s first people’s choice award for the same model. This award, initiated by former WMRC secretary Marvin Fetch, let visitors to the club’s open house vote for their favourite model. Neil won hands down in this category. Marvin noticed that during the voting the visitors were very impressed with Neil’s creative use of LED lighting on his diorama. 

Neil Carleton also received the club's very first people's choice popular vote award for the same diorama.

 

 

Neil packed a lot of detail inside a picture frame! 

A closeup of the campground scene on Neil's diorama.

 
 

Bob Harrison awarded the WMRC's President's shield

Bob Harrison (R) receives the president's shield award from WMRC president John Bate at the club's AGM and annual banquet, held at the CN Campus in early May.

Past President Bob Harrison was the recipient of the WMRC's president's shield award. The award is given annually to a member who has given exceptional service to the club. 

Bob was a fairly new member to the WMRC when became President during a challenging time for the club, which included guiding the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic. He showed outstanding leadership qualities while maintaining a friendly, congenial manner. 

Bob continues to be a very active member of the club, assisting past President Larry Leavens in the production of The Lantern, the official publication of the WMRC.
 

There is no garage sale at Moe Smith's place this weekend

On a recent post that has been removed it was stated that WMRC member Moe Smith was holding a garage sale which included model railroad equipment this Sunday, when in fact the garage sale was held last Sunday. We apologize for any confusion or misunderstanding this post might've caused.

Murray Brown sweeps awards at WMRC banquet

Murray Brown is one of our newest members. Although he joined the club just last year, he has become one of our most enthusiastic members. For the club’s special event model contest, he placed second for his accurate and well researched diorama of a level crossing at Meadows, Manitoba. He won third place in the annual photo contest for his photo of the CN Symington yards repair shop.

He won the Robert Weaver memorial award for an article he wrote that was published in The Lantern, the official publication of the WMRC. Murray also found the time to rewrite a draft of the club’s constitution. We need more members like Murray Brown!

 

 

Murray travelled to Meadows, Manitoba to take on-site photos and measurement of the level crossing at mile 22.4 on the CPKC Carberry subdivision to help him create this accurate diorama.

 

 

Murray's striking, almost monochromatic image of these wheel sets at the CN Symington yard won third place in the WMRC's annual photo contest.
 

 

WMRC members partied hearty at the CN campus during the club's AGM

WMRC past President Bob Harrison looks like he's having a blast operating the railroad simulator at the CN Campus during the club's AGM. Photo by Neil Carleton.

What a party! The WMRC's 2024 AGM was held at the CN campus last night, and everyone had a wonderful time! After a great meal courtesy of CN and catered by The Olive Garden, we went on a two hour tour of the campus, which included a visit to their 60' x 8' HO layout. The highlight for everyone was when we got a turn working the train simulator, and got to pretend that we were engineers in training!  

Here's what Bob got to see as he took the controls of the engine. Photo by Neil Carleton.

 

Here's a view of CN's massive HO layout that they use for training purposes. It's so big that we couldn't fit it all in the frame!

WMRC Past President and current Lantern Editor Larry Leavens watches as a new CN employee gets a lesson on how to operate a switch. Photo by Neil Carleton.

 

Members were divided up into groups and assigned a tour guide to take them through the CN campus facilities. This group is watching a demonstration on how CN employees learn how to operate couplers.

The CN guide holds a plastic latch form a coupler, which is used in training new CN employees how to operate couplers in various conditions.