Winnipeg Model Railroad Club mourns passing of Bob Gravlin

 

Long time former WMRC memberKenneth Robert Gravlin, better known as Bob, passed away December 14, 2024 at St. Boniface Hospital, at the age of 92 years. Bob is the father of long term member John Gravlin. 

Bob grew up in Fort Garry. He worked for the CNR, which was partially responsible for his life long hobby of model railroading. He later moved on to a job with Air Canada finance where he worked for 28 years.

Bob was also involved in his church and community work through the Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodges. Bob was elected to the position of Grand Master in 2005/2006.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights honours Canada's black sleeping car porters

In honour of Black History month, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights has posted a moving article about Canada's black sleeping car porters who worked for the CPR and the CNR. Although the position was considered a good job for black Canadians, they were subject to various hardships such as not having a place to sleep during a grueling 72 hour run. You can read the post by clicking here. 

There is also a short animation posted on You Tube concerning the organization of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, produced by Historica Canada, which you can view by clicking here.
 

Learn how to hold it all together at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's next virtual meeting

At the WMRC's next virtual meeting past president Larry Leavens will show you how to "hold it all together" with a presentation about using glue and mechanical fasteners for bench work, scenery and modelling.

We'll also have Ivan Paradis, who will make a presentation about his layout, the Elva Subdivision of the CNR. Ivan will provide a tour of his layout describing his design logic and many other features. He will also talk about the use of scenic dividers, how different elements come together and the "scale distances" between them. 

The meeting starts on Zoom on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 7:30PM. All members will be sent an email provided with a link. If you are not a member and wish to attend, please email us at wmrc.trainclub@gmail.com. Guests are always warmly welcomed, even virtual ones!

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 this video about Canada's oldest railway tunnel in Brockville, Ontario

 A.J. Benoit from Brockville, Ontario sent us a link to a new video about Canada’s Oldest Railway Tunnel. This two minute and 39 second long video was created to help promote the tunnel. The tunnel was reopened in August 2017 after extensive refurbishing effort cost over 2 million dollars.

The tunnel was of particular interest to Mr. Benoit as it was the railroad that brought his family to Brockville over 87 years ago. His grandfather  relocated here from St. Jean Sur Richelieu in Quebec and worked for the CNR for over 40 years. His father George followed his footsteps and also worked for the CNR for 25 years before retiring. You can view this video by going to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVFLfnBtfeY