Exclusive never before seen images of crane operations at train wrecks at WMRC's November meeting presentation

When WMRC social media director Paul Ullrich was given a photo album from a widow of a Pettibone crane operator for CP, he knew that it would make a fascinating presentation. The album contains never seen before photos of salvage work of numerous train wrecks, plus the crane operations of moving CP unit 29, which was damaged by fire, restored and now displayed at CPKC headquarters in Calgary. 

The fun starts at 7:30PM on Friday, November 14 at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Robin Boulevard. We will also have our monthly model and photo display. The canteen will be open, and we will have our monthly 50-50 draw. Guests are always warmly welcome!

Two great presentations at WMRC's October 15 in person (and virtual) meeting

We have two great Zoom presentations at our second in-person meeting of the season. First, Tom Price of Calgary will present How the Railways Developed Communication Across Canada. Tom is a 37 year CPR veteran who worked in Engineering and Maintenance of Way.

Then former WMRC member Marc Simpson of Coquitlam will make a presentation called The Hudson Bay Railway and HBM&S - The Means to an End. Marc got interested in the Hudson Bay Railway and HBM&S railway operations in the 1990's while working in Flin Flon. He has researched the history and operations of CN and subsequent operators of the lines north of The Pas. He will cover the history, operations and modelling of the CN, HBR and Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting (now known as HudBay minerals).

On top of that, the monthly model display and the photo display is also being held, and the canteen will be open!

The meeting will be held at the Canadian Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. Please note that the date of the meeting has been moved from October 8 to October 15, and the time of the meeting has been changed from 7:30 to 7:00. The doors will be open at 6:30.

Capacity at the Tank Room at the Legion is limited to 50 persons. The Legion requires all visitors to the building to show proof of full vaccination before entry.  The province has mandated that masks will be required in all public places. If you wish to attend the meeting on Zoom please contact us at wmrc.trainclub@gmail.com for a link.

 

Supertrain, TLR convention cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

Two model railroad events have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Supertrain, Canada's largest train show, has been held in Calgary since 1995. On March 13, the Calgary Model Railway Society announced the cancellation. Tentative plans are to hold Supertrain on April 10 and 11, 2021 at its usual venue at the Genesis Centre in Calgary.

The Thousand Lakes Region of the NMRA announced today that their upcoming spring convention, titled the Sioux Empire Special, has been cancelled. The next TLR convention will be held in Bismarck, North Dakota in May 2021.

Enjoy the Manitoba Mega Train Show this weekend on September 28 and 29

We had a great time this September with the AVR open house and dinner train, Railway Days and CN 100 at The Forks. What better way to wrap up a month of model railroading fun than a visit to the Manitoba Mega Train Show this weekend?

It's the biggest train show between Toronto and Calgary, with nearly 40,000 square feet of displays, 60 vendors, operating layouts and trains, trains trains! It's at Red River Exhibition Place, 3977 Portage Avenue (right beside Assiniboia Downs). A ticket costs $8.00. Youth 4-12 $6.00. A family pack is 25 bucks and kids 3 and under get in for free! Admission includes unlimited free rides on the Mega-Train. Don't miss it!

Godfrey South's presentation at our January meeting was a hit!

   Godfrey South, one of our newest but most active members, delivered a remarkable presentation at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's meeting, which was held On January 10, 2013 at Westworth United Church.

   Godfrey showed how he and a group of dedicated rail fans resurrected a two foot narrow gauge industrial rail line in his native Britain. The group rebuilt a beautiful steam engine from what was literally a pile of rusty scrap metal. Godfrey, who is a blacksmith by trade, was heavily involved in re-tooling many missing parts.

   The presentation not only included many images documenting the rebuilding of the engine from start to finish, but also included a video of the engine all fired up and rolling down the track!

   The second presentation was by WMRC Secretary Cliff Davidson, titled "Cliff's Western Canadian Adventures", which documented his trip to Calgary last year. Cliff, who knows rural Saskatchewan like the back of his hand, took us way off the Trans Canada Highway and into a rarely seen land where grain elevators still exist.

    There are quite a few of these prairie giants around. Some are abandoned, but many still serving their communities. Some are standing next to former rail lines that were torn up long ago. Cliff took several images of trains passing them by that were hauling nothing but oil tankers, a sure sign of the times.

   Below are several images from Godfrey's excellent presentation. Good work, Godfrey!

This is what they started with. Can you imagine building a locomotive from this?

Progress was slow but steady. It's really coming together now!

It's almost finished! All it needs now is a good paint job.

Success! A beautiful restoration job, and well worth the effort!