NMRA No.1 Northern Division free-Mo Group readies their layout for Manitoba Train and Hobby Expo

Ian Plett, fearless leader of the NMRA No. 1 Northern Division Free-Mo Group layout, is seen working hard on a new section of the layout. 

Long time WMRC member Christopher Robinson sent us images of the NMRA No.1 Northern Division Free-Mo group hard at work at Larry Skoglund’s place, getting their spectacular layout ready for next month's Manitoba Train and Hobby Expo. The Free-Mo Group and the WMRC are both part of the NMRA No. 1 Northern Division.

NMRA No.1 Northern Division Free-Mo group layout is the largest layout in the entire show, and it's always a must see attraction! Come check it out on September 27 between 9 and 5 and on September 28 between 9 and 4 at the Manitoba Train and Hobby Expo, Red River Exhibition Place, 3977 Portage Avenue. General admission is $12. Youths ages four to 12 get in for six bucks. Kids three years old and under get in for free!

Fred Headon (R) and the crew are seen applying finishing touches to the turf surrounding the track on one of the layout's modular sections.

Installing a four track mainline is not an easy task. The curves have to be the proper length away from each other to prevent the trains from colliding.

The Free-MoGroup's efficient design allows easy and comfortable access for wiring.

Five great entries for the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's annual photo contest's prototype category

 WMRC members Cliff Davidson, Christopher Robinson and Dave Downie submitted these great entries for the club's annual photo contest in the prototype category at our AGM, which was held via Zoom on May 14.

Cliff caught this striking image of a CP lash up at sunset (pictured above). He also took this photo of a CP freight rolling under the overpass at Portage La Prairie (pictured below). WMRC program director Dave Downie submitted photos of a structure in Beacon, New York that he took in 1980. He also sent in this image of the Milwaukee Road's famous observation car when it passed through Portage in 2007. Christopher Robinson submitted this pastoral scene of a turnout at a lakeside. Great work, guys!

More great photos from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's annual photo contest for 2021

Felix Lesiuk submitted this timely and humorous "social distancing" locomotive for the photo contest.

We had such great photos submitted for our annual photo contest that we decided to post more of them! The model contest was held at the club's virtual GM, which was held on Zoom on Friday, May 14. This week we're featuring the model contest entries. 

Felix Lesiuk tickled our funny bone with a "socially distant" BNSF Geep wearing a mask. Christopher Robinson submitted two o=images of his great Algoma Central model work. Cliff Davidson showed us a CP and a Kansas City Southern (soon to be CP?) unit coming out of the same tunnel. Ed Hector sent in a model or a water tower that he's been working on. 

3d printing and a living room layout featured at Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's March virtual meeting

 At our next Zoom meeting Tyler Fedoroshyn will conduct a presentation on modelling with the aid of a 3D printer. Learn how 3D printing can be used to create realistic parts that aren’t available commercially. Tyler took the leap into 3D printing and has made a number of unique items for his model railroad. He will give an overview of his printer and the software he uses and show a number of items he has printed. 

Then Christopher Robinson will display his unique model railroad that replicates the Algoma Central's operations in Hawk Junction, Ontario. He'll describe the design and operation of the layout. Christopher has built a portable model railroad that captures the essence of the ACR, is fun to operate and occupies a place of prominence in his living room. 

We will be holding our members monthly photo display. An entry will be chosen by random, and will receive a $20 gift certificate. 

The Zoom meeting starts at 7:30PM on Friday, March12. If you are not a member and wish to attend this meeting, please contact us at wmrc.trainclub@gmail.com. Guests (even virtual ones) are always warmly welcomed!

Tyler made all of these parts using a 3D printer. See how he did it at our March meeting!

Christopher Robinson’s rolling stock gains weight during COVID-19

 

 

Many of us have gained weight due to COVID-19, but Christopher Robinson decided to have his rolling stock gain weight instead. He had a set of Rivarossi heavyweight passenger cars which the bought at the 1983 Railway Jamboree, the NMRA national convention held in Winnipeg. The heavyweight cars were anything but heavyweight, weighing just two ounces, so he hefted them up to six ounces as his COVID-19 modelling project.

He found interiors for the coaches which added two ounces of weight, making the cars weigh five ounces. To bring them up another ounce, he turned the cars upside down and put lead shot in a 1/4 inch gap between the centre sills under the door.

He secured the lead shot with diluted white glue and painted it aircraft interior black. He painted the floors, walls and bulkheads in MOW grey, and the chair frames in railway tie brown. The seat cushions will be painted light Tuscan oxide red.

It's Clinic Carnival time at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's December meeting!

Step right up for the annual “Clinic Carnival” at the WMRC! We have five clinics set up for all to enjoy. Here is your opportunity to see what some of Winnipeg's best model railroaders have been working on and a great chance learn how they do it!

Here is our talented roundup:

Virginia Braun – Virginia is a very talented modeller who will showcase some of her structure and scenery work and talk about the tools and materials that she uses.

Richard Mikolayenko – Scratch building and Old Market Square structure from photos and triangulation. Richard is an experienced modeller who will showcase his techniques as he works to replicate a historic Winnipeg building.

Neil Carlton - “Painting undecorated HO figurines for fun and financial savings" Every model railroad needs people and Neil will explain how to populate a scene without breaking your bank account.

Christopher Robinson - “Modules” Every model railroader can make a module. Whether it be a portable section of a home layout or for a portable modular model railroad, modules give us a unique way to participate in the hobby.  

John Bate - “Using Servos as inexpensive switch machines”. John will demonstrate how you can utilize inexpensive servo motors as switch machines. Servos are rapidly becoming as a means of controlling switches, signals and applications requiring animation on model railroads.

But wait! There's more! We're also holding our annual Christmas banquet! Enjoy a hearty meal of hot dogs, chips and pop as you enjoy the Clinic Carnival! The fun begins on Friday, December 14, at 7:30 in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. Guests are always warmly welcomed!

 
 

Two models entered at Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's monthly model display

Christopher Robinson and John Bate submitted two entries for the WMRC's monthly model display this month. Christopher entered a Grand Trunk GP-38 that was originally his father's engine. He weathered it using several coats of acrylic paints. One technique he used was to apply a thick mix of medium grey paint on one side, letting it set for ten minutes, then running it under the tap with cold water.

He also installed a TCS T1 decoder, which required some cutting and filing on the inside of the shell and the chassis. He plans to install LEDs for headlights, front and rear.

John Bate submitted a N scale model of a company house (complete with an outhouse). This was a City Classics kit, which he also weathered.

View Christopher Robinson's videos of CPR's Canada 150 train

WMRC member Christopher Robinson has taken three great videos of CPR's Canada 150 train as it traveled through Winnipeg during the summer. He has recently posted them on You Tube, and they're definitely worth a watch. Click on the link here and enjoy!

At October's WMRC meeting, Suzanne Lemon will give us a short program on "What Makes a Good Photo" to enter into the Club's photo contest. After a short break, Christopher Robinson will present "Railfanning Adventures in Southern Manitoba" which includes a look at Central Manitoba Railway operations down Hwy 3 in the Brunkild area.

And to all WMRC members: Feel free to bring a modelling project to work on as a table clinic during the meeting!

The meeting starts at 7:30PM at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard, on Friday, October 14, 2016. The canteen will be open, and we'll be holding our usual modelling display and the 50/50 draw. Hope to see you all there!

Christopher Robinson displays Algoma Central boxcars at Winipeg Model Railroad Club's January meeting

   WMRC member Christopher Robinson presented six Algoma Central Railway 40 foot outside braced boxcars at the club's monthly model display at their January meeting. These were Accurail boxcar kits, which he assembled, applied dry transfer decals, and installed Kadee Couplers.

    This was his first attempt at weathering anything, and he did a terrific job! No two boxcars were weathered identically. The level of weathering suggests that the cars came out of the paint shop recently. He used a thin wash of grey paint to weather the cars. Some cars received more than one coat. 

     The monthly model display is open to all WMRC members. A cash prize is given every month, drawn at random. Show us what you've got! We always love to see what our members have been doing!