Felix Lesiuk sweeps awards at the WMRC's 2026 banquet

Felix Lesiuk (L) is seen being presented the best in show modelling award from WMRC spring show chair Murray Brown at the club's annual banquet.

Felix Lesiuk was the big award winner at the WMRC's annual banquet, held at the Canad Inns Destination Centre Polo Park earlier this month. He won both best in show for his photo, titled "Evening Rain" featuring the Prairie Dog Central, which also graced the cover of the May issue of The Lantern, the official publication of the WMRC. 

He also won best in show for his modelling efforts for is diorama, titled "Country Road Trestle over Speeder at Signal". To top it off, he also won the photo contest special event for his photo of a train crossing a bridge in Bismarck, North Dakota. Congratulations, Felix!

Felix is seen receiving the special event award in the photo category from photo content chair Bart Hasselfield for his photo of a train crossing a bridge in Bismarck, North Dakota.

   

Felix also won the best in show award in the photo contest category or his photo of the Prairie Dog Central, title "Evening Rain".

Felix won best in show in the model category for his diorama of a speeder crossing under a country road trestle.

 

Is Felix Lesiuk going to eat a T-Scale passenger car?

Don't try this at home, folks! Felix Lesiuk is pretending to eat a T-Scale car to show how small they are.

Felix Lesiuk surprised us at the WMRC's March meeting by bringing in a complete T-Scale layout, complete with tracks, a power pack, a locomotive and a passenger car. He also brought in some accessory packs. The houses were so small they they looked like dice! 

T-Scale is the smallest commercial model railway in the world. Its scale is 1:450, making it ten times smaller than O scale. Its track gauge is just 3mm, or 0.118". The name T-Scale is derived from "three millimeter scale" and "Third of N scale". They were introduced in 2006, and they're powered by 4.5 volt micro motors. 

If space is at a premium, then this scale might be for you. But don't expect a realistic sound system at this size. When it runs, it sounds like there's a  mosquito in the house!

Here's the entire layout that Felix brought in, which is just a bit larger than a dish.

 

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.

 

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!
 

WinNtrak to display their N scale modular railway at Grant Park Shopping Centre from March 24 to March 26

Got the March blues? Does it seem like the Manitoba winter will never end? Then head to Grant Park Shopping Centre this coming weekend, for WinNtrak will be running trains on their spectacular N gauge modular railway!

They'll be operating their layout for three big days, starting on Friday, March 24 and ending on Sunday, March 26. WinNtrak's head honcho Felix Lesiuk tells us that there you will even be able to enjoy an overhead view of the rail action, as they're setting up where the upper level of the shopping centre meets the lower level.

WinNtrak will be running trains at Grant Park Shopping Centre from 10AM to 8PM on Friday, March 24, from 10AM to 6PM on Saturday, March 25, and from 12PM to 5PM on Sunday, March 26. Grant Park Shopping Centre is located at 1120 Grant Avenue in Winnipeg.  
 

Exclusive images of the Hudson's Bay Railway's new paint scheme

Felix Lesiuk, the WMRC's intrepid rail fan photographer, hasn't been very active recently, but when he scores, he scores big! On a recent rail fanning trip he came across these Hudson's Bay Railway locomotives headed up north with their new paint scheme. Note that this newly incorporated railway, owned by First Nations and Bay line communities, is showing pride in their railway heritage by including the 1929 founding date of the original Hudson's Bay Railway in their logo.
 

Award winning photographer Felix Lesiuk will show you to get that great rail fanning shot

September’s WMRC presentation will feature multiple award winning photographer Felix Lesiuk, who will show us “What it takes to get the good one”. Felix will go into depth explaining several photographic techniques. This clinic is a must for those who wish to advance past “point and shoot" and the automatic settings on your camera. Bring your camera along! This is your golden opportunity to finally figure out how to use it!

The meeting will be held on Friday, September 9 at 7:00pm in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Blvd. It will also be broadcast on Zoom. If you wish to attend the meeting on Zoom and are not a member please contact us at wmrc.trainclub@gmail.com

There are no longer any COVID related restrictions at the legion. There will be a short business meeting with one presentation and plenty of time to mingle and have a coffee and donut with your fellow members. Feel free to arrive early to chat and help set up the room. We'll be open at 6:00pm.

We'll have our usual monthly photo and model display. Bring a model to display and send in your photos, model or prototype, to  wmrcphotocontest@gmail.com. The photos will be shown at the meeting and on Zoom after the business meeting. Winners will each win a $20 prize. The deadline for photo submission is 5:00pm on Friday, September 9. We will also be holding our usual 50/50 draw. Hope to see you there!

 

Winners of the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's annual photo and model contests

 

Felix Lesiuk received the award for best prototype photo from Marvin Fetch.

WMRC Secretary Marvin Fetch sure was kept busy handing out awards at the club’s AGM and banquet! Felix Lesiuk is seen winning the Nick Andrusiak Memorial award for best digital prototype photo. Luca Matyas won the Peter Abel Memorial award for photo special event. Barrie Creran won for structures for his model of a UGG grain elevator. He also won for best in show. Neil Carleton won The Lantern award and he also won first prize in the non-revenue category for his model of a crane. Congratulations to all of them!

Luca Matyas received the Peter Abel award for photo special event.

 

Barrie Creran received awards for structures and best in show.

 

Neil Carleton received The Lantern award and the award in the non-revenue model category.

 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club announces winners of annual photo contest

The winners of the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club’s annual photo contest are Felix Lesiuk and Luca Matyas. The contest was held at the club’s annual open house, held at the Charleswood Legion on April 9 and 10, 2022. Plaques were awarded to them at the club's AGM and  banquet, held at the CanAd Inn Destination Centre near Polo Park.

Long time member Felix Lesiuk won in the prototype category with a stunning image of a worker servicing a Via Rail passenger train in Churchill in a snowy day. Luca Mayas, a newcomer to the club and one of our youngest members, won in the model category with his image of a CN diesel rounding a corner. Congratulations to both of our winners!

Dave Downie and Felix Lesiuk receive awards at Winnipeg Model Railroad Club’s September meeting.

                                 Felix Lesiuk displays his trophy of best digital prototype photo.

At the WMRC’s September meeting, the very first in-person meeting in a year, the executive was finally able to hand out a couple of awards to some very worthy recipients. This was usually done at our AGM and banquet, but the club hadn’t been able to hold this event for two years.

WMRC Program Director Dave Downie won the Peter Able Memorial Award for photo special event. Long time member Felix Lesiuk won the Nick Andrusiak Memorial Award for best digital prototype photo. Congratulations to the both of you!

                                  Dave Downie is seen holding his trophy for photo special event.
 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club presents annual awards at October meeting

WMRC president Bob Harrison presents the President's shield award to Marvin and Arlene Fetch at the club's October 2021 meeting. 

The WMRC presented three awards at their October 2021 meeting. The recipients were awarded on-line at the club's virtual AGM, which was held in May. This was the first time since then that the club was able to present the awards in person.

WMRC secretary Marvin Fetch and his wife Arlene were awarded the president's shield for their volunteer work for the club. WMRC Program Director Dave Downie won the Peter Abel Memorial Award Photo Special Event, and Felix Lesiuk won the Nick Andrusiak Memorial Award for best digital prototype photo.

                Felix Lesiuk won the Nick Andrusiak Memorial Award for best digital prototype photo.

    WMRC program director Dave Downie won the Peter Abel Memorial Award Photo Special Event.
 
 

 

A wide variety of paint schemes on motive power on the CP line

Felix Lesiuk has captured some interesting images rail fanning along Highway 221, which hugs the CP mainline from the perimeter highway to Marquette, Manitoba and the Glenboro subdivision, which runs south of the CP mainline from Winnipeg to Souris, Manitoba.

He found some CSX and BNSF units, as well as a CP unit in its military paint scheme. His most interesting catch were some former CP SD40-2Fs(nicknamed as “red barns” when they were painted in CP colours) of the Central Maine and Quebec Railway coming off the Glenboro sub. CP purchased the CM&Q last year.

 

Exclusive images of a Loram rail grinding train on the CP main line

Our main man and ace photographer Felix Lesiuk captured these rare images of a Loram maintenance of way rail grinding train in action on the CP mainline this spring. Although he regretted not finding it later in the day when the sunlight would've exposed a shower of sparks, it's still great to see these unique units hard at work. He also took some neat images along the CN line, including a very short Via train. 

Felix Lesiuk's springtime rail fanning reaps a harvest of great shots

Felix Lesiuk always has had a great eye for the unique rail fanning shot. Pictured above is a coal train coming down the track with a strong wind blowing an enormous cloud of coal dust from the open hoppers. He also captured a unique CP consist featuring a Milwaukee Road passenger car, a bunk car and a converted heavyweight passenger car seen outside of Rosser. He has also taken notice of the proliferation of Union Pacific motive power recently seen on the CP line. 

 

The further rail fanning adventures of Felix Lesiuk

We have a backlog of images sent to us by our stalwart, award winning photographer Felix Lesiuk that we're going to run for the next few weeks. These photos were taken in March, but they're very striking, as seen above with this great shot of the snowplow with the pigeons in the foreground. 

He also captured some unique images, such as the CP-BNSF lash-up and a rare blue former Illinois Central CN locomotive. Chasing VIA trains has always been his specialty, and he got some great shots this time around! Felix has won multiple awards for his photography work and was once the club's photo contest chair.

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. 

Winners of Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's 2021 annual photo contest announced

Long time WMRC members Felix Lesiuk and Dave Downie have won the club's annual photo contest for 2021. The winners were announced at the club's AGM, which was held on Zoom on May 14 by photo contest chair Bart Hasslefield. 

Felix, who has served in the past as the club's photo contest chair, won in the prototype category. Felix is a dedicated and talented rail fan photographer, and his images have graced the posts of this blog and the WMRC Facebook page for many years.

Dave won in the model category. Dave is currently the club's program director, which is a position he has held previously. He has also served two separate terms as the club's president.