John Longhurst invites you to take a virtual layout hop

It has been a tradition at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club to have a spring layout hop, where members were invited to tour some of the layouts around town. Unfortunately, this was not going to happen this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But long time WMRC member John Longhurst has come up with a unique alternative. He's put together a virtual layout hop using posts he selected from his blog, the CP Manitoba and Minnesota Subdivision. 

John's blog, which has had well over one million views, has dutifully posted features about the finest layouts in Winnipeg for many years. Some of these layouts have been torn down, and some of the owners of the layouts have passed away, but they have been preserved online thanks to John's diligence. With a virtual layout hop, there is no driving between layouts, or trying to choose which ones to see based on time available. 

You'll see some great layouts by Arnie Walker, Stafford Swain, Ken Epp, George Meyer, Ron Loewen, and take a virtual ride on the Assiniboine Valley Railway! All you have to do is click here. 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club mourns passing of George Myer

Long time former WMRC member George Myer passed away on Monday, May 6, 2019. He was 82 years old. George has been a subject of controversy for several months that made national headlines as he had to wait for four months for a biopsy which finally delivered a diagnosis of lung cancer.

George will be remembered by the model railroad community for his extraordinary modelling skills on his O gauge layout, the CPR Central Northern Subdivision. George’s layout was featured in the May 2011 issue of Canadian Railway Modeller and was a featured on the layout hop of the TLR’s 2010 Steam on the Prairies  convention.

A memorial service will be held Monday, May 13, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue in Winnipeg. Below are links featuring articles about George.

https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg-man-who-waited-months-for-cancer-diagnosis-dies-1.4416762
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/george-myer-biopsy-cancer-1.4994485
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-lung-cancer-biopsy-delay-1.4969844
https://winnipegsun.com/news/news-news/family-finally-gets-biopsy-for-elderly-father-hoping-its-not-too-late
https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/daughter-anxious-about-fathers-wait-for-critical-biopsy-in-winnipeg-hospital

 This image of George's O gauge layout, the CPR Central Northern Subdivision, was taken in 2010 during the TLR's Steam on the Prairies convention.