The triumphant return of the Giraffe Car Man at the 2025 Manitoba Train and Hobby Exppo

After a year long absence, the giraffe car man will be bringing his layout back to the Manitoba Train and Hobby Expo this year. 

He wasn't there last year, but the Giraffe Car Man will be back at the Manitoba Train and Hobby Expo this year! His many quirky layouts, all featuring his fleet of giraffe cars with bobbing heads that duck under a tunnel, have been entertaining generations of train fans for nearly 40 years. 

Unlike most other model railroad displays at the show, his layout is interactive! Kids of all ages can operate the dump cars, the crossing gates and blow the whistles. As usual, he'll be there in his engineer overalls and his hat with many badges. 

Come check him 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!

Paul Ullrich wins Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's President's Shield award

Paul Ullrich is seen receiving the President's Shield award from outgoing President Larry leavens at the club's banquet, held on May 13 at the Canad Inns Destination Centre Windsor Park.

WMRC Social Media Executive Paul Ullrich won the President's Shield award at their annual banquet for his creation of the club's blog site and Facebook page. The blog site has received almost 100,000 views since its inception in October 2013, and the Facebook Page has over 300 likes. 

Paul has been a member of the club since 1983. He has served as the club's photo editor, and has won five Lantern awards for his contributions to The Lantern, the official newsletter of the WMRC. He is also well known as "The Giraffe Car Man". His popular portable Lionel display, which he exhibits several times a year at various train shows, features up to six giraffe cars that have giraffes ducking their heads before they enter a tunnel.

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club announces date and new location for their 2014 spring open house

   Mark your calendars! The WMRC will be holding its annual spring open house on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29 at their new location at the Charleswood Legion Hall, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. Hours are from 11AM to 4PM both days. The venue is handicap accessible. Please enter on the west side of the building.

    There will be lots of stuff to see, such as the entries from our annual photo and model contests, and several operating layouts, including the No. 1 Northern Division's Free-Mo Layout, the Kildonan Short Lines modular layout, and the Lionel 027 "giraffe car" layout!

   The canteen will be open as well, serving donuts, pop, chips, coffee and our famous gourmet hot dogs, served with either mustard or ketchup! Come and help us celebrate our 60th year of model railroading in Winnipeg! Admission is by donation, and a portion of proceeds will go to support St. Amant. Hope to see you all there!