Lifestyles 55 features article about WMRC in their July issue

We made the papers! Lifestyles 55 has an article about the WMRC and their 70th anniversary in their July issue. It was written by Myron Love (who first wrote an article about the club 40 years ago) and features an interview with WMRC president John Bate. You can get a copy of Lifestyles 55 at your local Winnipeg library and many other outlets, or you can read the article online by clicking here.
 

Cliff Davidson multiple award winner for his model and prototype photography

Cliff Davidson (L) receives the Peter Abel award from photo contest chair Bart Hasselfield at the WMRC's annual banquet held last month.

Long time WMRC member walked off with a slew of photography awards at our annual banquet held last month. Cliff won the prestigious Peter Abel Award model special event for his photo of a model of a CP 5804, third prize for his photo of a model of a KCS F-unit, third prize in the special event for his photo of the Willow Creek Trestle and third prize in the prototype category for his photo of the CN Cescon Siding Orange bridge. Cliff is one of the club's top photographers and has been a constant award winner for many years. Congratulations, Cliff!

Cliff is seen receiving the award for third place in the model photography category from WMRC president John Bate.

Peter received third place in the special event photography category for his photo of the Willow Creek Trestle.

Peter also received third place in the prototype category for his photo of the CN Cescon Siding Orange Bridge.

WMRC donates $3000 to St.Amant

WMRC president is seen giving a $3000 cheque to Michelle Sankar of St.Amant, the charity of choice for the club. The WMRC is a non-profit organization and a steward of the community. The cheque represents a portion of the proceeds that we've raised at our spring train show and open house and at the Manitoba Hobby Expo.

Paul Ullrich wins WMRC's 2026 President's shield award

Paul Ullrich receives the WMRC's President's Shield award from president John Bate at the club's 2026 AGM and banquet, held at the Canad Inns Destination Centre Polo Park on May 8.

WMRC Social Media Director Paul Ullrich was awarded the President Shield award for rebranding the club's image with his graphic design work. He has redesigned the club's logo, the logo for The Lantern, the club's official publication, the poster for the spring train show and the stickers the club hands out at train shows. 

This is the second time Paul has won this award. In 2016 he won the award for his work as social media director for the club in creating the blog and the Facebook page.

 

Everyone had a great time at Railway Day at the Via Vail Station

WMRC President John Bate hands out stickers and brochures in the lobby of the Via Rail station at Railway Day last Sunday. 

Last Sunday's Railway Day in the lobby of the Via Rail station was well attended, and everyone had great time! The WMRC was in full force at the event. President John Bate and past president Larry Leavens manned the John Allen Timesaver switching layout. Past WMRC treasurer and current Winnipeg Railway Museum President Gary Stempnick brought along his portable N Gauge layout. 

WMRC secretary Brent Karr and Vice President Marvin Fetch displayed tour newest attraction, the Thomas the Tank Engine interactive layout, WMRC secretary Brent Karr and Vice president Marvin Fetch displayed our newest attraction, the Thomas the Tank Engine interactive layout, which was Brent's idea, and built by Brent, Gino Kost and Larry Leavens. WMRC spring program chair and webmaster Murray Brown brought along his Z scale layout in a steamer trunk and took pictures of everything!

 

A good time was had by all at the WMRC's annual Clinic Carnival and Christmas hot dog banquet

Darrell Brownlee (left)  demonstrates how to make model with his 3D computer. John Bate, sitting behind him, conducted a clinician how to use 3D printing software.

Everybody had a great time at last week's clinic carnival and annual Christmas hot dog banquet. We even had a few guests! 

For the first time at our annual clinic carnival we had two tag team demonstrations. We had a 3D printing clinic by Darrell Brownlee with a software tutorial on how to set it up by John Bate. 

Murray Brown showed us how to make your own decals, while MMR Fred Headon showed us how to apply them. Marvin Fetch was on hand showing us his many structure building techniques.

And of course, there was the hot dog banquet! Everyone enjoyed the air fried hot dogs expertly prepared by our master chef, canteen operator Mark McLennan.

Murray Brown shows Graham Leathers (R) and Gary Stempnick (L) how to make decals.

After Murray Brown showed you how to make your own decals, you could mosey on over to MMR Fred Headon's table to learn how to apply them.

Marvin Fetch shares some of his expert structure building techniques with long time member Allan Graham (L) and WMRC Past President Bob Harrison (R).

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

Come one, come all to the WMRC’s annual clinic carnival and Christmas hot dog banquet! Please note that we’re having our meeting on Friday, December 5, a week earlier than usual.

We have an exciting roster of some of Winnipeg’s best modellers sharing their skills this year, including Murray Brown, who’ll show you how to make your own decals, and Fred Headon, who’ll show you how to apply them. John Bate will have a simple 3D CAD program running, capable of producing the files needed to drive 3D printers. People can see how this part of 3D printing is done, and try it for themselves. Darrell Brownlee will show you how to complete the task using 3D printing. 

While you’re soaking in on all of these great modelling hints, feast on gourmet air fried hot dogs prepared by our own master chef Mark McLennan, along with pop, chips, donuts and cookies!

The fun begins at 7:30PM on Friday, December 5 in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. We’ll he having our usual model and photo display, as well as the 50-50 draw. Don’t forget to bring a tin for the bin! Every donation helps the less fortunate. 

 

Murray Brown awarded the WMRC's President's Shield

Murray Brown (L) is seen being awarded the  President's Shield by WMRC President John Bate at the club's AGM and annual banquet, held on May 9, 2025 at the Canad Inns Polo Park.

Murray Brown swept the awards at the WMRC's AGM this month, but the most significant one that he was awarded was the President's Shield for his contributions to the club. Murray has been a member for less than two years, but he has made his presence known with his enthusiastic and tireless efforts working with the club and promoting its activities. 

Murray had won so many awards at the AGM that they are literally too numerous to list in a single post, so we will mention them in other posts in the near future. In an earlier post it was stated that we need more members like Murray Brown, and that still holds true.

 

Everyone had great fun at the WMRC's 2024 AGM and banquet

We'd like to thank all of our members who attended our annual AGM and banquet, held at the Canad Inns Polo Park last Friday. Everyone had a great time, and there were awards galore to hand out! 

We had an abundance of prizes to be won by purchasing an "arm's length" row of tickets, plus two elimination draws for an HO scale and and N scale locomotive and two beautiful railway themed mounted prints which were auctioned off. 

The club is taking the summer off, but please come to our next meeting on September 12 at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard, at 7:30 PM. Have a great summer, and keep 'em on the rails!

Fred Headon (L) chats with Moe Smith and WMRC President John Bate just before the meeting.

We had a plethora of prizes to hand out at our raffle! Just about everyone who bought an "arm's legnth" row of tickets went home with a prize!

 

Joh Bate builds an N scale mine

WMRC president John Bate brought in this N scale model of a mine to the club's monthly model display at our last meeting, which was held at the Charleswood Legion on March 14. The structure, which John says is a work in progress, was a Walthers kit which he painted a flat aluminum with an airbrush. 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club holds another great clinic carnival and Christmas hot dog banquet

WMRC President John Bate conducts a clinic on Arduino animation and all of the fun things you can do with it, while Murray Brown and Bart Hasselfield look on.

What a great Christmas party we had on Friday the 13th! Rod Sarna, John Bate, Larry Leaven, Ian Plett and Marvin Fetch put on five great clinics for our annual clinic carnival while our members and distinguished guests feasted on expertly prepared gourmet hot dogs prepared by our master chef Mark McLellan! We even had a few former members, such as Ian and Zenon Lisakowski, drop by and join in on the fun!

The two Ians meet at last! Former member Ian Lisakowski watches WMRC program director Ian Plett conduct his model weathering clinic. 

Rob Sarna conducts his clinic on how to install a NixTrainz Decoder Buddy replacement board, a Soundtraxx decoder and speaker into an Atlas HO locomotive. Tony Prud'homme, owner of the Frog and Diamond Hobbyworks shows off his spiffy hoodie as he watches.

Long time members Tommy Kuchera (R)  and Marcel Blair watch Larry Leavens conduct a clinic on how to control a Tortoise switch machine from opposite sides of a layout with a simple circuit.

Marvellous and well seasoned Marvin Fetch conducted a clinic on how a seasoned model railroader constucts a building.

Come one, come all to the WMRC's annual Clinic Carnival and hot dog banquet!

It’s Clinic Carnival time! Every December the WMRC holds a clinic carnival, featuring some of Winnipeg’s finest modellers who will share their skills and talents with you!

This year Rob Sarna will show you how to install a NixTrainz Decoder Buddy replacement board, a Soundtraxx decoder and speaker into an Atlas HO locomotive.

Larry Leavens will conduct a clinic on turnout control from two sides of the layout. Larry had a need to control a Tortoise switch machine from opposite sides of his layout. It is usually controlled by a double pole double throw (DTDP) toggle switch at a single location. Larry found a simple circuit that replaces the toggle switch with a push button that can be installed at multiple locations. 

John Bate will hold a clinic on Arduino animation, all the cool things you can do with them.

Marvin Fetch will show you how a seasoned model railroader constructs a building.

Ian Plett will take you through the steps of weathering your models.

We are also holding our annual Christmas hot dog banquet at our December meeting. Feast on gourmet air fried hot dogs, chips, donuts and your favourite soda while our talented clinicians take you through the steps on how to improve your layout!

The fun starts on Friday, December 13 at 7:30PM in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. There will still be a model and photo display this month. Pleas bring a tin for the bin to help support some of the less fortunate in our community. All donations will be forwarded to the Christmas Cheer Board. 

Take a virtual tour of the 2024 NMRA Surfliner convention with John Bate

 

At our September meeting WMRC President John Bate will take us on a virtual tour of the 2024 NMRA Surfliner national convention, which he attended in Long Beach, California this August.  If you've never been to a NMRA national convention, then this is the place to be! There's nothing like an NMRA national convention. It has to be seen to be believed! 

John will also showcase his visit the California State Railroad Museum, where he viewed "The Magic of Scale Model Railroading" display, which contains many interesting and unique model railroad artifacts and displays. 

There will also be an update on the upcoming Manitoba Mega Train Show, which will be held at Red River Exhibition Place on September 28 and 29.  It's also the best time to renew your membership, or become a new member!

The fun starts at 7:30PM on Friday, September 13 at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. The canteen will be open, and we will have our usual model and photo display, plus our 50-50 draw. 

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.

 

WMRC members old and new reunite at the CPKC Final Spike steam tour event

Seen at the CPKC Final Spike steam tour stop in Winnipeg from right to left are WMRC President John Bate, his wife Karen Bate, Karen's sister, Larry Leavens, and Luca Maytas.

What a party CPKC threw in Winnipeg on July 6! And nothing brings model railroaders and rail fans together like a classic steam engine like the 2816 Hudson, which was displayed in Manitoba for the first time in 17 years. 

It was a model railroaders and rail fans homecoming day, as members old and new flocked to the CPKC rail yards to view this magnificent engine and its consist, which included and SD70 in heritage fleet colors, an F7 AA lash-up and a fleet of classic passenger cars painted in CP maroon and black livery.

It was truly the railroad lovers event of the year, or any other year, as thousands of people stopped by to view the train for the four hours it was on display.

 

 

Cliff Davidson, John Morris and Brian Schuff chat with a CPKC rail worker who was part of the staff of the final spike steam tour.

 

 

Tommy and James South, former youth members of the WMRC, are all grown up! Tommy is living the dream working as a conductor with CN Rail.

 

 

Long time members Gary Stempnick and Norm Leathers also attended the event. Norm is recovering from a hip injury, but nothing was going to stop him from seeing The Empress!

 

 

John Bate wins first prize in two model categories

WMRC President John Bate (L) is seen receiving the first place award for freight cars from model contest chair Marvin fetch at the club's AGM and banquet held in May.

WMRC president John Bate walked away with two awards at the club’s AGM and banquet, held at CN’s Winnipeg campus. He won first prize in the freight car category for his model of a bulkhead flat car with a payload. He also won first prize in the structures category for his model of the CPR #5 standard station.

The N scale flat car was Prairie Shadows CN bulkhead flat car. John scratch built the stakes from styrene strips cut to length with  chopper tool. The hay bales were made of garden twine cut to short lengths and separated into individual strands. He cut scotch tape in strips 3/8” wide and 3” long, then sifted the twine fibers onto the tape. He rolled up the strips to form the bales.

He built the N scale station from a Monashee Laser engineering kit. The L-shaped platform was scratch built. The roof shingles were painstakingly applied one row at a time. He painted the station with an airbrush and stained the platform with colours of Hunterline stains.

 

 

John created the hay bales for this model out of garden twine attached to strips of scotch tape.

 

 

John scratch built the platform of this model of a CPR #5 standard station.

Bob Harrison awarded the WMRC's President's shield

Bob Harrison (R) receives the president's shield award from WMRC president John Bate at the club's AGM and annual banquet, held at the CN Campus in early May.

Past President Bob Harrison was the recipient of the WMRC's president's shield award. The award is given annually to a member who has given exceptional service to the club. 

Bob was a fairly new member to the WMRC when became President during a challenging time for the club, which included guiding the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic. He showed outstanding leadership qualities while maintaining a friendly, congenial manner. 

Bob continues to be a very active member of the club, assisting past President Larry Leavens in the production of The Lantern, the official publication of the WMRC.
 

Angelica Ttmtiman is the winner of the door prize from the WMRC's spring open house

 WMRC President John Bate is seen giving the door prize from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's 2024 annual open house to the winner, Angelica Timtiman and her son.

The lucky winner of the door prize at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club’s Open House was Angelica Timtiman. Her son is the very excited recipient of a Thomas the Tank Engine train set. Congratulations to Angelica and the whole family!

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club holds its annual open house and train show every spring. For the past several years every visitor has received a ticket for a door prize of an HO train set.
 

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club is now 100% NMRA

 As of January 1, 2024, the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club has become 100% NMRA. The members voted to join the NMRA at their meeting in September 2023. This initiative was the sole effort of WMRC President John Bate, who has been an active member in both the WMRC and the NMRA. When the motion to become 100% NMRA was brought before the membership, the vote was unanimous. 

Annual membership fees are $50. Members of the NMRA in the No. 1 Northern Division who are not members of the WMRC can remain outside of the club at their choosing. 

The No.1 Northern Division will remain as a separate entity, with Ian Plett and Paul Ullrich serving as Superintendent and vice-superintendent respectively. The WMRC, along with the No.1 Northern Division’s Free-Mo group, are parts of the No.1 Northern Division, operating autonomously under their own executive.

 

Highlights from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club’s 2023 Clinic Carnival

Dwight Kjartanson shows how a signal works on a real railroad by using 1/8 scale turnout points and signal masts from the Assiniboine Valley Railway.

Everyone had a great time at the WMRC’s Clinic Carnival held on December 8. We had four great clinics along with WMRC President John Bate, who handed out freshly minted NMRA cards to the members and navigated us through the NMRA website.

Our annual Christmas hot banquet was also held that night, and canteen operator Mark McLellan did a sterling job air frying all of those hot dogs for us while handing out a well stocked supply of donuts, chips and pop.

Gino Kost operates a G scale locomotive as he discusses the pros and cons of garden railroading in Manitoba.

WMRC Past President Larry Leavens shows Gary Stempnick the sweet science of freight car maintenance.

 

 

Past President Wayne Hildsen checks out Neil Carelton’s display on how to build a Free-Mo module. 

 

WMRC President John Bate hands an envelope containing an NMRA membership card to Dwight Kjartanson.