It was worth the trip to visit Larry Skoglund's layout near Morris, Manitoba

Long time WMRC members Gary Stempnick and Marcel Blair watch the Arduino controlled drawbridge rise on Larry Skoglund's layout, located on a farm outside of Morris Manitoba.

For the first time in two years, the WMRC held their monthly meeting outside of Winnipeg. On October 18 they went to a farm outside of Morris, Manitoba to visit Larry Skoglund's spectacular HO layout. Larry's layout was in a large outbuilding attached to his barn, and it was packed with magnificent scenery and many Arduino controlled features. 

Buttons were placed along the layout which controlled the drawbridge, lighting and sound effects, which included thunder and lightning coming from a menacing cloud over a town. The layout also sported an alpine ski resort, complete with a downhill run and an operating ski lift. 

The drawbridge traversed a model of a harbour which featured boats that ran on HO tracks. A magnetic controlled bus rolled down a highway and stopped automatically when the drawbridge was open.

Sadly, this would be the last time this layout was to be displayed, for Larry had just sold his farm and now has to dismantle his layout. It was well worth the trip to go and see it!

Larry's layout features an alpine ski resort with a downhill run and an operating ski lift.

A huge thundercloud threatens this prairie railroad town. Press a button below the layout and you can hear the thunder and see the lightning!

Larry's layout featured a system of tracks recessed under his harbour where boats equipped with HO motors and wheels could sail around it.

Also featured was a hydro dam with lighting and sound effects made to simulate rushing water.

There was also plenty of rail action to see on Larry's layout. Note the use of photographic backdrops which blended seamlessly on his layout.

WMRC to meet in Morris, Manitoba for their October 2025 meeting

We usually meet on the second Friday of the month, but we've changed the date and the location of October's meeting. On Saturday, October 18 we'll be meeting in Morris, Manitoba to view Larry Skoglund's barn layout. There will also be a clinic on the ways you can use arduinos in your model railroad as on Larry's layout.

The meeting starts 1:00 PM. Most members will be meeting at the Santa Lucia restaurant at 111 Main Street in Morris at 11:00 AM for lunch before going to Larry's. Please bring a folding chair instead of a lawn chair due to limited space. We have a few folding chairs if you don't have one. There are no washroom facilities or refreshments available in Larry's barn. Please do not arrive earlier than 12:30 PM at Larry's place.

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.