NMRA membership is included with membership to the WMRC

Our next meeting is on Friday, September 11, and we'd like to encourage all our viewers to join the WMRC. When you join, membership in the National Model Railroad Association, the world's largest model railroad club, is also included. 

Membership costs $50. The WMRC subsidizes membership in the NMRA. If you joined the NMRA separately, it would cost you $50, so you're getting a free membership! You can join the club any time of the year, but our membership registration is from September to September, so it's advantageous to join in September. 

Joining two clubs gives you the benefit of the fellowship and camaraderie of a local group of model railroaders, plus all of the perks of the NMRA, including the NMRA magazine, available insurance for your trains, an opportunity to achieve Master Model Railroader status, and access to their many regional and national conventions. Come on down to the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard, on Friday, September 11 at 7:30 PM to join in on all of the fun. We'd love to have you as a member! 

Get free advice on model railroading from the clinics at the WMRC's 2026 open house

What makes the WMRC's annual train show open house special is that we have clinics! Some of Winnipeg's top model railroaders (including those who've achieved the NMRA's Master Model Railroader certification) will be on hand to share their knowledge with you. Ask any question you want. They're there to help you out! 

Come meet them at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Robin Boulevard, on Saturday, April 18 between 10 and 5, and on Sunday, April 19, between 10 and 4. Admission by donation. Proceeds go to St.Amant.

 

Ron Einarson recieves his Master Model Railroader award

Long time WMRC member Ron Einarson received his Master Model Railroader (MMR) plaque a couple of days ago from the NMRA, just in time to show it to all of our members at our November meeting.

Ron, who has been a WMRC member since 1983, is just one of 593 model railroaders in the entire history of the NMRA who has received this coveted award. He stated at the meeting that he never would've been able to have been awarded the honor without the continued support and guidance from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club. Way to go, Ron!

Ron Einarson goes for his Master Model Railroader certification

Long time WMRC member Ron Einarson has just completed his layout in preparation for qualifying for a Master Model Railroader certificate (MMR) from the NMRA. Ron has been a WMRC member since 1983, but Norm Leathers still refers to him as "that new fella".

Ron’s layout is unique due to the fact that the structures take priority over the railroad. His layout is a simple point to point design with a small freight yard, but the buildings are in the foreground, and the track is in the background. This is very appropriate for an extremely talented structure modeller such as Ron, and it also makes his layout all the more realistic. 

Let’s face it - At one time or another, we’ve all been guilty of showcasing a lot more railroad than structure and scenery on our layouts, which is not prototypically correct. But Ron has achieved a perfect balance between structure, scenery and railroads. 

Once all the paperwork has been filed, Ron will join the handful of model railroaders in the entire world who have achieved the vaunted status of Master Model Railroader. Congratulations, Ron!

Jock Oliphhant - Winnipeg's legendary model railroad pioneer

Jock Oliphant was truly a model railroading pioneer. His spectacular layout, showcased at Railway Jubilee, the 1983 NMRA national convention held in Winnipeg, was a jaw dropping sight for anyone who viewed it. Born and raised in Scotland, with an almost indecipherably thick brogue, Jock conveyed the sheer joy of model railroading that he felt to all he met. WMRC In an article in The Lantern, the official publication of the WMRC, Vice President Dave Downie shared his reminisces of Jocks' popular scenery clinics which he often held for the club. 

WMRC History - Jock Oliphant's Scenery Clinics

By Dave Downie

   Jock Oliphant was a long time WMRC member who was Canada's first Master Model Railroader. He was the first (and only) person to win “Best-In-Show” at three successive NMRA national conventions.

   Jock was famous (or infamous) for his annual scenery clinic where he would demonstrate all the steps to go from raw benchwork to elaborate scenery in 4 inch increments on a 4 foot long module.

   He would start with screen or balled up newspaper that would be used to support the scenery for one section. Next would come the plaster soaked paper towels followed by a layer of molding plaster and rock molds on an adjacent section that had been started a year earlier. A final section would get sprayed with paint and then get a coating of zip texturing before getting some trees and bushes. All of this would take 45 minutes and it was truly like watching a artist at work. Jock made it look so easy.

   Every year, Jock would invite new WMRC members to “sit up front so they could get a really good view”. WMRC veteran members would gladly move to the back knowing that at some point in his presentation, Jock would spray everyone with water. Everyone would have a good laugh and those who got sprayed earned their “Right of Passage” into the WMRC.

   In addition to his WMRC clinics, Jock did his scenery clinic at TLR regional conventions with the same results.

   Who says that model railroading cannot be fun?

   I'd like to add that many of Jock's award winning modules were saved when his layout was dismantled and have been donated to the WinnipegRailway Museum. It is hoped that they will be put on display shortly.