Learn all about the Prairie Dog Central's No. 3 locomotive and Manitoba T-Track at the WMRC's March meeting

We have two great presentations on tap for our March meeting. Luca Maytas will give us a brief history of the Vintage Locomotive Society’s Prairie Dog Central number 3 locomotive. He’ll give a brief explanation on how it works so everyone can have a basic understanding of steam locomotive components. Then he’ll show how they removed and replaced the boiler tubes after it was taken out of service in 2023, which took almost two years to complete. He’ll also show all the work they’ve done over the last few months to return it to its early 1900's appearance.

Then Eric Dawson will make a presentation about Manitoba T-Track, the province’s newest and most innovative modular group. T-Track N scale modules are small enough to fit in a briefcase and are often assembled together on banquet tables. They’ve displayed at the Manitoba Train and Hobby Expo, the Portage Model Railroad Club’s spring and Christmas open houses and the WMRC’s spring open house. 

The fun starts on Friday, March 13 at 7:30 in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Robin Boulevard.  The canteen will be open, and we’ll have our usual model and photo display, plus our 50-50 draw. Guests are always warmly welcomed. 

 

 

Portage Model Railroad Club to hold holiday train day

The Portage Model Railroad club is holding a holiday train day on Saturday, December 13. The club, located in the historic renovated CPR station, is open to the public just a few days each year, so don't miss out on this opportunity to visit them! 

They have several spectacular layouts, and they're right next to the CPKC mainline, so there's opportunities abound to see lots of model and prototype trains! They're open from 10 AM to 3PM on Saturday, December 13 at the CPR station, 3rd. street northeast in Portage La Prairie. Admission is just five bucks, and kids under 12 get in for free.

Images from the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's visit to the Portage Model Railroad Club

WMRC program director Ian Plett took these photos of the Portage Model Railroad Club during our October 14 meeting, which was held at the CP station in Portage la Prairie. Everyone had a great time visiting the club and viewing their layouts, which included large HO and O gauge layouts and an O gauge shelf layout running around the perimeter of the room!

Come to Portage La Prairie to Railway Days this weekend

Forget about Paris, or Rome, London, Athens, Winnipeg or Brandon. Portage La Prairie is the place to be this weekend! First and foremost, there's the annual Railway Days celebration, held by the Portage Model Railroad Club at the CP station, located at 251 3rd. street in Portage.

Their annual Train Day & Open House will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2019, from 10am to 4pm. They will have layouts with various sized trains operating throughout the day, tours and restoration details of the historic station building, a fundraising BBQ from 11am to 2pm, and a 50/50 raffle prize draw at 4pm. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

While you're in Portage, check out the Portage Ex at Island Park! There' will be 4-H achievements, horse and cattle shows, familyentertainment, a petting zoo, midway rides, games of chance, displays of various nature, as well as food prepared by local non profit organizations.

Portage Model Railroad Club hosts Train Days on June 16

Portage Heritage Inc. & Portage Model Railroad Club will host the 2018 Train Day & Open House at the CP Station in Portage la Prairie on June 16th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. There will be model train displays, souvenir & railway items for sale, and BBQ burgers & hotdogs available for lunch from 11am to 2pm.

There will also be a raffle to wina  ride in the caboose at the Prairie Dog Central Railway! Raffle tickets are $2.00 each. All proceeds from the event go toward the finishing touches of the station renovations. Admission is free!