Retired dispatcher Gordon Smith relives his days at the Delaware and Hudson Railway at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's September 17 meeting

Gordon Smith as a young man is pictured on a classic Delaware and Hudson Alco unit.

The second clinic of our September 17 meeting will be held by Gordon Smith, a retired dispatcher for the Delaware & Hudson and Canadian Pacific. Gordon is a prolific rail fan with a treasure trove of material. His presentation will cover the D&H railroad operations over all four Subdivisions including some trackage rights shots, in the time period from 1969 until he was transferred to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1993 when CP consolidated the D&H train dispatchers with those of the SOO Line.

The meeting starts at 7:30 PM in the Tank Room at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard on September 17. Capacity at the Tank Room at the Legion is limited to 50 persons. The Legion requires all visitors to the building to show proof of full vaccination before entry. As of this writing, the province has mandated that masks will be required in all indoor public places. If you wish to attend this meeting via Zoom, please contact us at wmrc.trainclub@gmail.com for a link. Not a member? Not a problem! Guests are always warmly welcomed.
 

The Aerotrain rides again on Norm Leathers layout at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's spring layout hop

   Long time WMRC member Norm Leathers graciously opened his home to club members and shared his passion for everything about the Pennsylvania Railroad at this spring's layout hop. Norm has a wonderful layout which also winds its way through a tunnel to the adjoining rec room. It's always fun to watch the trains go by in the next room!

   Norm also got out his model of the Pennsylvania railroad's Aerotrain and ran it around his layout. The Aerotrain was the railroad's gallant but mistaken attempt to get more people to ride the train again in the late 1950's when passenger traffic was waning. The car-like engine resembled a 1958 Oldsmobile, and the passenger cars were made from shells of inner city buses. The lightweight passenger shells were its downfall, as they made for a very uncomfortable ride.

   However, it looked very cool, and has been a favorite of Pennsylvania model railroaders and rail fans alike - as long as they didn't have to ride in one! An Aerotrain engine is on display at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Norm visited the museum and had a picture of himself taken beside the Aerotrain. Now that's a real rail fan!

Another shot of the Aerotrain as it zips through the Pennsylvania countryside on Norm's layout.

Norm Leathers, standing at the far right,  discusses the construction and design of his layout with Glenn Klassen as a conventional steam engine rounds a sweeping curve.