Come one, come all to the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club’s clinic carnival and Christmas hot dog banquet!

It’s clinic carnival time! We’re going to have four great presentations plus our annual Christmas hot dog banquet. See Winnipeg’s greatest model railroaders share their skills while you feast on hot dogs, chips, drinks and coffee.

John Bate will demonstrate how to build a turnout using the Fast Tracks Templates and using servos to control turnouts. Richard Mikolayenko will show how to super detail model figures. Neil Carlton will conduct a clinic on installing a Keep Alive decoder in passenger cars. There will also be a demonstration on using using car cards for switching using a John Allen time saver layout.

As a special treat, we’re going to air fry the hot dogs! Dig through your drawers and find your favourite ugly Christmas sweater to wear to the meeting! Don’t forget to bring a tin for the bin!

So come on down to the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard on Friday, December 16th at 7:00 PM. Guests are always warmly welcomed. There are no more COVID - related restrictions at the Legion. The room will be open by 6:00pm, so feel free to arrive early to chat and help set up the room.
 

Portage La Prairie Model Railroad Club to hold open house on December 17

Our good friends at the Portage La Prairie Model Railroad Club are holding an open house on Saturday, December 17. They hold their open houses just twice a year, so don’t miss this one!

They’re the only model railroad club in the province that operates out of a genuine CP rail station, lovingly restored by the club. They have a great HO modular layout and an O gauge layout.

There will be door prizes, music, hot drinks and snacks. They’ll also have gift items for sale, right in time for Christmas! Come and join in on the fun at the CP rail station at 251 3rd street NE in Portage La Prairie. They’ll be open from 10AM to 3PM on Saturday, December 17. Admission is only five bucks. Kids under 12 get in for free. It’s worth the trip to Portage! 
 

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club mourns the passing of MMR Ron Einarson

Ron Einarson is seen receiving his Master Model Railroader certification from fellow MMR Moe Smith at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's annual general meeting and banquet in 2017.

Ron Einarson MMR died suddenly on November 18, 2022 at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg after contacting Covid and undergoing hip surgery.

Ron was born in Winnipeg on September 25, 1949. He attended Grant Park High School and graduated Grade 12 from United College. He worked 43 years for the Federal Government in Winnipeg. 

Ron was a member of the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club since 1983, and was a member of the NMRA for almost as long. He also served as superintendent of the No.1 Northern Division and as the President of NMRA Canada. He served on the board of the WMRC as recording secretary. Ron achieved a a lifelong dream when he was designated Master Model Railroader (MMR) #593 in 2017.

Before the reorganization of the #1 Northern Division in 2008, he was the President, chief cook and bottle washer and tub thumper for the NMRA. Ron single-handedly kept the NMRA alive in Manitoba when no one else wanted the job. Every month he set up the NMRA display at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's meetings and held clinics. One of his popular features was the "tool of the month”. 

Ron was the heart and soul of the WMRC and the No.1 Northern Division. He was front and centre at every WMRC open house and TLR regional convention held in Winnipeg, giving his time and talents to help make them a success. Ron organized the layout hop for the 2010 TLR convention held in Winnipeg.

Ron's love of life and enthusiasm for the hobby was truly infectious. He was a blood donor with  over 50 donations. He was a tireless volunteer, a highly skilled model railroader and a great friend.

Ron had been suffering from dementia for several years and was unable to attend meetings of the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club. He had been residing at the West Park Manor Personal Care Home shortly before his death.

He is survived by his wife Yvonne of 49 years, son Neal and daughter Louise, his grandchildren Amber, Eddie, Zoe and Link, his brother John, his sister-in-law Marilyn and numerous nieces and nephews. Ron was predeceased by his parents Helen and John Einarson, in-laws Elsie and Eddie Attwater, Grandmother Olivia Einarson, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.