Installing powered frogs by Neil Carleton

 This article, written by Neil Carleton,  was originally published in The Lantern, the official publication of the WMRC. This is the first of many articles originally published in The Lantern that will be posted on this site.

Exclusive never before seen images of crane operations at train wrecks at WMRC's November meeting presentation

When WMRC social media director Paul Ullrich was given a photo album from a widow of a Pettibone crane operator for CP, he knew that it would make a fascinating presentation. The album contains never seen before photos of salvage work of numerous train wrecks, plus the crane operations of moving CP unit 29, which was damaged by fire, restored and now displayed at CPKC headquarters in Calgary. 

The fun starts at 7:30PM on Friday, November 14 at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Robin Boulevard. We will also have our monthly model and photo display. The canteen will be open, and we will have our monthly 50-50 draw. Guests are always warmly welcome!

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.