Winnipeg Model Railroad Club mourns passing of long time member Louis Lenz

Louis Lenz, one of the WMRC’s longest serving members, passed away at the age of 91 on August 13.

Lou was one of five other club members who, along with Charlie Scott, Bill Morrison, Tommy Kucera and current WMRC President John Bate, were professors at the University of Manitoba. Lou spent his 31 year career at the U of M in the Department of Plant Science, working in the area of Landscape Horticulture before retiring in 1995.

Lou was presented with an Honorary Life Membership in the Canadian Society for Horticultural Science in 2000. In retirement he continued to be active in horticulture and model railroading.

Lou was a quiet, gentle soul best known around the club as Felix Lesiuk’s rail fanning companion during his many excursions in western Manitoba. He continued rail fanning with Felix long after he moved to an assisted living residence. 

As per Lou’s wishes, a cremation has take place with is ashes to be scattered, and no formal service will be held.

 

Bryan MacNeil wins two awards at WMRC annual model contest

                       Bryan MacNeil won two awards for this CAD model of a fertilizer plant.

Bryan MacNeil, one of our newest members, won two major awards for the same model at the WMRC’s annual model contest, held in April at the club’s spring open house. The awards were presented at the WMRC's AGM and banquet, which was held in May. 

His diorama of a BDO fertilizer won first place in the special event category, which was to build a scene on a picture frame.  He used computer aided design (CAD) to draw the plans, then scratch built it from styrene. Some of the elements were drawn in CAD and 3D resin printed. 

Bryan also won the Tyro award for the same model. This award is given to a member who has never won an award from the club before and has shown extraordinary modelling skills. Congratulations, Bryan! Keep up the good work and keep modelling! 

Cliff Davidson sweeps WMRC prototype photo contest awards

Cliff Davidson won two awards for his photo of a CN freight train in the Assiniboine Valley at the WMRC's annual photo contest.

Long time WMRC member Cliff Davidson walked away with five awards for four of his photos in the WMRC’s annual photo contest, held in April at the club’s spring open house. The award was presented to Cliff at the club’s annual banquet, held in May.

Cliff won best in show for his image titled “Along the Feather Canyon”. He won first prize in the prototype category for his image titled “CN in the Assiniboine Valley", second prize for his image titled “Reflections” and honorary mention for his image of the “Keddie Wye”, a popular rail fanning spot in northern California. He also won the people’s choice award for “CN in the Assiniboine Valley”.

Cliff is a seasoned rail fan photographer who frequently barnstorms all across North America and always brings home such unique and fantastic railroading images. We’re delighted to share them with our members and all of our readers from around the world.

Cliff won the best in show award for this image of a UP freight in the Feather River canyon.

 

Cliff won second prize for this image,  appropriately titled "reflections".

 

Cliff also won honorable mention for this image he took at the Keddie Wye.