Thursday, December 31, 2015

The Holiday Express Ride-On Train will be open every weekend in January


We are pleased to announce that our good friends who run Winnipeg's Holiday Express Ride-On Train have announced that they will remain open in January! They will be open January 1, 2 and 3 from 10am to 6pm and every weekend in January from 10am - 6pm. You can find them at 3059 Ness Avenue (that's where the old Safeway used to be). Rides are $5.00 each, or $4.00 if you bring a tin for the bin.

On Feb 1st, they will re-open as Trains n' Treasures, and the theme for February will be pirates! We'll keep you posted on this exciting venture when more news comes our way throughout the month!

Friday, December 25, 2015

Ride the Assiniboine Valley Railway again this Boxing Day Weekend

Boy, everyone sure loves the Assiniboine Valley Railway at Christmas time! We got over 4,500 likes on the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's Facebook page from just one post on December 16! The AVR will be running again tomorrow on Boxing Day and on Sunday, December 27, and they'll be running on January 2 & 3, weather permitting. Hours are from 1:00 to 4:00, and a ride is only two bucks! A 12 ride pass is a bargain at just $20, and it's good for any AVR Public Event! Children two years of age and under ride for free. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. They're located at 3001 Roblin Boulevard, just west of Assiniboine Park.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

A Winnipeg Model Railroad Club Christmas Story

This story was originally posted on December 23, 2013, when the WMRC blog was just staring up. It is being reposted in its entirety on the same day it was first posted two years ago.
 
By Paul Ullrich, WMRC Blog Editor
  A homeless man visited our meeting on a chilly December night in 2006. He came into the church right after I did. He was a slender man in his early thirties, with dark brown shoulder length hair and a full beard. He wasn't wearing a winter coat, but was dressed in over a half dozen sweaters and scarves. I watched him as he took most of them off and put them in a neat pile on the floor, leaving on two sweaters.  One of those sweaters almost came down to his knees.

 It was -20 outside. He obviously came in to warm himself up, and I certainly wasn't going to deny him that. I asked him to take off his shoes, as the church wanted to keep the wooden gym floor from being marred by wet winter boots. He nodded and smiled at me. He smiled as many homeless men do,  keeping his mouth closed to hide what few deteriorating teeth he had left.

He took off his shoes and followed me into the gym. As I was the one who let him in, I kept an eye on him in case there was any trouble. But as it turned out,  I didn't need to do that. He walked quietly around the gym, observing people setting up their displays and clinics.
  
As quiet as he was, you couldn't help but notice that he smelled bad. He reeked so badly that he parted groups of people like Moses parting the Red Sea whenever he came near. When he lifted his arm, it was enough make your eyes water.
   
He sat down right in front when the business meeting was called. He listened intently to the proceedings, paying more attention than most of the members. It was as if he was so starved for human contact that even something as boring as a club business meeting was somehow sustaining him.  
 
 After the business meeting, he had our usual break. That December was the first year that we had our annual Christmas hot dog dinner. A homeless man is most often a hungry man. There were people all around him eating hot dogs, and he didn't have a dime to his name to pay for one. Morgan Turney, our president at the time, took pity and brought a him a plate brimming with food.
 
 "Thanks, man!" He said, as he took the plate. Those were the only two words he spoke to anyone that night.
   
After the break, he walked about the gym, silently viewing the clinics and the displays with genuine interest. He sat down in front again for the evening presentation, never taking his eyes off the screen.  When the meeting was over, he went back to the church foyer, put his many layers of sweaters back on, and left without saying a word.
 
 As I was driving home, it suddenly hit me.
 
 A thin man, in his early thirties.
 
 Long, dark, shoulder length hair and a full beard.
   
In a church.
 
 I don't know why I didn't see it before, but at that moment I realized that he bore a remarkable resemblance to someone whose birthday we were about to celebrate on the 25th of December.
 
 Could it be?
 
 Nah.
  
But could it?
 
 I contacted Morgan the next day. He said that after the meeting, he drove around the neighbourhood looking for the man, but he was nowhere to be found. It was if he'd vanished into thin air!
 
 Westworth United Church, where held that meeting, is in a suburban area of Winnipeg far from downtown. It's not on any main road, and the area is seldom, if ever,  frequented the homeless.
  
Oh, boy.

The man who was pictured hanging on a cross in the very church we were in once said, "Whatever you did to the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

I hope we did all right by him.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Come ride on the Holiday Express this week!

If you rode on the Assiniboine Valley Railway last weekend and want some more rail action, you don't have to wait until the next weekend! Come ride on the Holiday Express ride-on train! It's an indoor train, and there's lots of trees and light to see! It operates from 4PM to 9PM on December 21, 22 and 23. They're closed December 24 and 25, but they'll be open on Boxing Day from noon to 9PM! You can find them at 3059 Ness Avenue. Rides are $5.00 each, or $4.00 if you bring a tin for the bin.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Take a ride on the Assiniboine Valley Railway this winter weekend

We are pleased to announce that the Assiniboine Valley Railway will be running trains again this December! Their Christmas light display is still down, but you can still enjoy a delightful afternoon ride in the winter wonderland of the AVR's expansive grounds. Now that there's fresh snow on the ground, the ride promises to be especially beautiful!

The AVR will be open for afternoon rides this weekend, December 19 & 20. They're also operating on Boxing Day (December 26) and December 27, and they will be running on January 2 & 3, weather permitting. Hours for all days are from 1:00 to 4:00. One ride is only two bucks! A 12 ride pass is a bargain at just $20, and it's good for any AVR public event! Children two years of age and under ride for free. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. They're located at 3001 Roblin Boulevard, just west of Assiniboine Park.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Everyone had a great time at the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club's annual Klinic Karnival

 Ian Plett shows how to install DCC in an Athearn locomotive. It's not as easy as it looks!

Six of Winnipeg's best model railroaders were on hand at the WMRC's meeting on December 11 to share their skills at the club's annual Klinic Karnival. Ian Plett demonstrated how to install DCC in an Athearn locomotive. WMRC Program Director Morgan Turney showed how to make realistic trees out of common plants and weeds.

Ron Einarson showed off his exceptional talents of modelling with wood, Aaron Woloshyn held a clinic on making hydro poles, and Richard Mikolayenko showed how to scratchbuild styrene models using photo references. Virginia Braun held a clinic on building station kits. She gave some great modelling hints on how to model realistic looking stucco using Elmer's Glue, toilet paper, and an egg beater!

And it was hot dog night! Every December, the club holds their "Christmas banquet" of hot dogs, chips and pop at their monthly meeting. Much thanks to our canteen staff - Jean and Godfrey South, and their children, Frances and Tommy, for cooking and serving up such a great meal!

 Richard Mikolayenko shows the photo references he uses for modelling structures.
 Aaron Woloshyn uses a few basic tools to make realistic hydro poles.
 Virginia Braun has a truly remarkable talent for building miniature structures!
With just a pinch of this, a dash of that, Morgan Turney has made another great looking tree!

Wednesday, December 09, 2015

Winnipeg Model Railroad Club holds annual Klinic Karnival

December is Klinic Karnival Month at the WMRC! Come on down to the Charleswood Legion on December 11 and learn from other members how to improve your model railroading skills. We'll have several table clinics set up and you can visit each one at your leisure and learn how they 'do their thing'.

Program director Morgan Turney has arranged for several clinic presentations. Ron Einarson will be modelling with wood, Aaron Woloshyn will be making hydro poles, Ian Plett will show you how to install DCC on Athearn 'blue box' locomotives. Morgan will also pitch in, and he'll be holding two clinics! The first will be a clinic on making trees from common plants and weeds, and the second will be on how to put an Athearn blue box kit together.

And don't forget that......

We're having our Annual 'Christmas Dinner'. Enjoy a delicious hot dog prepared by the South Family canteen crew. And please bring a non-perishable food item for the Christmas Cheer Board. The fun starts at 7:30PM at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Boulevard. There's plenty of free parking, and visitors are always warmly welcomed! See you at the meeting!

Monday, December 07, 2015

Creators of Hamburg's Miniatur Wunderland salute the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club

Thanks to WMRC Vice President Dave Downie, the club got a big "thumbs up" from the creators of Hamburg's Miniatur Wunderland. Yes, those are indeed Frederik and Gerrit Braun, wearing the club's 60th anniversary shirts, which were designed by WMRC blog editor Paul Ullrich. Dave Downie was in Hamburg recently, and when he visited Miniatur Wunderland, he brought the anniversary t-shirts with him!

"I took to Hamburg the shirts, hats and a letter that WMRC President Larry Leavens and I both signed." Said Dave.  "In the letter we introduced the WMRC and indicated that we were celebrating our 60th birthday. I said that the shirts and hats were a token of appreciation from the WMRC to Wunderland. It was suggested in the letter that we'd appreciate a picture of the Braun brothers suitably attired. We also mentioned the blog in the letter because I really feel that it gives us instant credibility."

"When I arrived, I asked if either of the brothers was available but was told that neither was expected in the building that day. Other senior management was not available. There was another event going on outside of the building. The person that I talked to saw the items and I had him read the letter. He assured me that he'd give the package to the Brauns the next day."

On December 1, Dave recieved this email message from Frederik Braun:

"Hello from Hamburg and thanks for your kind letter. Sorry for the late reply! Congratulations to the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club for the 60th anniversary! Please find the photo of Gerrit and me!"



Thursday, December 03, 2015

Gooch's to hold open house this weekend

If there's any such thing as a Winnipeg tradition, then Gooch's Bicycle and Hobby Shop certainly fits the bill! They've been in business since 1927 and has had four generations of the Gooch family running the store.

Veteran model railroaders have seen their shop move from Portage Avenue to Sherbrook Street and back to Portage Avenue again. Their present location is at 1046 Portage Avenue, by Garfield Street. They're now located in what used to be a video store - now there's a business trend that's come and gone! But the demand for bicycles and hobbies supplies goes on and on!

 On December 5th and 6th they're holding their 15th annual open house. There will be lots of displays by local modellers from various hobby groups across the city, including our own Ron Einarson.

Hours are from 10:00 to 5:00 on Saturday, and from 12:00 to 4:00 on Sunday. Call 204-956-6571 for more details or email gooch@mymts.net.

Our own Ron Einarson will be sharing his award-winning modelling expertise all this weekend at Gooch's annual open house.



Tuesday, December 01, 2015

Portage la Prairie's Fort la Reine museum holds a Dicken's Christmas

 

Portage la Prairie's Fort la Reine museum, home of the Van Horne inspection car, is holding a "Dickens Christmas". Come together with friends and family and be transported back to the time of Charles Dickens as your favorite characters from "A Christmas Carol" come alive in their holiday village. Take a horse drawn sleigh ride and make a holiday craft in their old-time general store! A caroling quartet and hand bell troupe will also bring on some festive cheer! There will also be a very merry meet and greet with Father Christmas and his forest friends in the fort. 

Rail fans will definitely want to check out the famous Van Horne inspection car at the museum, and perhaps take a few photos of the rail action over at Portage's rail yards, where the CN and CP mainlines get within a few hundred feet of each other!

Adult admission is $10. Children four years and up get in for $8, and kids under four get in for free. 60+ admission is $8. A family ticket (Two adults, three kids) cost only $25. But hurry and order your ticket on-line at their website, as ticket sales end on Friday, December 4!

The fun starts on Saturday, December 5 at 11am and continues onto 4pm. The museum is located close to the intersection of highway 1 and 1a, just east of Portage la Prairie. It's worth the trip!
EXPERIENCE THE WARMTH OF AN OLD-TIME HOLIDAY DECEMBER 5TH.
A Classic Christmas at Fort la Reine
Come together with friends and family and be transported back to the time of Charles Dickens as your favourite characters from "A Christmas Carol" come alive in our holiday village. Take a Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride, and make a holiday craft in our old-General store! Feel your toes tap and your heart sing as we've invited a Carolling Quartet and Handbell Troupe to bring on their festive cheer! This is the Fort la Reine Museum's Premiere Christmas event!! To complete this magical holiday experience, "A Very Merry Meet 'n' Greet with Father Christmas & his Forest Friends in the Fort".
Saturday December 5th,  11AM - 4PM  Fort la Reine Museum, Hwy 1 & 1A, East of Portage la Prairie, MB.
- See more at: http://www.fortlareinemuseum.ca/events/upcoming.php#sthash.uHCrVkCm.dpuf
EXPERIENCE THE WARMTH OF AN OLD-TIME HOLIDAY DECEMBER 5TH.
A Classic Christmas at Fort la Reine
Come together with friends and family and be transported back to the time of Charles Dickens as your favourite characters from "A Christmas Carol" come alive in our holiday village. Take a Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride, and make a holiday craft in our old-General store! Feel your toes tap and your heart sing as we've invited a Carolling Quartet and Handbell Troupe to bring on their festive cheer! This is the Fort la Reine Museum's Premiere Christmas event!! To complete this magical holiday experience, "A Very Merry Meet 'n' Greet with Father Christmas & his Forest Friends in the Fort".
Saturday December 5th,  11AM - 4PM  Fort la Reine Museum, Hwy 1 & 1A, East of Portage la Prairie, MB.
- See more at: http://www.fortlareinemuseum.ca/events/upcoming.php#sthash.uHCrVkCm.dpuf
EXPERIENCE THE WARMTH OF AN OLD-TIME HOLIDAY DECEMBER 5TH.
A Classic Christmas at Fort la Reine
Come together with friends and family and be transported back to the time of Charles Dickens as your favourite characters from "A Christmas Carol" come alive in our holiday village. Take a Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride, and make a holiday craft in our old-General store! Feel your toes tap and your heart sing as we've invited a Carolling Quartet and Handbell Troupe to bring on their festive cheer! This is the Fort la Reine Museum's Premiere Christmas event!! To complete this magical holiday experience, "A Very Merry Meet 'n' Greet with Father Christmas & his Forest Friends in the Fort".
Saturday December 5th,  11AM - 4PM  Fort la Reine Museum, Hwy 1 & 1A, East of Portage la Prairie, MB.
- See more at: http://www.fortlareinemuseum.ca/events/upcoming.php#sthash.uHCrVkCm.dpuf