new design train model

   We've had an unusual amount of response when our last post about Chris Burden's model railroad sculpture was posted on the WMRC's Facebook page. But the best reply came from our own John Longhurst, who made a post on his own blog, the Manitoba and Minnesota Subdivision, about an Canadian visual artist named Kim Adams who also uses model railroading equipment in his art, which was displayed in the Art Gallery of Ontario.

    Whether you agree with his approach or not, he might be on to something, because he was awarded the Gershon Iskowitz prize of $50,000 for his efforts! You can buy a lot of ground foam for that kind of money!

    To see John's post on Kim Adams, click here.  To read more about Kim Adam's 2013 exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario, click here.

   One of our readers sent this image in of a massive sculpture with a model railroad theme, which was displayed at New York City's famed Museum of Modern Art. It's titled Medusa's Head, and it's the work of the sculptor Chris Burden, who passed away last May.

    We'll never know what prompted him to incorporate model railroad equipment into this sculpture. He was also fond of incorporating Meccano and Erector Set parts into his sculptures. Needless to say, it's not an operating layout. Perhaps a more suitable title would've been "Meltdown at the Gateway after the DCC went haywire".

    Our good friend Chuck Huard sent us this link to this amazing video of a freight train rumbling on the Napoleon, Defiance and Western Railroad (formerly the Maumee and Western Railroad), one of the many railroads owned and operated by Pioneer Railcorp. This railroad runs a short line from Liberty Center, Ohio to Woodburn, Indiana, and boy is it ever a bumpy ride! Check it out by clicking here.

    Most modellers wouldn't even dream of recreating a big city like Toronto on their layout, but it has been done! Our good friend Chuck Huard, a long time member of the WMRC and a past president, sent us this link that was originally shown on CTV News. This HO scale railroad has scale models of the CN tower, the Skydome, and everything else in between! It has to be seen to be believed! Check it out by clicking here.

Please note that the Prairie Dog Central's popular Father's Day excursion train has been sold out.

The Prairie Dog Central railway has many special events and excursions from May to October every year, and many of them sell out in advance. You can purchase tickets at the station before any scheduled ride, but it's always best to go to their website to buy advance tickets and to see if the train you wish to ride on is sold out.

For more information about the Prairie Dog Central, go to their website at: http://pdcrailway.com/

   What better way to celebrate Father's Day than a trip with dad on the Prairie Dog Central? Steam locomotive No. 3 will be operating on that day! Listen for it's unmistakable whistle, along with the conductor�s "all aboard", which indicates it�s time to be on our way.

    Enjoy the company of family and friends as you ride across the prairie. Tap your feet to the live on board Blue Grass music and immerse yourself in the presentation by our 1911 passenger agent. During the stopover at Grosse Isle, savor the goodies freshly prepared by the vendors, or just kick back and enjoy more Blue Grass tunes.

    Tickets are $28.00 for adults (14 years old and up), tickets for children (ages 2-13) are $21.95. Children two years old and under ride for free when seated on the knee. If you require a seat for a child two and under, please purchase a children's ticket.

    The train departs at 11:00 AM  at the Prairie Dog Central's Inkster Station, and returns at 2:45 PM.You can buy tickets two hours prior to departure at the station, but they might be sold out by then, so it's preferable to buy the tickets online on their website. Go to http://pdcrailway.com for more information.

    WMRC Program Director Morgan Turney took these images of Aaron Woloshyn laying some scenery at the gateway Western. He's using the modeller's best friend, the Topside Creeper, which is available from Micro-Mark. For a big layout like the Gateway, the Topside Creeper is an indispensable tool for getting into those hard to reach spots!

     Tuesday nights are now, still, and always will be Gateway nights. It's a great opportunity for fun, fellowship, and working on the railroad! The crew meets around 7:00 PM at the Winnipeg Railway Museum, located on the second level of the Via Rail station at 123 Main Street.

    Aaron Woloshyn is seen from the outside window of the Gateway, working on the landscaping.