Note: Events are in reverse order so that you always see the latest at the top. This means that you don’t have to scroll down, unless you want to check out other events that happened.
November 16, 2019: Modelling the Little Stuff (Evening) – Afternoon Layout Tour
Members of the WOD met at the Komoka Railway Museum. The curator of the museum had a vast knowledge of the railway and an entertaining way of presenting it. The tour started in the station and continued in to the workshop. The tour was enjoyed by all.
Museum Host welcoming WOD 
Pat Rivard and Gary Shurgold at Registration Desk 
Host explaining exhibit
Two HO scale home layouts were available for visiting. The two layouts were well detailed but vastly different.
The first by Dick Walker was an around-the-room depiction of the Woodstock branch. The rolling hills and the disappearing / reappearing left the feeling that you were watching a real train from the 1950’s. To add to this feeling, the layout included N scale and Z scale models to give the impression of long distance.
Dick Walker – Hay Field 
Dick Walker – Modeling new / torn-up track or actually preparing for new section? 
Dick Walker – Lots of action 
Dick Walker – Forced Perpective
The second layout by George Dutka was super detailed. It provided a teaser for the clinic that was to follow in how the little details, pallets, fences, signs, etc. add to the scenes and bring them to life.
George Dutka – Detailed Farm Scene 
George Dutka – Detailed Garage Scene 
George Dutka – Details – Preview of Clinic 
George Dutka – Detailed Trackside Office / Workshop 
George Dutka – Details make the Scene; roof, windows, people, apple trees 
George Dutka – Fellow Visiting Deceased Family 
George Dutka – Details – Preview of Clinic 
George Dutka – Details – Preview of Clinic 
George Dutka – Details – Preview of Clinic
The evening was spent in the clinic as presented by George Dutka. He provided various packages on scene making materials, such as pallets, fences, boxes, etc. He presented how he made and weathered them (if appropriate) and then invited the participants to try with their materials. He also walked around to provide encouragement and help as needed. See some of the participants hard at work in the following gallery.
Ken Hutnik working on kit 
Steve Juranics & Pat Rivard working on their kits 
Tools of the trade – Gary Shurgold 
Ken Hutnik weathering kit 
Sample from Clinic
November 3, 2019:- Kitchener Train Show
The Western Ontario Division (WOD) of the NMRA participates in train shows within the division area to provide opportunity for attendees to ask questions related to modelling, whether it be inquiry regarding scale or modelling challenges or any other topic. We also have a small layout for children to operate to switch cars and make trains. Following are some pictures from the latest show in Kitchener Ontario.
Gord McIntyre working on his model. 
Kit in process 
Modeller’s Corner
October 20, 2019:- Woodstock Train Show
The Western Ontario Division (WOD) of the NMRA participated at the Woodstock train show by setting up and manning Modeller’s Corner. Following are some pictures from the latest show in Woodstock Ontario.
Modeller’s Corner 
Murray Symington with Switching Layout 
Modeller’s working on projects 
Sylvan Truck Kit – Completed by Mike Walker 
Modeller’s working on projects 
Pat Rivard studying kit instructions
September 28, 2019:– 3 Clinics in One – The Magic of Rust, Hands-on – NMRA AP Program – Rolling Stock Kit-Bashes
- Location: Ingersoll
- Presenters:
- George Dutka, Peter Mumby: Converting “Train-Show Finds” into “Detailed Rolling Stock”
- Gary Shurgold: “A/P Certificate Program”
- George Dutka, Don James: Hands-On Clinic “Rust Roofs and Rolling Stock”
On September 28, 2019 WOD-NMRA held its first Clinic of the fall season at the Ingersoll Senior Centre. WOD’s new Program Director, George Dutka, put together a three-hour, three-part program. Twenty-one members and three non-members attended.
George and Peter Mumby provided a 45-minute slide show which summarized how they converted a series of rolling stock shells purchased inexpensively at area train shows into nicely detailed and weathered cars for their layouts. Good photos and concise descriptions of the parts they used, as well as the source of photos for the prototypes, demonstrated a low cost way to round out the rosters and scenes on any layout.
Closet Find – Before 
Closet Find Before 
Closet Find – After 
Slide – Peter Mumby at Dest 
Slide – Before / After 
Slide Before / After
Gary Shurgold, MMR, provided an overview of the NMRA’s Achievement Program. He answered lots of questions from the attendees about the process, and the program’s challenges and benefits. He also provided tips for working through the process and words of encouragement. Gary felt there were several people present who could achieve the Master Model Railroader designation attained by completing any seven of the 11 certificates.
MMR Gary Shurgold presenting and explaining AP Certificate Program 
MMR Gary Shurgold presenting and explaining AP Certificate Program
Don Janes and George Dutka closed the morning off by conducting a hands-on session on how to rust roofs and rolling stock. The attendees divided into two more intimate groups. Don and George demonstrated the techniques and materials they use. Attendees then practiced either on their own rolling stock and buildings, or the provided pieces of roofing. Paints and pastels were provided.
Don Janes providing suggestions. 
Clinic in Action – Don Janes helping some on near table. George Dutka helping on the far table. 
Don Janes provides suggestions to attendee. 
George Dutka helping attendee. 
Attendees focused on task at hand 
Attendee in action. 
Attendee in Action 
Attendee applying rust to O-scale hopper. 
MMR Ed Hayden applying various levels of rust to 3 hoppers. 
Three hoppers, each weathered to different levels. 
Working and Socializing 
Before and After
The Display Table of member modelling was also one of the best in the past 18 months, with examples of rolling stock, weather locomotives, vehicles and structures.
Display table – Fine modelling skills on display. 
Jordan Spreader by MMR Ed Hayden 
NEC locomotive by John Wagner 
Ken Hutnik displayed this model of a Police van to demonstrate how he used an Arduino (micro circuitry) and surface LEDs to create animation scene with flashing lights. 
Accurail Wood Reefer customized by MMR Ed Hayden using Cal-Scale and Roundhouse parts. 
Display table – Fine modelling skills on display.
By the 12 o’ clock close, one of the visitor attendees signed up as our newest WOD member.
All in all, it was a program featuring great variety, and wonderful opportunities to learn some new modelling techniques. Two breaks gave the attendees lots of opportunity to socialize as well. Great job, George!
Saturday June 1, 2019: WOD Clinic and AGM
The Western Ontario Division (WOD) of the NMRA 
held their final clinic of the season, followed by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Ingersoll, Ontario. Kits were pre-ordered from Osborn Model Kits 
at a group discount and brought to the clinic by Superintendent John Wagner. MMR Gary Shurgold provided suggestions and considerations while those in attendance build their various kits.
Following the clinic and time of fellowship over coffee and deserts, the Annual General Meeting was held, led by Superintendent John Wagner. Minutes were taken by Secretary Paul Hurly.
Superintendent John Wagner and Clinic Instructor MMR Gary Shurgold. 
Gord McIntyre working on his kit. 
Wayne Wessner working on his kit. 
Gord McIntyre, Mike Walker, Wayne Wessner, Murray Symington & Steve Wright working on their kit
Saturday April 13, 2019 – WOD Meet – Make & Take
The Western Ontario Division (WOD) of the NMRA held a Make-and-Take Clinic at The Salvation Army in Chatham Ontario. Pat Rivard provided examples of trees in nature and then from his layout. He then provided hands-on instructions on how to make realistic trees. All in attendance enjoyed the clinic and the time of fellowship.
Clinic in session. Pat Rivard providing instruction and examples. 
Clinic in session. Pat Rivard providing instruction and examples. 
Clinic in session – Attendees hard at work 
Peter Mumby, John Wagner and Murray Symington making trees 
John Wagner and Murray Symington making trees 
Ed Haydon, Casey Casier and Steve Wright building trees 
Casey Casier and Steve Wright building trees
Sunday March 31 2019 – Woodstock Train Show – WOD Booth
The Western Ontario Division (WOD) of the NMRA had a booth at the Woodstock Train show. The N Scale switching layout was available for children to run and try to make up a train.
Murray Symington coaching a youth on building a train. 
Modeler’s Corner – Gord McIntyre working on HO scale box car. 
Modeler’s Corner – Pat Rivard working on O Scale flat car. 
Modeler’s Corner – Flatcar built by Pat Rivard
Sunday, March 17 2019 – Kitchener Train Show – WOD Booth
The Western Ontario Division of the NMRA manned a booth at the Kitchener Train Show. The booth had both a working switching layout in N scale for anyone to try. Members of the WOD also manned the Modeller’s Table to answer questions while they worked on various projects.
The following pictures of the event are courtesy of George Dutka
Modellers Corner – Roger Chrysler 
Modellers Corner – Gord McIntyre 
Switching Layout – From right: Paul Hurly, John Wagner, friend of Paul’s 
Mike Walker with the Switching Layout 
Modeller’s Corner Activity – From Left: Peter Wright (St. Jacobs-Aberfoyle RR), Peter Mumby, Roger Chrysler, Gord McIntyre 
Modellers Corner – Pete Mumby
Additional Pictures from Peter Mumby
Switching Layout Action – Mike Walker and John Wagner coaching 
Modellers Corner – Peter Mumby and Roger Chrysler 
Switching Layout Action – Mike Walker and John Wagner coaching
Saturday March 9, 2019: WOD Meet – Clinic & Kit Buster
Location: Ingersoll Seniors Centre, Ingersoll, ON
George Dutka presented a clinic entitled “Products I Use That Make Modeling Easier“. The additional session called “Kit Buster” was available but no one brought anything to work on. We will continue to provide this in future clinics. We had four door prizes. A display table was provided to show the attendee’s work (completed or in progress). Following the clinic, two model railroad layouts, one in Ingersoll and one in Woodstock were open for viewing.
Mike Walker talking about Modeller’s Corner at Trainfest in Milwaukee. — Photo by George Dutka 
George Dutka Demonstrating Effect — Photo by Pete Mumby 
George Dutka Presenting Clinic — Photo by Pete Mumby 
George Dutka Presenting Clinic — Photo by Pete Mumby 
Gondolas built and weathered by John Wagner. — Photo by George Dutka 
Diorama by ?? — Photo by George Dutka 
Models by George Dutka and Peter Mumby — Photo by George Dutka 
— Photo by George Dutka 
Wayne Wessner Diarama — Photo by George Dutka
Sunday January 20, 2019: Paris Train Show
The Western Ontario Division of NMRA hosted the Paris Train show in Paris ON. The WOD put on a Modellers Corner, which allowed attendees to see what was going on and to ask questions. Also the WOD set up the N scale switching layout and encouraged kids to ‘run the train’. Weather was cold but roads were clear. A number of vendors set up booths as well as model railroad clubs set up layouts and other volunteer organizations set up information booths. Following are some pictures from the show, courtesy of George Dutka.
Modellers Corner – Gord McIntyre working on HO Scale boxcar. 
Modellers Corner – Steve Wright working on N Scale structure. 
Modellers Corner – Pat Rivard working on O Scale flatcar. 
James Platt and Mike Walker manning registration desk 
Roger Chrysler at Grand River Car Shops 
Vendor 
Southern Ontario Free-Mo Association 
Southern Ontario Free-Mo Association 
LifeSaver Booth L: ?? R: John Kanakos 
Vendor
Sunday January 6, 2019: WOD Booth, Woodstock Train Show
The Western Ontario Division of the NMRA manned a booth at the Woodstock Train Show. The booth had both a working switching layout in N scale for anyone to try. Members of the WOD also manned the Modeller’s Table to answer questions while they worked on various projects. The following pictures of the event are courtesy of George Dutka.
Modeller’s Corner-Roger Chrysler, Gord McIntyre 
Modeller’s Corner-Gary Shurgold, Roger Chrysler 
Modeller’s Corner: Pat Ricard, Gary Shurgold, Roger Chrysler
Modeller’s Corner: Pat Ricard, Gary Shurgold, Roger Chrysler 
NMRA Switching Layout-Mike Walker, John Wagner, Murray Symington