September 18, 2022: WOD Sponsored Train Show
The WOD sponsored the train show in a new location, Breslau, ON. Rooms were set up for vendors to present deals in various scales modeled. Another room had modules with trains running. Historical societies also had information available. The WOD had the new version of a switching layout for kids of all ages to try.
General comments were that the WOD Train show was a success.
May 14, 2022: What I Modelled During Pandemic, WOD AGM
First portion of the online meeting was the latest version of “What I Modelled During the Pandemic“.
Second portion of the online meeting was the Annual General Meeting to outline where the WOD is today and steps for the future of the division.
Both segments were facilitated by Superintendent Paul Hurly.
April 9, 2022: WOD Meet & Greet / Yard Sale
Roughly 20 WOD members joined by members of the Chatham Model Railroad Club and a few ‘walk ons’ from the general public attended a pleasant two-hour Meet-Up at the Salvation Army Church gym in Chatham. The event allowed several members to show case their excellent modelling work. One display owner suggested the session had turned into a swap meet as people engaged in vigorous buying of each other’s surplus items.
Roughly a dozen items were awarded as door prizes. Our thanks to The Tree Guy (Wayne Wessner) for his generous contribution, as well as George Dutka.
Thank you as well to The Salvation Army for kindly allowing us to meet indoors on a blustery day, and to Steve Wright for coordinating everything for us.
The WOD Builders Clinic Series
Parts 1 and 2: Building a Line Side Tool Shed
Twelve modelers from the Western Ontario Division, joined by another 10 from the NFR International, Central and Saint Lawrence Divisions, participated in this new WOD series on Jan 8 and Feb 5, 2022. Zoom allowed members from far and wide to participate and ask questions.
What made this program different from past WOD clinics was:
- A focus on skill development by attendees, with tips, tricks and approaches shared
- A focus on completion
Skilled modeler, and the WOD’s Program Director, George Dutka, coordinated and led the program. Nick Masney, owner of ITLA models, provided a newly designed kit at a deep discount to make the program affordable. Pre-clinic handouts and videos provided a range of tips and tricks including the “wax paper” method of simulating peeling, weathered paint.
Modelers such as Pat Rivard and Normand Levant freely shared their creativity, approaches and missteps during Part 1 to help everyone learn.
Part 2 began with a PowerPoint slide show where participants presented their completed and in-progress photos. Three examples of their contributions are shown below.
A full presentation of modelers work on their sheds will be in the Spring 2022 issue of Model Railroading Inspirations, the WOD’s digital magazine.
