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This article was published 17/09/2021 (1467 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Manitoba model train hobbyists and families will soon be able to gather at Red River Exhibition Place for a weekend of fun after the engines had shut off for two years.
“It’s going to be great, a lot of people are looking forward to this event every year,” said Maurice Dorge, organizer of the Manitoba Mega Train event.
“It’s a family event now, it’s about guys buying and selling model trains and we have several train layouts coming. We have a giant Lego display, a train we give rides on, a model boat club, we bring as much hobby stuff as we can.”
Dorge, in his ninth year participating in the event, said there will be face painting, balloon artists and all kinds of activities for kids as the weekend is set to welcome train enthusiasts from all parts of Manitoba. Masking and proof of double-vaccination will be required to attend this year but children are welcome to attend with their families.
The event is just one of many reasons why Dorge, who owns more than 30 engines, continues to buy and sell model trains as a passion and business.
“I’ve been collecting them for 20 years now,” Dorge said.
“I do primarily the big, garden-scale trains that are indoor and outdoor. Most of the layouts at the show are going to be big ones, both indoor and outdoor trains displayed.”
Dorge said there will be 40 vending tables with people selling prebuilt kits, model train parts and accessories available at the show. It’s a hobby that wasn’t practical for him as a kid, despite his love for anything found on train tracks.
“I was always interested in trains as a kid. As you grow up, your budget allows you to start doing what you want, when you’re a kid you can’t do that,” Dorge said.
The event co-ordinator is looking forward to the return of travelling and putting on displays at shows across the prairies including Railfest in Regina and Supertrain in Calgary.
At the other end of the tracks, Gino Kost, a friend of Dorge, is excited to see new faces join as he looks after the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club’s projects.
“Since we haven’t been around for a few years because of the situation we’re in, it’ll be good to meet up with friends you haven’t seen and also a lot of new people that come to the show,” Kost said.
In between shows and events, Kost is the superintendent of the Gateway Western track layout on display in the Railway Museum of Winnipeg’s Union Station. Featuring a large HO scale train that passes through urban and countryside model dioramas, it’s a project Kost has been working on for eight years.
“Well, it’s a challenge, with model trains there’s all aspects of the hobby,” said Kost, himself a hobbyist since 1980.
“There’s the trains themselves, and if you’re into a specific gauge, you can do prototype modeling, freelance modeling, you can pick any road you want, paint your own schemes, track laying, electrical work and now there’s more automation, sound and light sequences you can create.”
In addition to train and building assembly, Kost noted how technology has allowed individual models to be controlled with an app on your phone. For the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club, Kost says the group, which is more than 65 years old and meets every month, is gearing up for better times ahead.
“It’s really nice to have that camaraderie with people who are willing to help others build and teach new skills,” Kost said.
For ticket pricing and more information on Manitoba Mega Train, visit its Facebook page or email vectormb@mymts.net
Manitoba model train hobbyists and families will soon be able to gather at Red River Exhibition Place for a weekend of fun after the engines had shut off for two years.
“It’s going to be great, a lot of people are looking forward to this event every year,” said Maurice Dorge, organizer of the Manitoba Mega Train event.
“It’s a family event now, it’s about guys buying and selling model trains and we have several train layouts coming. We have a giant Lego display, a train we give rides on, a model boat club, we bring as much hobby stuff as we can.”
JOSEPH BERNACKI
Sept. 14, 2021 - Gino Kost, the superintendent of the Gateway Western train layout seen below has been working on the project in the railway museum with others for eight years. (JOSEPH BERNACKI/CANSTAR COMMUNITY NEWS/HEADLINER)
Dorge, in his ninth year participating in the event, said there will be face painting, balloon artists and all kinds of activities for kids as the weekend is set to welcome train enthusiasts from all parts of Manitoba. Masking and proof of double-vaccination will be required to attend this year but children are welcome to attend with their families.
The event is just one of many reasons why Dorge, who owns more than 30 engines, continues to buy and sell model trains as a passion and business.
“I’ve been collecting them for 20 years now,” Dorge said.
“I do primarily the big, garden-scale trains that are indoor and outdoor. Most of the layouts at the show are going to be big ones, both indoor and outdoor trains displayed.”
Dorge said there will be 40 vending tables with people selling prebuilt kits, model train parts and accessories available at the show. It’s a hobby that wasn’t practical for him as a kid, despite his love for anything found on train tracks.
“I was always interested in trains as a kid. As you grow up, your budget allows you to start doing what you want, when you’re a kid you can’t do that,” Dorge said.
The event co-ordinator is looking forward to the return of travelling and putting on displays at shows across the prairies including Railfest in Regina and Supertrain in Calgary.
At the other end of the tracks, Gino Kost, a friend of Dorge, is excited to see new faces join as he looks after the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club’s projects.
“Since we haven’t been around for a few years because of the situation we’re in, it’ll be good to meet up with friends you haven’t seen and also a lot of new people that come to the show,” Kost said.
JOSEPH BERNACKI
Sept. 14, 2021 - Maurice Dorge has collected garden scale model trains over 20 years. He continues to fix up models and sells new units to hobbyists across Manitoba. (JOSEPH BERNACKI/CANSTAR COMMUNITY NEWS/HEADLINER)
In between shows and events, Kost is the superintendent of the Gateway Western track layout on display in the Railway Museum of Winnipeg’s Union Station. Featuring a large HO scale train that passes through urban and countryside model dioramas, it’s a project Kost has been working on for eight years.
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“Well, it’s a challenge, with model trains there’s all aspects of the hobby,” said Kost, himself a hobbyist since 1980.
“There’s the trains themselves, and if you’re into a specific gauge, you can do prototype modeling, freelance modeling, you can pick any road you want, paint your own schemes, track laying, electrical work and now there’s more automation, sound and light sequences you can create.”
In addition to train and building assembly, Kost noted how technology has allowed individual models to be controlled with an app on your phone. For the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club, Kost says the group, which is more than 65 years old and meets every month, is gearing up for better times ahead.
“It’s really nice to have that camaraderie with people who are willing to help others build and teach new skills,” Kost said.
For ticket pricing and more information on Manitoba Mega Train, visit its Facebook page or email vectormb@mymts.net
