Membership Information

Why Join the WRMRC?

Obviously we offer the same major benefit that all other clubs do such as building a larger layout than is possible by any individual owner. In addition there are many differences which the WRMRC offers over the traditional model railroad club. The most important aspect of the WRMRC is that clear and defined goals have been set. We model the Canadian Pacific Sudbury Division during the 70s in HO scale. We don't need to argue about what we are doing, so we can spend more time having fun!

But what if I have no interest in Canadian Pacific, the 70s or northern Ontario modelling, why should I join?

We aren't out to be the biggest model railway club around, and we know that not everyone shares our interests, yet we do attract members that prior to joining had little or no interest in CP, Sudbury or the 70s. Why? There is an attraction to modelling something that is real, or was real at some point in the past. All of our members, even those whose home modeling is completely different, recognize some good reasons for being part of the WRMRC:

If you are modelling another railroad, your individual interests can also be used at the club. For example, there are two active CN interchanges on the finished layout which necessitate CN locomotives and equipment appropriate to the 70s era. Additionally, 1970s era freight equipment from other Canadian and US roads are required to recreate Sudbury Division trains. Also, CP is known for leasing foreign locomotives in any era, which opens up interests to those modelling Penn Central (or Conrail), Chessie, the Boston & Maine and many others. If you are a prototype modeller, or fairly serious prototype free-lancer, the difference in eras, geography and railroad being modelled take a back seat to the importance that the layout replicates the scenes and operation of the area it claims to model.

Aside from the club's prototype modelling, another main benefit is participation in realistic operating sessions. The WRMRC layout holds regular operating sessions on the first Saturday of each month (except summer) that involve duplicating the operations of real CP Sudbury Division trains of the 70s. Trains are operated with two-man crews (engineman & conductor), and communicate between themselves and isolated dispatchers via radio. Real freight and passenger schedules are followed, along with proper blocking of freight traffic between trains. Currently freight is generated by a unique 4-cycle car-card and waybill operation which the club developed to duplicate the prototypical generation of traffic by the customer more accurately. The club has recently purchased the Protrax operating system to incorporate more accurate (for the 70s) switch-lists, and is busy installing it for future sessions.

Additional benefits to joining the WRMRC include the opportunity to build and kitbash models with help and guidance from our more accomplished modellers, along with access to the club's professional painting facilities. You also receive a subscription to the Spanner, our club newsletter.

As an added incentive, if you apply via the internet we offer your first month of membership free. This allows you to drop in on our regular work nights, and participate in an operating session to make sure the WRMRC is right for you.

For more information about membership, or the WRMRC in general please send us e-mail.

Dues & Membership Definitions

Come and be a part of the action - Join the Waterloo Regional Model Railway Club

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All material on these pages © 2001-2007 Waterloo Regional Model Railway Club.

Last Revised March 2007